SM to open 2 new NU campuses this year

MANILA, Philippines — The SM Group is opening two new National University (NU) campuses this year to mark the educational institution’s 125th anniversary.

The two new campuses located within SM properties in Cebu and Las Piñas will bring NU’s total campus count to 14 by the end of the year.

The Sy family’s holding firm, SM Investments Corp. (SMIC), said that the expansion deepens NU’s commitment to its mission of providing accessible and quality education to more Filipinos.

The expansion is also integral to NU’s goal of reaching more students across the country, as it is expected to increase student enrollment to 85,000.

“We’ve been expanding with the purpose of providing more access to quality education, which is core to the SM Group’s commitment to social good,” NU president and CEO Renato Carlos Ermita Jr. said.

“For us, giving back means ensuring that excellence in education reaches more Filipinos, regardless of their background. The Sy family has always aimed for excellence at NU–whether in academics, infrastructure, or sports,” he said.

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 that Henry Sy Sr.’s belief that education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty continues to guide the Sy family’s support of NU since 2008.

In line with SM’s dedication to inclusivity and accessibility, NU maintains an open admissions policy and invests in assessments that determine necessary interventions to help senior high school graduates to be college-ready.

SMIC said that the policy ensures that a wider pool of Filipino students could pursue higher education regardless of their background or status, which is aligned with the SM Group’s broader aspiration of creating opportunities for growth and social mobility through education.

“Our students can rise above their circumstances through hard work, dedication, patience, humility, strength and conviction. With the SM Group’s continued support, we embark on this ongoing journey to success, driving social good through education,” Ermita said.

NU recently earned a QS 3 Stars rating, with 5 Stars in employability and 4 Stars in teaching, social impact, facilities, and good governance, across 13 categories evaluated by Quacquarelli Symonds, the world’s leading provider of services, analytics and insights for the global higher education sector.

The rating highlights NU’s commitment to global best practices in education.

“We are focused on building international credibility for NU. This recognition from our international peers is a testament to our commitment to our students and graduates,” Ermita said.

Recognizing the value of research and faculty development, NU is being transformed into a research-oriented university.

“This aligns with the SM Group’s long-standing advocacy for advancing education and social progress. As part of this vision, NU aims to offer greater international mobility for its students, ensuring their credentials are globally recognized. This and SM’s support enhance opportunities for students to compete in the global marketplace,” Ermita said.