The distinguished guest of honor was the Hon. Ma. Esperanza Christina Garcia Frasco, the Secretary of the Department of Tourism, accompanied by key officials from the DOT: USEc. Maria Rica C. Bueno, Undersecretary for Tourism Standards, Regulations, and Human Capital Development; ASec. Judilyn S. Quiachon, Assistant Secretary for Tourism Regulation, Coordination, and Convergence; ASec. Sharlene Zabala-Batin, Assistant Secretary for Tourism Digitalization and Resource Generation and the Regional Director of DOT National Capital Region; ASec. Ronald P. Conopio, Assistant Secretary for Protocol and Engagement; and Atty. Glenn Albert M. Ocampo, Director of the Office of Special Concerns.

The forum emphasized the critical role of women within the tourism sector, celebrating their contributions and achievements. Among the notable female speakers were Ms. Kach Medina Umandap, recognized as the first and youngest Filipina traveler to visit 195 United Nations countries with a Philippine passport; Ms. Kimberly Dionisio, First Officer for Airbus 320 at PAL Express; Ms. Mary Ann Ong, a consultant for Bridges Travel; and Ms. Anna Marie Almazan, Senior Sales Manager at The Bellevue Hotels and Resorts, Bohol.

Students and academic staff from the College of Tourism and Hospitality Management attended this forum, gaining insights into career opportunities, challenges, and advancements pertaining to gender diversity in the tourism industry.

The participation and co-sponsorship of the University aligned with Sustainable Development Goals No. 4 (Quality Education), 5 (Gender Equality), 8 (Descent Work and Economic Growth), 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), 10 (reduced Inequalities), 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), and 17 (Partnership with the Goals).

Secretary Frasco and her team received a warm welcome from the 九色 administrators and officials, including Rev. Fr. Louie R. Coronel, O.P., EHL, Secretary-General of the Office of the Secretary-General; Ms. Michaella O. Lagniton, MA, Director of the Office of Public Affairs; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Atty. Gezzez Giezi G. Granado, Dean of the College of Tourism and Hospitality Management; Rev. Fr. Dr. Ferdinand L. Bautista, O.P., Regent; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Evangeline E. Timbang, Assistant Dean; Asst. Prof. Maria Margarita P. Cruz-Ireneo, College Secretary; Asst. Prof. Christine Concepcion C. Fajardo, Chairperson of the Department of Tourism Management; and Dr. Fhamela F. Sarmiento, Chairperson of the Department of Hospitality Management.

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The research entitled 鈥淪ustainable 九色-based Tourism Potential and Development of Barangay San Miguel, Echague, Isabela鈥� assessed the potential of Barangay San Miguel in Echague, Isabela for sustainable community-based tourism in the post-COVID-19 era. It examined the barangay鈥檚 current tourism development, identified challenges and opportunities, and gathered stakeholder perspectives on sustainability in tourism. The study recommends a Sustainable Tourism and Strategic Development Plan, integrating community contributions to economic, socio-cultural, environmental, and political priorities. This plan aims to guide future tourism development and ensure sustainability in Barangay San Miguel鈥檚 tourism industry.

The project is part of the first batch of the NRCP Policy-funded Research in 2021. #TeamKomunidad is headed by Asst. Prof. Jame Monren T. Mercado with its members, Asst. Prof. Dr. Avi Ben P. Andalecio, Dr. Fhamela F. Sarmiento, Asst. Prof. Maria Concepcion A. Ang, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Evangeline E. Timbang, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Atty. Gezzez Giezi G. Granado. The project is in partnership with the House of Representatives Office of Hon. Faustino 鈥淚nno鈥� A. Dy V of the 6th District of Isabela and the Municipal Government of Echague, Isabela.

