NATIONAL University (NU) plans to establish an additional 20 campuses across the country by 2028 through a partnership with the SM Group of Companies.
NU Bacolod is set to open in August this year, to be followed by NU Las Piñas and Cebu by next year.
“In Bacolod, we hope to provide quality, updated, innovative education to the young Bacolodnons — both in content and in instructional methods that reflect the NU standard of quality education,” NU President and CEO Renato Carlos Ermita Jr. said.
In the next three years, five more campuses will open in Pangasinan, Isabela, Davao, Iloilo and Naga.
“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 fee, 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,” Dr. Ermita added.
In 2008, SM Investments Corp. acquired the majority ownership of NU when the university struggled to get enrollees after a fire struck its main campus in 1998.
SM managed to grow NU’s student population from 1,800 before the takeover to more than 55,000 today. The expansion is expected to reach 100,000 students by 2027.
The NU-SM partnership aims to democratize education by strategically placing campuses near residential and commercial centers.
“This expansion does not only enhance educational opportunities but also attracts skilled faculty members who are passionate about nurturing talent in their home provinces,” SM said, adding that opening campuses in key cities contributes to local economies and community development.
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