NU tops off new academic bldg

MANILA, Philippines - The National University and the SM Group of Companies recently held the topping off ceremony of its new eight-story academic building. The building, which started construction last October 2008 is targeted for completion in June 2009, just in time for the first semester of SY 2009-2010.

SM Prime Holdings president Hans Sy, NU CEO and president Teodoro Ocampo, and NU CEO Renato Carlos Ermita led the topping off rites with New Golden City Builders General Contractor Engr. Manny Sy, architect Ana Siao Ling of Jose Siao Ling & Associates, DA Abcede Construction manager Engr. Dennis Abcede, NU Board director Robert Paguia, and NU campus management director Nilo Ocampo.

The SM Group recently acquired majority ownership of NU, and its all out support will help strengthen NU as an institution with new infrastructure, equipment, and focus on academic excellence.

The new building which has a neo-classical design and a total area of 13,700 square meters will house the College of Hotel and Restaurant Management, Information Technology, and Nursing, in addition to the courses offered by the university. It features 48 fully air-conditioned classrooms (16 in each floor), kitchen laboratories, modern nursing skills lab/mini hospital, computer rooms, and other related laboratories plus student facilities like a cafeteria, a multi-purpose student area, and wi-fi zones. The 8th Floor is where the NBA sized basketball court, a volleyball court, two badminton courts, as well as a 140 meter jogging oval on its upper side is located.

The new building’s construction team includes Jose Siao Ling and Associates, architects; New Golden City Builders, general contractors; and DA Abcede and Associates, project managers.

National University is a founding member of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) and is a pioneer of the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities (PACU). Its international affiliations and memberships include the Association of Southeast Asia Higher Institutions of Learning (ASAHIL) and the International Associations of Universities (IAU).

National University is located at 551 MF Jhocson St., Sampaloc, Manila, and is now accepting applicants for SY 2009-2010. For inquiries, contact 7498221/7498209/7437951 or visit http://www.nu.edu.ph