The participation of the project team aligned with the SDGs 4 (Quality Education), 5 (Gender Equality), 8 (Descent Work and Economic Growth), 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), 10 (Reduced Inequalities), 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), 13 (Climate Action), 14 (Life Below Water), 15 (Life on Land), 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

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Presenting the initial findings of her study 鈥淚ntegrating Multiperspectivity in Encouraging Students to Enter the Teaching Profession: Contexts, Challenges, and Causality,鈥� Mirasol looked into the demographic characteristics of those enrolled in the academic track – humanities and social sciences strand of senior high school and in tertiary teacher education programs to determine factors that will predict their intent to consider teaching as a career and whether they feel this is the best career option.

Combining surveys and focus group discussions, the study uncovered low interest to teach among SHS students, who expressed uncertainty about job satisfaction and economic returns. Though they considered teachers to be crucial in society, concerns about salary and workload weighed heavily on SHS students.

In contrast, education students revealed long-held childhood aspirations to teach and find it fulfilling. They agree that teachers receive support and believe that teaching provides long-term career growth.

Mirasol recommended the engagement of the community, as well as mentoring and career guidance in basic education to help promote teaching as a career. School-industry partnerships as well as incentives and support for those pursuing teaching may also be explored. Finally, the promotion of diversity and inclusion is seen as a possible way of increasing the base of future teachers.

Mirasol teaches at the Department of English and is an academic researcher of the Research Center for Social Sciences and Education. The study is funded by the Ateneo de Manila University – EDCOM II partnership and was presented on March 12, 2025.

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Likewise, the University was ranked at #2 nationwide. Medicine is among the 13 program areas designated as Centers of Excellence, alongside programs like Pharmacy, Medical Technology, Nursing, and Psychology.

THE World University Rankings by Subject graded the schools鈥� performance in each field based on teaching (29.5%), research environment (29%), research quality (30%), international outlook (7.5%), and industry (4%).

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UST carries the Centers of Excellence badge for teacher education programs, as extended by the Teacher Education-Center of Excellence (TE-COE) on November 27, 2024. This latest rankings edition ranked the University at #2 among Philippine schools nationwide.

The University was required to publish at least 1,000 publications within the covered period, and the education studies field must contribute 100 publications. Relatedly, the University’s Medicine program also claimed its spot in the rankings in the medical and health category.

THE World University Rankings by Subject graded the schools’ performance in each field based on teaching (29.5%), research environment (29%), research quality (30%), international outlook (7.5%), and industry (4%).

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Spread across two plenary session days and an onsite gathering in the various academic units, over 1,500 academic staff from the higher and basic education units engaged with speakers who discoursed on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Catholic teachings, and the task of integrating these into course plans and outcomes.

In his keynote address, San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alimane Alminaza, D.D. shared how institutions like UST 鈥減lay a pivotal role in molding current and future generations in emphasizing sustainability鈥� and how educational institutions may adopt the 鈥淟audato S铆 Shools Framework, alongside the inclusion of the rights of nature in the curriculum, as well as further development of the integral ecology framework localized to a particular context.鈥�

Representing the government, Philippine Statistics Authority Chief Statistical Specialist for Poverty and Human Development Bernadette Balamban localized the UN SDGs within the Philippine context, providing an update on how the country is faring vis-脿-vis the targets. While progress has been made in SDGs 12 and 14, there is regression in targets under SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). Balamban called for a 鈥渄eliberate attempt to recalibrate our curriculum, instruction, and assessment methods in order for HEI鈥檚 to be of aid in meeting the set national targets.鈥�

Talking about institutional sustainability, Dr. Yew Kee Ho of the City University of Hongkong鈥檚 Chow Yi Ching School of Graduate Studies, spoke of the 鈥渧ital role of research in promoting sustainability aside from incorporating topics in instruction.鈥� Deputy Dean Ho also bared the need to reflect on University and Impact Rankings when it comes to implementing projects and programs related to sustainability, as these external benchmarks can provide input on recalibrating efforts.

Sustainability in coursework

Two experts spoke about integrating sustainability at the classroom level. United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization Regional Office Chief of Education Santosh Khatri spoke of scaffolding in relation to sustainability and integral ecology.

