According to Dean Lopez-Kaw, the discussions with Hungarian diplomats centered on student exchanges, faculty residency, and co-advisorship of GS Law theses and dissertations. In a Facebook post by the Hungarian Embassy, they expressed optimism in “bringing together higher education institutions to maximize student and faculty potential, most especially with our Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship program.”

The Graduate School of Law offers the degrees Master of Laws and Doctor of Civil Law programs online. Students from both the Philippines and abroad are welcome to apply.

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The award seeks to honor two stalwarts who have contributed significantly to developing the country’s intellectual property system. Usec. Gepty was recognized for his invaluable contribution during his stint as the Deputy Director General and Officer-in-charge of IPOPHL. During his term, the GS Law faculty member reinforced and developed the said government unit’s advocacy, policy-making functions, international relations, and programs.

The theme of the event was “IP and the SDGS: Building our common future with innovation and creativity” and caps the National IP Month.

IPOPHL is the government agency mandated to administer and implement State policies on intellectual property.

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In an interview with the Communications Bureau, Vasquez disclosed the plans of the division for the coming years, as encapsulated in the title: “Fostering Filipino Excellence in Pharmaceutical Science: Advancing Research, Transforming Healthcare, and Enhancing Lives for a Healthier and Resilient Nation.” Vasquez disclosed that the division leaders and members envision the group “to be a dynamic and forward-thinking hub of scientific exploration, dedicated to transforming innovative ideas into tangible healthcare solutions.” Collaborations among academic, industry, and healthcare organizations are expected “to amplify the impact of pharmaceutical research, fostering a collaborative ecosystem that accelerates progress and health for Filipinos.”

Among Vasquez’s recent research projects are painkillers screening and the potential cardiovascular toxicity of anti-leukemia drugs. Currently, he is working on natural mood enhancement products from Philippine sources. He is also working on a UST-funded project entitled “Utilization of zebrafish model for human diseases and the application of AI tools in Pharmacology and Toxicology Research.”

NRCP is a national organization of researchers that aims to advocate frontier science and humanities research and evidence-informed policies with the highest ethical standards committed to impact national and global sustainable development.

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On 24 February 2024, a Completion Ceremony was held at the Frassati Auditorium, Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, OP Building, to mark the program’s culmination. The event was attended by Rep. Roman T. Romulo, Representative of the Lone District of Pasig and Chair of the House Committee on Education and Culture; UST Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Cheryl R. Peralta, DrPH; UST College of Education Dean Pilar I. Romero, LPT, PhD; Regent Rev. Fr. Maximo P. Gatela, OP, PhL; UST College of Science Dean Rey Donne S. Papa, PhD; DepEd SDO Pasig City Superintendent Dr. Sheryll T. Gayola, CESO V; Pasig City Councilor Hon. Maria Luisa “Angelu” de Leon; Pasig City LGU Education Unit Officer-in-Charge Atty. Kathleen Mae Villamin; and DepED SDO Officials, Principals, and Head Teachers of participating schools.

During the ceremony, UST College of Education Assistant Dean and CST Project Lead Louie B. Dasas, PhD, and Dr. Gayola shared their thoughts on the project’s successful completion. They expressed gratitude towards the Pasig LGU and the collaborating units such as the UST College of Science, UST Educational Technology Center, and the UST Center for Innovative Teaching and Educational Delivery for their support and assistance. Mr. John F. Bautista of Manggahan High School, the top completer, expressed his gratitude on behalf of all the teacher-scholars.

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Faculty of Pharmacy Dean Aleth Therese L. Dacanay, PhD, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery academic researcher Maria Minerva P. Calimag, MD, PhD, and alumni Antonio Leachon, MD, Alfredo So, and Vicente U. Briones met with lawmakers to share their position on the bill filed by Rep. Ferjenel G. Biron.

In an interview with the Communications Bureau, Dean Dacanay mentioned that the group agreed to the bill, provided that provisions will be included for the protection of consumers against scrupulous e-prescriptions. Thus, safeguards on signatures, surrender of used prescriptions, and partial filling should be in place. Furthermore, the bill should clearly define legitimate online pharmacies given the proliferation of online sellers. Finally, the group advocated for an education campaign should the bill be approved.

Dacanay represented the Philippine Pharmacists Association, while Calimag spoke for the Philippine Medical Association. So is currently the President of the Consumer Healthcare Industry Association of the Philippines, while Briones heads the Drugstores Association of the Philippines. Leachon attended as a private individual in the hearing.

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Dean Patricia M. Empleo, PhD was appointed as Chair of the TWG on Business Environment and Concepts, while Assistant Dean Francisco M. Caliwan, Jr., MSPA, and Assoc. Prof. Antonio J. Dayag, PhD were appointed as Members of the TWG on Financial Accounting and Reporting. Moreover, Asst. Prof. Enrico D. Tabag and Atty. Tristan L. Lopez were appointed as Members of TWG on Tax Compliance and Planning, while Inst. Francisco H. Villamin, Jr. DBA was appointed as Member of the TWG on Auditing and Attestation. The TWG members took their oath on December 18, 2023 at the PRC Office, Philippine International Convention Center.

