20 November, 1645
TODAY IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY
Pope Innocent X elevated the Colegio de Santo Tomas to a university. In 1680, it was subsequently placed under the royal patronage of the Spanish monarchy. In 1681, Pope Innocent XI declared it a Public University of General Studies allowing it to confer other degrees. In 1734 Pope Clement XII authorized the University to confer degrees in all existing faculties as well as all others that might be introduced in the future.
The Pope also approved the curriculum in the entire field of jurisprudence. THE UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS IS THE OLDEST EXISTING UNIVERSITY in Asia. In terms of student population, it is the largest Catholic university in the world in a single campus.
(Ref: ust.edu.ph; Photo from bit.ly/2ejRxms)
