Rector on UST’s performance: ‘We have adjusted, evolved, and transformed’
By Angela Gabrielle Magbitang Atejera
UST Rector Fr. Richard Ang, O.P. delivered the University’s achievements, events, and statistics, among others, in the hybrid General Convocation for the Rector’s Report held on Thursday, Sept. 8.
“We have adjusted, evolved and transformed the way we do things at the University,” Ang said as he presented UST’s slate from January 2020 to July 2021, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The centerpiece of this presentation is the story of how we […] managed to confront conditions of uncertainty and unpredictability from a position of faith, courage, and resiliency,” he added.
The rector discussed the University’s adherence to the Nine Strategic Directional Areas, which span from UST’s continuous efforts on retrofitting the institution brought by the pandemic restrictions and UST Hospital’s plight during the surge of coronavirus cases, to name a few.
Ang cited the University’s accomplishments in the following local and international quality assurance undertakings in PAASCU, PACUCOA, ASEAN University Network — Quality Assurance, Times Higher Education, and Quacquarelli Symonds rankings.
“All these achievements are not accomplishments of one person or one unit; rather it is the product of our communal efforts,” Ang said.
The rector also acknowledged the contribution of the Thomasian faculty and staff who have passed away during the pandemic.
“We took into consideration the personal lives […] For the past two years, we lost more than 50 of our faculty and staff and we miss them because they contributed so much to the life of this university,” he added.
The convocation took place at the Dr. Robert C. Sy Grand Ballroom, Buenaventura Garcia Paredes O.P. Building in the company of Dominican Fathers, select administrative and academic officials, academic and non-teaching staff, support personnel, students, and alumni.
Ang is now in his second year of service as the University’s Rector. He was officially hailed as the University’s 97th Rector Magnificus on May 13, 2021.
