A total of 3,400 high school students have qualified for the DOST Science Education Institute science scholarships for AY 2012-2013, DOST Secretary Mario G. Montejo announced today. 

Of this number, 3000 examinees who belong to economically disadvantaged families qualified for the RA 7687 Scholarship grants, while 400 passed under the DOST-SEI Merit Scholarship Program. 

The new S&T scholars under the RA 7687 Scholarship Program will receive subsidies on tuition fee and other school fees as well as book allowance, monthly living allowance for a 10-to-11 month duration every year and more. DOST-SEI Merit scholars receive the same benefits as the RA 7687 scholars except for a pro-rated monthly stipend depending on the family's socio- economic status. 

Through the annual DOST-SEI Undergraduate Scholarship Programs, talented and deserving high school graduates are accorded opportunities to pursue four-or-five-year baccalaureate degrees in priority science and technology fields. Qualifiers can enroll in state universities and other higher education institutions recognized by Commission on Higher Education as Centers of Excellence or Centers of Development. 

Priority sciences in which the scholars can enroll are: Agriculture, Agricultural Biotechnology; Agricultural Chemistry; Agricultural Engineering; Applied Mathematics; Applied Physics; Biochemistry; Biology; Ceramics Engineering; Chemistry w/ Applied Comp. System; Chemistry w/ Materials Science and Engineering; Chemical Engineering; Chemistry; Civil Engineering; Computer Engineering; Computer Science; Electrical Engineering; Electronics and Communications Engineering; Environmental Science; Fisheries; Food Technology; Forestry; Geology; Geodetic Engineering; Geological Science and Engineering; Industrial Engineering; Information Technology; Manufacturing Engineering; Materials Engineering; Mathematics; Mechanical Engineering; Metallurgical Engineering; Mining Engineering; Molecular Biology and Biotechnology; Physics; Physics with Applied Computer System; Physics with Materials Science and Engineering; Science/Mathematics Teaching and Statistics. 

This scholarship is the DOST's commitment to uphold the pledge of President Benigno S. Aquino III to support the expansion of scholarships granted to outstanding yet underprivileged students. 

DOST Secretary Mario G. Montejo said this year's scholarship qualifiers will add to the pool of highly qualified scientists and engineers who will take active participation and leadership roles especially in S&T and Research and Development (R&D) activities. "The Department shall always grant scholarships to deserving students who embrace excellence along their chosen fields of specialization," Sec. Montejo said. 

SEI Director Filma G. Brawner is confident that the "Iskolars ng Bayan" will someday use the talents and skills they acquired and developed for the benefit of our people and the country. The scholars are obliged to render service in the country after completion of their programs of study for the duration equivalent to the period of scholarship. (DOST-SEI)