FURTHER strengthening its network of alumni, the University launched the alumni visa card at the Thomas Aquinas Research Complex last March.
The privilege card is both a credit and a special discount card. It is also a charity card, giving 50 per cent of the annual membership or renewal fee to the Philippine Dominican Mission (PDM) to help fund the setting up of formation of houses, youth centers and convents, and clerical scholarships.
PDM was the one who presented the idea for the card to the UST Public and Alumni Affairs Office (PAAO). “It was two years in the making because UST was very particular with the card,” Criselda Diala, a staff writer of PAAO, said. “They wanted to find a way of soliciting funding for their projects.”
The alumni credit card was born out of the partnership between UST and Unionbank Visa. Unionbank Visa was launched in the country in 1999 and has already partnered with other schools like Letran-Manila, Ateneo, La Salle, Assumption, Don Bosco, Lourdes and Phil. Science High School.
The benefits that Thomasian alumni could get from the card are five per cent discount on UST Hospital services, 50 per cent discount on the UST Central Library Fee, five per cent discount on books sold at the UST Publishing House bookstore, P1,000 discount on wedding fee at the UST Chapel, free entrance to the UST Museum of Arts and Sciences, one-year subscription to the Thomasian Courier, the UST alumni newsletter, and access to UST buildings.
To get the card, an alumnus should be a graduate of the University at any level,18 to 65 years of age, have a gross annual income of P150,00 and above, is single, and if married, should at least earn P150,000 yearly with the spouse earning at least P30,000. J.B.F. Santos
