Over 600 incoming freshies take qualifying exam for DOST scholarship in MSU-CETD; MSU-GSC DOST scholars’ initiatives adapted nationwide

A total of 613 examinees took the qualifying examination for the first three batches of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) - Science Education Institute (SEI) undergraduate scholarship program at the Mindanao State University - College of Education Training Department (MSU-CETD). 

Photo by: Rayjie Carillo

This nationwide examination was scheduled from April 5 to 6 this year with two batches of examinees per day.

Moreover, 249 examinees were expected for the fourth and last batch.

MSU-CETD is one of the six test centers in Region 12 and among the 215 test centers nationwide to accommodate more than 100,000 examinees this year, DOST Philippines reported. 

Additionally, 35 examinees designated in MSU-CETD as their testing center will be taking the same examination as a qualifying exam for the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) - Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP).

The DOST-SEI undergraduate scholarship examination is for incoming freshmen pursuing degree programs in science and technology. 

On the other hand, the OWWA-EDSP is a scholarship grant for qualified dependents of OFWs, which will be selected through the DOST national examinations.

MSU-GSC DOST Scholars’ Initiatives

The Mindanao State University - General Santos Association of DOST Scholars (ADS) has sustained and expanded its pre-existing initiatives, such as review sessions and “Lapis para sa IPs.” 

“Lapis para sa IPs” is an initiative that encourages exam takers to donate their pencils used during the exam to the IP learners—an initiative they started during the February 2024 MSU System Admission and Scholarship Examination (SASE).

ADS President April Dave Superales emphasized the importance of this project for its beneficiaries.

“Helpful jud sa ilahang education [since] ang starting educational journey jud sa kids kay ang pagsulat ug pagbasa and we have this initiative para ato nga purpose—para sa foundational needs ng children sa Philippines,” Superales said. 

Initially focused on the IP community in Bawing, the project has since expanded to benefit other communities as well.

In addition, what began as localized review sessions partnering with different Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Councils and other organizations, “Project TARA” was later adopted on a nationwide scale.

“Since nakita ng DOST-DEI na effective talaga ‘yung mga review sessions, and also ‘yung on-ground volunteering ay nakitaan nila ng purpose talaga to uplift the examiniees, so nag take ng step ang DOST-SEI to encourage all the associations and organizations ng DOST scholars to do the same just like what we did last year,” Superales added.

This nationwide effort was consolidated under a larger umbrella program called “Project REACH”, which is coordinated by a national council representing Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

According to Superales, the council helps streamline the distribution of resources and tasks across regions.