DOST-SEI study: PH S&T workers double in 20 years
04 May 2015
With the relentless efforts to sow a culture of science in the Philippines, science and technology workers in the country has doubled in numbers in 20 years, with the nation reaping economic progress as its reward.
In its study “Human Resources in Science and Technology in the Philippines” (HRST), the Science Education Institute (SEI) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) reported that the number of science workers grew by 99.17 percent from 1990 to 2010.
The study, which aimed to provide benchmark data on the estimates of S&T workforce that are crucial in crafting S&T human resources development policies and programs, said that estimated numbers of HRST gradually leaped from 362 thousand in 1990 to 593 thousand in 2000, and rose to 721 thousand in 2010.
SEI Director Dr. Josette Biyo said the study described the past and recent status of HRST in the country with specific analysis on sex, age, marital status, occupation, and regional and overseas distribution.
DOST-SEI’s Climate Science Camp goes to Zambales
15 April 2015
From the coast Puerto Galera and off to the shores of Zambales.
The annual Science Camp organized by the Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) will once again gather 60 high school students and teacher delegates from 20 selected public schools in Regions I, II, III and CAR for a real-world climate science learning experience in Sta. Rita, Masinloc, Zambales on 13-21 April this year.
With the theme “The Ocean in a Warming World”, the Youth Camp aims to challenge the incoming fourth-year students and their mentors through lectures and hands-on laboratory and on-site field activities to inspire them to pursue science and technology (S&T) careers and ultimately become scientists in the future.
Joining the 60 delegates are scientists, researchers, and instructors from the University of the Philippines-Marine Science Institute (UP-MSI), Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), and De la Salle University Araneta.
Study vs banana plant disease tops BPI-DOST Science Awards
26 March 2015
Aiming to aid the banana industry in its fight against fungal disease epidemic through his study on a banana plant pathogen, a student from Ateneo de Davao University topped this year’s Bank of the Philippine Islands – Department of Science and Technology (BPI-DOST) Best Project of the Year Awards.
Christian John Capirig, a BS Biology student, bested seven other finalists from the University of the Philippines Diliman, De la Salle University and University of Santo Tomas with his project entitled “In Vitro Evaluation of Selected Bacteria against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Cubense Tropical Race 4”.
In his study, Capirig determined the antifungal ability of the soil bacteria Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Streptomyces aureofaciens against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense Tropical Race 4 better known as Foc TR4, in Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA). He found that B. subtilis and P. fluorescens “proved to be potentially effective inhibitors mainly because of the metabolites they produce.”
DOST Secretary hails record 5,303 new S&T scholars
08 March 2015
Qualifiers to the Department of Science and Technology - Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) Scholarship Program reached an all-time high as 5,303 high school students clinch a slot in the country’s premier science scholarship program.
This year’s qualifiers breached the 3,982 mark of last year’s passers, up by 33 percent, a record for the scholarship program established in 1958.
Out of the total number of passers, 4,475 qualified as scholars under the RA 7687 Scholarship Program, scholarships for gifted students who belong to economically disadvantaged families; while 828 passed under the DOST-SEI Merit Scholarship Program.
Municipalities and congressional districts covered by the DOST-SEI Scholarship Program has also increased from 1,443 last year to 1,568 this year with the inclusion of 125 municipalities having DOST scholars for the first time.