Tag: Vol. LXXXV

IN LINE with the University’s goal to be recognized as a premiere academic institution, UST has collaborated with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and international universities to help strengthen its global presence.

Three pioneering projects for the next academic year were launched during the University’s second annual appreciation dinner hosted by Rev. Fr. Herminio Dagohoy, O.P. last March 25 at the UST Museum.

Dagohoy said in his speech that partnerships forged with international institutions paved the way for educational ties, cultural and student exchanges, sharing of best practices, learning opportunities, and genuine friendship.

THE MUSHROOMING of high-rise buildings around UST, a national historical landmark, continues to be a problem, but the University has no power to stop it.

As a heritage site, UST deserves protection and recognition, said Faculty of Civil Law Dean Nilo Divina. But he admits there is nothing illegal with the market-driven motives of real estate developers.

“We have to take into consideration the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009, which unfortunately does not specifically set height limitations of buildings surrounding a site declared as a National Cultural Treasure,” Divina said in an e-mail, adding that a special ordinance must regulate building heights and preservation of heritage sites and surrounding areas.

IN A SHOWING of the Thomasian spirit, more than 830 surgeries were conducted in a four-day major surgical mission by UST Medical Missions, Inc. (MMI) in Albay.

The team was composed of 53 doctors, nine nurses, 19 Medicine students, 12 Nursing students, two dentists, and 20 other volunteers.

Headed by Dr. Wiliam Olalia along with Dr. Bernardo Cuevas and Santisimo Rosario Church parish priest Fr. Franklin Beltran, O.P., the team served a total of 2,815 patients from different provinces in the Bicol region last April 21 to 24 at the Aquinas University campus.

MMI collaborated with the Special Commission on Research and Education of Ohio, Aquinas University of Legazpi, Aquinas University Hospital Foundation, Inc. and the local government.

THE CHURCH has a special responsibility to protect the Christian family against many challenges that threaten its existence.

This was the message of Bishop Teodoro Bacani, Jr. during the last day of the Asian Conference on the Family last May 16 at the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center in Manila.

In his exhortation, Bacani said the Church must safeguard the union between human beings that the family fosters as the "first social institution established by God to defend human life and love."

"It is by way of the family, that the good of society, of humanity and of the Church herself passes," Bacani said. "Because it is so precious to God, it must also be most highly valued by us."

DESPITE the Supreme Court ruling that struck down a number of key provisions in the Reproductive Health (RH) Law, the high tribunal’s unanimous decision to declare the controversial legislation as “not unconstitutional” should pave the way for “universal access to reproductive health care services and supplies, and sex education,” said pro-RH activist and former Akbayan representative Risa Hontiveros.

ACADEMIC Year 2013-2014 produced 713 honor graduates, with the College of Tourism and Hospitality Management (CTHM) again awarding the most number of medals.

The number of graduates this year decline by 7 percent to 6,734 from last year’s 7,234, statistics from the Registrar showed.

CTHM produced 166 honor graduates out of 421, which meant that 39.4 percent received medals in their solemn investiture, higher than last year’s 28.9 percent.

Sought for comment, CTHM Dean Ma. Cecilia Tio Cuison said the students worked hard for their honors, which would serve as an advantage in their job hunt.

ALMOST half of Accountancy sophomores failed this year’s retention exam, but this was a slightly better performance compared with last year’s result.

Out of 830 second-year students, 380 students were dropped from the program. A total of 482 sophomores took the exam last March 25 but 206 or 42.74 percent failed. This was lower than last year’s 44.33 percent, wherein 211 students failed out of 476 examinees.

Lean Jeff Magsombol, chair of the Pre-Accountancy and Management Accounting department, said 450 incoming third-year students would be enrolled in the Accountancy program, reducing the number of sections to 10 from 18.

WITH LESS than a year before the ASEAN integration in 2015, Thomasians now have the chance to study in ASEAN universities after the newly established Office of International Relations and Programs (OIRP) strengthened its program-based bilateral agreements with foreign universities.

Part of the University’s “internationalization” efforts is participation in the ASEAN International Mobility for Students (AIMS), a program that seeks to bring together students in ASEAN countries.

As the recipients of memoranda of understanding (MOU) and in-bound students from international universities, college deans must examine the strengths of schools abroad, OIRP Director Prof. Lilian Sison, Ph.D., said in an interview.

THE UNIVERSITY has once again witnessed the blossoming of another literary endeavor as chosen fellows were given the chance to be mentored by the country’s top writers.

The UST Center for Creative Writing and Literary Studies (CCWLS) held its first Thomasian Students Summer Writers’ Workshop last April 2 to 4 at the Bulwagang Rogge of the UST Graduate School. A separate workshop for undergraduate students, it runs parallel to UST’s National Summer Writers’ Workshop that started in 2000.

The workshop was born when it was noticed that none was offered for the undergraduate level when the University produced annual workshops for graduate students.

THOMASIANS may have to purchase two different types of uniforms due to the adjustment of the academic calendar starting July.

The University has proposed another uniform to be worn by students during the scorching months of April and May.

According to a memorandum released Secretary General Fr. Winston Cabading, O.P., a complementary school uniform, called the “Type B” uniform, would be a T-shirt or a light-material top, and pants or walking shorts.

Each faculty or college and their respective student councils are encouraged to present a design for their respective Type B uniforms, which will be then submitted to the Office of the Secretary General. These designs will be presented to the Council of Regents for approval.