Philippines wants more Science and Technology graduates

MANILA, Philippines - The government wants more graduates of science and technology courses to get a career in public service.

Just recently, the Civil Service Commission (CSC), in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology, issued a revised set of rules and regulations expanding the fields of study covered by the grant of Scientific and Technological Specialist (STS) eligibility.

The STS eligibility, like the Career Service Professional eligibility, is appropriate for appointment to any first and second level position (rank and file up to Division Chief) in government not covered by Bar, Board and other special laws. Thus, STS eligibility holders may no longer take the career service exams, according to the CSC.

Bachelor’s degree holders in the following fields of science may apply for STS eligibility: Astronomy (Astrophysics); Biological sciences (Biology, Botany, Ecology, Marine Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Physical Anthropology, Zoology); Geological sciences (Archeology, Geophysics, Paleontology, Seismology); Meteorology; Oceanography; Physics/Applied Physics;

Engineering sciences (Biological, Ceramic, Computer, Food, Geothermal, Industrial, Nuclear, Manufacturing, Materials, Mechatronics, Petroleum, Railway, Textile); Mathematics and Information and Communication Technology (Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Information Technology, Pure Mathematics, Statistics); Environmental Science; and Food Science.

With the expanded coverage of fields of study, particularly the Engineering sciences, Computer Science and Information Technology, the CSC expects the number of STS eligibility grantees to improve. Statistics show that only 990 individuals have been granted the STS eligibility in the last 33 years, from 1977 to 2010.

To qualify for the eligibility grant, graduates of said fields of study should have acquired either at least three years of continuous experience in science research and/or teaching, or a Master’s or Doctorate degree also in any of the mentioned fields of study.

As a rule, the grant of STS eligibility does not apply to graduates of science courses and fields of study covered by licensure examinations. However, they may still qualify for STS eligibility if they graduated at least five years prior to the time the course was covered by board examination. For instance, the licensure examination for Agriculturists took effect in December 2002; thus, graduates of Agriculture fields of study in 1997 and earlier on may apply for the eligibility grant.

Applications for the grant of STS eligibility must be submitted to the DOST.

The PD 997 Committee shall evaluate the applications and those approved for the eligibility grant shall be endorsed to the CSC for processing and issuance of the Certificate of Eligibility.