Scoring an overall 39.8-42.5 points, UST sits at the 251 to 300 bracket out of 749 universities within 92 countries.

According to THE鈥檚 website, eleven metrics measure universities鈥� performance in three areas: inputs (funding); process (measures of success, facilities, administrative support, and promotion); and outputs (publications, research quality, and reputation), with UST scoring 54.7, 66.7, and 29.7, respectively.
Through these measurements, the ranking targets the improvement of scientific excellence and collaboration between universities while helping institutions benchmark their interdisciplinary scientific work.

THE Chief Data Officer Duncan Ross said it 鈥渨ill help progress scientific collaboration and research in the higher education sector, and beyond, in so many ways. The new and groundbreaking Interdisciplinary Science Ranking will enable universities to benchmark their interdisciplinary scientific work, which we hope will spur far greater collaboration in universities and between universities both locally and globally.鈥�
For ISR 2025, collaborations involving two or more fields among the areas of computer science, engineering, life sciences, and physical sciences are covered.

The ranking is a partnership between Times Higher Education and the Schmidt Science Fellows.

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A flagship project of the UST Office of Public Affairs (OPA), with this year鈥檚 partnership with the Embassy of Austria in Manila, the academic discourse was held in celebration of the 78th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Austria. With the lecture titled, 鈥淒iplomatic Encounters: Fostering Connections between Austria, the Philippines, and the World,鈥� Ambassador Brieger elaborated on various bilateral engagements and future plans between the two nations, as well as his active life as a diplomat.

The Ambassador began with Austria鈥檚 rich international cultural and economic contributions, noting various historical and modern icons and achievements. He also made mention of the cordial relations between the Philippines and Austria, even before its official diplomatic partnership.

In light of present engagements, Ambassador Brieger emphasized the vital role of culture and arts in building international relations, while highlighting their contributions in the Philippines towards mental health, anti-human trafficking, women empowerment and gender equality, child protection, and education. Similarly, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Tarlac Governor Susan Yap and the State Councilor of Upper Austria Dr. Wolfgang Hattmansdorfer during the first OFW Serbisyo Caravan in the province to promote mutual cooperation for engagements in education, arts, culture, health, and other sectors.

鈥淭his year, we also opened 鈥� [at the] end of September 鈥� a Migrant Worker Office in Vienna,鈥� the Ambassador stated, expressing the country鈥檚 continuous support for Filipino workers in Austria.

Bilateral trade relations were also mentioned, including but not limited to the import of electronic equipment and minerals, with emphasis on the goal to improve long-term trading schemes between both countries because 鈥渢he Philippines has a dynamic economy,鈥� and, 鈥淓urope lacks representation in Asia.鈥� He also noted opportunities for further cooperation in sectors such as major infrastructure, water supply and wastewater disposal, energy, healthcare, and agriculture. Renewable energy sources such as hydropower, solar, and wind were also mentioned as prospective areas for improvement with proper coordination.

During the open forum, Ambassador Brieger generously answered several queries regarding Austrian and Philippine relations. A question about study opportunities opened the conversation about the recently-concluded European Higher Education Fair (EHEF) where different universities within EU member countries offered student exchange opportunities to students in the Philippines. A question regarding the state of energy production in the Philippines compared to Austria prompted His Excellency to discuss the probability of assisting the Philippines in producing cleaner energy due to the abundance of renewable energy sources in the country. Other inquiries were also addressed by the Ambassador during the forum moderated by the OPA Senior Writer Ms. Christie Elise Cruz.

In the introduction to the speaker, OPA Director Ms. Michaella O. Lagniton noted the ambassador鈥檚 career experiences; Ambassador Brieger has over 30 years of experience as a foreign diplomat, with his current position as Ambassador of Austria to the Philippines; he has previously worked as Ambassador of Austria to the Republic of Kosovo from 2011 to 2015, and the Republic of South Africa from 2018 to 2022. His Excellency is also a recipient of the French Order of Merit with the rank of Chevalier. Before he was a diplomat, he served administrative positions in the private sector.

