In a landmark move to boost legal education in Batangas, the University of Batangas (UB) and the University of Santo Tomas (UST) have officially signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to offer a Master of Laws program. This law school partnership is designed to make high-quality legal studies in Batangas more accessible, eliminating the need to travel to Manila for an advanced law degree.
Atty. Hernando S. Perez Jr., Dean of the UB College of Law, highlighted the significant impact of this initiative for legal education in Batangas. “This partnership not only enhances our academic excellence but also strengthens our commitment to produce ethical lawyers and justice-driven legal professionals who will serve our fellow Batangueños with high-quality legal services,” he said.
The collaboration, which focuses on delivering a flexible legal studies experience, allows UB faculty members, alumni, and legal practitioners from Batangas and nearby provinces to enroll in UST’s Master of Laws program. The program’s hybrid format combines online classes with onsite assessments, offering online law degree options and ensuring that the curriculum is both rigorous and adaptable to students’ needs.
Atty. Jacqueline O. Lopez-Kaw, DCL, Dean of UST’s Graduate School of Law, emphasized the importance of this partnership in addressing the evolving legal landscape. “The complexities of today’s legal profession require not only academic skill but also a steadfast dedication to justice, ethics, and continuous professional development. We are confident that this advanced law degree program will equip our students with the competence needed to excel in both legal practice and academia,” she remarked.
President Lily Marlene J. Hernandez, President of the University of Batangas, added that the MOA is set to transform legal education in the region. “Our shared vision is to nurture ethical lawyers and justice-driven legal professionals through a program that stands on fairness, transparency, and the highest academic standards. This collaboration reinforces our commitment to delivering quality legal education and creating sustainable law practice opportunities right here in Batangas,” she affirmed.
This news marks a pivotal step in the evolution of legal education in Batangas, positioning the region as a hub for advanced legal studies and innovative law school partnerships. Students now have a unique opportunity to pursue a flexible, high-quality Master of Laws program in their home province, contributing to the growth of ethical, well-trained legal professionals in the community.