Academic and support staff, students, and alumni of the ľĹÉ« College of Education celebrated the institution’s 99th Founding Anniversary Week with the theme “#EduSHINEat99: Sowing seeds of Hope, Integrity, Novelty, and Enthusiasm,” last October 16 to 21, 2024.
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’ Day
The community celebrated World Teachers’ Day—proclaimed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on October 5—later that day.
Carrying the theme, “Valuing Teacher Voices: Towards a New Social Contract for Education,” 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, “From Seeds to Success: Fostering Holistic, Inclusive Development in Early Learners.”
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) Dasmariñas 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, “The Intersection of Learning and Innovation In and Out of the Classroom,” the event featured UST alumni speakers, CEO of Cerebro Mr. Justine Itugot and University of the Philippines Research Analyst Ms. Kimberly Florendo.
“Sulong-Sinag: Illuminating the Light on Pressing Challenges in Today’s Education” 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 “Sustainable Functional Foods.”
Speakers Prof. Liezl Atienza, RND, Ph.D., from University of the Philippines Los Baños, 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 Servañez 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’s Volleyball, Men’s Basketball, and Men’s Volleyball; and the variety event EDUKasiyahan, where the students performed with faculty members.
The founding anniversary celebration concluded with “TeachTalk: Exploring BSEd In and Beyond Education,” 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.