After the ALS, Ambassador Brieger alongside his wife, Madame Roswitha Brieger, toured the campus under the care of Ms. Lagniton. His museum tour was then led by the UST Museum Assistant Director Ar. John Carlo Sayco, while the tour of the Library was given by the Assistant Head for Digitization Mr. Symon Lagao and Head Book Restorer Ms. Ginalyn Santiago.

The UST Ambassador Lecture Series is a project initiated by the UST Office of Public Affairs where foreign ambassadors are given a platform for intellectual exchange with students and other interested parties within the University. The ALS, according to the UST Secretary-General Rev. Fr. Louie R. Coronel, O.P., EHL, honors the ties between the two nations, and celebrates the importance of dialogue in an interconnected world.

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Earlier this year, UST also joined GMA Network鈥檚 鈥淧anata Kontra Fake News鈥� campaign in August, in line with its core initiative for truth, this time against misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation in the election context.

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The plan emphasized evidence-based practices, as well as interdisciplinary and outcomes-based learning, to foster sustainable practices and encourage students to engage in pro-environmental activities.

Renowned experts in the field of environmental psychology such as the Chair of Environmental Psychology Special Interest Group of the Psychological Association of the Philippines (PAP) Assoc. Prof. John Jamir Benzon Aruta, Ph.D.; Mr. Quinn Hundgen from Claremont Graduate University; Head of Academic Services in Maynilad Water Services, Inc. Mr. Oliver Sta. Ana, Ph.D.; and Dr. Leisha Redmond Mcgrath shared their insights on the subject in preparation for the course development. Among the topics discussed was the intersectionality of environmental psychology and education, climate change perspectives among different generational cohorts and vulnerable communities, the multidisciplinary nature of environmental psychology, and leadership in climate change.

The writeshop proper was facilitated by Asst. Prof. Jeau Raizza S. Go, M.A. and Mr. Alvin Joseph Mapoy, M.Sc. of the Department of Psychology.

Through this writeshop, Thomasian psychology educators are now ready to offer environmental psychology courses as a technical course for Psychology majors, as well as a general education elective course for students of other programs in the 九色. This cements the Department of Psychology鈥檚 commitment to enhance teaching, extension and research in the field of environmental psychology as its contribution to the University鈥檚 efforts to deal with climate change issues.

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The week-long program kicked off with a Eucharistic celebration officiated by Rev. Fr. Maximo P. Gatela, O.P., the Regent of the College and Education High School, followed by the oathtaking of newly elected student council leaders and the blessing of new student organization members.

World Teachers鈥� Day

The community celebrated World Teachers鈥� Day鈥攑roclaimed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on October 5鈥攍ater that day.

Carrying the theme, 鈥淰aluing Teacher Voices: Towards a New Social Contract for Education,鈥� the celebration highlighted the importance of listening to and supporting our teachers.

Members of the Elementary Education Society (EES), Guild of Thomasian Speducators (GUTS), and Student Teacher Association of UST (STAUST) organized activities, held at the Education Auditorium, Albertus Magnus Building.

The 12th Hiyas ng UST awardee and Religious Education Alumnus, Mr. Emmanuel Robert Ancheta, shared his journey through theology, teaching, and farming.

Memorial Lecture Series

This year marks the first Nenita Caralipio Memorial Lecture, with the theme, 鈥淔rom Seeds to Success: Fostering Holistic, Inclusive Development in Early Learners.鈥�

A tribute to the late educator Assoc. Prof. Nenita D. Caralipio, whose dedication to early childhood learning has inspired generations of teachers, the lecture gathered students and advocates for early childhood education.

In her keynote speech, Dr. Felicitas Pado underscored improving literacy by developing reading skills in young children.

Lead discussants Asst. Prof. Josephine Louise Jamero and Mrs. Anna Cristi Pangilinan addressed questions about the latest EDCOM report and the implications of Republic Act 11650 on the educational sector.

