For more than a century, National University (NU), the learning arm of the SM Group, has provided education to Filipinos, fulfilling a fundamental human right and producing a few distinguished national leaders and numerous nation builders.

As NU prepares to celebrate its 125th founding anniversary on 1 August, NU president Renato Carlos H. Ermita Jr., PhD, commits to putting in place the building blocks of the institution, which will make the university more accessible and affordable, but with a world-class curriculum.

Acquiring the school in 2008 is part of the legacy project of Henry Sy Sr., who founded the SM Group. 

The university, which was initially called Colegio Filipino, was established by Don Mariano Fortunato Jhocson in 1900 in Quiapo, Manila.

“We are committed to the improvement of the Filipino identity. You are only relevant if you can produce and contribute to nation-building by having more Filipinos be productive, whether as an entrepreneur or an employee,” Ermita said during Straight Talk interview.

“Education that works” is Ermita’s resounding words that have guided NU.

He stressed the university strives to “prove that quality education need not be expensive or must be within reach of most Filipinos.”

Growing community

Ermita said NU is looking to attract 100,000 students by 2027, increasing from the 70,000 registered for the current school year. In the immediate term, he expects this number to reach 85,000 for the school year 2025-2026.

NU serves Metro Manila’s largest student population, 45,000 students, in five campuses, including those in SM Mall of Asia Complex, East Ortigas and Fairview. Ermita said NU will open campuses in Las Piñas City in the coming academic year.

In total, NU currently has 15 campuses. 

As part of its expansion plan, Ermita said NU will welcome students and teachers to its new campuses in Davao next year and Iloilo City in 2027.

Previously, NU extended services at its campuses in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental and Clark, Pampanga. 

“Our expansion is attached to the growth of the SM Group. We’re committed to reaching our 20 campuses by 2028,” Ermita said.

“We are opening nationwide. We tell our people that in the words of our Chairperson, Hans Sy, that National University should be truly national,” he added.

The new campuses have been located strategically near SM Malls, where public transport facilities are widely available.

Ermita said the provincial expansion will bring quality education closer to students and decent and rewarding livelihoods to teachers.

“The NU expansion helps decongest Metro Manila. Many faculty members came from the provinces,” he shared.

“With the expansion, we’re able to encourage them to go back home and still practice their profession and be paid the same amount as they’re paid in Metro Manila,” Ermita continued.

Steps to global recognition

NU received a 3-star overall rating out of five stars from the QS Star Rating, an assessment system for higher-education institutions that compares their teaching and other educational aspects with global standards.

For specific categories, NU obtained 5 Stars in Employability, 4 in Teaching, 4 in Social Impact, 4 in Facilities, and 4 in Good Governance.

Ermita said these ratings are essential in securing a top rank in the world’s best universities.

“The objectives for awards, international recognition, and autonomy are aimed at bringing credibility to our graduates wherever they may go,” he said.

“It is a fact that the Filipino is a global citizen. Ultimately, it’s for their benefit, not for us,” Ermita added.

NU graduates and students included Engr. Jesus S. Hipolito became the former Minister of Public Works and Highways under former president Ferdinand Marcos’ administration in 1981. 

Former president Carlos P. Garcia also studied at NU for his undergraduate course and law education through its Philippine Law School. 

Ermita shared that former president Fidel V. Ramos also obtained education from the same university before he entered the United States Military Academy at West Point. 

The late President Diosdado Macapagal also studied at NU briefly for two years. 

To accelerate its journey towards the global stage, Ermita said NU is upskilling its faculty and students in artificial intelligence (AI). He shared that NU has created its Center for Excellence in Information Technology.

“In a sense, AI is their copilot in the classroom to help our teachers be more effective in instruction. Regardless of the program or course, we are training our students to be familiar with AI and accept the realities of AI,” he said.

Ermita said NU is also strengthening its allied health courses, including Nursing, Dentistry, Medical Technology, Psychology, Pharmacy and Optometry.

“A strong research program brings better teachers. NU aims to be recognized in teaching and research globally, and we’ve been doing that for the past five years,” he said.

Looking at the horizon, he said NU is studying several factors on whether to revive the law school and create a medical school.

“Our decision will end up with which program or both is relevant because we need to increase the number of professionals in the country. It is more of the country’s needs that we always want to address,” Ermita said.

NU also integrates entrepreneurship into all its courses to enhance students’ creative problem-solving thinking. 

Ermita added that the NU created the Center for Innovation and Sustainable Development, where students brainstorm innovative solutions to help protect communities from global dangers like climate change. “It guides us especially in community extension work.  In our community work, we involve our students in the initiatives of greening SM Supermalls,” he said.

Ermita said students are also assured that NU will continue to enhance its sports programs, which have resulted in recent back-to-back volleyball wins in both women’s and men’s divisions. NU is part of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, or UAAP.

“The pride generated by sports is significant for the students. Everyone wants to be associated with the winner,” he said.

More scholarships

NU aims to distribute scholarships to 100 students, a rise from 800 students.

Ermita said this will open up socio-economic opportunities for more Filipino families.

“Up to now in this modern age, we see NU students who are the first members of their families to graduate from a university,” he said.

“That’s an inspiration to us to push for the quality of education to go and be able to help their families,” Ermita continued.

The scholarship program is implemented in coordination with the SM Foundation.

“SM Group is the first to attract NU graduates for employment, but they are not required to work for the conglomerate,” Ermita said.