The University of Santo Tomas–Legazpi, also referred to by its acronym UST–Legazpi, is a private, Catholic basic and higher education institution, and a part of the University of Santo Tomas System that is run and owned by the Philippine Province of the Order of Preachers (OP). It was founded by Buenaventura de Erquiaga in 1948 and named Legazpi Junior Colleges.
UST–Legazpi, despite its name, is an autonomous institution, separate from the University of Santo Tomas in Manila.
History Presidents and Rectors 1948–1957 Ramon C. Fernandez 1957–1958 Bienvenido N. Santos 1961–1963 Margarito M. Delgado 1963–1965 Manuel Lacuesta As a university 1965–1978 Ramon C. Salinas 1978–1984 Manuel T. Piñon 1985–1988 Pedro V. Salgado 1988–1992 Patricio A. Apa 1992–1995 Orlando C. Aceron 1995–1999 Virgilio A. Ojoy 1999–2011 Ramonclaro G. Mendez 2011–2024 Ernesto M. Arceo 2024–Present Edwin A. Lao
Integration to the UST System UST Manila rector Herminio Dagohoy approved the renaming of Aquinas University of Legazpi to University of Santo Tomas–Legazpi after the decision was made by the UST Council of Regents in December 2016. An application for a change of name was made with the Securities and Exchange Commission which took effect in academic year 2017–2018.
UST–Legazpi retained the board of trustees of the old Aquinas University as its board of trustees including administrative and fiscal independence from UST in Manila.
Academics The university offers programs in basic education, undergraduate and graduate studies, and law. Twenty-four undergraduate programs are offered in the university's 4 colleges, namely the College of Arts, Sciences, and Education (CASE), the College of Health Sciences (CHS), the College of Engineering, Architecture, and Fine Arts (CEAFA), and the College of Business Management and Accountancy (CBMA).
UST–Legazpi College of Law is the first and oldest law school in Albay. The college produced its first lawyers in 1955. It offers a 4-year Juris Doctor (JD) program. Mae Diane Azores, an alumna of the college, topped the 2019 Philippine Bar Examinations.
The Graduate School offers 8 masters programs and 4 doctorate programs in the fields of law, business and finance, government and public service, ecclesiastical leadership and education, nursing, social work, and psychology. The Master of Arts in Education (MAEd) and Master in Business Administration (MBA) are PACUCOA Level III accredited programs.
Notable alumni Noel E. Rosal — the incumbent Governor of Albay, and previously served as Mayor of Legazpi City, Albay. Rosal obtained his master's degree in business administration from Aquinas University. Merlinda Bobis — a contemporary Philippine-Australian writer and academic. Mae Diane Azores — the topnotcher of the 2019 Philippine Bar Exam
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