18 new scholars in Agusan del Sur ink contract with DOST

By David M. Suyao

Thursday 3rd of May 2012

AGUSAN DEL SUR, May 3 (PIA) -- A total of 18 young students from this province who passed the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) scholarship examination signed the contract with the department and attended the one-day orientation to officially acknowledge their sincerity and willingness to abide by the rules set by the government to scholars, while signifying their intention to take full advantage and responsibility of the privilege given to them.

In the said ceremony, DOST-Caraga Regional Director Lindo Villacorta said the number of passers in the region have doubled as compared to the previous year.

“I am very proud to announce to you that in the whole of Caraga Region, we have 63 passers, and 18 came from Agusan del Sur. I want to tell you that we in DOST, together with the scholarship passers are very proud because we have doubled the passers this year compared to last year and the year 2010. Last year, there are only 26 passers while in 2010, there are 32," Villacorta said.

The DOST chief of the region also emphasized that sending students to college is not that easy, especially if there is no scholarship grant enjoyed.

"And while it is not easy to pass the scholarship examination, it is much harder to study in college, if a student is not covered with any scholarship grant. Aside from the tuition fee that DOST will shoulder for every scholar, they have also book allowance and many more privileges,” Villacorta said.

The official added while students have their privilege to choose the schools where they will study, they have also identified schools in the country that the students could choose if they want.

“We have identified quality government schools where the students can study if ever they found them fitted for them. We have the University of the Philippines, the Mindanao State Universities, the University of Southern Philippines, and we also recommend the Ateneo de Manila and Davao. Another requirement is that the course they will take must be related to science and technology,” Dir. Villacorta said.

Villacorta also called on the new scholars to do their best to maintain their scholastic records in order that they continue and enjoy the scholarship. For those who will voluntarily quit for whatever reason they may have, they will pay whatever the government have spent for them while they were scholars.

“Few years from now, many of our scholars that signed the contract today will graduate. But I must say this. Do not hesitate to approach me and apply for a job someday. If ever there are vacancies and chances, I am willing to help you and have you work with us in DOST,” Villacorta said. (DMS/Michelle de Castro, PIA-Agusan del Sur)