The Maces of the Rector Magnificus of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) are 17th-century silver maces which are considered to be the oldest symbols of the office Rector Magnificus of the University of Santo Tomas, the oldest extant European-chartered university in Asia.
The two maces silver symbolize the spiritual and temporal powers of the Rector Magnificus as the highest authority of the University. [1] [2]
During the Spanish Colonial period, on May 20, 1865, a royal order from Queen Isabella II gave the Rector Magnificus of the University of Santo Tomas the power to direct and supervise all the educational institutions in the Philippines and thus, the Rector became the ex-officio head of the secondary and higher education in the Philippines. All diplomas issued by other schools were approved by the Rector and examinations leading to the issuance of such diplomas were supervised by the professors of UST. This made the maces the symbol of the highest authority in the field of education during those times. [1] [2] [3] [4]
The maces were first used during the 17th century wherein candidates for doctoral degrees were accompanied by the Rector in a parade called Paseo de los Doctores. [1] [2]
The design of the maces is derived from a battle mace and the Roman fasces. The maces are made of pure silver measures 95 x 15 centimetres in diameter. At the top of the mace is the 17th Century seal of the University. [1] [2]
Today, members of the Academic Senate hold processions at the opening of each academic year and during solemn investitures in academic gowns, following the style of Spanish academic regalia. The maces are borne by bedeles ("macebearers"), and are included in the parade for their academic symbolism. [1] [2]
The maces are now permanently kept at the University's Museum of Arts and Sciences. [1] [2]
A rector is a senior official in an educational institution, and can refer to an official in either a university or a secondary school. Outside the English-speaking world the rector is often the most senior official in a university, whilst in the United States the most senior official is often referred to as President and in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth of Nations the most senior official is the Chancellor, whose office is primarily ceremonial and titular. The term and office of a rector can be referred to as a rectorate. The title is used widely in universities in Europe and is very common in Latin American countries. It is also used in Brunei, Turkey, Russia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Israel and the Middle East. In the ancient universities of Scotland the office is sometimes referred to as Lord Rector, is the third most senior official, and is usually responsible for chairing the University Court.
The Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, the Catholic University of the Philippines, or simply the University of Santo Tomas (UST), is a private, Catholic research university in Manila, Philippines. Founded on April 28, 1611, by Miguel de Benavides, Archbishop of Manila, it has the oldest extant university charter in the Philippines and in Asia, and is one of the world's largest Catholic universities in terms of enrollment found on one campus. The university is run by the Order of Preachers. UST is the only university to have been visited by three popes four times: once by Pope Paul VI on November 28, 1970, twice by Pope John Paul II on February 18, 1981, and January 13, 1995, and once by Pope Francis on January 18, 2015. The patron of the university is St. Thomas Aquinas, while St. Catherine of Alexandria is the patroness.
The University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines marks a variety of traditions largely influenced by the Filipino Dominican culture. Many are annual events, such as religious assemblies marking the start and end of the academic year, a "welcome walk" for new students, as well as intercollege sport competitions and talent exhibitions. Christmas is celebrated in a month-long festivities culminated by the UST Paskuhan. Many Roman Catholic feast days are also celebrated.
The University of Santo Tomas is one of the oldest existing universities and holds the oldest extant university charter in the Philippines and in Asia. It was founded on April 28, 1611 by the third Archbishop of Manila, Miguel de Benavides, together with Frs. Domingo de Nieva and Bernardo de Santa Catalina. It was originally conceived as a school to prepare young men for the priesthood. Located Intramuros, it was first called Colegio de Nuestra Señora del Santísimo Rosario and later renamed Colegio de Santo Tomás in memory of Dominican theologian Saint Thomas Aquinas. In 1624, the Colegio was authorized to confer academic degrees in Theology, Philosophy and Arts. On November 20, 1645 Pope Innocent X elevated the College to the rank of a university and in 1680 it was placed under royal patronage.
The Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas celebrated its 400th anniversary in 2011. The agenda before the quadricentennial in 2011 included the introduction of new academic programs, improvements in the university's infrastructure, and other projects to raise UST's national and international prominence and promote its role as a social catalyst.
