The Science Education Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-SEI) recently led a brainstorming activity with key science education stakeholders in the country as it aims to review and update the list of priority science and technology (S&T) courses covered in its Scholarship Programs.
At the Roundtable? Discussion on Priority S&T Courses held on 22 April at the Astoria Plaza in Pasig City,? SEI together with officials and representatives from the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD), Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) , Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) reviewed the statuses of human resources in key S&T sectors such as agriculture, aquatic and natural resources; basic sciences; health and nutrition; industry, energy and emerging technologies, and science and mathematics education.
The RTD aimed to review and update the list of priority S&T courses of the DOST-SEI Scholarship Programs vis-?-vis the current and projected manpower needs of the industry, to government, and the academe. It also sought to align the priority S&T courses with the DOST national S&T agenda. Participants from the government, academe and industry sectors attended the activity.
SEI Director Dr. Josette Biyo, who gave a brief background of the DOST-SEI Undergraduate Scholarship Programs, said the RTD was timely and consistent with DOST?s goal of continuously producing good number of human resources in S&T sectors that most need it.
?Based from these discussions we hope to maximize the impact of our scholarship programs by making sure that we hit the fields that need boost;? said Biyo. ?The inputs of these agencies are of utmost importance as we strategize our human resources development programs.?
Representatives from DOST Councils?Dr. Melvin Carlos of PCAARRD, Engr. Ermie Bacarra of PCIEERD, and Carina Rebulanan of PCHRD?provided status reports on their respective sectors which were then used as discussion points during the sectoral breakout sessions.
Robelyn Revilla of DOLE likewise discussed the overall Status of S&T Manpower in the Philippines while Antonio Sayo of PCCI talked on Priority Industry Sectors focusing on the Skills Mapping conducted by their agency. Biyo said their inputs were necessary in identifying new priority courses as demanded by the industries.
?With the relevant suggestions and recommendations that emerged during the RTD, DOST-SEI hopes to develop more effective strategies that would increase and maintain the pool of S&T human resources, required to support the country?s economic development agenda,? Biyo disclosed.
