THE Department of Science and Technology–Science and Education Institute (DOST-SEI) will hold a 2-day program to instill patriotic values among its scholars.
DOST-SEI director Dr. Josette Biyo said the program aims to instill the core values of “professional excellence, social responsibility and servant leadership” among its scholars. It will be held on November 23 and 24 in Iloilo City.
Around 6,000 undergraduate and graduate level of scholars who specialize in the fields of science math, science education and engineering are being supported by DOST-SEI.
Entitled as “The Filipino Patriot Scholars Project,” it comprises of various activities that will allow the scholars to interact with the different sectors or community and identify problems and provide solutions.
“Part of the two days formation program, they will be educated of the Problem Tree Analysis so that there will be critical thinking. What are the root cause of this problem that exists in the specific barangay (village) or community,” Biyo said.
Apart from identifying such problems, the scholars will also identify what agencies to tap that can assist in solving the problem.
“Most especially, how can they be part of the solution kasi sila ang sa community so gina train naton ang mga scholars naton with that kind of thinking so that they will see that in the future when they become professionals,” Biyo added.
Biyo, with her team of professionals, are eyeing to check the places of Lanit, Jaro district; Barangay Rima, City Proper; Iloilo Central Market; City Social Welfare Development orphanage, Molo district; Balay Dalayunan, Lapuz district; Balay Tilipunan, City Proper and Sooc, Arevalo district to be the prospect subject of their program.
The 2-day workshop will have a series of lectures of several lessons per module. There will be resource speakers for the specific activities and lessons.
“We will be also promoting local heroes of Iloilo. We have a lot and then we will be inviting also mga scholars naton (our) from the Iloilo who have really made contributions not only in the Philippines but in the world,” Biyo said.
The team
With the huge step to take, Biyo convinced young professionals to join her for the effective implementation of the program.
One of them is Ma. Nerissa Nicolas, a robotics champion who has represented the Philippines in world competitions.
Her journey started after she achieved recognitions when she was still a student. The first time she engaged with robotics competition, her team won the Philippine Robotics Olympian in 2018. Their victory qualified them to join the international level in Korea and won as 9th placer.
Nicolas pursued to coach grade school student while on her college days, and her team placed second and fourth place in Indonesia.
As she goes on challenging herself, Nicolas met Biyo who convinced her to work with her in the program.
Nicolas was awarded as one of the ten outstanding students of the Philipppines of 2015.
Two other members of Biyo’s team were Susana Esquivel and Robby Reyes. Esquivel had been working with the DOST-SEI for 24 years already.
Reyes, a fresh graduate of the University of Philippines-Diliman was convinced to be part of the team because of the project’s vision.
“Kasi it proves na DOST-SEI do not just capacitate students financially but holistically. Nabubuo niya ngayon yung values formation na dapat meron talaga pag scholar,” he said.
(He is able to form certain values that scholars should have)
“Nakikita mo ‘yung pagbabago sa perspective ng students not just scholars. Now, they’re citizens of the country na may care and willing to do something to the country na hindi mo usually nakikita,” he added.
(You will see the change in the perspective of the students. Now, they’re citizens of the country who have care and willing to do something for the country, which you don’t usually find nowadays)