Leonardo Zamora Legaspi, O.P. was the Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Caceres and president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (1988–1991). He was appointed as the first Filipino Rector Magnificus of the University of Santo Tomas in 1970. On September 8, 2012, Pope Benedict XVI accepted his retirement as Metropolitan Archbishop of Caceres, and named Bishop Rolando Joven Tria Tirona, O.C.D., as Archbishop-elect. Archbishop Tirona, who until then had been the Bishop-Prelate of the Roman Catholic Territorial Prelature of Infanta in the Philippines, immediately succeeded to the see upon the acceptance of his appointment and was formally installed as Metropolitan Archbishop of Caceres on 14 November 2012.
The Rector Magnificus of the University of Santo Tomas is the highest-ranking officer and chief administrator of the University of Santo Tomas (UST), the oldest and the largest Catholic university in Manila, Philippines. The rector typically sits as chief executive and chair of the university board of trustees. He exercises policy-making as well as general academic, managerial, and religious functions over all university academic and non-academic staff. His term lasts for four years and he is qualified for re-election for two or more terms.
Rolando V. de la Rosa, O.P., is the Rector Magnificus (president) of the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome, as of 1 September 2016.
This is a timeline of the history of the Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, the oldest university in Asia, comprising important events of the history of the University and of the development of Philippine higher education in general. To read about the background to these events, see History of the University of Santo Tomas. See also the history of the Rector Magnificus of the University of Santo Tomas, and the Santo Tomas Internment Camp
Herminio Dagohoy, O.P., is the 96th Rector Magnificus of the University of Santo Tomas (UST), the oldest and the largest Catholic university in Manila, Philippines.
Norberto Castillo, O.P., was the 91st Rector Magnificus of the University of Santo Tomas (UST), the oldest and the largest Catholic university in Asia, from 1982–1990.
The University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines has 21 colleges and 3 secondary school departments. The faculties, colleges, institutes, schools, and a conservatory, are degree granting academic units. There are 18 civil faculties, colleges, and institutes and 3 ecclesiastical faculties. The Faculty of Civil Law, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, the Graduate School, and the Graduate School of Law offer masters and doctorate programs. The Faculty of Sacred Theology, Faculty of Philosophy and Faculty of Canon Law, offer bachelor, masters, and doctorate programs. The rest of the colleges offer only undergraduate programs.
The UST Neo-Centennial Celebration is a week-long anniversary of the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines that commemorated the closing of the UST Quadricentennial Celebration.
The University of Santo Tomas Institute of Information and Computing Sciences, or "UST-IICS", is the computing and information technology school of the University of Santo Tomas, the oldest and the largest Catholic university in Manila, Philippines.
The Paskuhan is the culmination of the university wide Christmas activities of the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines. The annual tradition started in 1991. The programs of Paskuhan were held during the last week or last day before the Christmas break of the university. In 2014, however, because of the change in the academic calendar of the university, it was scheduled in the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8, 2014. It was later rescheduled to December 11, 2014 because of Typhoon Ruby.
The oldest universities, colleges, vocational schools and the first modern public education system in Asia were created during the Spanish colonial period. The earliest schools were founded by Spanish Catholic missionaries. By the time Spain was replaced by the United States as the colonial power, Filipinos were among the most educated subjects in all of Asia. Of the many educational institutions established during the colonial era, only a few remain extant today, such as the University of Santo Tomas (1611), Colegio de San Juan de Letran (1620), Real Colegio de Santa Potenciana (1590), Universidad de San Ignacio (1590), Colegio de San Ildefonso (1595), Santa Isabel College Manila (1632), and the Universidad de San Felipe de Austria (1640), among others.
Richard G. Ang, O.P. is a Filipino priest, divinity scholar, and educational administrator. He is the 97th Rector Magnificus of the University of Santo Tomas (UST), the oldest and the largest Catholic university in Manila, Philippines. He is the eighth Filipino to become rector of the pontifical university.
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