UST officials meet DepEd Santa Rosa leaders for future academic programs

On November 25, 2024, officials from the Office of the Assistant to the Rector for UST in Santa Rosa (UStaR), led by Prof. Philipina A. Marcelo, PhD, met with officials from the Schools Division of Santa Rosa City under the Department of Education (DepEd) Region IV-A (CALABARZON) led by the Assistant Schools Division Superintendent, Dr. Elvira B. Catangay, in line with the general directive of the Rector of the University, Very Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P., PhD. The meeting aimed to discuss plans for future academic programs at UStaR, explore the possibility of launching academic offerings at the campus earlier than originally planned, and how DepEd Santa Rosa and the University of Santo Tomas (UST) can collaborate on mutually beneficial developmental programs.

Central to the discussions was data gathering strategies in Junior and Senior High Schools (JHS and SHS) across Santa Rosa to directly involve learners and their families in making UStaR’s future offerings correspond to their educational aspirations and future plans.

Also present in the meeting were Dr. Seigfred V. Prado, Executive Assistant at UStaR, and Mr. Adolfo C. Ibayan, Planning Officer III of the School Governance and Operations Division.  Catangay and Ibayan expressed their support on the strategic plans of the University for UStaR and welcomed opportunities to collaborate with UST, most importantly, in responding to the urgent demand for quality teachers in the region, recommending that UST consider offering undergraduate and graduate programs in Education.

Beyond academic program planning, DepEd officials shared areas where UST could play a vital role in enhancing teacher training, particularly in Senior High Schools in the City of Santa Rosa. Considering the established strengths of the University as evidenced by the international and local accreditation of its academic programs as well as performance in various educational activities that measure student outcomes, DepEd officials suggested areas for collaboration, which include Values Education, Special Education, Sports Science, Guidance Counseling, Music and Fine Arts, and Technical-Vocational Programs. They also proposed sharing of UST’s best practice in integrating Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), technology, and community development into teaching methods.

Looking Ahead: Strengthening Partnerships

Following discussions of mutually beneficial opportunities in broad strokes, the officials agreed to identify specific opportunities in a follow-up meeting in January 2025 at the UST-Dr. Tony Tan Caktiong Innovation Center (UST-TTCIC) with an expanded group of officials from both sides. This meeting will explore immediate collaborative opportunities and lay the groundwork for long-term initiatives that address the City’s educational challenges and determine the wealth of bigger opportunities that can arise from such collaborations. Consistent with the University’s vision regarding its expansion plans, UStaR’s collaboration with DepEd Santa Rosa can help define the University’s role as a key player in the City’s educational landscape.

This engagement highlights UST’s commitment to aligning its future academic offerings with the needs of the Santa Rosa community, fostering meaningful partnerships, and delivering impactful educational programs that benefit both learners and educators with long-term benefits to the City and the CALBARZON Region.

Like this article?

Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter