A BEI Scholar’s Journey

John Daryl Pitcheller, a Civil Engineering student from Adamson University in Manila, was lauded for his ground-breaking research on PVC Waste at the nternational Conference on the Environmental Quality Concern (EQC) in the National Kaohsiung Marine University, Taiwan last May 6-8, 2015.

‬ John Daryl proposed that instead of throwing away waste PVC materials, these should be recycled and used as an additive to asphalt to improve the tensile strength of pavements in his Waste Polyvinyl Chloride as Tensile Reinforcement to Asphalt Pavement presentation.

‬The regional conference researchers, environmentalist, engineers and scientists from all over South East Asia assembled at 2015 International Conference on Environment Quality Concern, Control and Conservation (EQC3) to discover researches that explore new perspectives in preserving the environment. all are very impressed in what is his research are all about.

‬ “I was inspired to make a difference.” said John Daryl. John Daryl was beneficiary of British School Manila-run scholarship programme, which is instrumental in giving him a chance to pursue his studies.


British School Manila

‬ “The British Education Inc.’s Scholarship Programme (BEI), run by volunteers from the British School Manila (BSM), really opens the door to a lot of opportunities to students like me,” he said. Usually, BSM only supports scholars until they graduate college, but the school break their own rules and take a big leap when they see an opportunity for one of their scholars to shine.

‬ “I did not know that the BEI programme would continue to support me attending this international event,” John said.

‬“I was in my final semester when the conference took place and I had actually already graduated [last March 2015]. So I had little hope that Mr. Egan would approve my request, because this was not initially part of the contract. But eureka – the trip was all expenses paid!”

‬The ‘Mr. Egan’ that John refers to is the Vice Chairman of the British School Manila Board of Governors, Mr Brendan Egan. He, who along with a handful of local staff volunteers from BEI, runs the BEI Programme, an initiative that is 100% funded by the school. The BEI programme provides education to deserving students. Its mission is to help graduate students from Taguig Public school to reach their dreaming of finishing school by providing a full scholarship to college and with the course of their own choice.

‬ “A BEI scholarship covers full tuition for any specified course, at any specified college in Metro Manila,” said Mr. Egan when questioned. “All necessary books are paid for upon presentation of an official receipt, as is any required uniform. An allowance is also provided for snacks and transportation,” he continued.

‬John Daryl received the BEI scholarship after a rigorous selection process managed by volunteer staff from BSM. His perseverance helped him qualify for the BEI Scholarship after undergoing a tedious selection process.


 Volunteers from the school, such as Erwin Adevoso help candidates go through the pre-screening process. “To get on the short list and be interviewed by the Committee, candidates are selected based on their credentials,” says Erwin. “But we also want these young people to be able to communicate well with us.” Erwin continues, “This is where I get involved, sitting down with each one, in an effort to calm their nerves and help them feel comfortable and ready to share their personal stories and why they need the scholarship, in some detail.”

Iniatially, John Daryl was hesitant to accept the BEI scholarship. He was worried that his parents might not have the financial ability to sustain his tertiary studies. He may be an only child, but his parents are supporting their relatives.

‬ John said, “When I was chosen for the BEI scholarship programme, it was a big help since it provided for everything. So I didn’t have to do anything, except study. I just had to do my best.” The BEI scholarship also entitled him to be given a fully-equipped desktop PC, so he did not have to rent computers to work on school requirements.

‬ “It’s more than manna from heaven, because it isn’t just a grant that comes to you monthly,” he said, recalling how the scholarship influenced his life. “I hope that BEI Inc. and the British School Manila will continue this kind of support for their scholars because it can impact them in ways a four-walled classroom can never do.”

‬John Daryl graduated with Academic Merit last year, and recently passed the Civil Engineering Board Exams. He is currently employed.

‬ The British School Manila (BSM) is a highly regarded co-educational British international school established in 1976. The School is proud to uphold the high standard of the British education system and takes full advantage of its multi-cultural setting.

BSM is accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and also a member of The Federation of British International Schools in Southeast Asia and East Asia (FOBISSEA) and The Independent Association of Prep School (IAPS).

Visit their website at www.britishschoolmanila.org or follow BSM on twitter www.twitter.com/bsm_1976 for updates

Comments

  1. It great to know that schools are offering scholarships and John is an example of a person who was not fortunate enough to be born in a wealthy family able to afford to send him to a good school. Instead, as a scholar, he showed that given a chance, there are so much more people who deserve good education and can become contributors in the society.

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