The TWG is taked to revise the syllabi and table of specifications of the Philippine CPALE and align it with the examination given by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Currently, the AICPA examination is comprised of two modules called core and discipline. The core module contains three compulsory parts (courses), namely: Auditing and Attestation (AUD), Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) and Regulation (REG). The disciple module contains three optional parts (courses), namely: Business Analysis and Reporting (BAR), Information Systems and Control (ISC) and Tax Compliance and Planning (TCP). Philippine examinees will take all six. The AICPA-based examination is set to be given starting the October 2028 CPALE.

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The PSRC assists the Financial and Sustainability Reporting Standards Council (FSRC) and the Philippine Regulatory Board of Accountancy, as the latter exercises its mandate to promulgate financial reporting standards in the Philippines.

According to GEP, sustainability reporting “broadly involves the disclosure of a company’s environmental, social, and governance goals and communicating the company’s progress and efforts to reach those goals.” Such reports include both financial and non-financial aspects, particularly its impact on the environment and society. The technical working group of which Yabut is heavily involved in guidance formulation that will later on assist local firms in ensuring not just compliance, but long-term sustainability and positive impact to the environment and society.

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Dr. Rzymkowski, who also serves as the Government Plenipotentiary for the Development and Internationalization of Education and Science and a Member of Parliament, was accompanied by the Deputy Director from the Ministry of Education and Science, Mr. Przemysław Skrodzki; Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of the Poland in Manila Mr. Jarosław Szczepankiewicz, and Embassy Intern Ms. Isabel Borwoska.

UST Office of Public Affairs Director Asst. Prof. Joreen T. Rocamora, Ph.D., the Executive Assistant of the Office of Secretary-General Mr. Emmanuel Batulan, Ph.D., and the Assistant to the Director for Public Affairs Ms. Michaella O. Lagniton, welcomed the visitors.

Part of the discussions during the courtesy call included possible points of further collaboration and new scholarship opportunities. The delegation also met the UST Prefect of Libraries Rev. Fr. Ángel A. Aparicio, O.P., Assistant Prefect of Libraries and Acting Archivist Rev. Fr. Gaspar Sigaya, O.P., Miguel de Benavides Library Chief Librarian Ms. Ma. Cecilia Lobo, and Head Book Restorer Ms. Ginalyn Santiago.

Fr. Aparicio also updated the delegation with regards to the ongoing collaboration between the University of Santo Tomas and the Embassy of Poland on the restoration of a rare first edition copy of Nicolaus Copernicus’ book on heliocentrism, which is a Polish cultural treasure housed within the UST Archives.

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The project aimed to assess the potential and development of the Barangay and its related stakeholders on sustainable community-based tourism. It was funded by the Department of Science and Technology – National Research Council of the Philippines (DOST NRCP) through the initiative of the House of Representatives Office of Hon. Faustino “Inno” A. Dy V of the 6^th District of Isabela.

During the Policy Forum, Congressman Inno Dy V, who is also the Chair of the House Committee on Bases Conversion, shared the significance of sustainable tourism development to uplift the way of life of the local community and their related stakeholders in the municipality and even through its district and nearby provinces. The plan will provide them with a strategic and evidence-based approach to mechanizing their programs and projects for tourism development and resource conservation. 

After the research forum, Congressman Inno graced a ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the University of Santo Tomas and the Municipal Government of Echague, Isabela. The MOA signified the strong relationship between the two parties, specifically on implementing the DOST NRCP Policy Funded Research Project. LGU Echague was represented by Hon. Francis Faustino “Kiko” A. Dy (Municipal Mayor), Hon. Allan P. Tupong, MD (Municipal Vice Mayor), the Members of the Sanggunian Bayan, and Mr. Louie C. Simbe (Municipal Tourism, Culture and Arts Officer).

#TeamKomunidad is headed by Inst. Jame Monren T. Mercado, MACHS of RCSSEd, CTHM, and UST Sentro Turismo. He was joined by the project team members, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Atty. Gezzez Giezi G. Granado (Dean), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Evangeline E. Timbang (Assistant Dean), Asst. Prof. Maria Concepcion A. Ang, Dr. Avi Ben P. Andalecio, and Dr. Fhamela F. Sarmiento. They were assisted by Inst. Danilo P. Bustillos II (Department of Hospitality Management) and Ms. Andrea Nicole D. Hernandez (CTHM Alumna Batch 2019).

