We join kin, friends and academics in congratulating 207 scholars from Mindanao, recipients of scholarships from the Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute’s Bangon Marawi Program in Science and Technology Human Resource Development.
We also toast the DOST-SEI for its efforts in building back the lakeshore provincial capital of Marawi City, brought down to misshapen ruins and rubble following the five-month siege there in 2017.
The DOST-SEI has provided a Learning Resource Center not only for the scholars under the Bangon Marawi Program but for all DOST Scholars under the RA 7687, RA 10612, and Merit Scholarship Programs, as well as for graduate scholars under the Science and Technology Regional Alliance for National Development (Project STRAND).
The LRC, which began operation last Sept. 27, is equipped with 15 desktop computers, a laptop, and a printer/scanner that can be used for academic research, tutorials, and other activities.
The Program, which began in early 2018, has helped hundreds of affected students pursue their studies. Notably, out of the 217 BS, 20 MS, and 10 Ph.D. scholars from the first batch of beneficiaries, 131 have graduated, of which three and nine earned magna cum laude and cum laude honors, respectively.
The second batch consists of qualifiers: 177 Bachelors of Science; 27 Masters of Science; and three Doctors of Philosophy.
We add our voice to the congratulations raised by Dr. Henry Aringa, Project Leader of the Program at MSU-Marawi, who lauded DOST-SEI’s efforts in helping build back the once progressing city.
Like him we urge the qualifiers to maximize the opportunity by pursuing excellence in their studies and later on serve the city.
DOST-SEI Director Dr. Josette Biyo, orienting the qualifiers on the scholarship policies, has also congratulated the grantees and urged them to finish their courses to help their families recover from the impact of the siege.
“This program seeks to have a long-term effect on your city as we want you to be the ones to spark the rehabilitation of human and social infrastructures of Marawi,” she said.
Verily, the journey has begun for the 207 scholars. May the merciful Allah guide them in their academic voyage.