Editing Rector (academia) (section)

===Philippines===
[[File:Rector Herminio Dagohoy of Santo Tomas.jpg|thumb|right|[[Herminio Dagohoy]], the 96th Rector Magnificus of the [[University of Santo Tomas|Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas]], Manila]]
{{See also|Rector Magnificus of the University of Santo Tomas}}
The term ''rector'' or ''Rector Magnificus'' is used to refer to the highest official in prominent Catholic universities and colleges such as the [[University of Santo Tomas]], the [[Colegio de San Juan de Letran]], and the [[San Beda University]]. The rector typically sits as chair of the university board of trustees. He exercises policy-making, general academic, managerial, and religious functions over all university academic and non-academic staff.

During the Spanish colonial period, on 20 May 1865, a royal order from Queen Isabella II gave the [[Rector Magnificus of the University of Santo Tomas]] the power to direct and supervise all the educational institutions in the Philippines and thus, the Rector of the university became the ''ex officio'' head of the secondary and higher education in the Philippines. All diplomas issued by other schools were approved by the Rector of the university and examinations leading to the issuance of such diplomas were supervised by the professors of the University of Santo Tomas.<ref name=varsi>[http://www.varsitarian.net/supplement/rectors_supplement/history_of_the_rectorship http://www.varsitarian.net/supplement/rectors_supplement/history_of_the_rectorship] ''The Varsitarian website'' Accessed 4 August 2012</ref><ref name=ust>[http://www.ust.edu.ph/index.php/history.html History of the University of Santo Tomas] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091222000856/http://www.ust.edu.ph/index.php/history.html |date=22 December 2009 }} ''The University of Santo Tomas website'' Accessed 4 August 2012</ref>