Davao — The city’s educational landscape has officially expanded with the inaugural opening of National University-Davao (NU-Davao), which welcomed 1,790 pioneering students on its first day of classes, Monday, July 13, 2026. Housed within the SM City Davao complex in Ecoland, this facility marks the university’s first-ever campus in Mindanao and its 15th nationwide. The enrollment figure significantly surpassed the university's initial target of 1,500 students, highlighting the strong demand for accessible, high-quality education in the region.
A New Standard for Accessibility and Facilities
The new campus, occupying over 28,640 square meters across three floors of a building adjacent to SM City Davao, offers a unique learning environment that integrates academic instruction with a real-world business setting. Designed to be functional yet modern, the facility features 62 fully air-conditioned classrooms equipped with 65-inch television sets, alongside specialized amenities such as a FIBA-sized basketball court, a clinic, and a comprehensive Learning Resource Center housing over 5,200 books. By situating the campus within the mall complex, the university successfully leverages existing infrastructure to keep tuition costs affordable, adhering to the legacy of the late Henry Sy, who championed education as a "real equalizer" for Filipinos.
Diverse Programs and Strong Enrollment Demand
The inaugural batch of students comprises approximately 900 first-year college students and 890 Grade 11 students, with enrollment remaining open until July 25, 2026, to accommodate further demand. Among the college offerings, medical technology emerged as the most popular course, followed by tourism management, psychology, and accountancy. For senior high school, the sciences and allied health strand drew the highest number of enrollees, reflecting the region's strong interest in health-related disciplines. While the majority of students are from Davao City, the university is also serving enrollees from across Mindanao, including those from Digos, General Santos, Cotabato, Tagum, and Mati, as well as towns in Agusan and Surigao.
Quality Instruction and Future Expansion Plans
To maintain academic excellence during this period of rapid growth, NU-Davao has implemented a strict teacher-to-student ratio of one faculty member for every 30 students. The university has already recruited a robust team of 70 to 80 faculty members for its initial operations and is continuing its hiring process to ensure comprehensive student support services. With the campus capable of accommodating up to 18,000 students, there is significant room for growth as the university plans to introduce Grade 12 and second-year college levels in 2027. This milestone in Davao is just the beginning of the institution's strategic expansion in Mindanao, with further campuses being eyed for General Santos City and Cagayan de Oro City within the next five years.
