The Varsitarian

GRADUATES of UST occupational therapy are a step closer to getting work abroad, after the program gained full accreditation from the Occupational Therapy Association of the Philippines (Otap) last March 14.

Pauline Grace Morato, a professor from the College of Rehabilitation Sciences (CRS), said the accreditation was granted during Otap’s National Convention at the Ortigas Center in, Pasig.

“Yes, kakabigay lang sa amin [it was given to us just recently], Morato said, referring to Otap’s accreditation of UST’s occupational therapy program.

The Varsitarian first reported about the unaccredited status of UST’s occupational therapy in September 2008 after a graduate complained to the paper of not being able to land a job in the United States because UST was not accredited by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT).

CRS Dean Jocelyn Agcaoili had said the college needed Otap’s nod before being able to apply for WFOT recognition. UST passed its application to Otap way back in 2003.

Ocular inspections were finally conducted in March and April last year, with the college meeting “some of the requirements,” Agcaoili had said.

Otap conducted another series of ocular inspections late last year, resulting in full accreditation of the program.

Morato said Otap will forward the college’s application to WFOT.

According to the WFOT website, there are only five accredited occupational therapy schools in the country: University of the Philippines-Manila (accredited since 1968), University of Perpetual Help System-Laguna (1990), Velez College (2000), Cebu Doctors’ College (2001), and Emilio Aguinaldo College (2006).

UST will have to re-apply for accreditation every two years, Morato said.