Davao-based businessman Dennis Uy sealed yesterday his acquisition of Bonifacio Global City-based premier educational institution Enderun Colleges Inc., thus expanding his footprint in the education space.
Uy completed the purchase of 100 percent of Enderun through his holding firm Udenna Corp., which has interests in oil and gas through Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Inc.; shipping and logistics through Chelsea Logistics Holdings Corp.; and real estate through Udenna Development (UDEVCO) Corp., among others.
The businessman is also a key shareholder and president/chief executive officer of leading logistics provider 2GO Group Inc.
Prior to acquiring Enderun Colleges, Udenna invested in a maritime training school to support its shipping and logistics businesses.
“Enderun Colleges provides us another opportunity to support the Philippine economy’s growth,” Uy said in a statement on Wednesday. “We believe that quality education and skills training are what make our human capital more productive and competitive.”
“In 10 years, Enderun Colleges has established itself as a premier management school, anchored on holistic leadership development, global orientation and career-focused academic programs while providing its students a vibrant college life,” said Enderun president Edgardo Rodriguez.
Enderun Colleges was established in 2005, with its main campus located on a 1.8-hectare property in BGC.
The Enderun campus now houses six buildings and can accommodate an additional 8,200 square meters of classroom space.
The school initially focused its academic programs around hospitality management and culinary arts.
In 2009, it expanded its course offerings to include business administration, entrepreneurship and economics.
Aside from offering degree and certificate programs, Enderun Colleges operates food and beverage outlets within and outside its campus.
It also provides management services and marketing solutions to the hospitality sector.
Udenna plans to retain the corporate management and school administration of Enderun Colleges.
Enderun has a student population of around 1,200 full-time college and certificate students, based on a regulatory filing by A. Soriano Corp. (Anscor), the biggest selling stockholder of this school with a 20-percent stake. Another selling stockholder is the Lao family, which also controls D&L Industries, with a 10-percent stake. The JKTC Group of John Tiu Ka Cho is likewise among the 25 shareholders of Enderun. —DORIS DUMLAO-ABADILLA