National University is marking its 125th anniversary, highlighting its legacy as one of the country’s oldest private, non-sectarian, co-educational institutions. The milestone comes as the university undergoes major changes under the leadership of SM Prime Holdings Chairman Hans T. Sy, who also chairs its Board of Trustees.

“We are ending the academic year with 70,000 students, and we expect this number to rise to 85,000 by the next academic year starting July. We're on track to reach 100,000 students by 2027,” NU President and CEO Renato Carlos H. Ermita Jr., PhD, shared in an exclusive interview with DAILY TRIBUNE.

This growth is rooted in SM’s vision to make NU truly national.

“Our Chairman Hans T. Sy always reminds us — ‘National University should truly be national.’ That’s why we’ve been expanding across the country,” he added.

Since 2018, NU has embarked on an ambitious 10-year plan to establish 20 campuses nationwide. New branches have risen in NU Mall of Asia, Fairview, East Ortigas, and most recently in Las Piñas and Cebu — many of them located within or adjacent to SM developments.

“Our campuses are intentionally integrated with SM malls, which are secure, accessible via transport hubs,” Ermita explained.

Infrastructure is only part of the story. SM's investment enabled the modernization of NU’s curriculum and teaching methods. Emphasis on blended learning, digitalization, and outcome-based education has helped align programs with industry needs — particularly in business, engineering, IT, and health sciences.

“Our strong board exam performances in architecture and nursing are reflective of our academic focus,” Ermita said.

“We’ve also placed a premium on internships and entrepreneurial training. All our programs integrate entrepreneurship.”

NU students now benefit from internship placements and career pipelines within SM’s vast corporate network, ensuring that they graduate with both academic and practical work experience.

“At the end of the day, we want to produce productive Filipinos,” Ermita stressed. “Education is only meaningful if it contributes to nation-building.”

The partnership with SM is also grounded in a commitment to inclusive education. NU currently provides nearly 800 scholarships, with plans to expand further through the launch of a new endowment fund.

“This is a key initiative of our Chairman Hans Sy. Through the SM Foundation and our own scholarship programs, we want to ensure that top-quality education is accessible to deserving Filipinos,” Ermita said. “Education doesn’t have to be expensive — it has to be within reach.”

NU’s resurgence has also extended to athletics. With improved training facilities and a science-based sports program, the NU Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs have risen to the top of the UAAP, recently achieving back-to-back championships in men’s and women’s volleyball.

As NU celebrates its quasquicentennial, it stands as a shining example of how private sector investment — when paired with visionary leadership — can uplift an institution and impact generations.

From a single school in Quiapo to a multi-campus university serving tens of thousands, National University’s journey is one of resilience, reinvention, and national relevance.

“The goal is not just growth,” Ermita concluded. “It’s about shaping lives, building futures, and fulfilling our mission to make education a true catalyst for change.”