National University plans to expand to 20 campuses across the Philippines by 2028, two decades after the Sy Group. took a stake in one of the oldest universities in the country.
NU, which is now part of the listed SM Investment Corp, has grown from an institution of higher learning with a modest student population to a school with 55,000 students. That student population is expected to approach 100,000 by 2027, especially with the opening of Bacolod and East Ortigas campus in August.
The strategic expansion of the privately-held university highlights the innovative educational practices tailored to regional needs in engineering, accounting, information technology, tourism, nursing, and health sciences.
NU has already established campuses in Metro Manila and key provinces like Laguna, Batangas, and in Negros Island. The campuses are near residential and commercial centers to enhance convenience and foster community-focused educational environments.
The upcoming campuses include Las Pinas, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, and Naga are expected to boost local economies and attract skilled faculty members passionate about education in their home provinces.
NU’s collaboration with the Private Sector Advisory Council on the 10,000 Digital Civil Servants Project exemplifies its proactive role in national development, preparing graduates for careers in a digital-centric landscape.
Aligned with SM’s responsible growth principles, NU’s expansion underscores its mission to deliver “Education that works,” emphasizing relevance, impact, and empowering graduates for global competitiveness and socio-economic progress nationwide.
