UST WILL continue barring students and faculty from traveling to conflict zones in the Middle East, North Africa and Eastern Europe through December as it monitors security risks, fuel costs and changes to flight routes.
The University has also “paused” travel to destinations under heightened security advisories, including the United States and neighboring countries, as well as mainland China.
Travel to lower-risk destinations in Southeast Asia, East Asia, Australia and New Zealand remains allowed, according to the Office of International Relations and Programs (OIRP).
Trips to areas classified as medium-risk, including Japan, South Korea and Guam, may also proceed subject to safety assessments and available resources.
The restrictions, first imposed amid conflicts in the Middle East, were extended on Sept. 2 as UST continued to assess security, aviation and diplomatic developments affecting international travel.
A Sept. 2 OIRP memo said authorized travelers would undergo safety briefings and be required to secure travel and medical insurance and register with Philippine embassies abroad.
Student mobility would also require clearance from the Commission on Higher Education.
The University is reviewing global conditions every two weeks and has encouraged academic units to consider virtual and hybrid alternatives when travel is not feasible.
UST also cited fluctuating fuel costs and changes to international transit routes in urging academic units to limit unnecessary travel and make more efficient use of resources.
The latest restrictions extend measures adopted by the University in March amid the conflict in the Middle East and concerns over its effects on energy costs and the Thomasian community.
At the time, UST advised academic and administrative units to limit local and international travel to safe and essential trips.
The University also introduced measures covering academic continuity, energy conservation and psychosocial support amid the conflict. Jed L. Ampongan
