By Ariel Fernandez The Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) announced new developments on its scholarship programs including the increased number of slots and a higher monthly stipend rate for all its scholars. DOST Secretary Fortunato de la Peña and DOST-SEI Director Josette Biyo said that they consider an opportune time to drum up the public’s interest in DOST’s scholarship program. Recently, DOST-SEI posted names of 8,994 new qualifiers for its undergraduate scholarship, the biggest batch since the program started in 1958. Biyo hopes to increase the number of scholars supported in all DOST-SEI scholarship programs from 20,618 in 2016 to a target number of 33,256 scholars for 2019. DOST undergraduate scholars will also benefit from the increased monthly stipend of P7,000 per month, in addition to P40,000 per year tuition and other school fees subsidy, P10,000 per year book allowance, one-time P1,000 uniform allowance, one-time P1,000 graduation allowance, one economy-class roundtrip fare per year for those studying outside of their home province, and group insurance. “Through the new benefits in our scholarship program, we hope to get more scholars and graduates who will eventually work in S&T for the country,” de la Peña said. De la Peña and Biyo were joined by top scholar-graduates, Ruben James Rosal and John Kenneth Malilay, who shared their experiences as DOST scholars. Interested Grade 12 students are encouraged to submit their applications for the 2019 DOST-SEI Undergraduate Science and Technology Scholarship until August 31, 2018. Examination will be on October 21, 2018. Log on towww.sei.dost.gov.ph for detailsor email [email protected].