At the time of the visit, the Faculty of Arts and Letters was headed by Dean Michael Anthony C. Vasco, Ph.D., who led the administrators, department chairs, program coordinators and faculty members in welcoming the PACUCOA accreditors: Dr. Ma. Cristina F. Bate (Chair) for Philosophy and Objectives, Organization and Administration and Criterion V, Planning Processes Supporting Quality Assurance Mechanism for the Program (All Programs), Dr. Doris Bayugo for Faculty, Instruction, Laboratories, Criterion I, Excellent Teaching and Learning Outcomes of the Program and Criterion VI, Career Planning and Development for Students of the Program (AB in Legal Management), Dr. Paz Lucido for Faculty, Instruction Laboratories, Criterion I, Excellent Teaching and Learning Outcomes of the Program and Criterion VI, Career Planning and Development for Students of the Program (AB in Philosophy, AB in Literature, and AB in Economics),  Dr. Maria Mercedez M. Haz for Library and Criterion IV, Linkages and Consortia of the Institution and of the Program (All Programs), Dr. Leonardo Medina for Physical Plant and Facilities (All Programs), Dr. Rosita Santos for Research and Criterion II Research Productivity of the Program (All Programs), and Dr. Evangelina N. Cabe for Student Services, Social Orientation and Community Involvement, and Criterion III Community Service of the Institution and of the Program (All Programs).  

The AB in Philosophy, AB in Economics, AB in Legal Management, AB in Literature Programs of the Faculty of Arts and Letters were the first to have been granted Level IV reaccredited status in the National Capital Region and the Philippines back in 2014 and is effective until 2019. 

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AMIC, an international non-government organization (NGO) committed to communication media development in the Asia Pacific region, is guided by its mission to nurture and promote communication media research, capacity building, knowledge management and dialogue among academic, industry, government and civil society.  

Aptly themed ‘Communication, Technology, and New Humanism,’ the conference drew a number of communication scholars and practitioners as they delivered papers covering a wide range of topics which included Arts and Culture: Rediscovering Forms and Platforms; Communication, Human Rights, and Democracy: Enablers and Disruptors; Mediated Learning: Outside the Classroom Box; Understanding Post-humanism: Artificial intelligence, Robotics and Dataism; Finding Humanism in Business and Marketing Communication; Social and Behaviour Change Communication for Development; and Communication in a Post-truth Era: Disinformation, Misinformation, and Fake News, among many others.   

In her research titled ‘The New Humanities as Research Agenda: Exploring Loci for Communication and Allied Fields,’ RCCAH Director Arriola argued that new research areas may be explored in view of the obsolescence of old sites of inquiry due to the changes wrought by the technologies of the fourth industrial revolution. The universal call for New Humanism, spearheaded by the UNESCO, is meant to recuperate the human amidst the depersonalizing effects of new communication technologies. In the long run, the new communication culture will adjust to the challenges posed by technological shifts and will even be the most critical catalyst in ushering the fifth industrial revolution, which is purported to be centered on innovation and moral purpose.  

In their collaborative work, ‘A Research Policy Study on Innovation, Communication and Technology in Designing a Communication Style Guide,’ Dr. Pusta and Asst. Prof. Salandanan opined that the practice of quality research in communication is instantiated through a model with elements like innovation, communication and technology.  The research paper hoped to address and crystalize issues, debates and paradigm shifts in creating a standard presentation of communication researches in the Communication program.  

Dr. Hagos’ paper ‘The Moro (Muslim Mindanao) Question and the Media Coverage: The Philippine Daily Inquirer’ focused on how the Islamic South’s issue transformed from armed confrontation against the Republic to a long process of negotiation.  State-sponsored negotiation needs public support to arrive at some form of settlement, Hagos stated as he underscored the pivotal role of media as a tool for information dissemination which would bring about a better understanding of the issues.

During the three-day conference, the keynote and plenary speakers, led by Professor Emeriti Eddie Kuo and Tapio Varis challenged the scholars to develop new communication theories and frameworks which would clearly exhibit the Asian context and urged everyone to engage in collaborative research undertakings.  The 28th AMIC conference will be held at the Communication University of China. 

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The Swedish International Centre for Local Democracy (ICLD) held its first Local Development Academy at the University of Umea in its efforts to promote knowledge sharing and the advocacy for local development and democracy, the Swedish Centre awarded full funding to 45 participants around the globe.  

The academy’s purpose is for the participants to share their own expertise and research studies while joining workshops where they can learn innovations on participatory engagement and local development issues.  The academy also served as a venue promoting inter-municipal linkages.  

At the RCSSED, Castillo is a member of a research team headed by The team is funded by the Global Alliance for Incineration Alternatives (GAIA) researching on the Social and Economic Benefits of Zero Waste Practices.  The team is composed of , Assoc. Prof. Maria Rosario Garcia, Ph.D., and Assoc. Prof. Moises Norman Garcia, Ph.D. Castillo serves as political network analyst and local government liaison to the team. His paper on localizing zero waste is a subsequent finding from participating in the field work.

