A Profile of the ASTHRD-DOST-PCAMRD Scholars/Grantees1

by

Feliciano Baltazar Jr., Albert Dasal, Jim Linda,

Tarhata Mariano and Virna G. Salac2

In cognizance of the need to develop a critical mass of researchers and experts

on science and technology who will become part of the country’s core competencies,
the Department of Science and Technology implemented the Accelerated Science and
Technology Human Resources Development Program (ASTHRDP). The DOST-
ASTHRD aim is to (1) help improve the country’s global competitiveness and capability
to innovate through alternative approaches on HRD in S&T; and (2) accelerate the
production of high-level human resources needed for S&T activities particularly in the
area of R&D.

The DOST-ASTHRD scholarship program is for Master’s and Doctorate (MS and
PhD) degrees in the following priority fields of study namely: Environment, Agriculture,
Forestry and Natural Resources, Biology, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Earth and Space
Science, Fisheries and Marine Science, Information and Communication Technology,
Material Science and Engineering, Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences,
Microelectronics, and Physics. It is granted to professionals doing research or those
from the industry, newly graduated students and on-going MS/PhD students in priority
S&T fields and DOST network schools.

Three types of scholarships are provided by the DOST under the ASTHRD
Program, namely: (1) University-based MS/PhD Program; (2) Thesis/Dissertation Grant
and the (3) Sandwich Program. In the case of PCAMRD-DOST, there is no availment
yet for the sandwich program. As regard selection, the applicants are rated based on
the following criteria namely: priority fields, academic performance, institution, research
experience, career plans, age, category. During the interview, the following criteria are
being used: potential contribution to R&D, ability to present ideas/innovativeness,
judgement/critical thinking, personality, self confidence/ability for independent
work/study.

Despite the very competitive scholarship package awarded to the ASTHRD-

DOST scholarship program, there is seemingly limited number of scholars.grantees who
were able to fulfill their obligation of within the specified duration of stipulated in their
________________
1
Submitted to Prof. Edison Cruz in partial fulfillment of the requirements of TM 299- Project Management, 2nd
semester, SY 2009-2010.

2
ASTHRD-DOST scholars from PCAMRD-DOST and TUP.
contracts. As such, this study will attempt to determine the possible reasons for the
delay in the completion of their degree program.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES:

The study will provide a profile of the current scholars/grantees of the ASTHRD-
DOST-PCAMRD .

Specifically, it will:

1. provide a description of ASTHRD-DOST-PCAMRD scholars who are on

extension as of October 2009;
2. determine the factors that hindered the completion of the scholarship within
the specified duration stated in the scholarship contracts; and
3. provide recommendations for the enhancement of the ASTHRD-PCAMRD-
DOST program implementation.

METHODOLOGY

An open-ended questionnaire was pre-tested to 7 of the 29 targeted survey

respondents. These seven (7) respondents for the pre-testing were selected using
purposive sampling technique based on the secondary data that were obtained from
PCAMRD-DOST. Online survey (actual and pre testing) was conducted from December
2009 to February 15, 2010.

Data were also obtained from e-sources particularly the curriculum of the
universities where the scholars are enrolled in to determine the number of semesters
required to finish the course work and the timeline when a student can proceed with
his/her thesis/dissertation. Key informants from the said Council were likewise
interviewed.

SCOPE AND LIMITATION:

The study focuses on the DOST- ASTHRD scholars/grantees being monitored

by the Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development
(PCAMRD), one of the five sectoral Councils under the Department of Science and
Technology. The respondents are currently enrolled in the PCAMRD-DOST accredited
universities throughout the country.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:

From the initial 4 MS qualifiers at the start of the scholarship program in June
2007, there are now 101 full-time scholars and 9 thesis/dissertation assistance grantees
in the fields of aquatic and marine resources who are being monitored by PCAMRD-
DOST. Out of this, there are 22 qualifiers in the PhD degree program and 79 qualifiers

2007 2008 2009

Degree 1st 2nd 1st 2nd 1st TOTAL
Sem Sem Sem Sem Sem
PhD 1 9 5 7 22
MS 4 14 14 11 36 79
Thesis Assistance 4 4
Dissertation
Assistance 3 2 5
TOTAL 4 15 23 23 45 110
Table 1. DOST-PCAMRD-ASTHRD Scholars/Grantees as of 1st semester 2009=2010.

in the MS degree programs. One qualifier at the UP Marine Science Institute already
graduated in MS Marine Biology during the Second semester of SY 2008-2009. It was
during the 1st semester, SY 2009-2010 which had the highest number (45) of qualifiers
representing 41% of the total qualifiers from SY 2007 to present. Most of these
qualifiers are in the field of marine science/marine biology (Table 1).

