THE UST General Santos (GenSan) campus was inaugurated on Thursday, April 11, marking the opening of the University’s first expansion outside Luzon.
The entrustment and ribbon-cutting ceremonies took place during the month of the University’s 413th founding anniversary.
In his speech during the inauguration rite, UST Rector Fr. Richard Ang, O.P. noted the setbacks that were faced in the establishment of the Gensan main building, the first edifice of the campus.
“The construction process was filled with symbolic battles against nature or the natural course of events, logistical challenges and unforeseen obstacles. Building a structure in Mindanao involves overpowering significant logistic difficulties, spanning vast distances and navigating diverse landscapes,” Ang said.
The campus in Barangay Ligaya encountered land classification issues that led to delays in its construction. Although acquired in 1997, full development of facilities did not commence until 2018 when the groundbreaking ceremony was carried out.
Ang noted that the university will accept non-Catholic enrollees as UST seeks to strengthen its fellowship with Muslims.
“We vow that this university is not only for the Catholics…This is a place for interreligious and interfaith dialogues,” he added.
The campus was entrusted to the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary through a prayer led by Prof. Maribel Nonato, the assistant to the rector for the GenSan campus.
Key officials of the University, including Secretary General Fr. Louie Coronel, O.P., and local government unit members of Soccsksargen attended the event.
The Mindanao campus is seen to accommodate up to 5,000 students with its 77 classrooms, 25 laboratories, a 65-person capacity cafeteria, a 100-person capacity chapel, a 300-person capacity auditorium, a clinic, a library, student organization rooms and three function halls.
UST GenSan will open during the academic year 2024-2025, offering courses such as Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy, Medical Technology, Entrepreneurship, Accounting, Accounting Information and Industrial Engineering. F
