With the theme “Dreaming Beyond Seeing”, the Faculty of Pharmacy opened the celebration of its 150th year on March 8, 2021, launching its sesquicentennial anniversary website and coffee table book.
In her message, Faculty of Pharmacy Dean Prof. Aleth Therese L. Dacanay, PhD highlighted the institution’s iconic status, which solidified its genuine brilliance and grandeur upon reaching its 150th year.
“For the UST Faculty of Pharmacy to celebrate its sesquicentennial anniversary is an authentic testament of its noteworthy and valuable place in the realm of disciplinal and professional excellence,” Dacanay said.
“The progressive here and now that ultimately makes the UST Faculty of Pharmacy a true game changer as it constantly raises the bar in the academic and professional spheres. And more importantly, sowing precious nuggets that will significantly mark its future, inspiring generations of pharmacists, medical technologists, biochemists, and botanists who are on track to be names to reckon with as movers and shakers in the fields,” she noted.
Moreover, Dacanay said this sesquicentennial celebration is a culmination of a great era, and an auspicious beginning of an even greater one.
Faculty of Pharmacy Regent Rev. fr. Pompeyo de Mesa, O.P recalled that the University initially offered courses on Ecclesiastical studies, Philosophy, Civil Law, and Canon Law. The arrival of the Faculty of Pharmacy, as well as the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, both in 1871, signaled for the need of Evangelization.
“Evangelization is not only talking to them about the true God, the God who cares for us, but iyong mga kinakausap mo, may mga pangangailangan din iyan sa health nila, sa katawan nila at sa mental peace, and all that,” fr. De mesa said.
“Iyong kino-convert mo, may mga pangangailangan din iyang makatao, yung health and all that. Kaya the fathers were forced to have doctors with them, and the only thing to do was to produce doctors and pharmacists.” he said.
The Faculty of Pharmacy and the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery are the next two lay institutions established in the University after the Faculty of Civil Law, according to fr. De Mesa.
Sesquicentennial anniversary website and coffee table book
In commemoration of its milestone, the Faculty of Pharmacy launched its sesquicentennial anniversary website and coffee table book entitled “Luminaries of the UST Faculty of Pharmacy”, which will both serve as a primer of its achievements throughout the years.
“Luminaries of the UST Faculty of Pharmacy” will be formally launched on May 29, 2021.
Brief History of the Faculty of Pharmacy
Founded on May 29, 1871, by the virtue of the Modification of the Moret Decree, the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Pharmacy is the first to offer the Pharmacy program in the country.
Initially, during the Spanish regime, the program took 6 years to finish, then was reduced to 4 years upon the arrival of the Americans.
In 1924, the Faculty of Pharmacy was the first to open its doors female students.
The Faculty of Pharmacy continued to grow with the addition of programs leading to a Degree of Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology in 1958 and Degree of Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry in 1962. In both cases, the University of Santo Tomas has gained the distinction of introducing these programs for the first time in the Philippines.
In 2006, the 5-year BS Pharmacy major in Clinical Pharmacy was offered, paving way for graduates to venture into another promising field of Pharmacy practice.
Recognitions
The ASEAN University Network – Quality Assurance certified its BS Biochemistry, BS Medical Technology, and the BS Pharmacy programs.
The Commission on Higher Education named the programs BS Medical Technology and the BS Pharmacy as Centers of Excellence.
The Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation elevated the BS-Pharmacy and BS-Medical Technology programs to Level IV accreditation status, while the BS-Biochemistry was elevated to Level III accreditation status.
