PHL Embassy Pushes for STEM-based Scholars in Partnership with the Philippine-Austrian Cultural and Educational Society
Philippine Ambassador to Austria Maria Cleofe R. Natividad (7th from left) reconnects with PACES officers and members and assures them of the Embassy's commitment to push for STEM-related education. From left: Mr Rodolfo Quevenco, Ms Evelyn Ziegler, Ms Robee Sallegue, Marizel Rojas (PACES Secretary), Deputy Chief of Mission and Consul General Sulpico M. Confiado, and wife, Mrs Priscila Confiado (PACES External Vice-President), Ms Malou Reininger (Internal Vice-President) and husband, Irmfried Reininger, and Drs Jane Abaya (PACES Auditor) and Efren Abaya (Chairperson, PACES Scholarship Committee)
04 April 2018 VIENNA — Philippine Ambassador to Austria Maria Cleofe R. Natividad welcomed the officers and members of the Philippine-Austrian Cultural and Educational Society (PACES) as they called on her to reiterate their partnership with the Philippine Embassy on March 22. PACES has been a staunch supporter of the STEM-based program and already has, in the two years since its establishment, rolled out a scholarship program for students enrolled in a science-based undergraduate course. Presently, PACES is supporting four engineering students –three from Luzon and one from Mindanao-- who are in various levels of their studies, and is in partnership with ANCOP (Answering the Cry of the Poor), the Social Development Foundation of Couples for Christ (CFC).
PACES was established in 2016 during the 70th year anniversary of Philippine-Austria diplomatic relations. All the officers and members of PACES came from various professional fields in Vienna.
Ambassador Natividad was particularly pleased to know that PACES’s initiatives of strengthening and promoting STEM are congruent with the vision of the Embassy to become the science diplomacy center of the Philippine foreign service. She also reiterated the importance of science-based education in the development of the country. During the meeting, various steps were discussed on how to further the promotion of PACES’ scholarship program so that it could get the widespread support it needs to continue.
PACES briefed the Ambassador on its major initiatives for 2018 including #10forSTEMs -meaning contributing Euros 10 a month to support the scholars, and a book project focusing on the notable Filipino science and technology professionals in Austria. Proceeds from the sale of the book will be used to support other deserving students intent on pursuing STEM courses.
While at the meeting, one of the members of PACES, Mr Rodolfo Quevenco, who used to be connected with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), presented Ambassador Natividad with a copy of his coffee table book featuring places he’s been to on the course of his duty. He donated a portion of the proceeds of the book to PACES. END
For more information, visit www.viennape.dfa.gov.ph/ www.philippine-embassy.at or @pevienna on Twitter
PACES Internal Vice-President Malou Reininger apprises Ambassador Natividad of the organization's upcoming projects.
PACES member, Rodolfo Quevenco, presents the Ambassador with a copy of his coffee table book entitled "Places and Faces."