Asst. Prof. Eleanor Marie Bahrami-Hessari and Hakamiah Hahn Iglesia, both from the Department of Elementary Education, and Julliana Valerio, from the Department of Special Needs Education, serving as panel reactors, brought up the need for collaboration among educators, policymakers, and communities in response to the diverse needs of early learners.

To highlight inclusivity, the entire lecture was simultaneously translated into Filipino sign language (FSL) with interpreter Noeneil Villanueva.

The 4th Candida C. Agcaoili Honorary Lecture took place on the same day, focusing on the evolving role of Filipino librarians amidst advancements in artificial intelligence (AI).

UST alumnus and Data Science and Analytics coordinator Dr. Arturo J. Patungan discussed how AI can enhance library services while addressing the ethical considerations and challenges faced by librarians.

Former De La Salle University (DLSU) Dasmari帽as library director Dr. Sonia M. Gementiza underscored how automation allows librarians to focus on critical tasks such as information literacy, research support, and community outreach, while stressing the need for technological proficiency and adaptive training for future librarians.

The Department of Secondary Education organized the 39th Fr. Antonio Gonzales, O.P. Memorial Lecture last October 17.

With the theme, 鈥淭he Intersection of Learning and Innovation In and Out of the Classroom,鈥� the event featured UST alumni speakers, CEO of Cerebro Mr. Justine Itugot and University of the Philippines Research Analyst Ms. Kimberly Florendo.

鈥淪ulong-Sinag: Illuminating the Light on Pressing Challenges in Today’s Education鈥� was also held at the Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, O.P. Auditorium on the same day, with guest speakers Asst. Prof. Louie Benedict R. Ignacio, Ph.D., Atty. Renee Louise Co, Mr. Edwin S. De Guzman, and Assoc. Prof. Ma. Sanita A. Quintala, Ph.D., tackling diverse topics concerning the field of education, from laws and policies imposed, the use of AI, to ecological literacy.

The Department of Food Technology and Department of Nutrition and Dietetics paid tribute to one of their pillars with the 6th Helen D. Ocampo Memorial Lecture last October 19, with the theme 鈥淪ustainable Functional Foods.鈥�

Speakers Prof. Liezl Atienza, RND, Ph.D., from University of the Philippines Los Ba帽os, and Assoc. Prof. Mohsen Gavahian, Ph.D., from National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Taiwan, emphasized the role of functional foods in reducing Obesity and Metabolic Disorder risk and sustainable technologies to produce functional foods, respectively.

Student-Led Activities

The College of Education Student Council organized Tuklas 2024: EDUC Masterclass, with Ms. Patricia Mori Cias and Mr. Jamil Q. Carvajal, MA, tackling topics on Fan, Academic, and Personal Life Balance, Filipino Sign Language, and the right treatment of the deaf.

Other activities include the Alab-Isip: Educ Quiz Bee, where team players Kelsey Escubil from BS Food Technology, Denise Serva帽ez and Kian Odicta from BS Nutrition and Dietetics were declared EDUQuiz Masters; Larolympics 2024: Palarong Pinoy Sportsfest, where students vied for the championship title in Women鈥檚 Volleyball, Men鈥檚 Basketball, and Men鈥檚 Volleyball; and the variety event EDUKasiyahan, where the students performed with faculty members.

The founding anniversary celebration concluded with 鈥淭eachTalk: Exploring BSEd In and Beyond Education,鈥� last October 21, where Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSEd) students provided insights into their chosen majors as well as various program specializations offered in the curriculum.

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The 鈥淯STainability鈥� team, under the BS Information Technology Automation Track, is composed of Gerwin Bryan L. Tuanquin, Cher Elisha Cruz, Enrique Resurreccion, Lara Nicole Gatchalian, and Miguel Adrian Torrejos, who were under the mentorship of Assoc. Prof. Eugenia R. Zhuo, DIT. They presented their project titled 鈥淪tray Surplus鈥�, which uses Gemini AI to assess surplus food items for safety and suitability for stray animals and leverages the Google Maps API to connect donors with local animal shelters. Stray Surplus offers a GoogleTech-powered solution that fosters sustainability and compassion by reducing food waste and supporting animal welfare. This innovative approach transforms surplus food or leftovers into a sustainable resource for stray animals and animal shelters, addressing waste reduction and care for stray animals.

