SM Group to double National University campuses to 20

MANILA, Philippines — The SM Group is targeting to nearly double the current number of National University (NU) campuses by 2028 in an effort to provide quality, accessible and affordable education to young Filipinos nationwide.

The Sy family’s investment holding firm SM Investments Corp. (SMIC) said NU is embarking on an ambitious expansion strategy which aims to establish 20 campuses across the Philippines by 2028, from 11 to date.

SM acquired majority ownership of NU in 2008 when it was struggling to get enrollees since the 1998 fire that razed the main building of the Sampaloc-based university.

SMIC said the year before the partnership with the group, NU’s student population was only at 1,800. The school now has 55,000 students and plans to boost this population to 100,000 by 2027.

SMIC said the opening of NU Bacolod and NU East Ortigas in August is expected to contribute to the growing student population.

NU Las Piñas and Cebu campuses are targeted to open next year, while campuses in Pangasinan, Isabela, Davao, Iloilo and Naga are set to open in the next three years.

By opening campuses in key cities like Bacolod, Las Piñas, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, and Naga, SMIC said NU contributes significantly to local economies and community development.

It said NU’s expansion does not only enhance educational opportunities but also attracts skilled faculty members who are passionate about nurturing talent in their home provinces.

“As we expand, we have a lot of faculty members who are, in a sense, returning residents to their hometown. We understand that there is the growing cost of education. Meaning, it’s one thing to pay the tuition, and another thing to cover the expenses of going to school including having to spend for a dorm, for food, throughout the whole four years;” NU president and CEO Renato Carlos Ermita Jr. said.

“The objective of NU is to produce productive individuals, professionals and entrepreneurs. We hope that they are able to fulfill their career and life objectives. Our motto is ‘Education that works’ and education that works also means it’s sustainable and relevant. But our mantra, as always directed by our chairman, Hans Sy, and the family, is quality, affordability and accessibility. That’s why we keep our tuition very affordable and promote accessibility through the expansion,” he added.