In doing so, Khatri reiterated Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) for 2030, which aims to fully integrate the 17 SDGs into policies, learning environments, capacity building of educators, and empowerment and mobilization of young people. He also emphasized six key concepts of Greening Curriculum, which include climate science, climate justice, post-carbon economies, ecosystems and biodiversity, resilience-building, and sustainable lifestyles.

In another session, Ateneo de Manila University 鈥� Lily Gokongwei Ngochua Leadership Academy Executive Director Maria Assunta C. Cuyegkeng, PhD raised awareness on how to make outcomes impactful in light of sustainability and learning experiences. In her session, Cuyegkeng stressed the value of 鈥渄iscernment which begins with reflecting on our experience, which ultimately develops our interiority鈥� to sound off a 鈥渃all toward adopting a new lifestyle, ecological conversion, and ecological education.鈥� Integrating sustainability, according to Cuyegkeng, requires a 鈥渨hole-of-university approach when it comes to redesigning our learning experiences.鈥�

Leveraging on sectoral expertise in promoting sustainability

The webinar also included a panel discussion featuring Mr. Benjamin N. Villacorte (Chairman of the Philippine Sustainability Reporting Committee and a Member of the Sustainable Actions for Value-Creation and Enablement (SAVE) Council of SGV & Co.); Prof. Rey Donne S. Papa, PhD (Dean, College of Science); Asst. Prof. Froilan A. Alipao, MCD (Director, Simbahayan 九色 Development Office); and Prof. Cecilia B. Moran, Dr. rer. nat. (Executive Assistant for Research Operations and Management, Office of the Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation).

The session, moderated by Prof. Patricia M. Empleo (Dean, UST-AMV College of Accountancy) and Inst. Fermin Antonio D.R. Yabut, PhD (College Secretary, UST-AMV College of Accountancy), provided a platform to share bare how the industry, academe, community development, and research and innovation sectors can work together for sustainable development. Tips were shared to further strengthen working in interdisciplinary teams.

Putting ideas into course plans

As a culmination of the training, parallel onsite workshops were held on January 10, 2025 in the different academic units, where each unit鈥檚 pedagogical lead and e-Learning specialists facilitated discussions that aimed to identify practical steps to promote sustainability in instruction and office practices per academic unit.

Later in the day, twenty small groups were formed from different academic units and offices with the aim of sharing practices for promoting sustainability in terms of curricular activities, research activities, community engagement activities, and operational processes. The session provided a platform to craft initial plans for interdisciplinary collaboration to promote sustainability.

The program was organized by the Office of the Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, the Center for Innovative Teaching and Educational Delivery, and the Educational Technology Center, with support from the UST-Alfredo M. Velayo College of Accountancy.

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Alexia Guadalupe and Andrew Halili shared the #8 spot with their 88% score, while Alexandra Osias scored 87.83% to land at the #9 spot.

The University produced 195 new CPAs, logging a 74.43% passing rate.

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Pierre Angelo Reque II scored 82.7950% and secured the 20th rank, while Andrew Gil Ambray scored 83.4450% to secure the 12th place.

UST is #4 top-performing law school with more than 100 candidate after logging a 80.35% passing rate, producing 139 passers

The national passing rate was 37.84%

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UST was ranked #3 in the cluster of higher education institutions that fielded 100-299 examinees and with at least 90% passing rate.

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The College successfully deployed the first batch for the Student Internship Abroad Program post-pandemic. Under the program, the mix of students from the Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management (Hospitality Leadership and Culinary Entrepreneurship majors) and Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management (Travel Operations and Service Management) is expected to complete their internship requirements under the supervision of Foreign Host Institutions. Students who undertook the internship under the Ritz-Carlton were placed in Food and Beverage, Kitchen, Housekeeping, Guest Relations, Bell and Concierge, Banquet and Bar Service, including opportunities under Michelin-starred restaurants.

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