• CHERYL G. CRUZ
National University marked a significant milestone in its 124-year history with the official inauguration of NU Bacolod, its 11th branch and first campus outside of Luzon, Sept. 18.
NU president and chief executive officer, Renato Carlos Ermita Jr., and NU Bacolod executive/academic director Ryan Joy Dizon, led mall and school executives, teachers, students, and guests during the blessing and inauguration of the campus, with Bacolod Bishop Patricio Buzon presiding over the mass.
Ermita said that NU’s choice to “enter Bacolod is really a long-term decision. We intend to be here for a long, long time.”
“We look forward to be active and positive contributors for the welfare of the people of Bacolod and in the betterment of its economy,” he said. “We’re very optimistic about the future of Bcolod. We see a lot of opportunities, and there’s room for more educational institutions to locate here.”
SM Supermalls president Steven Tan, in his message during the inauguration program, said NU Bacolod is “our first foray in the Visayas region and we’re very excited of this development.”
He said the answer to quality yet affordable education that is accessible to the youth is to expand the NU reach.
“We’re very eager to serve this part of the country for the first time. It is our commitment to help improve the lives of young people, (and we hope it) will be felt across the province,” Tan said.
He urged faculty and education leaders to do their very best in molding students to be mature and responsible citizens. “Being a part of the SM Group, rest assured that we will support our school every step of the way.”
Tan said the ultimate goal is to make NU truly national. “This is our first expansion outside Luzon, but definitely will not be the last (as) more locations in the Visayas and Mindanao will feel (our) presence.”
Ermita said the Bacolod campus is part of the 10-year, 20-campus expansion plan of NU. “This is only phase 1, we have phase 2 until year 2038.”
“It’s really the commitment of the Sy family to educating more Filipinos, that’s their way of giving back. And NU is a soul of the mall, we’re the ones that bring meaning and vibrance to the mall community,” Ermita said.
He stressed they are very serious in making sure “that there are many more Filipinos, who are productive contributors to the betterment of the community and the country.
He said he is very happy with the 495 pioneering students of NU Bacolod, that include scholars of SM Foundation. They are also finalizing arrangements with the Bacolod City government for a scholarship collaboration.
The campus, located at SM Bacolod North Block, has around 22,600 square-meter area with four operating floors. “We’re the only school with four-meter-wide hallways. We’re very conscious about student safety and convenience.”
NU Bacolod offers senior high and four degree programs this school year, including Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accountancy, BS in Psychology, BS in Tourism Management, and BS in Computer Sciences.
Ermita said they expect the student population to grow as more degree programs are offered in the coming years. NU Bacolod currently has 50 employees – faculty and support staff – but this (number) will grow as enrolment grows, he said. “We hope to serve more students from towns and cities of Negros.”
Councilor Jason Villarosa, on behalf of Mayor Alfredo Benitez, said the operation of NU Bacolod “is truly a milestone for the city, especially in the education sector.”
NU Bacolod will not only be giving quality education that students deserve but would also bring more people, generate employment, and spur the economy, Villarosa said, adding there is no longer a need for students to go outside of Bacolod to get quality education. | CGC
