The SM Investments Corp. has announced it will open two National University (NU) campuses in 2025, which will bring the total number of its campuses to 14 by the end of the year, and potentially increase enrollment to 85,000.
In a statement, SM Investments said it will open the NU Las Piñas and NU Cebu this year, to mark the university’s 125th anniversary.
NU currently has 70,000 students enrolled in 12 NU campuses and affiliate schools – NU Manila, NU Nazareth School, NU Laguna, NU Mall of Asia, NU Fairview, NU Baliwag, NU Dasmarinas, NU Asia Pacific College, NU Lipa, NU Clark, NU Bacolod, and NU East Ortigas as of the academic year 2024-2025.
NU was established in August 1900 as Colegio Filipino. It underwent several name changes — Colegio Mercantil and National Academy — before it became NU in 1921.
“The new campuses, slated to open later this year, are an integral part of NU’s goal to reach more students across the country,” the SM Investments said
“This reflects both the SM Group and NU’s dedication to social good, as they work together to break barriers and create opportunities for all Filipinos,” it added.
The conglomerate said that the late Henry Sy, Sr.’s belief in education as key to breaking the cycle of poverty, has been guiding the group’s investment in NU since it acquired a majority stake in 2008.
“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. 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,” said Renato Carlos Ermita, Jr., NU president and chief executive officer (CEO).
Ermita said that in line with SM Investments’ dedication to inclusivity and accessibility, along with its belief in every student’s potential, NU maintains an open admissions policy and invests in assessments that determine necessary intervention to help Senior High School (SHS) graduates to be college-ready.
“This ensures that a wider pool of Filipino students have the chance to pursue higher education regardless of their background or status. This is aligned and supportive of the SM Group’s broader aspiration of creating opportunities for growth and social mobility through education,” he said.
Ermita shared that NU has been reaping international recognition, with the institution recently awarded a QS 3 Stars rating from the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Stars university rating system. NU got 5 Stars in employability and 4 Stars in teaching, social impact, facilities and good governance, across 13 categories.
“QS is the world’s leading provider of services, analytics, and insights for the global higher education sector, and its rating highlights NU’s commitment to global best practices in education,” Ermita said.
