Dr. Dela Santa named UP Scientist, first in the field of Tourism

Prof. Edieser DL. Dela Santa, PhD is among the faculty members approved with the award of Scientist Ranks under the University of the Philippines Scientific Productivity System for the 2021-2023 period. Dr. Dela Santa was named UP Scientist I which includes him among the ranks of UP Faculty and Research Staff who embody the highest standards of scientific productivity and professional standing. The award not only bestows esteemed recognition, but appropriate incentives as well to foster a conducive environment for advanced scientific productivity that contributes to national development.

Dr. Dela Santa
Prof. Edieser DL. Dela Santa, PhD

We are thankful to the University for the award. This is special for us because it’s the first time tourism is recognized in the scientific productivity system. We feel we have blazed a trail for local tourism researchers.

Dr. Dela Santa, feels that this achievement is not his alone, because this is the first time Tourism Education and Research is recognized in the UP-SPS.

In 2011, during the Awarding Ceremony of the Scientific Productivity System, Prof. Cecilia Florencio delivered a speech tackling the UP Scientific Productivity award — what it is about, and what goes beyond it: “As scientists let us ask ourselves in what ways and for what ends we use research publications and other research outputs, ours and those of our colleagues, in teaching?  More importantly, how do we help nurture desirable research ethos (discipline and ethics) in our academic community?”

Related: About and Beyond the UP Scientific Productivity Award

It was in August 2005 when the UP Board of Regents approved the UP Scientific Productivity System (SPS) which aims to support the development of science and technology, and to encourage and reward the scientific productivity of deserving faculty and research staff.

Since the inception of the UP Asian Institute of Tourism in 1976, the institute has been leading initiatives in research, training, and extension programs that has benefited the national government, local government units, businesses and enterprises, and various tourism stakeholders.

When asked what the Scientist I rank implies, Dr. Dela Santa mentioned that “The award means that hard work and dedication to one’s discipline and scholarly pursuits can lead to gratifying results. Having an enabling environment, one that allows for independent and collaborative work to flourish, is also very important

Dr. Dela Santa delivering the welcome remarks at the Philippine Research Conference on Tourism and Hospitality (2018)

Dr. Dela Santa handles subjects in the graduate and undergraduate program of AIT. In several appointment periods, he held administrative positions in the Institute such as Institute Secretary, Director for Academic Affairs, and Director for Tourism Research and Extension Services. In 2016, he was tasked to handle yet another challenging administrative position in AIT when he was appointed as the 7th Dean of the institute.

Edieser as his batchmates fondly call him is also a graduate of the BS Tourism program in AIT. He pursued graduate studies in Saitama University, Japan where he earned his MA in Public Policy (2000). Later, he completed his PhD at the University of Otago, New Zealand (2010).

Prior to the SPS award, Dr. Dela Santa has also received recognitions for his scholarly work in international publications. He has also been a repeat-awardee of the UP Diliman Centennial Professorial Award since 2013. Even with these achievements, Dr. Dela Santa maintains that tourism students have the potential to succeed in their research, and just keep on investing in this chosen field.

Former Chancellor Michael Tan with Dr. Edieser and Family, Affirmation of Deanship (2017)
Photo courtesy of the UP Diliman Information Office

You can do it too! I was, and still am, a student of tourism, so our backgrounds are the same. Tourism is a fertile ground for research – there is a lot that students can learn and discover. Keep invested in our discipline, “it is a real possession” so to speak.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Have a question in mind? We listed down some of the Frequently Asked Questions to help and guide you. If you have further questions not covered in this FAQ, please send us an inquiry through daa.ait@up.edu.ph

FAQS

How to apply in the BS Tourism Program? To be eligible in the BS Tourism Program, you need to pass the UP College Admission (UPCA)/UP College Admission Test UPCAT). For students who are planning to shift or transfer to the BS Tourism program, you must have completed 30 units of coursework (if you are from other UPD units or other UP campus) or 33 units of coursework (if you are from other college and university)

The documentary requirements can be found here. For more information and other queries, send an email with your concern to asianinstituteoftourism.upd@up.edu.ph

Are there scholarship offerings for UPAIT students? The graduate program of UPAIT offers the MSTDM scholarship award, with one awardee annually. For other scholarship opportunities for BS Tourism and Graduate Program, visit the UP Diliman Office of Scholarships and Grants Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/UPDilimanOSG

The UP AIT Alumni Association also offers an educational assistance in cash to deserving third and fourth year students.

