(First of 2 parts)

IN MARCH 2020, President Rodrigo Duterte imposed the very first week-long lockdown in Metro Manila.

It was the start of a series of lockdowns aimed to curb the spread of Covid19 in the country.

For almost two years, these lockdowns affected how businesses and offices operate.

The most notable changes happened in the education sector. Covid19 has pushed the boundaries of all education stakeholders to ensure that learning will not stop amid the pandemic.

Among the education stakeholders that worked non-stop to achieve this goal is the Department of Science and Technology.

The agency has been consistent in coming up with innovative measures to help the education sector adapt to the new normal.

The top 10 educational projects of DOST in 2021 are as follows.

1. Non-stop scholarships

In August, the DOST Science Education Institute released the names of about 8,000 qualifiers for the DOST-SEI S&T Undergraduate Scholarships.

Each scholar received P7,000 monthly allowance and a tuition subsidy of P40,000 per school year. The scholarship also provides book allowance, MS/PE clothing allowance, free annual economy-class roundtrip fare for those studying away from their province, thesis allowances and health insurance.

“These senior high school graduates have shown tremendous resiliency and dedication by continuing their education despite the challenges of the new way of learning. I believe that we are able to identify deserving students to our scholarship programs. We are happy to welcome them to the S&T community and to support them in their next chapter in the higher education level,” DOST-SEI Director Dr. Josette T. Biyo said.

The DOST also offers the Science and Mathematical Education scholarships, Junior Level Science Scholarships , graduate scholarships, among others.

2. DOST-PCIEERD projects for distance learning

Filipino innovators from different organizations offered new projects that could help in the continuity of remote learning.

Revealed during the webinar series conducted by the DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development, the projects include the Resilient Education Information Infrastructure for the New Normal by Engr. Peter Banzon from DOST-ASTI, which addresses the “digital divide” amid the pandemic.

Another notable project was the “Development of Framework and Materials for Distance and Remote Learning via Datacasting” by Dr. Raymund Sison of DLSU, which targets to improve the model for the delivery of lessons and learning materials in remote learning.

“We are optimistic that leveraging leading edge technologies and platforms will help us overcome the challenges in distance, the evolving needs for learning, and to continuing threats posed by the pandemic,” PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Enrico C. Paringit said in his speech.

To see the full list of projects visit https://pcieerd.dost.gov.ph/news/latest-news/466-dost-pcieerd-unveils-13-new-projects-on-human-development-industries

3. DOST-SEI and Knowledge Channel partnership

DOST-SEI also partnered with the Knowledge Channel Foundation Inc. to widen the access of students and teachers to educational content.

KCFI is an organization that disseminates learning information on air, online and offline to empower less privileged children through media.

DOST-SEI aimed to uphold STEM by promoting video programs including RadyoEskwela sa Siyensya and TuklaSiyensya.

“Through this partnership, we will be able to reach new horizons and bring STEM closer to our youth as the DOST-SEI and The Knowledge Channel collaborate to uphold the value of science, technology, and innovation in building up the next generation of Filipino youth,” DOST-SEI Director Josette T. Biyo said.

4. “New and Revitalized” BPI-DOST Innovation Awards

The partnership between the Bank of the Philippine Islands Foundation Inc. and the DOST resulted in a scientific and technological competition that encourages STEM students to come up with innovative agriculture, food safety, traffic, health, and disaster management projects.

“DOST and BPIFI have this shared vision to boost interest and awareness on the value of S&T and innovation in the economy. We both hope to encourage many others to pursue research in the sciences and ultimately set an environment that is healthy for innovation and creation of high value products or solutions,” DOST-SEI Director, Dr. Josette Biyo said.

Owen Cammayo, BPFI Executive director, said that the project is “a celebration of young Filipino innovators who can potentially contribute to the realization of a better and sustainable Philippines.”

The contest is slated in September 2022.

5. DOST-SEI and Gokongwei Brothers Foundation partnership for student scientists

The Gokongwei Brothers Foundation partnered with DOST-SEI for the “4th imake.wemake competition” aimed to mold Filipino learners into critical thinkers, digitally-equipped workers and  problem-solvers.

The goal of GBF and DOST-SEI is  both to advance science, technology, engineering and mathematics education.

Three GBF Young Scientist Awardees were selected from the competition. Each will receive a scholarship grant amounting to P85,000 per academic year.

GBF will also provide mentoring, training, and immersions for the student scientists with best innovations.

In addition, DOST-SEI will give P200,000 cash prize to the winning teams.

(To be continued)