Degree of 200
Specialization 2007 2008 9
TOTAL
1st 2nd 1st 2nd 1st
sem sem sem sem sem
PhD
Marine Science 7 3 10
Marine Biology 1 1 2
Aquaculture 1 1 2
Biology 1 1
Molecular Biology 1 1
Environmental Science 1 1 2 4
Botany 2 2
TOTAL 1 9 4 8 22
Table 2. DOST-PCAMRD-ASTHRD PhD Scholars by Semester/School Year.

Table 2 shows that the 2nd semester, SY 2007-2008 has the number of PhD
qualifiers with 9 out of the 22 PhD qualifiers. This was closely followed by those
selected for 1st semester, SY 2009-2010.
 Meanwhile for the MS qualifiers, most of them were accepted during the 1 st
semester of SY 2009-2010 with 36 out of 79 as shown in Table 3. This represents
45.56 % of the total MS qualifiers.

Degree of 2007 2008 2009

1st 2nd 2nd 1st
Specialization sem sem 1st sem sem sem TOTAL
MS
Fisheries Biology 2 7 5 1 3 18
Aquaculture 1 2 6 2 8 19
Ocean Sciences 1 1
Fish Processing Tech 1 1
Marine Science 1 3 2 5 15 26
Biology 2 1 3
Zoology 1 2 3
Environmental Science 2 4 6
NRC-CRM 2 2
TOTAL 4 14 14 11 36 79
Table 3. DOST-PCAMRD-ASTHRD MS Scholars by Semester/School Year.

As for thesis/dissertation assistance grantees, Table 4 shows that it was only

during the 2nd semester, SY 2008-2009 when there were availees of the grant and the
same had the most number of grantees.

2008 2009
Degree/Course 1st sem 2nd sem 1st sem TOTAL
MS Thesis
Marine Science 3 3
Biology 1 1 2
NRC-CRM 1 1
PhD Dissertation
Marine Science 1 1
Fisheries (Aqua) 2 2
TOTAL 7 2 9
Table 4. DOST-PCAMRD-ASTHRD Thesis/Dissertation Assistance Grantees by
Semester/School Year.
to field of specialization. Majority of the qualifiers are in the field of Marine
Science/Marine Biology and Environmental Science. The rests are in the field of
Aquaculture, Biology, Molecular Biology, Zoology and Botany.

Degree of Specialization No. Of Scholars/Grantees

PhD
Marine Biology 2
Marine Science 10
Environmental Science 4
Aquaculture 2
Biology 1
Botany 2
Micro Biology and Biotechnology 1
TOTAL (PhD) 22
MS
Marine Science 26
Aquaculture 19
Fisheries Biology 18
Environmental Science 3
Biology 3
Zoology 3
Ocean Science 1
NRC-CRM 2
Fish Processing Technology 1
TOTAL (MS) 79
Thesis Grant
Marine Science 3
Microbiology 1
Biology 1
NRC 1
TOTAL (THESIS) 6
Dissertation Grant
Aquaculture 2
Marine Science 1

TOTAL (DISSERTATION) 3
TOTAL (QUALIFIERS/GRANTEES) 110
Table 5. DOST-PCAMRD-ASTHRD Scholars/ Grantees by Degree of Specialization.
In terms of distribution by degree program, it can be noted from Table 5, that there are
seven (7) fields of specialization that the PhD scholars are enrolled in. These are
Marine Biology, Marine Science, Environmental Science, Aquaculture, Biology, Botany,
Micro Biology and Biotechnology. Of these, the marine science program being offered
at the University of the Philippines-Marine Science Institute has the most number of
enrolees with 10 out of the 22 PhD scholars.

The same Table shows that there are 9 fields of specializations that the 79 MS
degree qualifiers are taking up. The top three fields of specialization are MS Marine
Science (27), Aquaculture (19) and Marine Fisheries (18). The thesis assistance
grantees, on the other hand, are mostly into marine science while the dissertation
assistance grantees are aquaculture and marine science majors.

