VIGAN CITY, Aug. 2 (PIA) - Around 44 students who qualified for this year's Undergraduate Scholarship recently signed their scholarship agreement with the Department of Science and Technology under the Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) at the Ilocos Sur Science and Technology Center (IS-STC) here.

Project Assistant II Laurine Sales said the contract signing was spearheaded online by the DOST-Regional Office 1 under the Scholarship Unit and was facilitated by the IS-STC staff.

"The signing was scheduled per batch with the first batch held on June 30 and the second batch on July 17, to ensure the social distancing measures and to avoid the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in the province," Sales said.

She said that the policies of the scholarship grant are specified in the contract signed by the scholars with their parents or guardian present.

"The scholars, together with their parents or guardians, were oriented beforehand on the privileges of the scholarship last June 8," she added.

ISKOLAR NG AGHAM, PARA SA BAYAN. Mr. Ramon Sumabat, provincial director of Ilocos Sur Science and Technology Center, addresses the Ilocos Sur youth who qualified for this year's Undergraduate Scholarship of the Department of Science and Technology. The scholarship program aims to push for knowledge-driven development through S&T human resource advancement. (photo from DOST-Ilocos Sur)

In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, the DOST calls on the youth to join the science community by pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

The DOST-SEI Undergraduate Scholarship program is open for all Grade 12 students or incoming first year college students in the STEM Track, but non-STEM students may also apply provided they belong to the upper five percent of their graduating class.

Applicants for the scholarship must be natural-born Filipinos of good moral character and in good health.

The scholarship program aims to push for knowledge-driven development through S&T human resource advancement.

The DOST-SEI is still open for the 2021 undergraduate scholarship application.

Students may apply online through https://www.science-scholarships.ph/undergrad_app/.

The deadline for submission of online application is on August 28, 2020.

The nationwide examination is scheduled on October 25, 2020.

DOST-SEI scholarship benefits include tuition fee subsidy and book allowance of Php40,000.00 and Php10,000.00 per academic year, respectively.

Scholars will also enjoy a monthly stipend of Php7,000.00 for 10 months each academic year. (JCR/AMB/PIA Ilocos Sur)