IRENE SINO CRUZ
A new chapter in Cebu’s education landscape officially began as National University (NU) Cebu was formally launched on June 14, 2025, during the PAGHIMUGSO 2025 event held at the SM City Cebu Northwing.
The launch marked the opening of NU’s 13th campus in the Philippines, showing its dedication to making quality education more affordable and accessible for Filipinos.
Dr. Renato Carlos H. Ermita Jr., NU’s President and CEO, said the launch reflects their ongoing goal to make quality education more accessible across the Philippines. Ermita noted that this expansion supports the SM Group’s commitment to social good, ensuring more Filipinos—regardless of background—can access excellent education.
He also highlighted NU’s push for international recognition, seeing global acknowledgment as proof of the university’s dedication to its students and graduates.
“This marks the opening of a campus and new opportunities for young Cebuanos to have a quality education that is within reach,” said Mayor-elect Nestor Archival, guest speaker at the event. His message underscored the positive impact NU Cebu is expected to have on the local community.
The NU PEP Squad, reigning UAAP Cheerdance Champions, energized the launch event with their world-class routines that wowed the crowd.
Top volleyball and basketball alumni from NU joined the celebration, sharing how the university shaped their careers and lives—further building NU’s strong name in academics and sports.
The term “PAGHIMUGSO”—a Visayan word meaning birth or emergence—perfectly captured the spirit of the event, as NU Cebu’s arrival signals new possibilities for the region’s aspiring students.
NU Cebu will offer programs in Accountancy, Architecture, Computer Science, Psychology, Tourism Management, and Medical Technology, as well as Senior High School tracks in STEM, ABM, and HUMSS. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities, industry-aligned curricula, and holistic learning approaches designed to nurture well-rounded graduates.
With the launch of this campus located at SM City Cebu Complex, NU continues to expand its legacy of excellence beyond Metro Manila, bringing quality education within closer reach of the Cebuano youth.
Classes at NU Cebu will officially begin on July 21, 2025.