As regards distribution of qualifiers according to academic institutions where

they are pursuing their graduate programs, Table 6 shows that UP-Diliman had the
most number of PhD scholars with 12 out of the 22 qualifiers while the UPV has the
highest number of MS qualifiers at 36. Of the 8 accredited universities, UPV has the
highest number of enrollees with 38 out of the 110 qualifiers/grantees combined closely
followed by UP Diliman (Table 6).

The regional distribution of qualifiers in Table 7 shows that Region 6 has the
highest number of qualifiers followed by NCR. This can be attributed to the close
proximity of the said qualifiers to UPV and UPD which both have the highest number of
enrollees as shown in the above table.
 MSU-
DEGREE SUML UPD UPLB CLSU USC N UPV DLSU TOTAL

I. PhD
Marine Biology 2 2
Marine Science 10 10
Environmental Sci. 1 3 4
Aquaculture 2 2
Biology 1 1
Botany 2 2
Molecular Biology 1 1

Sub-total 2 12 6 2 22

II. MS
Marine Science 1 15 3 7 26
Biology 2 1 3
Fisheries (Biology) 18 18
Fisheries (Aqua) 3 2 14 19
Fisheries (Ocean) 1 1
Fisheries (Fish 1 1
ProcessingTech)
NRC-CRM 2 2
Environmental Sci. 4 2 6
Zoology 3

Sub-total 1 19 7 3 3 9 36 1 79

Dissertation 1 1 1 3
Thesis 4 1 1 6
Sub-total 5 1 1 2 9
TOTAL 3 36 14 6 3 9 38 1 110
Table 6. DOST-PCAMRD-ASTHRD Scholars/ Grantees by Degree by university.
Region PhD MS Dissertation Thesis Total
I 1 1
II 1 3 4
CAR - - -
III 1 2 3
NCR 2 9 2 1 14
IVa 6 4 2 12
IVb 3 3 6
V 1 1 2
VI 1 20 1 1 23
VII 1 8 9
VIII 1 3 1 5
IX - 1 1
X 3 8 11
XI - 2 2
XII 1 4 5
CARAGA 1 8 9
ARMM - 2 1 3
Total 22 79 3 6 110
 Table 7. DOST-PCAMRD-ASTHRD Scholars/ Grantees by region.

While it is hoped that the grantees would be able to complete their scholarships
based on their scholarship contracts (2 years for MS and 3 years for PhD), as of to date
only two (2) were able to graduate on time. The succeeding table shows there are 29
scholars/grantees who are on extension. This means that they were not able to finish
their degree program within the specified duration of their scholarship contract. As
such, they are not receiving any scholarship privileges as they obtain their degree. The
maximum allowable period that a DOST-ASTHRD scholar/grantee can go on extension
is one year only. After which, the monetary refund of all the privileges plus 12 %
interest shall have to be refunded to DOST to avoid legal proceedings and be issued a
clearance by the said agency.
No. Of scholars
Degree on Extension
Full-Time
PhD
Marine Science 3
Environmental Science 1
Total (PhD) 4
MS
Marine Biology 2
Marine Science 4
Aquaculture 2
Biology 2
Fisheries Biology 8
Ocean Science 1
Total (MS) 19
Thesis Grant
Marine Science 3
Total (Thesis Grant) 3
Dissertation Grant
Aquaculture 2
Marine Science 1
Total (Dissertation Grant) 3
TOTAL 29
Table 8. Distribution of DOST-PCAMRD-ASTHRD scholars/grantees on extension by
degree program.

In terms of degree of specialization, of the 29 scholars/grantees on extension, 8

or 27.58 % are taking up MS Fisheries Biology followed by MS Marine Science. It is
noteworthy to mention that 3 out of the 4 PhD full-time scholars are also on extension.

Degree of
Specialization Age Bracket
36- 46-
18-20 21-25 26-30 31-35 40 41-45 50 TOTAL
Full-Time
PhD.
Marine Biology 1 2 3
Environmental
Science 1 1
TOTAL (PhD) 0 0 0 1 1 2 0 4
MS
Marine Biology 1 1 2
Aquaculture 1 1 2
Biology 1 1
Fish Biology 4 4 8
Ocean Science 1 1
Marine Science 2 2 4
TOTAL (MS) 2 9 5 1 0 1 0 19
Thesis Grant
Marine Science 1 1 1 3
Biology 1 1
TOTAL (Thesis
Grant) 0 1 2 0 0 0 1 4
Dissertation Grant
Aquaculture
Marine Science 1 2
TOTAL (Dissertation
Assistance ) 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 2
TOTAL 2 10 7 2 2 4 1 29
Table 9. Distribution of DOST-PCAMRD-ASTHRD scholars/grantees on extension by
degree program.

