Sinulog dancers in front of the Albertus Magnus Building Sinulog dancers
in front of the Albertus Magnus Building
The University of Santo Tomas – College of Education celebrated its 90th foundation anniversary from April 18–29, 2016 with the theme “Nurturing a Learning Community, Innovating for a More Inclusive Society”. Among the activities organized and carried out were the Fr. Antonio Gonzalez, O.P. Memorial Lecture on borrowing quality; the Dr. Lourdes J. Custodio Research festival – an oral and mural presentations of undergraduate researches; and “Ibang Klase: Likhang Bayan” Year 6 – an exhibit of traditional Filipino arts (TFA). There were also a series of colloquia in partnership with the Colegio de San Juan de Letran, the Metrobank Foundation Network of Outstanding Teachers and Educators (NOTED), and the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization–Regional Center for Education Innovation and Technology (SEAMEO-Innotech).
The college celebrations kicked off with an exhibit of pabalat art at the UST Main Building lobby. This was followed by a college mass at the Santisimo Rosario Parish celebrated by Education Regent Fr. Jesus Miranda, Jr., O.P. Fr. Miranda cited some of the numerous achievements of the College of Education since its inception in 1926. He stressed that the success of the college is attributed to the dedication of previous and present administrators and faculty members, and the cooperation and support of students, support staff and alumni. After the mass, the newly-elected officers of the College of Education Alumni Association took their oath, led by its president Dr. Evelyn Songco. Afterwards, the dean and the regent, together with former Education Dean Dr. Clotilde Arcangel, unveiled a replica of the Center of Excellence (COE) marker. The teacher education programs of the College of Education were granted anew the status of COE by the Commission on Higher Education effective April 1, 2016 to December 31, 2018. In a ceremony held on May 17, 2016 at the HEDC Building in Quezon City, Dr. de Guzman accepted the plaque for the UST College of Education from CHED Chairperson Patricia Licuanan, Ph.D. Asst. Prof. Ma. Pri-ann Tinipunan, the UST Library and Information Science (LIS) coordinator, accepted the Center of Development award for the LIS program.
The opening program for the college month celebrations was held at the Education playground. Assoc. Prof. Joel Adamos, the overall chairperson of the college anniversary celebrations, gave the opening remarks, followed by a brief message from Dr. de Guzman. Performances from students of the College of Education and the Education High School made the event fun and festive. Third year Nutrition and Dietetics students, as part of their meals preparation classes, prepared and sold Filipino snacks at the Patio Maria. The income generated from this activity was donated to the college for its service engagement projects. In the afternoon, selected nutrition classes attended a cooking demonstration at the food laboratory. Registered nutritionists and alumni Ms. Cloyde Ingrid dela Cruz and Mr. Jonathan Caoibes demonstrated how to prepare quick and easy nutritious meals specifically for students staying in dormitories. Concurrently, taka painting sessions were held at the Special Education Room participated in by third year Secondary Education and Library and Information Science students. Mr. Lino Dulay, a paper maché entrepreneur from Paete, Laguna facilitated the sessions. The activity dubbed, “The different faces of Inclusion”, was organized in line with the students’ course requirements in humanities.
In view of the college’s thrust toward internationalization, international speakers from reputable higher education institutions in Singapore, Taiwan and Australia were invited as speakers in academic lectures spread within the period of April 19-26, 2016. Topics included inclusive education; progressive education; education reforms; language education and nation-building; food fermentation; and food security. Aside from academic lectures and exhibits, the college in cooperation with the local student organizations and the Education faculty club also organized various skills contests which included teaching demonstrations, sensory evaluation, cook-off and storytelling competitions; student, staff and faculty recognition; and community development activities. The Guild of Thomasian Speducators pushed through with the “UST Unity Games 2016: Special Olympics” in collaboration with the Institute of Physical Education and Athletics. The activity, conducted on April 22-23, 2016 at the UST Field and P. Noval & Quadricentennial Pavilion covered courts, was a sports and play program for people with disabilities (PWDs) coming from partner communities of UST aimed to promote awareness on PWDs, encourage physical fitness and provide special athletes with an opportunity to show their skills and inspire hope and perseverance to other special kids and their parents. Among the sports included were bocce, basketball, badminton and football. A photo essay about the event entitled, “Agere sequitur credere: Siksik, Liglig at Umaapaw” was displayed on May 16, 2016 at the Albertus Magnus Building lobby. The month-long celebrations culminated with a historical exhibit on May 11, 2016 that ran until May 20, 2016.
Several other activities are lined up for the next academic year which include an exhibit featuring quotations from teachers’ success stories called “Cogito ergo sum: Tilamsik ng Diwang Guro”, and an international conference on teacher quality sponsored with the Metrobank Foundation Network of Outstanding Teachers and Educators (NOTED). The College of Education is also anticipating a partnership with the University of Waikato in New Zealand sometime in August 2016.
