TO ATTRACT outstanding high school graduates to enroll in any of the engineering courses in the University, the Faculty of Engineering (Engineering) held a Special Orientation for top UST Entrance Test (USTET) qualifiers last March 31 at the Albertus Magnus Auditorium.
According to Engr. Michael Benjamin, Technical Director of the Special Orientation Program, this was the first time that the Faculty as well as the University organized a special orientation. Top 50 USTET qualifiers from each of the engineering courses participated in the event.
“The orientation aims to catch not just the attention of high school graduates, but also the brightest students in their batch, to make the University their number one option,” Benjamin said.
Benjamin said that through the orientation, the Faculty had the chance to explain to potential freshmen what Thomasian Engineering education is about.
“We want them to become globally competitive and technically-oriented,” Benjamin said.
However, University officials denied that there was a decrease of enrolled students in the University, particularly in Engineering, last year.
“The special orientation is just a trial to see whether we can draw more bright students to enroll in our University. If the orientation succeeds, then the orientation will be might as well be implemented in other Faculties and Colleges. Based on our assessment, the orientation was successful,” said Engr. Bernadette Duran.
Meanwhile, Benjamin assured high school graduates who have enrolled in UST of the privileges that they will enjoy.
Aside from the different scholarships, like the San Martin De Porres Scholarship and San Lorenzo Ruiz Scholarship, introduced in the orientation, the Faculty alumni also pledged to provide scholarship assistance to top high school USTET qualifiers but according to Benjamin, the details on the said alumni scholarship was yet to be revealed.
The orientation was organized by the Engineering Dean’s Office, in coordination with the Industry Academe Linkage Program of Engineering and the UST Engineering Alumni Association, Inc. Leonard James D. Postrado
