THE UNIVERSITY has added Hong Kong to its list of international testing centers for the UST Entrance Test (USTET), the Office for Admissions (OFAD) has announced.
The testing center, located at the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong, is the first international site outside the Middle East.
Assoc. Prof. Imelda Dakis, the OFAD director, said the proposal came from the Philippine Consulate in Hong Kong.
“This was followed by an exchange of correspondences that led to an exploratory meeting between the UST-OFAD and the consulate, eventually steering the project,” Dakis told the Varsitarian.
In addition to the new venue in Hong Kong, China, the OFAD has also added Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia; Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; and Muscat, Oman, as international testing centers in the Middle East.
UST already has testing centers in Doha, Qatar; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Manama, Bahrain; and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Over the past three academic years, the OFAD has received 500 to 600 international applications annually, Dakis said.
“We are optimistic that the numbers will at least be maintained for Academic Year 2024-2025, if not increased,” she said
The University is open to putting up new USTET testing facilities in more countries, she said.
“The OFAD is not closing its doors to future opportunities of expanding the international reach of the USTET,” Dakis said.
“Since we are currently establishing a testing center in Hong Kong, we choose to concentrate on the said project first, as setting up international testing centers requires thorough and careful study and work,” she added.
The Hong Kong USTET testing site is open to college and senior high school applicants.
The OFAD will accept requirements until Jan. 19, 2024, and administer the exams on Jan. 27, 2024. Ernest Martin G. Tuazon
