THE UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas will strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration with the construction of the UST-Dr. William T. Belo Interdisciplinary Research Institute in Santa Rosa, Laguna.

Fr. Richard G. Ang, UST Rector and President of the Research and Endowment Foundation, Inc., signed a memorandum of agreement with Dr. William T. Belo to fund the four-story institute, which will feature 25 state-of-the-art laboratories.

The funding was made possible through support from Wilcon Corporation, Anstay Realty and Development Corporation, Markeenlo Realty, Inc., and Adije Realty and Development Corporation.

The institute will add 1,555.83 square meters of space for UST research centers, focusing on areas such as food security, health, environmental sustainability, energy, communications, and materials innovation.

The UST-Dr. William T. Belo Interdisciplinary Research Institute is expected to be completed by December 2025, significantly enhancing research capabilities beyond the current Manila campus.

Present at the signing were REFI officials, including Fr. Louie R. Coronel, and UST representatives, including Vice-Rector for Finance Fr. Roberto L. Luanzon, Jr., and Facilities Management Office Director Fr. Dexter A. Austria.