The number of medals won by the Philippines from international science and mathematics competitions reached 447 in 2013, setting a new mark in Philippine history. The previous record was 308 in 2012.
As a tribute, the Department of Science and Technology?Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) honored the elementary and high school students who won gold, silver, and bronze in international competitions held last year.
The winning students were given recognition by DOST with the Youth Excellence in Science (YES) Award, a DOST institutional award for exemplary achievement of the youth in the fields of science and mathematics and came in the form of a medal of distinction.
During the YES Awarding ceremony held at the University of the Philippines? National Institute of Science and Mathematics Education Development in Diliman, Quezon City, DOST secretary Mario Montejo lauded the batch for setting a whole new record of excellence in the international scene.
This is the first time in the recognition program?s history that the number of YES Awardees reached over 400.
St. Jude Catholic School and Grace Christian College had the most number of medalists with 20 apiece.
?Our people definitely need your gifts in the creation of S&T-based solutions to address the pressing issues of this time. You are all capable to work on breakthroughs through research and development, and your creative minds will surely produce innovative technologies that can help boost our industries and the economy,? said Montejo.
Meanwhile, DOST undersecretary for S&T services Fortunato dela Pe?a urged the awardees to maintain their ?thirst for excellence? and reminded them of DOST?s scholarship program as a mechanism to help them achieve brighter things in the future.
?[L]et us prove to the world that we are achievers beyond competitions,? dela Pe?a remarked.
