STI building more tech-driven, green campuses

The STI Education Services Group Inc. (STI) outlined plans to build new campuses in key locations nationwide.

In a stock exchange filing on Friday, the company said it would hold groundbreaking ceremonies for two “academic centers” in Sta. Mesa, Manila and San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan on May 23 this year.

With an estimated value of P655 million, the 10-story STI Academic Center Sta. Mesa will stand on a 4,252-square meter property along P. Sanchez Street, Sta. Mesa in Metro Manila and can accommodate 10,000 senior high school and college students.

On the other hand, the nine-story STI Academic Center San Jose del Monte can house 6,000 students and has an allotted budget of P518 million. It will rise on a 4,178-square meter lot area at the Altaraza Town Center, a 109-hectare master planned urban community of the Ayala Land, located in Quirino Highway, San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan.

The new campuses will be operational by next school year and will be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities including air-conditioned classrooms with flat screen TVs, industry-grade laboratories, simulation rooms, up-to-date libraries, and sports facilities.

“Our expansion strategy reflects our strong commitment to education. Just like what we have done in the past, we are building new academic centers to transfer existing schools to bigger and better facilities as part of our approach to holistic education,” STI president and chief operating officer Peter K. Fernandez said in a statement.

STI added both campuses would also feature energy-saving LED lights, a rainwater harvesting system, and a treatment plant that recycles used water by discharging treated wastewater.

Fernandez noted STI ESG decided to shift its focus to a more organic expansion by continuously improving the facilities as well as the delivery of education for its students through highly conducive learning environments.

Recently, STI began construction of new campuses in Tanauan, Lipa and Pasay-Edsa and will break ground soon in Davao, which will be completed by June 2018. —MIGUEL R. CAMUS