National University (NU), with more than 84,000 students nationwide, is expanding access to quality education and professional work by opening campuses outside Metro Manila. NU now operates in seven provincial cities, helping students and educators study and work closer to home.
Most NU campuses rely heavily on local hires. NU Bacolod, the university’s first campus in the Visayas, has 96 percent local employees. NU Laguna has 99 percent local staff, NU Baliwag 98 percent, NU Dasmariñas 96 percent, NU Lipa 98 percent, and NU Clark 97 percent. NU Cebu, which opened this academic year, is fully staffed by local hires.
NU said its presence in the provinces allows students and professors to access quality education and stable employment without leaving their hometowns. The university also uses a standardized salary system across all campuses, making provincial posts more competitive and helping reduce brain drain.
“We bring talent back to the provinces,” said NU president and CEO Dr. Renato Carlos Ermita. “A standardized salary across campuses has made recruitment more attractive in regional areas.”
NU campuses are mostly located within SM malls, supporting SM’s goal of responsible community development. According to NU, this setup improves accessibility, keeps tuition affordable, and offers safe and convenient transport options for students and staff.
In NU Cebu, executive director Johanna Minglana is among the returning locals who previously worked in NU Manila. She said the campus has allowed educators to build careers while staying close to family and community. “It gives people a stronger sense of purpose—contributing to nation-building through education while staying rooted at home,” she said.
Beyond education, NU Cebu also supports the local economy by creating jobs and increasing activity in nearby businesses such as housing, food, transport, and retail.
As NU marked its 125th anniversary, the university reaffirmed its commitment to providing accessible, world-class education and supporting regional development across the country.
