THE COMMISSION on Higher Education allowed the University of Santo Tomas to conduct limited face-to-face classes and clinical internship in the first semester of Academic Year 2021-2022.

UST said it received a Certificate of Authority from CHED for complying with the guidelines and health protocols to resume physical classes for its BS Nursing, BS Medical Technology and BS Physical Therapy programs.

“UST now has four programs with Certificates of Authority to conduct limited face-to-face classes after CHED granted the first to the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery on March 1, 2021,” it added.

Dr. Aldrin Dalag, CHED commissioner, along with officials of the commission, city government of Manila and University of the Philippines Public Health Evaluation Group, inspected the university’s retrofitted classrooms on June 8.

“FMS started with their limited face-to-face medical clerkship last June 9, while limited face-to-face PT internship is slated to begin on June 21, 2021. Internship for Medical Technology will start on July 5, 2021, while RLE for Nursing will begin on August 9, 2021,” UST said.

Vice Rector for Academic Affairs Cheryl Peralta said that limited in-person classes will prioritize hands-on practice for skills-based courses through the Enriched Virtual Mode of Instruction.

“The University shall gradually increase the number of students who will return to campus with graduating students to be given the chance to return to campus first, to complete their final preparations for the world of work and the practice of their respective professions,” Peralta said.