Written by: Mary Andrew Dalogdog
Photos by: Jeremy Edera
To show appreciation for its excellent students and student groups for Academic Year 2019-2020 and 2020-2021, the university conducted the first-ever Virtual Student Awards via Facebook live last July 16, 2021.
The event began with an opening prayer led by Br. Siddharta B. Chiong, O.P., sole valedictorian of the UST Batch 2020 from the Faculty of Sacred Theology.
This was followed by the opening remarks given by Very Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P., university rector. He emphasized that the “journey means more than the actual recognition because it is the journey that has led you to this point in your life.”
A keynote speech was then given by Dr. Joel Hernandez Buenaventura, chief of the International Relations and Diplomacy Division of the Department of Health. He highlighted five leadership tips with the acronym of COVID: “C” for being the change that one wants to see in the world, “O” for being able to overcome difficulties, “V” for being able to acquire values from meaningful relationships, “I” for choosing we instead of own self, and “D” for one to do not forget his or her ‘why’ to stay grounded.
The following awards were given: Rector’s Academic Award (academic excellence), Pope Leo XIII Community Development Award (active involvement in community development), Quezon Leadership Award (exceptional leadership), Benavides Outstanding Achievement Award (outstanding achievement in academic or scientific field), Pope John Paul II Outstanding Achievement Award (outstanding achievement in sports and arts), St. Dominic de Guzman Award (outstanding teamwork), St. Albertus Magnus Award (outstanding research work), St. Thomas Aquinas Award (exceptionally outstanding performance), and Tradition of Excellence Award (exemplary performance of a student organization).
These awards are further classified into three levels depending on certain criteria: College Citation Level, College Level, and University Level.
Under the Faculty of Engineering, the following students were recognized for each category: Joshua S. Aldave, Rector’s Academic Award; Luis Dominic F. Concepcion, Juan Miguel V. Esporlas, Maria Katrina S. Miranda, and Kayleigh L. Nicolas, Quezon Leadership Award; UST Association of Civil Engineering Students (ACES), Pope Leo XIII Community Development Award; UST Engineering Student Council (ESC), UST Industrial Engineering Circle (IEC), UST Mechanical Engineering Club (MEC), and Operations Research Society of the Philippines (ORSP-UST Chapter), St. Dominic de Guzman Award; and Engr. Anthony James C. Bautista, St. Albertus Magnus Award.
For a student to be considered a nominee, the recommendation and endorsement given by the respective chair of the screening committee, deans, directors, principals, or regents (if applicable) of each unit (Faculty/College/School/Institute/Office) is strictly required.
For a nominee to then be determined as an awardee, the unit’s chair of the local student awards committee must verify the requirements and documents submitted by the nominees.
The event concluded with a closing remarks given by Matthew Dave T. Evangelista, a student from the College of Commerce and Business Administration. This was followed by the singing of the UST Hymn.
The Virtual Student Awards was hosted by Mr. Philippe Jose S. Hernandez, MEngg, acting director of UST Communications Bureau. Meanwhile, the Cyber Lounge, which was done as a get-to-know segment in between the awarding, was hosted by Erin Alvarez, former talents pool head of UST Tiger TV from Batch 2019.
Comments