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Department of Tourism Management Chair Asst. Prof. Jane G. Devenadera, MSTM, CHE, CGSP noted that the hub, a new chapter for both CTHM and the University, will be a niche for sharing and exchange of ideas in line with its purpose. “Ang pagbuo sa UST Sentro Turismo sa CTHM ay isang yugto, isang antas, isang pagbabago sa aming kolehiyo na magsisilbing lugar upang bumuo ng pangarap, pananaliksik, partnership, at marami pang iba,” Devenadera said.

In her message, Regional Director of Department of Tourism – NCR Ms. Sharlene Zabala-Batin noted that the hub not only unlocks the potential of Thomasian students, but it can also serve as an instrument that further shapes the tourism industry not just in NCR but in the whole country.

CTHM Research Innovation and Extension Services Coordinator and Research Center for Social Sciences and Education researcher Mr. Jame Monren T. Mercado, MACHS highlighted that the hub is envisioned to empower local communities by sharing their knowledge and expertise. Mercado also laid down the three theoretical frameworks that molded its concept: educational approach, developmental approach, and ethical approach.

“[UST Sentro Turismo] sustainably promotes significance of academe industry and government partnership collaboration through business and innovation and extension services, which is aligned to our Dominican Values.” Mercado said.

Threefold functions

With its threefold functions of research, teaching and learning, and extension services, the new Sentro Turismo “sustainably promotes the significance of academe-industry-government partnership and collaboration through business and innovation, research and extension services development aligned in the Dominican ethical and moral virtues.” According to the ����Գٰ���’s Coordinator Jame Monren T. Mercado, MACHS, “the UST Sentro Turismo envisions to be the lead promoter and implementor of industry and governance-related curriculum development by providing tourism and hospitality outcomes-based programs and projects that could sustainably benefit and provide economic, socio-cultural, environmental, and politico-administrative impacts to different primary and secondary stakeholders.”

The three hubs of the Sentro

The Sentro is comprised of three hubs, namely: 1) Business and Innovation, 2) Research, and 3) Extension Services. 

For business and innovation, the Sentro will provide services pertaining to travel and tourism with its Travel Bureau, Tour Guiding courses, and Ushering activities. It will likewise house the Philippine Gastronomy Unit for the different studies and projects pertaining to Philippine cuisines. In coordination with the UST TomasInno Center, private firms can avail of consultancy services of the Sentro.

Studies on tourism and hospitality will be coordinated by the Research hub, which will liaise with the University’s research units led by the Office of the Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation. Among the projects in the pipeline are the Philippine International Tourism and Hospitality Research Conference and a research journal.

For extension services, the expertise of the College will be provided to various external partners through capacity-building opportunities, speaking engagements, and memberships. A key partner of the Sentro is the UST Graduate School Center for Conservation of Cultural Property and Environment in the Tropics, led by Director Eric B. Zerrudo, PhD, who pioneered and rolled out cultural mapping projects all over the country in coordination with various local government units and institutions.

The new Sentro is managed by the CTHM’s Research, Innovation, and Extension Services Committee, currently led by Coordinator Jame Monren T. Mercado, MACHS. He is joined by Assistant Coordinator Avi Ben P. Andalecio, PhD, Academic Staff Associates for External Affairs Alec P. Bagtus, MSTDM, Academic Staff Associate for Internal Affairs Lizette A. Vicente-Villaflor, MSTHM and Catherine C. Mondejar, MSTHM, Events Coordinator Karl R. Baroro, MBA, and Academic Staff Associates for Events Wyett White T. Lee, MSc and Elijah J. Coronado.

Attending the event are University and CTHM officials, led by the Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation fr. Jannel N. Abogado, O.P., DTPS, CTHM Dean Gezzez Giezi G. Granado, DCL, and CTHM Regent fr. Roland D. Mactal, O.P., SThD. External partners included the Department of Tourism – NCR’s Dir. Sharlene Zabala-Batin and Mr. Ernesto Batin, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority’s DDG Vidal D. Villanueva III and Mr. Rodger Patrice M. Castillo, Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority’s Ms. Irene R. Tumaon , Philippine Retirement Authority’s Ms. Ma. Alexia Melegrito, Intramuros Administration’s Mr. John Arcilla, National Museum’s Ms. Reinelle S. Rogel, National Library of the Philippines’s Ms. Melanie A. Ramirez, Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino Chairman Arthur P. Casanova, PhD, and local executives Mayor Francis Faustino A. Dy (Echague, Isabela), Mayor Edgon T. Sombilon (San Jose, Romblon).

Industry partners from various associations were also present, such as Philippine Tour Operators Association 1st Vice-President Mary Ann F. Ong, Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines National Treasurer Jocelyn Abuan, Council of Hotel and Restaurant Educators of the Philippines Director Rudie Cabardo, and Association of Administrators in Hospitality, Hotel and Restaurant Management Educational Institutions President Lilibeth Aragon.

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