A Hub for Academic Excellence

The campus currently operates under three pioneering schools: the School of Health Sciences, the School of Business and Accountancy, and the School of Engineering and Information Technology. The initial five pioneer programs — Pharmacy, Medical Technology, Entrepreneurship, Accounting Information Systems, and Industrial Engineering — were carefully selected to align with the region’s economic strengths, particularly in agriculture, trade, and healthcare.

CHED Regional Director Dr. Nelia Alibin, speaking at the 2024 inauguration, called Region XII “very blessed that the very first UST campus in Mindanao is in General Santos City”. She expressed hope that UST would replicate its enrollment success in the South, noting that UST Manila is recognized as one of the largest Catholic universities in the world in terms of student population on a single campus.

Local Government Support

The city government has been a steadfast partner. In 2013, then‑Mayor Ronnel Rivera played a crucial role in having the property reclassified as institutional land, a decision that finally unlocked the campus’s development. Rivera, who was re‑elected to a fresh term in 2026, has vowed to continue supporting the construction of UST’s satellite campus in the city. Mayor Lorelie Pacquiao also attended the 2024 inauguration, signaling continuity in local government backing

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Looking Ahead: AY 2026‑2027

For prospective students and their families, the calendar is now set. Both UST Manila and UST GenSan will open Academic Year 2026‑2027 on August 7, 2026. Freshmen onboarding activities will begin on August 3 with the UST Cloud Campus orientation, followed by the virtual “ROARientation” on August 4. The Misa y Discurso de Apertura, or Mass of the Holy Spirit, will officially inaugurate the academic year.

The 82.2‑hectare campus has ample room for expansion. While only the Main Building has been completed, the master plan envisions additional structures that could eventually accommodate up to 15,000 students. With its strong enrollment growth, expanding program offerings, and deep community roots, UST GenSan is well on its way to fulfilling that vision.

A New Chapter for Mindanao

As UST GenSan prepares to welcome its third batch of freshmen this August, the campus stands as a testament to what can be achieved when a 400‑year‑old institution plants its flag in new soil — not with a sense of conquest, but with a commitment to service, dialogue, and excellence. For the young Thomasians of the South, the journey has only just begun.