Scholars of the Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) across the country were given recognition over the weekend for volunteering to help in the fight against COVID-19.
DOST scholars were recognized by DOST Sec. Fortunato de la Peña and SEI Director Dr. Josette T. Biyo in a report on April 19, 2020.
DOST reported that a total of 569 DOST-SEI scholars are doing volunteer work in different regions of the country.
Many of them got involved in the production and distribution of disinfectant alcohol, face masks, and face shields for hospitals and frontliners.
Some scholars serve as frontliners themselves and even formed their own volunteer groups in repacking and distributing food packs for relief operations in their respective communities.
Others volunteered to help in the validation of data needed by their LGUs for their Social Amelioration Program.
Some volunteered as members of the crisis management team of their communities and helped in monitoring the entry and exit of individuals.
Others developed the online tracking mechanism for PUIs and PUMs in their barangays.
Some scholars provided additional administrative support services to their Local Government Units.
They helped in putting up sanitation tents for their community and run errands for their neighbors who cannot go out of their homes due to being senior citizens or immune-compromised.
Many DOST scholar alumni also donated funds to support these initiatives.
A group of DOST-SEI teacher-scholars had a practical idea and initiated a campaign called #FeedPHBabies, the main goal of which is to provide “baby-friendly” relief goods for babies aged 4-24 months belonging to families that are affected by the community quarantine.
Two graduate scholars based in Iloilo are working with a DOST Balik Scientist to perform epidemiological modeling of COVID-19 for the Province of Panay and Guimaras, the results of which are given to the City Mayor and Governor in aid of policy-making.
One graduate scholar took it to another level and now currently works at the Philippine Genome Center and is part of the team that prepared the laboratory to serve as a screening center for suspected cases of COVID-19. She also performs RNA Extraction of samples from suspected and confirmed COVID-19 patients.
Other scholars work as data encoders and case investigation verifiers at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM).
“It is very inspiring to know that our DOST Scholars are doing their own part to help the nation recover from the current crisis,” Sec. de la Peña said.
“At this time, no amount of volunteer work is too small nor big enough. The country needs all the help that we can give,” the Dir. Biyo added.
It is inspiring to see young DOST Scholars doing all sorts of volunteer work in their community and in their own capacity to pitch-in in different activities in dealing with the coronavirus pandemic and to take part in the efforts to help the country “Heal As One”.
Thank you DOST-SEI Scholars for your bravery, heroism, and patriotism in responding to the call of the time through your various ways of volunteerism. We are very proud of you.
Nearly 10,000 graduating senior high students qualified for the 2020 DOST scholarship for science ambassadors.
Basketball star Chris Tiu was named the Science and Technology ambassador for Filipino youth in 2019.
DOST is also supporting the Nanosatellite space technology scholarships offered at the University of the Philippines as DOST-SEI also offers scholarship slots for S&T grad students to study abroad.
SEND CHEERS in the comments below to DOST scholars volunteering in the frontlines of the fight against COVID-19.
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