UST moves opening of classes to July

MANILA, Philippines - The University of Santo Tomas (UST) is moving its classes to July next academic year in preparation for the integration of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in 2015, it secretary-general announced.

The start of regular classes will now fall on July 14. The first semester will end by November with the final exam in the week of Nov. 17. The semestral break will last until Jan. 5, when the second semester starts.

UST Secretary General Fr. Winston Cabading said the university will still hold the traditional Paskuhan festivities on Dec. 8, the Feast of Immaculate Conception.

Preliminary examinations for non-graduating students will be on Mar. 6, while the finals will be on May 15. For graduating students, the final examinations will begin on April 20. The baccalaureate mass is scheduled on May 15, while the solemn investiture activities is on May 26.

Classes will are suspended on Holy Thursday (April 2), Good Friday (April 3), Araw ng Kagitingan (April 9) and Labor Day (May 1).

A third term replacing summer classes will start on June 3. Preliminaries for this short term will begin on June 17 while the finals will be on July 7.

There will be 104 school days for the first semester from July to November, and another 104 for the second semester that will run January to May.