Aquino hails UST's 'humanizing' education contribution in the Phl, world

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino hailed yesterday the contribution of the University of Santo Tomas in providing not just quality but “humanizing” education in the country, noting that “principles” and not just education set UST graduates apart as they became professionals.

The President congratulated UST during the quadricentennial celebration as keynote speaker during the 10th Biennial Conference of the International Council of Universities of St. Thomas Aquinas and said quality education must be able to develop not only competitive citizens but also people exposed to the realities of the world.

“For four centuries, you have upheld the traditions of excellence and integrity, known to many as the Thomasian spirit, which now resides in the hearts and minds of our leaders and professionals,” the President said.

“For four centuries, the University of Santo Tomas has educated the best this country has to offer. But when we look back at the long list of distinguished individuals this institution has produced, it is not merely education that sets them apart, but principles. This university has made it its noble mission to instill Catholic principles to each of its students, while at the same time, giving them a high quality of education,” Aquino noted.

The President said it was no surprise that among those who served the country at the highest levels — presidents, senators, Supreme Court chief justices, saints, martyrs, and even artists — “many are Thomasians – people who have learned to balance their intellect on an unshakable foundation of morality.”

“I think this is what Thomasians around the world share in common – the ability to excel in their chosen field and contribute to the welfare, not just of their country, but of the world,” Aquino said.

The President said quality education was a vital tool for national development and social change and this was exemplified by UST and which the government would want educational institutions to follow.

“The formation of the human mind requires a curriculum that is not merely empirical, contingent and relative, but one that is humanizing,” Aquino said.

He said the Philippines was facing the gargantuan task of rehabilitating itself from years of turmoil, which sparked an attitude of disillusionment among the Filipino people and many had unwillingly resigned themselves to live abroad due to the lack of opportunities here.

“The duty to give back to the country is not forgotten, but it is largely overshadowed by the pressures of mere survival,” he said.

“The 21st century has brought with it a changing cultural, social, and spiritual environment. Thus, Catholic institutions must work harder to develop in their students the necessary knowledge, attitudes, and skills required not only to produce competitive citizens, but also to expose them to the realities of the world; and UST has always been an exemplar of what we ask of our educational institutions. Through your efforts, we are hoping that Filipinos across the archipelago can all exhibit the qualities of your graduates,” Aquino said.

The President said the CHED had also started to take action to review and fix the higher education systems in the country to make them more efficient.

“We remember (national hero Jose) Rizal’s famous challenge: ‘Where are the youth who will consecrate their golden hours and enthusiasm for the welfare of the country?’ And we must hold ourselves to this standard that our national hero has set for us and act upon it with vigor and initiative. We should therefore remember that one’s financial state is but an instrument for the common good which will then influence one’s sense of satisfaction with life,” Aquino said.

Aquino assured the “daylight is upon us” and “we have restored the all-important trust between government, private institutions, and the Filipino people.”

Founded in 1611, UST is the oldest university in the Philippines and the largest Catholic university in the world in terms of student population located in one campus. UST also enjoys the singular privilege of being the only pontifical university in Asia.