Five students in the MMSU Graduate School have been qualified to enjoy the scholarship being offered by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through the agency’s S&T Regional Alliance of Universities for Inclusive Development (STRAND) consortium.

Prof. Lawrence Eclarin, MMSU’s STRAND project coordinator, said five students have been qualified and are now enrolled in the Graduate School. They are Keziah Faye Arellano, Maria Concepcion Campano, Althea Jomari Lagazo, Marie Grace Seggay (all enrolled in MS Biology), and Don Dexter Garvida (MS Mathematics).

Prof. Eclarin said all are enjoying free tuition fee and book allowance and a wholesome monthly stipend of P25,000.

“They also have a research grant of P30,000 for dry research and P50,000 for wet research, plus an additional research grant of up to P89,000 depending on their needed additional requirements,” she said.

Meanwhile, the DoST is hoping to support 33,256 scholars this year, with a target of 26,935 undergraduates. The agency’s S&T department is currently expanding its department scholarship program this year by admitting more participants and upgrading benefits.

The agency is authorized to support S&T students under Republic Act 7687, or the Science and Technology Act of 1994. In exchange, scholars agree to a service obligation, which requires them to practice S&T in the Philippines. Any periods of overseas study require the signing of a commitment to return.

The service obligation takes effect immediately upon completion of a Bachelor of Science course, according to the law, with scholars required to serve full-time in his or her selected field for a minimum period equivalent to the length of time a scholar enjoyed the scholarship.

The eligible activities for service obligations are organizing technology-based livelihood activities or enterprises, teaching, or such other service related to the course or training he has completed, and, for this purpose, requiring the execution of a contract between the Government and the scholar incorporating the details of the said service obligation.”

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