Performance with Purpose
Last February 4, DOST-SEI required its scholars to attend a webinar on values formation.
We had to fill up a Google Form to confirm that we have received the news and we will be attending.
This Values Formation program should have been a 2-day event in a hotel (paid for by DOST-SEI) if there is not pandemic right now. But because of the situation it was reduced to a webinar series.
Despite the fact that it is disappointing to not have had experienced this in a face to face setup, the webinar still does a great job of making us, scholars, think about our responsibilities and plans for the future.
What can you receive as a scholar?
The first part of the webinar is mostly beneficial for the freshmen scholars but it also a great reminder to us, old scholars, about how lucky we are. As far as the scholarship is concerned, we receive monthly allowance, premium insurance as well as other benefits. I am not going to elaborate much on it since I do not want for the benefits I receive to be the main focus of this article.
Dr. Biyo also elaborated on the other graduate scholarship programs we can apply for if we are interested. This is where I learned that DOST-SEI actually provides scholarships for people who wants to study abroad. Everything is paid for, from the travel expenses to the living expenses, DOST-SEI makes sure to take care of the scholars the sent out of the country.
The benefits are based in the living expenses in the country where one is studying so they do not have to worry about money while studying there.
It is amazing to see how many scholarship programs one can apply for. I am actually feeling the pull of agriculture calling to me, specifically the Masters degree for Bio-engineering. But I have sworn to myself that I will no longer pursue a career in academia, that I would leave research behind so I am not too sure about what to do about the pull.
Performance with Purpose
The next part of the webinar is about our responsibilities.
There is a misconception that as DOST scholars, all we have to do is to study well to meet the required GWA for each semester. However, as this webinar reiterated, that is not the case.
As patriot scholars, we are not just studying for ourselves. Our personal goals should not be the only thing we think of.
I added the patriot there for a reason. In the webinar, it is emphasized to us that we are not just normal scholars, we are patriot scholars.
We are not just scholars of science and technology but rather we are also scholars for the nation and humanity.
DOST-SEI not only wants us to develop in academics but also in social responsibility and leadership. This is the true responsibilty we have as patriot scholars.
We have to perform our best with a purpose. A purpose bigger than just ourselves. A purpose wherein many people will benefit as well.
Many scholars who graduated went on to provide more opportunities for other students. Some made training centers helping engineering students become better engineers. Some worked in the laboratories, others on schools. Wherever they are, these patriot scholars are doing their best with a purpose in mind.
If there is no pandemic, we would be doing outreach programs to many places to give back to the country too. As of now, we are still encouraged to organize our own volunteer initiatives which we have to present to DOST so we can receive our budget. And, I know that many scholars around the country still continues with their volunteer service despite the hardships presented by the pandemic.
The nation you will serve
If you could leave the country that has been your home and provided for your education, would you do it? Would you leave behind a nation that needs your help?
This was a question that was asked to us by the resource speaker. Honestly, this is a question that I have pondered on a lot ever since high school.
I remember that there was a time where our teacher told us the story of what happened in South Korea when they struggled with great depression. He told us about how the situation then was worse than what we can see in our country back jn high school.
He asked us to think about the reason how South Korea recover. Is it because of magic? Of politics? Of some mind games?
No. It is because of the people. The professionals who left to serve other countries returned to help their dying nation. The work was difficult, but this action inspired more of their fellows to come home and help. Together they rebuilt their country and they promised to never let what happened repeat again.
As you might have guessed, my answer to the question is obviously to do my best to stay and help this nation. Not because of misplaced "utang na loob" but because I believe in the people.
The resource speaker told us that a nation can only be as great as its people. I imagine that is true.
I know you know a lot of our countrymen who excelled outside of the country. Perhaps they moved for a better opportunity, and they received better support.
But I want you to think about how could a country recover if most of its educated and professional citizens opt to serve other countries instead of their own?
How can a nation be better when the positions are filled with unqualified people because no one else wants to take responsibility of starting a change in this poor country?
This is not a judgement nor a guilt tactic. I know and understand just how tempting it is to leave the coumtry for good. Still, I just want you to ask yourself the question that we have been asked.
Would you want to be a part of something bigger than your personal goals? Are you willing to lend a helping hand to the people around you?
Closing words
I still have some thoughts to share about the webinar but I will cut it off here for now. I might make a continuation or not. I am not sure. It depends on my mood and schedule.
Anyway, I hope that this article makes you think even if just for a bit. I know there are many college students here and I want to hear your thoughts about this topic as well.
Feel free to share your ideas as well since I have always been fond of reading them.
Thank you for reading this article!
If you want to read some more articles of mine, I have monthly summaries here:
December 2021 Articles Summary
November 2021 Articles Summary
Medyo napaisip din ako sa tanong ng speaker, If you could leave the country that has been your home and provided for your education, would you do it? Would you leave behind a nation that needs your help?
Omg hanggang ngayon napapaisip ako hahaha. I am stuck between mag aaborad ba ako para maging maunlad o magstay ako dito sa Pilipinas para makapag contribute ng pagbabago?