The University
While the University of Santo Tomas holds the distinction of being Asia’s oldest existing university, its age is coupled with its preeminence in Philippine education. Not only does it boast of several firsts in the different realms of education, it also has administrators and faculty members who are holding leadership positions in the Philippines’ policy-making bodies (e.g. Commission on Higher Education) and professional organizations, helping influence policies for the betterment of the society in general.
Identity
The University of Santo Tomas, the Pontifical, Royal, and Catholic University of the Philippines, is a Dominican institution of learning founded in 1611, under the patronage of St. Thomas Aquinas.
Motto
Veritas in Caritate (Eph 4:15)
Mission
The University, in pursuit of truth, guided by reason and illumined by faith, dedicates herself to the generation, advancement, and transmission of knowledge to form competent and compassionate professionals, committed to the service of the Church, the nation, and the global community.
Vision
Faithful to its centuries-old tradition of excellence, the University of Santo Tomas envisions itself as a premier Catholic institution of learning in Asia, committed to the professional and moral formation of her stakeholders for social transformation.
The SEAL of Thomasian Education and Graduate Attributes
The University of Santo Tomas, in pursuit of truth, guided by reason and illumined by faith, dedicates herself to the generation, advancement and transmission of knowledge to form competent and compassionate professionals committed to the service of the Church, the nation, and the global community.
I am a Thomasian. I carry the SEAL of Thomasian education. I am a Servant leader, an Effective communicator and collaborator, an Analytical and creative thinker, and a Lifelong learner.
With Christ at the center of my formation as a Thomasian, I am expected to demonstrate the following Thomasian Graduate Attributes (ThoGAs):
SERVANT LEADER
— Show leadership abilities to promote advocacies for life, freedom, justice, and solidarity in the service of the family, the local and global communities, the Church and the environment.
— Implement relevant projects and activities that speak of Christian compassion to the poor and the marginalized in order to raise their quality of life
— Show respect for the human person, regardless of race, religion, age, and gender
EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATOR AND COLLABORATOR
— Express myself clearly, correctly, and confidently in various environments, contexts, and technologies of human interaction
— Work productively with individuals or groups from diverse cultures and demographics
— Show profound respect for individual differences and/or uniqueness as members of God’s creation
ANALYTICAL AND CREATIVE THINKER
— Show judiciousness and resourcefulness in making personal and professional decisions
— Engage in research undertakings that respond to societal issues
— Express personal and professional insights through an ethical and evidence-based approach
LIFELONG LEARNER
— Engage in reflective practice to ensure disciplinal relevance and professional development
— Exhibit preparedness and interest for continuous upgrading of competencies required by the profession or area of specialization
— Manifest fidelity to the teachings of Christ, mediated by the Catholic Church, in the continuous deepening of faith and spirituality in dealing with new life situations and challenges
The Nine Directional Areas
The Nine Directional Areas
Leadership and Governance
To develop dynamic and competent leaders within the organization (for administrative and academic units) who exemplify the leadership qualities of a true Thomasian, to ensure that the institution’s vision is realized
Thomasian Identity
To fully actualize a proactive, systematic, and mission-oriented University leadership and governance in order to be recognized as a premiere institution of Learning in Asia
Teaching and Learning
To be a world-class institution of higher learning
Research and Innovation
To become globally acknowledged expert in pioneering and innovative research in the arts and humanities, social science, business management and education, health and allied sciences, science and technology, and the sacred sciences
Resource Management
To provide a conducive learning and working environment with state of the art facilities and resources in a self-sustainable University through the engagement of professional Thomasian workforce who meets international standards and adapts to global change
Public Presence
To be an institution of preeminent influence in the global community by taking proactive stance in social, cultural, and moral advocacies and assuming a lead role in national and international policy formulation
Community Development and Advocacy
To become a vibrant community of evangelizers actively engaged in social transformation through advocacy and ministry
Student Welfare and Services
To promote and ensure student academic achievement and life success through responsive and empirical based services of global standards
Internationalization
To promote internationalization and integrate it into the institution’s strategic plans and initiatives for the purpose of preparing students for a role in the global arena of ideas and work
Institutional Awards
N.B. UST is the first and so far, only university in the Philippines with this distinction. |
![]() Quacquarelli-Symonds |
QS 2016 Top 151-200 Employability Rankings (World); Rank #1 in the Philippines |
Quacquarelli-Symonds |
Associate Member (since January 13, 2016)
The University of Santo Tomas was granted associate membership in January 2016. In February 2017, four of its undergraduate programs–BS Accountancy, BSc Biology, BSc Chemistry, BSc Psychology–underwent assessment at programme level. |
ASEAN University Network – Quality Assurance Group |
Autonomous Status (since 2002) The University of Santo Tomas was granted the Autonomous status by the Commission on Higher Education for exemplary performance not just in education but also in research and extension services. This entitles the University to design its own curricula, offer new programs and put up branches or satellite campuses without having to secure permits, confer honorary degrees, and carry out operations without much interference from CHED. |
![]() Commission on Higher Education |
Institutional Accreditation (2012-2017)
Institutional accreditation is the highest certification that can be given to an educational institution after a consideration of the university’s number of individual program accreditations and the result of an overall evaluation of the quality of its facilities, services and faculty. |
![]() Federation of Accrediting Associations of the Philippines |
Highest Number of Accredited Programs in NCR and the Philippines (2015) Highest Number of Level IV Accredited Programs in NCR and the Philippines (2015) Highest Number of Level III Accredited Programs in NCR and the Philippines (2015) |
![]() Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation |
ISO 9001:2008 Certification
ISO 9001:2008 sets out the criteria for a quality management system and is the only standard in the family that can be certified (although this is not a requirement). It can be used by any organization, large or small, regardless of its field of activity. In fact ISO 9001:2008 is implemented by over one million companies and organizations in over 170 countries.
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National Historical Landmark (2012) The entire University of Santo Tomas campus in España, Manila was declared a National Historic Landmark of the Philippines in 2012, with the marker installed at the base of the statue of Archbishop Miguel de Benavides, O.P., the founder of UST. |
![]() National Historical Commission of the Philippines |
Home of Four National Cultural Treasures, the first within educational institutions to be declared as such (2010) The UST Main Building, Arch of the Centuries, Central Seminary, and Open Spaces (Parade Grounds) were declared as National Cultural Treasures of the Philippines last January 25, 2010. A National Cultural Treasure “is a unique object found locally, possessing outstanding historical, cultural, artistic, and/or scientific value, which is significant and important to this country and nation,” according to Section 3 of the Cultural Properties Preservation and Protection Act.
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![]() National Museum of the Philippines |
Philippine Quality Award (2006) |
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Latest News and Events
“Pursue true beauty through integrity” Rector urges faithful at St. Thomas Feast Day Mass
During the Eucharistic Celebration held on January 25, 2019 at the UST Chapel to mark the feast day of St. Thomas Aquinas, UST Rector...
UST has most number of accredited programs in the Philippines, garners 10 awards from PACUCOA
The University of Santo Tomas was recognized last December 4, 2018 with 10 awards given by the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities Commission...
UST commences stormwater drainage improvement project for Manila
In a bid to minimize the adverse effects of heavy rains and flooding to the campus, the University of Santo Tomas, through the Facilities...
Thomasian Erlinda Uy-Koe is inaugural ASEAN prize winner, recognized for autism advocacy
Last November 13, 2018, Communication Arts alumna Erlinda Uy-Koe won the inaugural ASEAN prize for her advocacy for autism inclusion. The award was conferred...