UP AIT offers the Graduate Diploma in Tourism Development and Management (GDip TDM) which leads to the degree of Master of Science in Tourism Development and Management (MSTDM).

The graduate program courses are listed here. You may also view the description of courses here If you would like to know more about the subjects, please send us an e-mail.

All tourism and non-tourism graduates, with at least 1-year work experience and who would like to obtain a diploma and/or an advance degree in the field of tourism management and development may apply.

The list of requirements and downloadable application forms can be found in this page.

Yes, applicants whose work experiences are non-tourism related are welcome to apply. However, all applications will be assessed based on results of entrance examination, interview, academic performance, essay, and recommendations.

At present, UP AIT does not accept shiftees for the Graduate Program. Courses/Subjects taken in other colleges or universities will not be credited for the completion of the GDipTDM and MSTDM.

The entrance exam uses different types of questions that aim to assess your current knowledge, comprehension, logic, and analytical skills. Advanced knowledge of tourism is not required.

The application process is conducted online. Please ensure that you have read and understood the program details before submitting your application here. Once you have completed the application requirements, you can now proceed to submit your application.

For questions or concerns, please contact the Graduate Program office at aitgradprog.upd@up.edu.ph

The UPAIT Graduate Program is intended to meet the professional development needs of graduates to advance their careers in the tourism industry. Thus the UPAIT Graduate Program as much as practicable will offer weekday evenings (5:00 PM onwards) and Saturday classes (scheduled between 8 AM – 7 PM).

Graduate students are advised to take 9 units to get full load credit per semester or an equivalent of 2 – 3 classes per semester depending on the course credit units.

All students enrolled in the Graduate Program of UP AIT need to take a total of 21 units of required and elective Courses, which will allow the completion of a Graduate Diploma. Should the student want to advance to a Master’s Degree, the student needs to take 16 or 19 more units depending on the track they choose; Plan A is a thesis track with 19 units or Plan B, a non-thesis track with 16 units.

Full-time GDipTDM students, taking a normal load, may complete the degree in three semesters (approximately 1.5 years). The time limit for the completion of all diploma requirements shall be no more than two (2) years starting from the student’s first enrollment in the course and shall include all leaves of absence from the program.

If GDipTDM graduates choose to continue to MSTDM, you must complete an additional 19 units (Plan A, thesis track) or 16 units (Plan B, non-thesis track), which may be taken in two semesters and one mid-year term. The time limit for the completion of the Master’s requirements shall be three (3) years, starting from the student’s first enrollment in the course and shall include all leaves of absence from the program.

Yes. There will be time limit of 2 years from enrollment for the GDipTDM, and a time limit of 3 years for MSTDM, maximum years to finish is 5 years.

The cost per unit is Php 2,000 and the estimated cost of tuition fees for full load per semester is around Php 20,000 – 25,000.

Students and prospective applicants are requested to search for available grants or scholarships at the University of the Philippines Office of Scholarships and Student Services.

For list of available scholarships visit the website of the University of the Philippines Office of Student Scholarships.

Contact Us

Get in touch

Please ensure to schedule and coordinate your visit in advance before proceeding to our campus.

Location:

UP Asian Institute of Tourism, Commonwealth Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City 1101

Email:

asianinstituteoftourism.upd@up.edu.ph

Call:

(+63 2) 8 981 8500 extension #2798

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