This has also been a year in which we have consolidated our local and international partnerships and embarked on innovative projects and programs together. These partnerships have fueled our zeal to do even greater things for the larger good and, very importantly, for the least, the last, and the lost. Through such partnerships, we have been able to initiate programs that are truly groundbreaking and serve to augment our academic offerings while reaching out farther and wider in impact.

Central to that has been the approval of our University Code—a landmark achievement centering on ensuring that our processes and structures are aligned with our vision and goals. We close this chapter with our hearts full of gratitude and pride. A thousand and sixteen undergraduate students and a hundred and fifty-four graduate students stand in the name of 1,016 undergraduates and 154 graduates as the core of our institution and champions of the values of integrity, social justice, discipline, and excellence in academics; you have set the bar high. Despite these adversities, you and your dedicated teachers pulled off learning gains that illustrate real education takes place under any conditions.

And so it is with hope in our hearts and a spring in our steps that we open the doors to Academic Year 2024-2025. We are welcoming 1,800 new students; products of our very first systemwide competitive admissions process. This new cohort represents the future of ISUFST, full of fresh perspectives, talents, and aspirations. You are now part of a community with social justice values—the very reason our school was built. We are pledged to provide you with an environment where you can thrive, grow, and transform into leaders who walk our principles.

Our commitment to inclusive education will continue to be strong. It is our purpose to work for a goal that will bring quality education and support to every student to shine in life, no matter what background he or she comes from. This shows how we keep upgrading our faculty portfolio and infrastructure and bringing in process innovations. And so the new academic year has lots in store for us. From here, we shall build on our past successes and overcome the obstacles that might come our way, as we aim to make this university one of the leading research universities in Southeast Asia by 2030.

Let us take the lessons learned, friendships built, and dreams realized while at this university as we move on in this journey. Together, we shall continue inculcating the values of honesty, social justice, discipline, and academic excellence. Let’s face with hope the challenges that are waiting ahead with wisdom and a solid resolve to make a difference. Thank you once again for your unwavering support and hard work. To a successful and rewarding 2024-2025 academic year!