THE UST College of Science will mark its 100th anniversary with a month-long celebration featuring academic forums, student activities, and international conferences from March 24 to April 21.
The centennial is anchored on the theme “Expressing Our Faith through Excellence in Science,” highlighting the college’s view that scientific excellence is inseparable from its Catholic identity.
“When we do our best and excel in the science that we do as a college and as individuals, it’s one of the best ways by which we can express our faith and our oneness with the Catholic Church and the University,” College of Science Dean Rey Donne Papa told the Varsitarian.
“Hindi natin pwedeng kalimutan ‘yung pagiging isang Katoliko at pagiging isang Kristiyano kapag ginagawa mo ‘yung science mo,” he added.
The centennial year formally began Jan. 26 with a procession of the image of St. Albert the Great, the college’s patron saint and a Dominican scholar known for integrating faith and science.
Week 1: March 24 to 29
The official opening of the centennial celebration will be held on March 24 with a community Mass, opening ceremonies, and Araw Parangal ng Agham, which will recognize outstanding students and faculty members.
Papa said the first week would primarily engage external stakeholders. Activities are as follows:
- March 24 – Opening Mass, opening ceremonies, Araw Parangal ng Agham
- March 25 – Youth lectures, Science, Technology, and Society (STS) Summit, Kataliscikan: The Science High School Quiz Bee 2026
- March 26 – Youth lectures, CosPlay (Palarong Agham), Panacea Advocacy Night 2026
- March 27 – FACS Lecture, CosPlay (Palarong Agham), Pasciklaban: The College of Science Quiz Bee 2026
- March 28 – Environmental Psychology International Conference (EPIC 2.0), CosPlay (Palarong Agham), TOAST Awards
- March 29 – CoSRun: Palarong Agham 2026 Color Fun Run
During the STS Summit on March 25, the college will hold the inaugural UST Science Communication Awards to recognize prominent science communicators.
“We will be recognizing them during the end part of the STS Summit for the work that they do in communicating science to the general public, whether it be in mainstream or social media,” Papa said.
Science fairs, merchandise sales, purchase-for-a-cause booths, photobooths, and expos will also run from March 24 to 28 and from April 6 to 10.
Week 2: April 6 to 10
After the Easter break, activities will focus on the College of Science community, particularly students and faculty members.
Events scheduled for the second week are:
- April 6 – Likas: The Seed of Change, CosPlay (Palarong Agham), SciJam: The Centennial Fair Comeback, Panacea Coronation Night 2026
- April 7 – Alternative classes, Roar Call, Sci-Career Link
- April 8 – Alternative classes, Fundraisers: Workshop for a Cause, Influensciya: Turning Influence into Impact
- April 10 – Edward A. Quinto Memorial Lecture, variety show, Himig ng Agham 2026: The Centennial Concert
The Department of Biological Sciences will hold its first Edward A. Quinto Memorial Lecture in microbiology on April 10.
“Sir EQ is one of the award-winning faculty members of the Department of Biological Sciences. Marami siyang na-mentor na mga current faculty members ng microbiology program. We’ve decided to honor him by launching this lecture series,” he said.
Week 3: April 15 to 16
The third week will feature academic lectures and a science congress for Catholic institutions.
Scheduled activities are:
- April 15 Biological Sciences lecture, Math and Physics lecture
- April 16 – Psychology lecture, Chemistry lecture
- April 15-16 – Philippine Catholic Colleges and Universities Science Congress
According to Papa, the congress aims to provide a platform for Catholic institutions offering science programs to collaborate and discuss shared challenges and opportunities.
“There are, of course, some unique aspects when it comes to teaching, research, and extension work, when it comes to science, when it is done in Catholic schools,” Papa said.
He added that UST and the College of Science occupies a unique position in Asia.
“We are the only College of Science situated in a pontifical university in this part of the world, and usually other pontifical universities are mostly focused on ecclesiastical studies.”
Papa said the congress would gather Catholic scientists and educators to exchange ideas on science education and research.
Week 4: April 20 to 21
The final week of the centennial celebration will feature the Asian Conference on Science, Education, Extension, and Research from April 20 to 21.
Papa said the conference reflects the college’s efforts to strengthen international partnerships.
“It highlights the important role of our internationalization efforts in the College of Science. We want to provide a venue for our international partners and fellow Philippine higher education institutions to link together and discuss these different aspects,” he said.
Preparations for the centennial began as early as 2016 during the term of Dean John Donnie Ramos.
Papa hopes the celebration will inspire the college to continue pursuing scientific excellence while remaining rooted in its Catholic identity.
“We hope it gives the community an anchor in the sense that we should always be mindful that when we do science, we do it as scientists who are in a Catholic university.” With reports from Regis Avalo Jophiel L. Lim
