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Manila Bulletin devider Lifestyle devider Schools and Universities devider The bulldog leaps to Davao

The bulldog leaps to Davao

Marks the first National University in Mindanao

Published May 13, 2026 09:01 am  |  Updated May 13, 2026 05:54 pm
AIM HIGH Dr. Hans Sy, NU chairman of the board with NU mascot (Photos: NU)
AIM HIGH Dr. Hans Sy, NU chairman of the board with NU mascot (Photos: NU)
By Jinggoy I. Salvador
The Bulldog leaps to the Southern Philippines with the opening of the National University (NU) in Davao City last April 25, 2026, adding another noteworthy milestone for the 1900-founded learning institution. Observing its 126th year, the university inaugurated its 15th academic facility in the Philippines within SM City Davao.
The newest addition to the growing number of campuses, NU Davao is the first in Mindanao and currently the largest outside of Metro Manila. It sits on an area of 28,640 square meters housed in the top three levels of the new seven-floor expansion building of the SM Matina mall.
(From left) Former NU hoopsters and siblings Patrick Wilson Yu and Dave Wilson Yu
(From left) Former NU hoopsters and siblings Patrick Wilson Yu and Dave Wilson Yu
NU is the corporate social arm of SM that imparts “Education that Works” across diverse fields such as engineering, allied health, architecture, and technology. Through the years, its pursuit of excellence extended to the hardcourt as a founding member of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines and cemented its status as a sporting legend, boasting a historic 108-win streak in women’s basketball, consecutive Golden Double Championships in collegiate volleyball, and record-setting dominance in cheerdance.
Gracing the PaNUndayaw NU Davao grand launching event were Dr. Hans Sy, NU Philippines chairman of the Board; Dr. Renato Carlos Ermita Jr., NU president and CEO; NU volleyball superstar Leo Aringo Jr., who now plays for Saitama Azalea in Japan; and the popular NU Pep Squad, who wowed Davao with a breathtaking cheerdance routine.
“The entry of NU in Davao is not to compete with other schools. We are here not to eat up the pie but to make the pie bigger,” shared Hans, who confessed that it had been 10 years since his last visit to the city.
(From left) SM Supermalls' Russel Alaba, Joaquin San Agustin, Hanna Carinna Sy, and Engr. Jonathan Nick Santos
(From left) SM Supermalls' Russel Alaba, Joaquin San Agustin, Hanna Carinna Sy, and Engr. Jonathan Nick Santos
Included in NU Davao’s college programs are Bachelor of Sciences in Accountancy, Architecture, Computer Science, Management, Medical Technology, Psychology, and Tourism Management. The university will also be accepting students for senior high school.
For the July 2026 semester, NU Davao is initially targeting filling 1,500 slots for the senior high school and college enrollees. In its full capacity, NU Davao will open academic opportunities to 28,000 students.
"We are happy with NU coming here because we are really putting forth the legacy of my father, Henry Sy, where he feels education is the real equalizer. I wish he is here because what he knew was that we have a target by 2028 to hit 100,000 students, but at the rate we are going, by next year, we could hit that," said Hans. “We really want to be able to reach out to more deserving Filipinos for a better education. Just like the SM philosophy, rather than having everyone go to Manila, we are now reaching out everywhere in the Philippines. You will see us doing this to give credit to my father’s legacy.”
Exciting days are ahead for Davao City and Mindanao’s educational and sports landscape.

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