Investing in Bacolod’s future nation builders

In Bacolod City, the National University (NU) is all set to welcome school year 2024-2025 when it opens this August 5th. The first NU campus in the Visayas-Mindanao regions is the newest addition to Bacolod’s academic landscape.

Backed by the SM Group, the NU educational framework is a response to providing quality, accessible and affordable education to young Filipinos nationwide. On SM’s stake in the university, his son, Hans Sy, who is chairman of the executive committee of SM Prime Holdings and chairman of National University, “As my father has always told us, education is the greatest equalizer.”

Indeed, his father, SM founder Henry “Tatang” Sy, instilled in the younger Sy and his siblings the value of lifelong learning. Education is highly valued by the Sy family; hence, SM Prime Holdings, Inc. has pursued the positive transformation of the learning environment to pave the way for the youth as future leaders of their respective communities.

Through the National University, quality education is within the reach of the youth. As an institution of more than 123 years, it has been recognized for its academic excellence which has formed the country’s most successful movers and shakers in various industries. Now with SM at its helm, each NU nationwide is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities conducive to mastering the various academic disciplines.

The same can be expected of NU Bacolod: classrooms, laboratories and other dedicated spaces for the physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing of each student. Its pioneer batches in senior high school and college courses in accountancy, computer science, psychology and tourism management are led by the best educators from all over the province and city. Access to education is also extended through the various scholarship programs for qualified learners.

All these investments in NU Bacolod are to pave the way for Bacolod’s future leaders, helping them reach their full potential. SM Prime has also been involved in other aspects of the youth’s development. For decades, SM Prime, through SM Foundation, has donated school buildings as part of its support to the Department of Education’s initiatives in addressing the shortage in public school classrooms. Likewise, the SM scholarship program empowers financially challenged yet deserving students to achieve their dreams through a college education.

Through the National University, and with SM Foundation’s education programs, SM aims to contribute to the holistic development of the community and empower the future generation.*