The age of the scholars ranges from 18-50. While the age requirement for full-
time scholars is not more than 45 years old, it can vary for thesis/dissertation grantees.
Table 9 shows that most of them belong to 21-25 age bracket. The said age group
represents 37.93 % of the total scholars/grantees who are on extension.

Degree of
Specialization Age Bracket
18- 26-
20 21-25 30 31-35 36-40 41-45 46-50 TOTAL
Full-Time
PhD.
Marine Biology 1 2 3
Environmental Science 1 1
TOTAL (PhD) 0 0 0 1 1 2 0 4
MS
Marine Biology 1 1 2
Aquaculture 1 1 2
Biology 1 1
Fish Biology 4 4 8
Ocean Science 1 1
Marine Science 2 3 5
TOTAL (MS) 2 10 5 1 0 1 0 19
Thesis Grant 0
Marine Science 1 1 1 3
Biology 1 1
TOTAL (Thesis Grant) 0 1 2 0 0 0 1 4
Dissertation Grant 0
Aquaculture 1 1 2
TOTAL (Dissertation
Assistance ) 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 2
TOTAL 2 11 7 2 2 4 1 29
Table 9. Age distribution of DOST-PCAMRD-ASTHRD scholars/grantees on extension.

In terms of gender, three (3) of the PhD full-time scholars are male while only
one is female. In contrast, majority of the MS full-time scholars on extension are
females with 14 against 5 males. The dissertation grantees on the one hand are all
females. Over-all, there are 20 female compared to only 9 male scholars/grantees
(Table 10).

Gender
Degree Male Female

Full-Time
PhD.
Marine Science 2
Environmental Science 1 1
Total (PhD) 3 1
MS
Marine Biology 1 1
Aquaculture 2
Biology 1
Marine Science 1 4
Fisheries 1
Fish Biology 2 6
Total (MS) 5 14
Thesis Grant
Marine Science 1
Biology 1 1
Total (Thesis Grant) 1 2

Dissertation Grant
Aquaculture 2
Marine Science 1
Total (Dissertation Grant) 0 3
TOTAL 9 20
Table 10. DOST-PCAMRD-ASTHRD scholars/grantees on extension by gender.

Meanwhile, the scholars/grantees who are on extension were awarded with

scholarship that ranges from 1 to 2 years with all the thesis/dissertation grantees
provided with a year to finish their respective thesis/dissertation. The full-time PhD full-
scholars are all lateral entrants that is why all of them got a scholaship between 1 to 1.5
years only instead of 3 years. On the other hand, the MS scholars are a mixed of full
year (2 years) and lateral entrants with the latter as the majority (Table 11).

Length of scholarship award (Years)

Degree 1 1.5 2

Full-Time
PhD
Marine Science 2 1
Environmental Science 1
Aquaculture
Total (PhD) 3 1 0
MS
Marine Biology 1
Marine Science 2 5
Aquaculture 1
Biology 1
Fish Biology 1 7
Ocean Science 1
Total (MS) 4 7 8
Thesis Grant
Marine Science 3
Total (Thesis Grant) 3
Dissertation Grant
Aquaculture 2
Marine Science 1
Total (Dissertation Grant) 3 0 0
TOTAL 13 8 8
Table 11. Number of years of scholarship awarded to DOST-PCAMRD-ASTHRD
scholars/grantees on extension.

Most of the scholars/grantees on extension are enrolled at the UP-Diliman and

UP-Visayas with both universities having 12 each. It should be underscored that both
institutions do not allow graduate students to commence with the conduct of the thesis
until the MS students have completed their course works while the PhD students have
passes the comprehensive examination to be taken after the completion of the course
work.

Degree Luzon Visayas

Mindanao TOTAL
MSU-
CLSU DLSU UPD UPLB UPV USC Naawan

Full-Time
PhD

Marine Science 3
Environmental
Science 1
Total (PhD) 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 4
MS
Marine Biology 1 1
Marine Science 4
Aquaculture 1 1
Biology 1 1
Fish Biology 8
Ocean Science 1
Total (MS) 1 1 4 0 11 1 1 19
Thesis Grant
Marine Science 3
Total (Thesis Grant) 3 3
Dissertation Grant
Aquaculture 1 1
Marine Science 1
Total (Dissertation
Grant) 1 0 1 0 10 0 3
TOTAL 2 1 12 0 121 1 29
Table 12: Distribution of ASTHRDP-ASTHRD-PCAMRD scholars on extension by university.