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With the intention of introducing St. Thomas Aquinas to the freshmen of the University, it opened prior to the Freshman Orientation with the theme “Travels of St. Thomas.” This year’s exhibition includes new features such as a map of St. Thomas’ travels on the gallery floor, and angel wings and halos to remind visitors that St. Thomas is known as “The Angelic Doctor.”

Also in the exhibition are a brief chronology of the Saint’s life from his birth in the mid-1220s in Roccasecca, Italy to his proclamation as Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius V in 1567 and the numerous titles attributed to St. Thomas, among others.

Photo credit: Fotomasino

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Feted with the sole Project of the Year Award and one of the two Best in Innovation Awards, Nieles received trophies and cash prizes of PhP 25,000 and PhP 20,000, respectively.

With the theme, “Moving the Nation towards Sustainable Development through Science and Innovation,” the BPI-DOST Science awards recognized 30 students for generating scientific research projects and innovations in applied science, health and allied science, physical science, and other related fields. Nieles’ study aimed to enable communication with locked-in syndrome patients to increase their quality of life. Locked-in Syndrome, a form of severe paralysis results in total loss of motor ability including speech and is usually obtained due to traumatic brain injury, neural damage, or most commonly, stroke. 

As Nieles’ project brief video explains, stroke is the second leading cause of death in the Philippines, with 15 million adults affected worldwide, and 5 million permanently disabled. At present, there is no specific medical treatment for it and those affected with the syndrome are limited to blinks and vertical eye movement for basic communication. His research proposed a solution: patients could think of a command and express words displayed on screen, or what Nieles calls in the same video, “typing by thinking.”

The project entry, titled “Electroencephalogram (EEG)-based Brain Computer Typing Interface Using Imagined Characters for Locked-In Syndrome Patients,” involved a brain-computer typing interface using visual imagination of basic shapes and letters. Brain signals were recorded and machine learning was used to classify the aforementioned signals.

Originally titled “Characterization of EEG Signal Patterns During Visual Imageries of Basic Structures for the Development of Brain-Computer Typing Interface for Locked-In Syndrome Patients,” the study was originally published as part of the conference proceedings of the 2018 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 10th International Conference on Humanoid, Nanotechnology, Information Technology, Communication and Control, Environment and Management (HNICEM). UST Faculty of Engineering mentor and neuroengineer Seigfred Prado served as Nieles’ research adviser. 

A top student and a track and field athlete of the University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP, Nieles graduated Magna cum Laude in June 2019.

Two Thomasians who were also part of the 30 BPI-DOST Science Awardees for 2019 were: Chemical Engineering student Hazel Anne Pullan, who developed biodegradable plant grow bags and Biology student Marielle Go, who developed a diagnostic method for Tilapia Lake Virus.

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The UST Pharmacy officials were welcomed by the administrative and academic officials of Monash University, namely, Project Pharmacist Director Prof. John Jackson, Centre for Medicine Use and Safety Director Prof. Simon Bell, Prof. Tina Brock, Ph.D., Acting Dean Peter Scammells, Centre for Medicine Use and Safety Director Prof. Carl Kirkpatrick, and Centre for Medicine Prof. Kirsten Galbraith, Ph.D., Chair of Centre for Medicine Use and Safety.

Included in the discussion were matters such as the Pharmacy practice in Australia, research on medication use and safety, Pharmacy curriculum, faculty profile, experiential development and graduate education. There were also discussions on collaborative research and publications, co-supervision for research students, mobility programs, exchange students, and the use of Monash facilities for UST faculty members and students involved in research. After the round table discussion, the UST delegates were toured around the facilities and laboratories of the Monash Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutics.

At UNISA: Discussions and laboratory visits  

The UST group led by Dean Dacanay was at the University of South Australia (UNISA) from July 24 to 27, 2019 for discussions of possibilities of collaborative research and publications, co-supervision for research students, mobility programs, exchange students, global internship for UNISA students in the Philippines for immersion to Pharmacy and Medical Technology practice, and the use of UNISA facilities for UST faculty members and students involved in research. After the round table discussion, the UST delegates were toured around the facilities and laboratories of the UNISA School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, such as Pharmaceutics, Pharmacology, among others.  

The group also visited the Royal Adelaide Hospital Pharmacy Department, and Medical Laboratory Department. They went on a UNISA Medical Sciences Lab tour with Prof. Brian Dale, Ph.D. The tour of the UNISA School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences Laboratory was facilitated by Department of Pharmacy Chair Prof. Matthew Sykes, Ph.D., while the tour of the State Herbarium of South Australia was made possible with the assistance of Mr. Martin O’Leary, botanist and curator.  The tour of the Adelaide Botanical Garden was facilitated by Dr. Susan Semple.  

