THE UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas will continue to use its Enriched Virtual Mode as a primary tool to deliver learning amid the Covid19 pandemic.

In a memorandum, UST Secretary General Fr. Louie Coronel said limited face-to-face classes will only be considered for learning competencies that cannot be effectively achieved using EVM.

The university introduced EVM as its online platform since schools shifted to distance learning, but mainly delivered through UST Cloud Campus.

For graduating allied health programs, Coronel noted UST will implement a strict health and safety protocols including the full vaccination of all participants of physical classes.

He added expansion of onsite classes to other year levels in the said program shall be subject to evaluation and approval.

“All stakeholders shall commit to the shared responsibility of observing all necessary precautionary measures before, during and after LF2F to protect themselves and others,” he said.

The UST official said other degree programs that intend to hold in-person classes shall be done “slowly and progressively” to ensure effective observance of minimum health standards.

“Protocols for LF2F for additional programs, year levels, and courses shall require the evaluation and endorsement of the University Crisis Management Committee, and subsequent approval of local government unit, CHED or DepEd as appropriate, prior to implementation,” Coronel explained.

Earlier, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs Prof. Cheryl Peralta declared that priority will be given to skills-based courses where the learning outcomes are best taught and assessed through in-person teaching and learning strategies.

CHED Chairman Prospero De Vera III said universities and colleges may start conducting limited face-to-face classes in all degree programs in December.

However, educational institutions should ensure all students and faculty are vaccinated against Covid19 and minimum health protocols are followed.

The Inter-Agency Task Force Against Covid19 has allowed the resumption of F2F classes in HEIs in areas below Alert Level 3.