Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute (DoST-SEI) DOST Secretary Fortunato T. dela Peña said nine of the 184 scholars who were sent to 24 different countries already graduated. He noted that the scholars are pursuing their graduate degree programs in fields of studies that are mostly not offered yet in any higher education institution in the country. “Nine of the 184 graduated recently,” he said in a report. Of the 184 scholars sent abroad, 105 are Accelerated Science and Technology Human Resource Development Program or ASTHRDP scholars taking up M.S. and Ph.D. in basic and applied science and mathematics, the DOST Chief said.