The United States government, through the US Embassy Manila?s United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has awarded 16 scholarships and 14 research grants in science, technology and innovation, in support of the Philippine government?s push for innovation-led inclusive growth.
The grants and scholarships are implemented through USAID?s Science, Technology, Research, and Innovation for Development (STRIDE) Program which works to stimulate inclusive economic growth by boosting science and technology research.
The United States Ambassador to the Philippines Philip S. Goldberg personally acknowledged the individual scholars and the head scientists of the research projects to be funded. These scholarships and grants awards represent 18 universities all over the country.
The STRIDE Program is funding 14 research grants (P4.5 million each) to Philippine universities to undertake collaborative research for a year in priority fields of study of electronics, chemicals, alternative energy, translational medicine, agribusiness, ICT and mobile computing, and with cross-cutting themes of manufacturing and new product development.
The research projects will be done either in partnership with a US university or a local industry.
The universities who received the grants include University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman, UP Los Ba?os, De La Salle University, Benguet State University, Xavier University, Ateneo de Davao University, Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, and Western Visayas College of Science and Technology.
The scholars will begin their two-year Professional Science Master?s (PSM) courses in various US universities this August. PSM combines core science and technology curriculum with professional training in business and management to prepare students for careers not only in academia but also in businesses and industry.
Aside from PSM, one of the awardees will receive a post-doctoral research scholarship, intended to benefit active faculty members of Philippine universities.
This is the second year that the STRIDE Program has awarded scholarships and grants. Five research grants are in progress and nine PSM and PhD scholars are currently in the US completing their studies and research. One scholar has completed her master?s degree.
?We believe that by strengthening knowledge, skills, and expertise, we can help build a strong foundation for achieving the shared goal of the Philippine and US governments, to foster inclusive growth through increased and improved science and technology capacity,? said Goldberg during awards ceremony in Makati.