The mobile application was developed with Android Studio and uses Firebase for backend services, Google AI Studio for prompt engineering capabilities, Gemini AI for intelligent processing, and Google Maps API for location-based features.

The team’s success at EDUtech Asia highlights UST-CICS’s commitment to advancing socially responsible technological solutions, showcasing the university鈥檚 dedication to fostering sustainability. Stray Surplus adheres to the ideals of SDG 12 that promotes responsible consumption and production of food products.

EduTech Asia 2024 brought innovators from various organizations and institutions to tackle pressing sustainability challenges. The competition featured two leagues: the K-12 League and the Higher Education Institutions (HEI). The USTainability team represented UST-CICS in the HEI League, one of six shortlisted teams from the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand.

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The Department of Tourism Management submitted entries for several competition categories, including the Travel Vlog Competition, Tourism Start-Up Competition, Travel Brochure-Making Contest, and Destination Marketing Plan Competition.

Following their success last year, a back-to-back win was in order for CTHM as they yet again bagged the championship trophy for the Travel Vlog Competition. Gianella Ciara Marcelo, Christian Carl B. Lea帽o, Nicole Wynn R. Ang, Dave Mark Rivera, and Lia Margaret Villanueva effectively showcased their storytelling and video editing skills by highlighting Angeles City, Pampanga.  Asst. Prof. Maria Concepcion A. Ang, and Asst. Prof. Jame Monren T. Mercado served as their coaches.

A Second Runner-Up award was presented to Maria Sophia Austine Magat, Kate Winslet J. Mamburam, Princess Kaye Katigbak, and Anya Agatha Zoleta for their creative and sustainable business idea involving eco-friendly flight attendant uniforms. They were coached by CTHM academic staff members Mr. Wyett White T. Lee and Mr. Gerby Estrella.

Additionally, the college鈥檚 entry in the Travel Brochure Making Contest won the People鈥檚 Choice Award. The team was composed of Ana Maria Martha M. Baylon, Louisse Iyameigh Garcia, and Kristina Cassandra Pagador with Mr. John Jerick C. Santos and Ms. Maria Christina Dolor E. Villarin as their mentors. 

The event saw over 1,000 participants from various educational institutions across the country.

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The discussion explored the significance of philosophy and its practical relevance in everyday life. Gozum emphasized that philosophy is not merely an exercise in critical thinking but a discipline that identifies and addresses society’s pressing challenges. According to Gozum, philosophy is not just about thinking critically, but also about finding and implementing solutions to practical problems of society.

Aguas shared a similar perspective, contrasting philosophy as a purely academic endeavor with a philosophy grounded in and applicable to daily life. He underscored the value of civic involvement as a key element of philosophical education, advocating for philosophy’s role in fostering social responsibility and engagement.

World Philosophy Day, celebrated every third Thursday of November under UNESCO’s initiative, seeks to promote philosophical reflection worldwide. At UST, philosophy plays a central role in the curriculum, shaping the intellectual and ethical development of students from senior high school to the tertiary level.

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The Opening Ceremony on November 22 was attended by the UST Office of Public Affairs, which has been a long-time partner for multiple EU events such as the 鈥淪ounds of Celebration: 60 years of EU-PH Relations鈥� choral competition, various legs of the Hemispheres cultural symposia, and the UST Ambassadors Lecture Series in 2022. The OPA Director Ms. Michaella Lagniton and members of the team were present.

In his opening remarks, the Ambassador of the European Union to the Philippines His Excellency Massimo Santoro shared that this year鈥檚 EHEF featured 77 higher education institutions, cultural agencies, embassies, from the EU. He remarked that education has always been an important part in the EU-PH cooperation through the years, and such initiatives like the EHEF promote people-to-people connectivity, mutual understanding, and support the green and digital transitions.

