The university has integrated Gemini for Education across its campus, expanding the use of AI tools among its 46,000 students and faculty across 22 degree-granting academic units.
UST’s digital transformation began with Google Workspace for Education before expanding to generative AI tools such as Gemini and Gemini Notebook.
Rather than treating AI as a replacement for traditional instruction, the university is positioning the technology as a tool that can help educators redesign lessons, explain complex concepts and spend more time mentoring students.
Teachers first
UST’s Educational Technology Center has trained more than 2,000 faculty members to use AI based on the requirements of their respective disciplines.
The rollout is supported by 45 e-learning specialists embedded across colleges and more than 300 Google Certified Educators.
“At the Educational Technology Center, our mandate is to integrate technology tools for teaching, learning, research, and community service,” said UST EdTech Center Acting Director Asst. Prof. April Joy M. Gascon.
“Each of our e-learning specialists brings their own stories and contexts on how technology best serves their specific discipline,” she added.
UST has also established guidelines for responsible AI use to ensure the technology supports academic integrity and ethical standards.
Across disciplines
The university is tailoring Gemini’s applications to different fields rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach.
Nursing faculty, for example, use AI to generate realistic patient-care scenarios that allow students to practice emergency decision-making before entering hospital settings.
Architecture students and professors use AI visualization to turn concepts into realistic renders incorporating vernacular Philippine design, while engineering teachers create visual representations of complex mathematical formulas to help students understand spatial coordinates.
In Theology classes, students use Gemini Notebook to synthesize historical and philosophical texts and generate study materials, leaving more classroom time for faculty-led discussions on ethics and human values.
“Ever since we started using Google AI, classroom dynamics have changed for the better because students can now demonstrate their learning in transformative ways,” said UST team leader for e-learning specialists Shane Alexander Y. Laong.
More time to mentor
UST also sees AI as a way to reduce the time faculty spend on repetitive preparation.
Educators can use Gemini to help draft lesson plans, develop rubrics and generate visual learning materials, freeing more time for face-to-face mentoring and personalized feedback.
“When Gemini Notebook was integrated, it definitely lessened the workload for both teachers and students, allowing them to turn mountains of literature into flashcards, quizzes, and review materials that make learning more engaging,” Laong said.
UST Vice Rector for Academic Affairs Prof. Cheryl R. Peralta, DrPH, urged educators to understand AI rather than fear it and rethink how they teach.
“We aim to produce Thomasian graduates who are future-ready, competent, committed, and compassionate—empowered to use critical thinking, problem-solving, and AI ethically and responsibly,” Peralta said. —-Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
