Dynamic Filipinism

Silently, National University (NU) is pushing the envelope in the SM group’s advocacy of uplifting the standard of education through affordable and high-standard learning for Filipinos.

The school that used to be at the bottom of choices of those in pursuit of a degree in the University Belt is packing in the students.

Since the NU-SM partnership in 2008, NU has revitalized its mission to democratize education — expanding access to quality and affordable education, starting with campuses in Metro Manila and eventually reaching key provinces like Laguna and Batangas, and now Bacolod City.

The key is the rallying cry of “Dynamic Filipinism,” which brings schools to where the students are by updating and innovating educational practices that prepare students for success in diverse fields.

Dr. Renato Carlos H. Ermita Jr., NU president and CEO, said the idea is to tailor NU’s programs in disciplines such as engineering, accounting, information technology, tourism, nursing, and other health sciences to regional demands and industry needs.

NU strategically situates campuses near residential and commercial centers ensuring convenience for students and fostering a community-focused educational environment.

Ermita said the SM concept of bringing progress to underdeveloped communities by opening a mall is being applied with NU which is putting up campuses in key cities like Bacolod, Las Piñas, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, and Naga. NU, thus, contributes significantly to local economies and community development.

The expansion does not only enhance educational opportunities but also attracts skilled faculty members who are passionate about nurturing talent in their home provinces.

According to Ermita, NU is opening campuses in areas where the institution can add value and positively contribute to the community, stating, “We hope to provide quality, updated, innovative education, both in content and in an instructional method that reflect the NU standard of quality education. This is an education that is sustainable. It continuously improves and is never stagnant.”

Par for the course

Foreign investors with long exposure in the country are downplaying the friction among key political forces as “posturing” for the coming midterm elections.

A Canadian-headquartered insurance firm said foreign capitalists have confidence in the current administration and have taken positively how President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is handling the current political noise as “he knows what to prioritize.” Investors do not look at the current hubbub as something alarming, according to the executive.

The ongoing scuffle regarding the impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte has nothing to do with what is currently happening in the market, he said.

“In terms of investor sentiment, I don’t see any (impact). I think this is not the first time that we’ve seen a lot of this, especially towards the midterm elections,” he said. “I think for us it’s more of noise.”

Another positive signal that investors cite is the President’s insistence to his allies in the House of Representatives to pass the 2025 national budget which necessitates discarding the impeachment effort.

“And this is a good projection of how serious the government is in ensuring that the economy will continue to grow. And that is really something that will be picked up by foreign investors,” according to the executive.