FR. RICHARD Ang, O.P. has been elected to a second four-year term as UST Rector Magnificus in a development seen to provide “continuity” and stability” to the oldest existing University in Asia.
Ang’s appointment was issued through a July 22 decree signed by the Master of the Order of Preachers and UST chancellor Fr. Gerard Francisco Timoner III, O.P.
The designation of Ang, who will be formally installed to his post in September, secured the approval of the Dicastery for Culture and Education of the Holy See.
“In accordance with the statutes established by the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Manila [article X], having received the approval and confirmation of the Holy See, by the contents of these presents and by the authority of our office, hereby name and institute Fr. Richard Ang, O.P. as Rector Magnificus of the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Manila for a period of four years,” the decree, originally written in Latin, read.
The dicastery approved the re-election of Ang last July 1, after reviewing the recommendation letter of Timoner who, as UST chancellor, is authorized to designate his preferred candidate to the top post of the University.
Ang, who served as rector of the University from 2020 to 2024, will be installed on Sept. 9 at the Santisimo Rosario Church.
The installation rites will be unlike previous ones that coincided with the opening of the academic year, according to UST Secretary General Fr. Louie Coronel, O.P.
“Before, it is held after the Misa de Apertura. But this time, it will be a separate event,” he said.
Asked what could be expected from Ang during his second term, Coronel expressed optimism that the rector would further boost his seven-point agenda introduced in 2021.
“He will intensify the seven-point agenda and you will learn about it during his installation address… There was continuity of services even if there was no rector then. Now, there will be stability after the continuity of the projects,” Coronel told The Flame in an interview.
The priorities under Ang’s seven-point agenda are harnessing technology in preparation for industry 4.0, advancing synergy among disciplines, units and institutions, enriching the research ecosystem of the University, optimizing advances made in internationalization, fostering a stronger industry-academe-alumni partnership, advocating wellness of being and managing resources for strategic expansion.
“We thank the Lord for the appointment of Fr. Richard because it…provides continuity of service and stability of the University,” Coronel said.
Ang, who steered UST during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, saw the University’s implementation of the enriched virtual mode of instruction and return to onsite classes.
A consistent Latin awardee, Ang graduated from the UST Faculty of Arts and Letters in 1990 with a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and from the Ecclesiastical Faculties with a Sacred Theology degree in 1997. He obtained his master’s degree in religious studies in 1999 and his doctor of Philosophy in 2010, both at the University.
Ang served as vice rector under former rector Fr. Herminio Dagohoy, O.P., his predecessor, and was Faculty of Philosophy dean. He was also secretary of the Ecclesiastical Faculties. F – Zoe Airabelle Aguinaldo
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