Approved by the Department Public Instruction on June 17, 1921, the University received its university status, changing the name from National Academy to National University. Senator Camilo Osías, two-time Senate President of the Philippines, served as the first University President (1921-1936). The current university president is Renato C. Ermita, Jr. (2008–present) and its majority owner is the SM Group. NU is one of the pioneer members of National Collegiate Athletic Association- Philippines (NCAA) and the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), and also a pioneer member of the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities (PACU). Its international affiliations and memberships include the Association of Southeast Asian Institutions of Higher Learning (ASAHIL) and the International Association of Universities (IAU).