All four PACES scholars who were awarded STEMS75 scholarships in the year 2021have finally received their Bachelor of Science degrees. The scholars are:
- Mr. John Paul Dave Sarte Ebit, B.S. Information Technology at the Rizal Technological University, Mandaluyong (graduated 2022);
- Mr. Harold Magat Salenga, B.S. Computer Science at the University of Makati (graduated 2022);
- Ms. Leason Noble Fernandez, Bachelor of Industrial Technology cum laude at the Batangas State University; and
- Ms. Aiven Ocampo Monterde, B.S. Civil Engineering at the Rizal Technological University, Pasig.
Mr. John Paul Dave Sarte Ebit completed his B.S. Information Technology at the Rizal Technological University in Mandaluyong, Metro-Manila. During his college studies, he garnered Academic Achievers Awards and Dean’s List citations. Mr. Ebit was an active member and a household head in Youth for Christ of CFC. He is the eldest of four children 0f Rodolfo and Liza Ebit of Mandaluyong City.
Mr. Harold Magat Salenga graduated with a B.S. Computer Science, majoring in application development, from the University of Makati. He was a Dean’s Lister in college, and is the youngest of three children of Mrs. Elda Salvacion. Like Mr. Ebit, Mr. Magat was an active member of Youth for Christ, and also served as a household leader.
Ms. Leason Noble Fernandez completed her Bachelor of Industrial Technology with cum laude honors at the Batangas State University in 2023. She hails from Tanauan City, Batangas and is the youngest of three children of Leopoldo and Sonia Fernandez. She was a Dean’s Lister in college. Ms. Fernandez’ family were recipients of a free house under the Gawad Kalinga program of ANCOP, and that allowed her the opportunity to experience the warmth and comfort of a sturdy house. Because of this, she has long dreamed of becoming an engineer who builds houses, bridges and other infrastructure that can provide warmth and comfort for people. She is now one step closer to her goal.
Ms. Aiven Ocampo Monterde finished her B.S. Civil Engineering at the Rizal Technological University in Pasig, Metro-Manila. She hails from a family in Tayabas, Quezon, and is the eldest of four children of Danny and Jackelyn Ocampo. Ms. Monterde was a consistent honor student in her high school years in San Fernando, Pampanga. Growing up in Quezon Province in a succession of rented houses, her dream is to be able to build a house for her family.
Prior to their acceptance into the STEMS75 scholarship program, all four graduates were recipients of ANCOP Scholarships from Couples for Christ. CFC ANCOP has been PACES’ partner organization in administering its STEMS75 scholarship in the Philippines.
The STEMS75 scholarship program was launched in 2021, in the year that marked 75 years of diplomatic cooperation between Austria and the Philippines. It follows the successful STEMS70 scholarships that saw four scholars graduate with B.S. degrees in the years 2019 and 2020.
Scholars received from PACES and CFC ANCOP tuition fee assistance, cash benefits for living allowance and books and school supplies, gift packs and values formation seminars.
— by Dr. Efren Abaya
