In celebration of the University of Santo Tomas’ 414th founding anniversary, the UST Graduate School hosted a series of academic lectures and webinars throughout April 2025, spearheaded by its various program clusters.
April 5 marked the fourth installment of the Geopolitical Field Research for Peace Studies series. Held virtually, the session featured Rear Admiral Rommel Jude G. Ong of the Philippine Navy as guest speaker. Now a Professor of Praxis at the Ateneo School of Government (ASOG), Rear Admiral Ong discussed China’s political warfare strategy within the broader context of U.S.–China geopolitical rivalry. He outlined Beijing’s United Front Work (UFW) tactics, which aim to suppress criticism of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), promote pro-China narratives, and sway public opinion in democratic nations. His talk was followed by a panel discussion with members of the UST GS academic staff.
On April 12, the Psychology and Guidance and Counseling Cluster organized a webinar titled New Trends in Counseling, Personality, and Clinical Psychology. The session featured two esteemed international experts: Dr. Christian Scott, a Fulbright scholar, and Dr. Majeed Khader, a pioneering forensic psychologist from Singapore. Dr. Scott explored the psychological dynamics of family structures, with a particular focus on single parenthood. She highlighted the emotional and social challenges faced by single mothers and their potential effects on children’s behavior and development. Dr. Khader discussed the role of forensic psychology in high-stress environments, particularly in criminal investigations. Participants appreciated the relevance of these insights, particularly in relation to local contexts and research applications.
Later in the month, the GS Human Resource Cluster held an academic forum titled Human Resource Management at the Forefront of Digital Transformation on April 26. The event featured Mr. Eugene Jerome Carlino, Assistant Professor at National University, and Mr. David G. Romano, Assistant Vice President for Organizational Development and Culture at Chroma Hospitality. Carlino examined evolving HR functions amid digital transformation, with emphasis on talent management and recruitment. Romano discussed the integration of artificial intelligence into HR practices, sharing innovative approaches to talent acquisition and organizational development.
Also on April 26, the GS Food Science Program hosted the second episode of its Food for Thought series. The session spotlighted two speakers: Ms. Michelle Esteban, Division Chief of the Laboratory Accreditation Trade Industry Development Division at the Department of Trade and Industry – Philippine Accreditation Bureau, and Mr. William F. Mugot, Chief of the Plant Product Safety Services Division at the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI). Esteban stressed the role of accreditation in ensuring credible and reliable food testing services. Mugot presented the challenges facing local agricultural exports, noting a decline in export volume due to inspection failures linked to insect and pesticide residue. He emphasized the need to revisit and streamline regulatory policies to support farmers, exporters, and manufacturers.
On April 28, the GS Medical Technology cluster held a webinar tackling the contributions of artificial intelligence in healthcare services particularly in diagnostics.
This webinar was held in collaboration with the Philippine Association of Medical Technologists, Inc. Asst. Prof. Roberto G. Manaois, DBA, RMT who is President of Scientific Biotech Specialties, Inc. served as speaker for the event. Manaois emphasized that the use of AI today in clinical laboratory practice is inevitable, as it improves the analysis and processing of clinical data. He underscored the importance of embracing AI tools, not as replacements but as partners in achieving precision and efficiency in laboratory medicine. The speaker also tackled ethical and practical considerations for integrating AI into clinical laboratories. He addressed critical issues such as data privacy, diagnostic accountability, and the evolving role of medical technologists in AI-assisted environments.
These academic initiatives underscore the UST Graduate School’s unwavering commitment to the advancement of knowledge through the integration of theory and practice, reaffirming its vital role in scholarly discourse and professional development.