TOTA
Primary Reason for inability to complete the degree on time L
Difficulty Lack of Difficulty Availability
Degree Difficulty in meeting lab Force Majeure sourcing Not enough of
the equipme scholarshi
conceptualizing publication nt (typhoons/ augmentation p of Adviser/
thesis/dissertati Requirement in the Thesis
on s univ fish kill) Funds duration panel
Full-Time
PhD
Marine Science 3 3
Envi. Science 1 1
Total (PhD) 4 4
MS
Marine Biology 1 1 2
Aquaculture 2 2
Biology 1 1 2
Marine Science 1 1 2 4
Ocean Science 1 1
Fish Biology 4 4 8
Total (MS) 2 5 1 3 7 1 19
Thesis Grant
Marine Science 2 1
Total (Thesis
Grant) 2 1 3

Dissertation
Grant
Aquaculture 2
Marine Science 1
Total
(Dissertation
Grant) 1 2 3
TOTAL 2 5 5 1 7 8 1 29
Table 13: Factors that delayed the completion of the degree.

Several factors were identified by the respondents that they think hindered the
completion of their respective degree program within the expected time frame. The
primary reason given was that the duration of the scholarship was not enough (8)
closely followed by the difficulty of obtaining augmentation funds for the conduct of their
thesis/dissertation. Since the thesis/dissertation to be conducted for the degree
programs would require field and laboratory works, the assistance for said activities is
not sufficient for the scope of their thesis/dissertation. This means that the thesis
allowance for wet research is P50,000 and dissertation is P100,000 also for dry
research would not be able to cover the cost for such undertaking. As regards to the
difficulty to publish a part of the dissertation, this delays the scholars from obtaining their
degree since it takes a lot of time to get an acceptance from a refereed journal.

As to the lack of laboratory equipment, the scholars/grantees said that they could
not conduct some of the analysis needed for their experiments within the university
since the latter do not have the equipment. As such, they had to outsource said analysis
in the laboratories of other universities or send the samples abroad.

CONCLUSION

Since 29 out of the 31 scholars/grantees were not able to graduate or obtain their
degree within the specified duration contained in their respective scholarship contract,
the aim of the DOST-ASTHRD Program to “ accelerate the production of high-level
human resources needed for S&T activities particularly in the area of R&D” is not fully
attained.

Several factors were identified by the scholars on extension as to the reason for
not being able to complete their degree program within the approved duration stipulated
in the scholarship contract. Of these reasons, the DOST could address the “not enough
scholarship duration” since it is the said agency that determines the duration of the
scholarship.

On the other hand, the university where the scholars/grantees are enrolled
should address the following: (1) lack of laboratory equipment, (2) difficulty in obtaining
augmentation funds for their thesis/dissertation; and, (3) availability of adviser/thesis
panel member(s) when it was necessary to confer with them in the course of the
conduct of their thesis.

As to the two (2) other factors, namely: difficulty in conceptualizing the thesis
dissertation proposal and difficulty meeting the publication requirements for PhD
students, these are within the control of the scholars therefore they are responsible for
addressing this matter.

RECOMMENDATIONS

In addressing the problem in the delay of obtaining the degree within the specified
scholarship duration, the following are this study’s recommendations:

1. Representations with the universities should be done by PCAMRD-DOST TO

help accelerate the completion of degree by asking them to provide the
thesis/dissertation adviser as early as the 1st semester, 1st year of enrollment
so that thesis/dissertation proposal formulation can be done. Moreover, it
would be beneficial if the student’s thesis title/topic is approved at the start of
the 2nd semester of the 1st year in the program so that the thesis proposal
preparation can commence already.

2. The DOST can consider the new duration set by the CHED for completing the
graduate program: 3 years for MS and 5 years for PhD.

3. The university should also open subjects for summer so to hasten the
completion of the course works.

4. The scholars and their respective adviser should come-up with a very realistic
scope for the thesis/dissertation with the latter ensuring that the resources for
the said undertaking are available in the university.

5. The scholars should also refrain from changing the thesis/dissertation topic
submitted to PCAMRD-DOST as part of the application requirement so that
there is no extra time and effort on the former’s part in obtaining the approval
of the scholarship sponsor.