National University

[EduCativ]

We are National University, a dynamic private institution committed to nation-building, recognized internationally in teaching and research. Guided by the core values and characterized by our cultural heritage of Dynamic Filipinism, National University is committed to providing relevant, innovative, and accessible quality education and other development programs.

We are committed to our:

• STUDENTS, by molding them into ethical, spiritual, and responsible citizens.
• FACULTY and EMPLOYEES, by enhancing their competencies, cultivating their commitment, and providing a just and fulfilling work environment.
• ALUMNI, by instilling in them a sense of pride, commitment, and loyalty to their alma mater.
• INDUSTRY PARTNERS and EMPLOYERS, by providing them Nationalians who will contribute to their growth and development.
• COMMUNITY, by contributing to the improvement of life's conditions.

Guided by the philosophy of Dynamic Filipinism, the National University has developed leaders since its establishment in 1900. It upholds high standards of educational services for the holistic development of lifelong learners. With the management team, the President and CEO shall formulate the quality policy of the National University. The quality policy supports the vision, mission, and objectives of the University. The management, faculty, and staff are committed to continuously improving operational and management processes to meet ISO 9001 and applicable statutory, regulatory, and institutional requirements.

A young man, barely 23 years old, had a vision of inculcating the qualities of competence and leadership, high moral and spiritual values, and development of each individual into a total person. These would be acquired through an educational process guided by the philosophy of Dynamic Filipinism. This young man, Don Mariano Fortunato Jhocson, guided by this vision, founded Colegio Filipino, now NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, on August 01, 1900, in Quiapo, City of Manila. It was the first non – sectarian and co-educational institution then. There were only a handful of students in the fledgling School at that time, and they were in the elementary and secondary (High School) levels. To help the school grow, Don Mariano was teacher, director, and janitor rolled into one.

In a short span of 5 years, he offered courses in Business – bookkeeping and accounting, convinced that thus armed, his students would be financially secure and respectable after graduation. This led to the changing of the name to Colegio Mercantil, awarding the diploma of Perito Mercantil. A short time later, the Philippine Law School was opened with the collaboration of the Lacson brothers. Don Mariano saw the dire need for training the youth for leadership and responsibility. He firmly believed that Law's discipline would turn out men and women who would eventually be advocates for the Philippine self-government.

In 1916, the Board of Trustees changed the name from Colegio Mercantil to National Academy. The Academy's growth was continuous, added Liberal Arts, which became the gateway to other disciplines that followed. After 21 years of educational service, on January 17, 1921, the Board of Trustees applied for and secured permission from the Department of Public Instruction to change the name of the National Academy to NATIONAL UNIVERSITY. On that same day, the University also installed Senator Camilo Osias, one of the most respected and outstanding Filipino educators, as President of the University. After that, the Colleges of Education and Commerce were opened in the same year. During the following years, the Colleges of Pharmacy and Dentistry were opened in 1922. The College of Engineering, initially offering Civil Engineering, opened in 1925 and the Normal School in 1930. Sanitary Engineering was initially offered in 1930.

From July 1945, its facilities have since continuously expanded, and the following disciplines were added – Bachelor degrees in Chemical, Electrical, Industrial, Mechanical Engineering and Architecture and Arts. Master in Sanitary Engineering was also organized. Responding to industry and modern technology needs, the University started offering the following courses: Computer Science in 1990, Marine Engineering and 1994 Computer Engineering and Electronics and Communications Engineering. College of Nursing was offered in 2004, Hotel and Restaurant Management in 2008, and Information Technology in 2009.

On January 01, 1998, a disastrous fire razed four buildings of the University – the Main Building, Law and Commerce Building, Elementary Building, and the Graduate School Building. The University was able to re-open its doors after three weeks of unrelenting restoration work. In the last quarter of the year 2008, the SM Group of Companies acquired majority ownership of the National University. The all-out support of the SM Group will help strengthen our institution as a Higher Institution with new infrastructure, improved and upgraded laboratory focused on academic excellence. Today, the University is engaged in a continuous modernization and upgrading program for its facilities, faculty, and sports development. Our new University infrastructure is an eight-story modern design building with two escalators and four elevators units.

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY is a founding member of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) and is a pioneer of the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities (PACU). Its international affiliations and memberships include the Association of Southeast Asia Higher Institutions of Learning (ASAHIL) and the International Association of Universities (IAU).

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