THE UNIVERSITY announced on Wednesday a shift to “Enriched Virtual Mode” next academic year, where online and offline learning strategies will be utilized by faculty members.
UST Rector Fr. Richard Ang, O.P., said on-campus classes would be held only when allowed by government regulations and with strict implementation of public health standards to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
“Our academic units shall release their discipline-specific policies and implementing guidelines in consideration of the distinctive context and the unique demands of our various degree programs,” the Rector said in a letter to the Thomasian community dated May 26.
Ang also said there would be no tuition increase and that scholarships granted during the second term of Academic Year (AY) 2019 to 2020 would continue until December 2020.
Payments may be made using “considerately staggered” schemes, the Rector said.
For the special term in July, remote learning and teaching using online synchronous and asynchronous strategies will be used.
Ang said the University was proceeding with these modes of instruction to promote “dialogue and ensure accessibility and flexibility in learning” and adapt to the “new normal” amid the pandemic.
The first term of AY 2020 to 2021 is set to start on Aug. 13, 2020 and end on Dec. 18, 2020.