Department of Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato Dela Peña (File Photo)
MANILA -- Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Fortunato de la Peña is encouraging Filipino students to pursue doctorate in Science courses.
Addressing high school and college students over the weekend, de la Peña noted that while there has been an increasing number of students taking up Masters of Science (MS), "the number of PhDs is quite small."
The DOST Secretary signed an agreement with the students for the DOST's Young Innovators Program, which recognizes promising researchers as young as high school, to encourage and motivate them to do scientific research by giving them financial assistance.
Those whose research proposals would be picked by the DOST would get PHP12,000 per month as stipend and research grants from the DOST.
The DOST chief also urged students not just to pursue a science course, but also to take advantage of the agency's scholarship grants.
"We now have 30,000 scholars," he said.
In 2017, close to 1,000 of 22,000 DOST scholars were taking PhDs, while 2,700 were taking MS courses.
De la Peña added that the DOST has been giving research grants to universities and institutions. There are 85 universities and institutions that have already benefited from this, he told the students.
He also told the students that President Rodrigo Duterte wants new areas for expansion and growth.
"The President says he wants to reduce inequality. He says he wants new opportunities to give people the chance to rise. How can they rise or climb the ladder if there are no new opportunities?" he explained.
De la Peña continued that this is why he wants the DOST's presence in the regions--to reach more people and give better chances for them to grow and improve.
"We're establishing niche centers in the regions. These centers cater to the specific needs there," he said.
The DOST has an initial six niche centers, and continues receiving applications for this.
De la Peña also shared that the DOST is helping enterprises in the regions.
"We're helping them by providing them with a loan, technical expertise, use of our facility, and help them acquire the equipment they need," he added. (PNA)
