Advanced studies development program for qualified Pinoys proposed

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Edgardo Angara has stressed the need to institutionalize an advanced studies development program for qualified employees of the government and private sector.

Angara has filed Senate Bill 907, which aims to supply the country with highly trained leaders for industry, research and academe; a critical mass of elite professionals who shall take the lead in harnessing science, technology and related disciplines towards accelerating productivity in the domestic workforce.

“Many Filipinos have acquired advanced degrees and specialized training abroad through scholarship grants either of local or foreign funding. These scholarships have produced a number of high-level professionals from the country. But many returning scholars have not found opportunities to maximize their newly acquired knowledge and training. In effect, they stay overseas or leave the country in search of greener pastures abroad,” said Angara, former president of the University of the Philippines.

Angara proposed that a fellowship program for Filipinos employed in the government and the private sectors and those who are self-employed shall be established under the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). The CHED will coordinate with NGOs, the private sector and other government agencies such as the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Science and Tech (DOST) and Department of Education (DepEd). The program will form a consortium of fellowships, scholarships and training grants sponsored or extended by foreign governments and agencies and local agencies and organizations, public or private, for advanced studies in international centers of advanced learning, scholarship and research.

Under the bill, professionals in the private and government sector aged 30-40 can undertake advanced studies and fellowships in any branch of science, technology or related fields to their expertise and experience.

Upon completion of studies or training, the fellow will be required to return to his job or in another capacity and serve on a full-time basis for a minimum period of time. In addition, the scholar will be required to hold seminars or training sessions for employees from the government and the private sectors on topics related to the course
or training completed.

“Our goal now is to motivate our employees to take on higher learning and return to the country so we can harness their skills and experiences for their benefit and for their colleagues, too. At a larger scale, not only are they learning; they will be bringing in fresher insights that will lead to better productivity in our workforce,” Angara said. –Christina M. Mendez (The Philippine Star)