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Overview

The UST Research Center for the Natural Sciences and Applied Sciences (RCNAS) functions as the Science and Technology research arm of the University. It brings together researchers of various disciplines namely, biology, chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, physics, engineering, pharmacy, and food technology – all working towards the objective of contributing to an improved quality of life and sustained viability of the environment.

Research Programs

Research Journal

ACTA MANILANA

The ACTA MANILANA is the official publication of the Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences of the University of Santo Tomas. It is a multidisciplinary journal dedicated to cover research and development in all areas of the natural and applied sciences. It features research papers, short communications and review papers which have been peer-evaluated and recommended for publication. The journal is rated Category A-2 by the Commission on Higher Education.

Mission

The Research Center for the Natural & Applied Sciences

• promotes and facilitates the involvement of faculty members in the advancement, dissemination and utilization of knowledge in the field of science and technology for the improvement of society and the environment;
• establishes linkages with other institutions and fosters a free flow of knowledge to and from other sectors of the local and global community.

Vision

The Research Center for the Natural & Applied Sciences envisions itself

• as a community committed to a culture of excellence in research in the field of science and technology, and to the Christian aspirations of the University of Santo Tomas,
• highly productive and globally competitive in its scholarly endeavors, and
• deeply motivated to contribute significantly to national development.

History

The UST Research Center, better known as the Research Center for the Natural Sciences (RCNS), was conceived during the 350^th Anniversary of the University and was confirmed on 31 March 1962 when its rules and regulations were approved by the Economic Council.

The Research Center’s main purpose was to give research opportunities to the faculty members of the University in an attempt to reinforce teaching capabilities with their research experience. Two major areas of exploration were initially considered, the Cultural Sciences and the Experimental Sciences. The only existing criterion for choice was “social significance.”

After years of operation, the Research Council realized that resources would be better maximized by focusing on projects under the umbrella of the Natural Sciences.  So in 1986, with the approval of the Rector, the Center was renamed as the UST Research Center for the Natural Sciences. This Center operates independently from the other research entities of the university which have been set to cater to the other disciplines. To be able to bring the outputs of researches to the community and to the market for possible utilization and application, the University renamed it as Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences (RCNAS) in 2009.

RCNAS through five decades of existence. The productivity of the researchers in the various disciplines, the recognitions accorded the Center and research awards received for exemplary research from external agencies, both local and international, are the strengths of the Center that sustained it through the years. The strong ties the Center bridged among the local, national, and international partners marked the global acceptability of the Research Center and the researchers.  The research grants received for the conduct of disciplined research in specific areas and patents awarded from products of research are the measures of trust and recognition the Center has from the local and international communities and Granting bodies.