MANILA – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) announced Thursday it has inked partnerships with two Canadian universities to provide scholarships to Filipinos.
The agreements were signed with University of Saskatchewan (USask) and University of Alberta (UAlberta) on March 13 in Canada.
DOST's partnership with USask aims to promote long-term collaboration and exchange in graduate education. This would create a mechanism for doctoral students from the Philippines to study and conduct research at USask, with support to be provided by both parties.
Up to 10 scholars can be accommodated in the DOST-USask partnership, wherein USask will provide discounted rates and research funding for the scholars' dissertations.
The partnership with UAlberta, on the other hand, will create mechanisms for doctoral and master’s students from the Philippines to study and conduct research at UAlberta, with the support that both parties will provide.
The DOST, however, did not indicate the number of scholars they could accommodate under this collaboration.
"Economic prosperity is linked to the industries employing highly educated individuals like science workers. The signed agreements on scholarship programs with the two universities will set the pace of our flourishing engagement with academic members here in Canada," DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said in a statement.
He is hoping their collaboration will boost the career opportunities for Filipino scientists and engineers, and augment the human resources in the country.
Solidum led a Philippine delegation in Canada from March 11 to 14.
According to the DOST, the delegation also oriented Filipino communities in Saskatchewan and Edmonton about science career opportunities, while business communities were informed of the programs and priories of the agency.
Solidum also assured them of the government's commitment to supporting Filipino scientists in making local and global innovations, the DOST said. (PNA)