As part of the activities during the visit to UNISA, faculty members from the UST Faculty of Pharmacy presented their papers at the UNISA-UST symposium held on July 27, 2019 at the School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, UNISA West Campus. This was attended by UNISA faculty members and students in the Graduate School. Dean Aleth Therese L. Dacanay, Ph.D., presented ‘Pharmacy Practice Experience,’ Assoc. Prof. Agnes L. Castillo, Ph.D., discussed ‘Nano-engineered Delivery Systems for Antimicrobials,’ while Asst. Prof. Renz Kenneth Cadiang, presented an ‘Analysis of Medication Utilization among Filipino Elderly.’ 

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I love you 3000

Inspired by the iconic line from Avengers: Endgame, the Rector, the , bid farewell to his 7th graduating class by expressing the University’s love for them.

“Love transforms, love changes everything it touches, it makes heavy burdens light, long hours short, ordinary faces beautiful, houses into homes, picnics into banquets, wilted daisies into bouquets, and sinners into saints,” Fr. Dagohoy said, quoting a poet. “Love equalizes. It is a love that unites. It is a love that knows how to forgive. We should learn how to forgive because we are capable of hurting each other.”

Recognizing that the Baccalaureate Celebration punctuates their Thomasian journey, perhaps for good for some, the Rector quoted Pulitzer Prize winner Ellen Goodman, whose thoughts on exits and endings proved apropos for the occasion: “A graceful exit begins with the recognition that when something ends, just let it go. It should excite us because it opens the doors to a myriad possibilities.”

With the Gospel for the day signaling Jesus’ own farewell to the disciples, the Rector quoted Scripture, saying: “Love one another, and You are my friends if you do.” Fr. Dagohoy argued that “by our love for one another, we will be identified as followers of Christ. People will know we are Christians because of such love.”

Apart from joining the graduates in their jubilation, Fr. Dagohoy prayed for the graduates to be truly happy, as St. Thomas Aquinas wanted people to be. “What is the best way to achieve happiness? By loving the way God loves. You should be known for the love of the Father that creates, the love of the Son that forgives, and the love of the Spirit that sustains and preserves.”

The Cross, the Light, the Cross

In keeping with tradition, the post-Mass ceremonies included the imposition of the Thomasian mission cross, which is designed after the Dominican cross, with the elements of the University seal imposed on each arm.

The mission cross reminds the graduates of their “roots as Thomasians,” said Director Ma. Socorro Guan Hing, RN, DNM, who told the graduating students to allow the said crosses to be their “shield as they venture through life outside the University.” As the graduates imposed the cross on one another, they were called on by Fr. Dagohoy “to bear witness to the Good News and spread Jesus’ holiness.” He also asked the graduates to remember the sacrifices of the Thomasian martyrs and saints, whom he said are models of living life with faith, hope, and love.

Following the imposition of the Cross and the recitation of the Thomasian pledge of loyalty, the Deans and Regents spread the light to their graduates, by lighting each graduate’s candles from the fire that was sourced from the main source. This light, symbolizing St. Thomas’s call to illuminate and not merely shine, pierced the otherwise pitch-black night, as the graduating students looked to the blue Cross atop the Main Building and sang the University hymn as one batch of 10,186 for the first and the last time.

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The conference was highlighted by the lectures delivered by speakers, namely, Professors Yozo Yokota and Haruko Satoh. Yokota delivered his lecture focused on Education and Displaced People. He is an internationally renowned jurist and teacher in international laws on economics and human rights, a UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Myanmar and a respected advocate of human rights. Satoh delivered a lecture titled ‘Between Aspiration and Reality: Cultural Conflict in a University Classroom.’  He is a Specially Appointed Professor at the Osaka School of International Public Policy (OSIPP) at Osaka University, Japan.     

Alipao, who teaches at the under the , discussed that the role of the faculty members is to respond to the challenge of being agents of social transformation within and outside the university. He said that to be able to respond to this call, faculty members must be committed and equipped with integrated knowledge, skills and values for teaching and learning, research and service with the communities.  

With Alipao’s experience of almost 17 years of serving the University of Santo Tomas through teaching, research and service with the communities, he has proven that these were complex and yet integrative for the full processes of learning and serving. These processes enriched Alipao’s experiences and wisdom for the integrative formation of students in terms of knowledge generation and management and service with the communities.  His paper generally described and reflected the processes and learning gained from the experiences of community integration as integrative method of teaching, research and service for community development with all the stakeholders, which include the author (Alipao) as faculty, researcher and university community development facilitator; the immediate and substantial university departments or offices where the author is directly connected; the students as learners, researchers and servers for community development and empowerment and; the partner communities as substantial stakeholders.

Alipao joined 200 academics and practitioners in representing more than 40 different nations that came together and shared their research studies and practices.

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