News

THE UNIVERSITY’S computer network system, like any other computer network, has never been free of infectious spywares. This is why the UST Data Center makes sure that the computers are well-guarded.

The usual malicious software (malware) the UST Data Center detects are adwares or pop-up advertisements, and UST’s computers are well-equipped with anti-malware programs.

THREE suspected swindlers allegedly posing as fraternity members were caught by security personnel inside the University at around 6 p.m. last July 4.

Suspects Jeffrey Arcan, 28, Marvin Garcia and Mike Mallari, both 18, presented themselves to freshmen Ehrlichristian Cuaresma and Khris Marlowe Violago from the Faculty of Pharmacy and Jacy Jimenez, a student from De La Salle University, as members of the Alpha Phi Omega (APO) fraternity in separate incidents on the same day.

AFTER the launching of the UST Spanish Club last January comes the launching of a Spanish language program in the University.

“Aula Cervantes”, which started last June 18, is a Spanish language program that is, different from the University’s Spanish curriculum. It is open to everyone in the Sampaloc area who is interested to learn the Spanish language.

According to General Education director Dr. Nancy Eleria, the center was suggested by Spanish Ambassador Ignacio Sagaz and Instituto Cervantes- Manila (ICM) director Javier Galvan.

STUDENTS will now have a say on Total Quality Management (TQM), as they will join faculty and non-academic personnel quality auditors in evaluating University offices this year.

According to Engr. Delfin Jacob, a member of the TQM Technical Support Group and executive assistant for planning and development, student leaders will be trained this semester to conduct quality audits on various University offices.

The trained student leaders are expected to carry on an awareness of “quality consciousness” once their offices start occupying the Student Center.

A THOMASIAN doctor was elected president of a regional medical association last month.

Dr. Jose Sollano Jr. now heads the Asia Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver (APASL), a regional organization composed of medical practitioners specializing on the liver and its diseases.

“It is an honor (to be elected as president),” Sollano said. “It is an honor for the country as well.”

To be elected president of APASL, a member should be part of the association’s executive council.

ISANG Tomasino ang pinarangalan ng isang kilalang unibersidad sa Estados Unidos kamakailan.

Ginawaran si Carlos Agatep ng citation ng Boston University noong Hunyo 10 para sa kanyang mga nagawa sa public relations (PR) sa Pilipinas.QA

“Marahil binigyan ako ng citation para sa paggamit ko ng PR para sa pagpapalaganap ng mga cause-related programs,” ani Agatep.

Si Agatep ang nagtatag ng Agatep Associates, isang tanyag na PR firm sa bansa. Kabilang ang Intel Philippines sa mga dating kliyente ng Agatep Associates.

IN HIS two-year stint as vice-rector for academic affairs, Dr. Armando de Jesus has evaluated the University’s academic curriculum and negotiated the collective bargaining agreement between academic employees and UST. Now in his final year, he is determined to accomplish his remaining plans, including the introduction of a standardized syllabus in the Department of General Education.

“I do not look beyond my term and I just do whatever I can because nobody’s indispensable,” De Jesus told the Varsitarian.

EVEN with major infrastructure on the way, UST Vice-Rector for Finance Fr. Melchor Saria, O.P. assured that there will be no steep tuition increase.

“Rest assured, in spite of these changes, the percentage of increase is just one half of the inflation rate,” he told the Varsitarian.

Saria said UST might only impose a tuition hike of only five per cent at the most next school year.

To help defray the costs of construction, he said the University has sought the help of alumni and philanthropists.

With the use of a new software program containing vital student information, the University hopes to have a more efficient data processing in the academic and administrative offices.

The Santo Tomas e-Service Providers (Steps) and the Registrar’s office came up with menus combining all icon-based modules and folders used in the operation of academic and administrative offices through a collaborative project called Student Information System (SIS).

THE NATIONAL Service Training Program (NSTP) may revert to the classroom method if the Blackboard Learning Management (blackboard) will suffer.

“We will be forced to have our facilitators see the students physically if the system fails more than the anticipated disruptions,” said Dr. Lito Maranan, Civic Welfare Training Services Coordinator. “We have to comply with the schedule of the modules otherwise we will not finish the lessons.”

But Maranan said the lecture mode would require more teachers.