March 14, 6 p.m. – UST’S Occupational Therapy program was granted full accreditation by the Occupational Therapy Association of the Philippines (Otap), the Varsitarian learned.
Pauline Grace Morato, a professor from the College of Rehabilitation Sciences, confirmed to the paper the news, saying the accreditation was announced just a while ago during Otap’s National Convention at Ortigas, Pasig City.
“Yes, kakabigay lang sa amin,” Morato said, referring to Otap’s accreditation of UST’s occupational therapy program.
The Varsitarian first reported about the unaccredited status of UST’s occupational therapy in September 2008 despite it passing its application as early as 2003. The program underwent ocular inspections last March and April, meeting “some of the requirements,” according to Rehabilitation Sciences Dean Jocelyn Agcaoili.
Otap conducted another series of ocular inspections late last year, resulting in full accreditation of the program.
Morato said with the accreditation, UST can now apply for recognition by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT), without which graduates of the University cannot work abroad.
“Otap will now be the one to forward our application to WFOT,” Morato said.
She said UST will have to re-apply for accreditation every two years. Prinz P. Magtulis
