Tag: Vol. LXXVI

THE UNIVERSITY may have found the missing link to its scientific research thrust through international research institutes with which it has built formal links.

With the rise of its many research centers, a strong indication of a growing awareness and interest of the Thomasian community in the sciences, UST widened its scientific research partnership with international and local universities.

HERE’S a new type of condom-caused frenzy. And it should cause a different kind of excitement—the negative kind.

A German study recently discovered the thin sheet of rubber that supposedly protects people from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) causes cancer.

According to the Chemical and Veterinary Investigation Institute in Stuttgart, Germany, traces of N-nitrosamine, a highly carcinogenic substance used in making condoms, were found in 29 of 32 condom types tested.

THE THOMASIAN Debaters Council (TDC) placed eighth out of 104 teams in the 11th All-Asians Inter-varsity debate tournament last May at the Assumption University in Bangkok, Thailand.

In the individual category, Faculty of Civil Law freshman John Reily Baluyot and Philosophy sophomore Tracy Ann Llanera, who were individually recognized as the Tournament’s best speakers, placed 12th and 14th.

TDC adviser Law professor Arlene Maneja said she is optimistic about the Council’s performance in competitions.

SOCIAL Research Center (SRC) founder Fr. Fausto Gomez, O.P. urged Thomasian researchers to stimulate the research atmosphere in the University during the pre-celebration of the SRC’s 25th anniversary last June 25 at the Thomas Aquinas Research Complex (TARC) Auditorium.

“Combining research and teaching by conducting researches on social issues affecting the development of the Church in the Philippines and studies relevant to modernization and change in the Philippine society,” said Fr. Gomez, who is also the Faculty of Sacred Theology dean.

The USTH Dietary Department launched “Breastfeeding panatilihin, dagdagan ng wastong pagkain!” last July 6 at the University of Santo Tomas Hospital (USTH) in observance of national nutrition month.

According to Joan Sumpio, head of the Dietary Department, an increased prevalence of malnutrition among children is associated with the decrease of breastfeeding among mothers.

“Breastfeeding is psychologically rooted,” Sumpio said. “The baby’s suckling makes the mother produce milk.”

RECTOR Fr. Tamerlane Lana, O.P., urged the student leaders to play an active role in social change and nation-building during the 1st SOCC Leadership Congress last June 30 at the Thomas Aquinas Research Complex (TARC) seminar room.

Quoting the television commercial slogan “walang ganyan sa States,” Fr. Lana said the students have the ability to transform the mock negativity that advertisement implies against the nation into a source of national pride.

THE COLLEGE of Science has launched a number of projects to improve pedagogy and better prepare its students to become competent experts.

Science Dean Dr. Fortunato Sevilla III said one of the projects, learner-centered instruction, employs different techniques to get students to participate actively in the learning process.

“We are still learning all the techniques under this to find out which is most suitable to the College’s needs. Hopefully, in two years’ time, we’ll be done with the evaluation of the techniques,” Sevilla said.

AN ADVERTISING sophomore got nearly robbed if not for the timely intervention of UST security guards and other students.

According to Paul Nacu, the culprit, Mamerto Ramos, poked a gun at him at the Padre Campa overpass at 11:30 am.

Nacu said Ramos told him to give the latter P300, which the offender would allegedly use to have his watch repaired.

When Nacu gave the amount, Ramos asked for another P700.

DESPITE the UST administration’s scrapping of the rite of rassage, the Central Student Council (CSC) continued with the welcome ceremony for the University’s freshmen last July yesterday.

According to CSC president Xialeemar Valdeavilla, the ceremony, “Fresh!,” still had the traditional parade of freshmen passing through the Arch of the Centuries except that the administration would no longer be part of the event.

THOMASIANS from the College of Nursing and the Faculty of Arts and Letters are invading the classrooms of other UST departments as they are straining the capacity of their respective buildings.

University Registrar Rodolfo Clavio said the colleges have a hard time allocating classrooms.

“It’s not necessarily overcrowding (the University),” he added. “We just have to maximize our facilities.”