On May 2, 2025, the UST College of Tourism and Hospitality Management held the academic conference initiative entitled Global Perspectives: Business and Diplomatic Protocols, with the theme “Forging Thomasian Leaders: Mastering Global Excellence and Diplomatic Protocols”, at the 8th-floor Multi-function Room of the Buenaventura Garcia Paredes O.P. (BGPOP) Building from 8:00 AM – 12:00 NN.
The event served as a vital learning component for students in the professional elective classes of ELE-GBM: Global Business Management, ELE-IRP: International Relations and Protocol and THM52012: Professional Development and Applied Ethics. Simultaneously, the class of 3TOM3 – MITHI Studios organized the event as part of their coursework in THM52019: Introduction to Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events Management.
Hon. Robert E. A. Borje, the esteemed Vice Chairperson and Executive Director of the Climate Change Commission, lent his profound insights during the academic conference initiative, underscoring the indispensable role of protocol, both locally and internationally, in fostering understanding and ensuring the smooth execution of affairs. As Secretary Borje stated, “Protocol is there to make people understand. We want to do things and we want it to be correct.” He further emphasized its practical utility, noting that “It’s Protocol that will be your ‘go to’. Essentially, it’s your ‘go to’ rules—basic rules—to make sure that the details of the events are okay.” Moving beyond simple etiquette, Secretary Borje illuminated protocol’s power to bridge divides and facilitate collaboration, asserting, “Protocol can be used to state a point. Protocol can be used to divide people. But in our context [Business and Diplomatic], protocol can be used to solve problems and to bring people together,” highlighting its crucial function in navigating complex global interactions to build local and international partnerships.
