UP welcomed the incoming batch of Oblation scholars with a lunch and the awarding of recognition certificates on December 8, 2018 in the Isabelo delos Reyes Auditorium, Bonifacio Hall, UP Diliman.
The Oblation scholarship is awarded to the top 50 freshman qualifiers based on the UP College Admission Test (UPCAT) and University Predicted Grades (UPG). To date, 27 of the 2018 top 50 expressed their intention to enroll in UP.
The 50 topped the 78,949 UPCAT examinees and 12,920 qualifiers of 2018. According to the UP Office of Admissions, they also belong to the first batch of UP freshman applicants to complete the K-12 Program.
Aside from free tuition, the Oblation scholars are entitled to book and transportation allowances every semester, and to monthly incentive allowances. They enjoy the scholarship throughout the normal length of time required to finish their degree program (but only the first four years for those in the Intarmed Program) as long as they maintain the required 2.0 grade average.
According to admissions figures, 70 percent of the top 50 came from public science high schools, 22 percent from private schools, and 8 percent from general public high schools. Fifty-four percent are residents of the National Capital Region; 36 percent, of the rest of Luzon; and 10 percent, of Visayas and Mindanao.
The majority or 92 percent were applicants to UP Diliman, and 8 percent, to UP Manila; 60 percent to Science programs, 36 percent to Engineering programs, and 4 percent to Business programs. As Oblation scholars, however, they are entitled to choose a different undergraduate program in the UP System should they finally decide to enroll in UP.
The scholars and their family members were welcomed by University officials and representatives of UP constituent universities.
“The premium factor here is not that we have no tuition. With regard to essential facilities, we’re good [but] what we have to offer you is the diversity,” said UP Diliman Chancellor Michael Tan. He then spoke of UP’s diverse degree programs, ethnic backgrounds, and multiple intelligences.
Tan also spoke of new mental health programs, which would respond to the special needs of those considered to be among the best students in the country.
“For the parents, I know you have nagging fears. . . . You have to trust your children to be discerning enough,” he added.
Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs Alyssa Peleo-Alampay read the message of Vice President for Academic Affairs Cynthia Rose Bautista, which drew a comparison between Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio in terms of promoting both love of country and education. “In UP you become not only an iskolar ng bayan, but more importantly an iskolar para sa bayan,” the message read.
“We not only encourage the deepening of a specialization, but also of holistic growth,” Bautista said. “Students appreciate their work as part of a bigger reality,” she added. (Jo. Lontoc, UP MPRO)
