The University of Santo Tomas General Santos campus has been granted permission to operate eight new academic programs by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), marking a significant expansion for the first branch campus of the 400-year-old university in Mindanao.
The UST General Santos campus, which opened in Academic Year 2024-2025, initially offered programs in health sciences and business. The expansion of academic offerings signals the university commitment to providing more educational opportunities for students in the SOCCSKSARGEN region.
This development was announced by The Varsitarian, UST official student publication, and has been widely celebrated by the GenSan academic community.
Growing Educational Hub
General Santos City has been steadily growing as an educational hub in southern Mindanao. The expansion of UST GenSan academic programs adds to the city growing roster of higher education institutions, providing local students with more options to pursue quality tertiary education without having to relocate to Manila or other major cities.
The UST General Santos campus was designed to accommodate up to 5,000 students across its various programs, with a focus on health sciences and business education. The new programs are expected to further increase enrollment and attract students from across Mindanao and neighboring regions.
Investing in Mindanao Future
The campus has also been recognized for its commitment to sustainability. In October 2024, Energisto Philippines visited the UST General Santos campus as part of the school initiative to adopt renewable energy solutions, aiming for a clean and sustainable future.
With the Philippines continuing to invest in education infrastructure outside of Metro Manila, the expansion of institutions like UST General Santos plays a crucial role in developing human capital in the provinces. This aligns with national goals to make quality education more accessible to all Filipinos.
General Santos City is also home to other notable educational institutions, including Notre Dame of Dadiangas University and Mindanao State University-GenSen, making the city a key center for higher learning in the region.
For more updates about education and development in General Santos City, visit phshirt.com.