Cotabato City, BARMM – A total of thirty-nine (39) qualifiers of the Bangsamoro Assistance for Science Education (BASE) and BASE-Merit signed contracts with the Ministry of Science and Technology on August 18, 2023, for the grantees in this city.

The activity took place at the Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority (BPDA) Conference Hall and was facilitated by the City S & T Center led by Ms. Norhaya Sumaluyan, CSTC Head, and Senior Science Research Specialist, along with Yzel Andrew Aron, SRS II, and other CSTC personnel.

Twenty-nine (29) BASE qualifiers and 10 qualifiers for BASE-Merit inked contracts with MOST.

Ms. Sumaluyan congratulated the grantees from Cotabato City and expressed hope for the best future for the scholars.

“Mabrook and congratulations sa ating BASE & BASE MERIT Grantees and parents. We are hoping that this is the start of our journey together with MOST-BARMM in pursuing your academic degrees and envisioning a future breed of Bangsamoro Scientists,” Sumaluyan said.

On that day, a scholarship orientation was also conducted to clearly inform the grantees about the terms and conditions of the scholarship program.

Mr. Alimudin Kandang, SESG Division’s Supervising SRS – Designate, accompanied by Engr. Shariff Mocsir Bernan, Senior SRS, oriented the students about the terms and conditions outlined in the contract, including the duration of the scholarship programs, study placement, obligations, supervision, and other relevant details.

Furthermore, the ministry will also conduct orientations and contract signings for grantees in Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi, scheduled for this August and September. The oath-taking and awarding of cash assistance for Cotabato City, Maguindanao, and North Cotabato – Special Geographic Area (SGA) grantees will take place during the upcoming Bangsamoro S & T Week on September 5, 2023. The island provinces are set to have their oath-taking and awarding of cash assistance in the same month.

The MOST BASE and BASE-Merit Program is a scholarship initiative designed for incoming 1st-year college students pursuing science and technology courses who have successfully passed the qualifying examination. BASE grantees will receive a monthly stipend of P8,000.00, while BASE-Merit grantees will receive P20,000.

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