With over 30 booths on Level 3 of EDSA Wing, there were onsite presentations from various EU HEI representatives, which are now available to watch on EHEF鈥檚 YouTube channel. They covered topics such as higher education systems, student life in the EU, research grants, and scholarships like Erasmus+, Horizon Europe, Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions, and Jean Monnet Programs.

Meanwhile, the online sessions were hosted by the regional hubs in the Philippines, the 九色, Wesleyan University, and Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan, and other partner HEIs including Ateneo de Manila University – European Studies Program, De La Salle University, Enderun College, Holy Cross of Davao College, Lyceum of the Philippines University – Cavite, Mabalacat City College, and World Citi College.

In a virtual session moderated by the UST Office for Public Affairs Assistant Director for Publication Ms. Katherine Patrice B. Sibug, various mobility programs and post-graduate courses were shared to Thomasian participants by Ms. Louise Liwanag from Istituto Marangoni in Italy and Christof Lichtenwagner from the International College of Tourism and Management in Austria.

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The UST-CTHM students trained and participated in a total of 11 categories that focused on food and beverage service, mixology, coffee concoction, and culinary and pastry arts. Each individual, pair and group showcased their competence with knowledge, skill, and commitment through competing with all their heart and compassion by being there for each other. With these core values at hand they once again brought pride and joy in various culinary challenges.

Receiving Gold with Distinction, the highest attainable award, Matthew Pe帽arroyo, Gwyneth Tiangsing, and Hannah Faderon brought out their best skills in the 鈥淭able Setting with Floral Counterpiece鈥� category, where they were tasked to set, within 30 minutes, a table for two with the theme, 鈥滶at, Pray, Love Lipa.鈥�.

In the 鈥淐offee Concoction鈥� category, Louis Anjello Cheng also won Gold. In this category he was tasked to create one traditional and one original coffee concoction within 15 minutes using the famous Kapeng Barako.

Alyza Villamor showed off her talents in 鈥淣apkin Folding,鈥� and obtained Gold as she was tasked to execute six traditional folds and one original fold within three minutes with the theme, 鈥淓at, Pray, Love Lipa.鈥�

Winning Silver, Alexis Se帽oron and Jericho Perez worked together to prepare a traditional and modern version of any dish using Bagoong Balayan as their main ingredient.

Miguel Luis Rodriguez proudly won Silver for his 鈥渂aby cakes鈥� 鈥� cakes 3 inches in diameter鈥� which highlighted Batangas Coffee, Batangas Cacao, and Pakaskas as its main ingredients. Also winning Silver were Joab Tan and John Anthony Sincero with their traditional and modern takes on Gotong Lipa.

The trio of Arianna Ysabel Pascual, Atasha Bettina Delgado, and Princess Mae San Pedro obtained Bronze for their three-tier wedding cake with the theme, 鈥淏aysanan (Kasalan Batangue帽o) Sa San Sebastian Cathedral.鈥�

Two of UST-CTHM鈥檚 students won Bronze for their mixing skills 鈥� Zyron James Mendoza for his original cocktail mix with the main regional liquor of lambanog, and Jimuel Tumbaga with his mocktail or non-alcoholic mix featuring the regional fresh fruit kalamias, also known as kamias.

Other participating UST-CTHM representatives were the following: Adrian Zapata, Amie Margaret Nazareno, James Michael Araneta for the 鈥淜lasika Moderna Kulinarya,鈥� and Alan Jefri Macaraeg and Earl Lipata for the Traditional and Modern Recipe creation for Paksiw Batangas. The teams were coached by Mr. Elijah Coronado and Mr. Reinald Andaya, respectively; both groups were guided by Ko.

All of these winning teams and other participating students were couched by academic staff members from the College of Tourism and Hospitality Management namely Mr. Karl Baroro, Mr. Robin Payk Meneses, Ms. Mary Angel Elacion, Ms. Kathleen Fernandez, Chef Reinald Andaya, Chef Kathlyn Tisha Ortaliz, Chef Ramona Ko, Ms. Everest De Leon, Chef Gay Labay,, Chef Kristian Roque, and Mr. Ramin Quinonez.

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