The DOST – Science Education Institute (SEI) conducted a two-day Scholar’s Formation Program at the Grand Regal Hotel, Lanang, Davao City on April 26-27, 2019. The gathering aims to instill patriotic values among the scholars. “The overall goal of the DOST Scholarship Program is for you to help us attain national security and eventually national development,” Dr. Josette T.Biyo, Director of DOST – Science Education Institute said during her opening remarks.
Over 300 DOST undergraduate and graduate level scholars from all over the region participate in the event. Under the “Filipino Patriot Scholars Project”, the formation program aims to inculcate the core values of social responsibility, servant leadership, and professional excellence among its scholars.
The workshop featured a series of engaging modules, lectures and activities that allowed the participants to interact with their co-scholars and different sectors of the community. The scholars also watched a film entitled “Gasera”- a true to life story of Dr. Nestor G. Acala, a former DOST Scholar who is now working at MSU-Marawi City. In an interview, he shared: “I am proof that giving a scholarship to even just one student of a poor family breaks the chain of poverty”. The scholars also identified the pressing issues in the communities and which agencies can help address these problems.
Dr. Anthony C. Sales, CESO III, DOST XI Regional Director, also shared his enthusiasm for the outcome of the event. “We want that the endgame to be having scholar-graduates making an impact to the society, contributing to the development of our country, particularly here in Davao Region,” Dr. Sales said during his message. “We hope that through this two-day activity, we were able to fuel your desire to help make people feel science in their lives,” Dr. Sales added.
