True to its vision, Saint Mary’s University is a premier CICM Catholic educational institution inspired by Christ’s mission, dedicated to the integral formation of persons exemplifying communion, excellence, innovation, and social responsibility. Hence, SMU demonstrates a comprehensive and institutionalized dedication to the principles of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4): Quality Education, integrating this objective across its academic offerings, community engagement, and internal policies.
The University actively promotes the concept of lifelong learning by extending its resources and expertise beyond its enrolled student body. It provides free access to educational resources, vocational training, and various capacity-building courses that lead to practical certifications, thereby enhancing employability and civic participation for the broader community. SMU consistently acts as a public educational hub, hosting numerous events, public lectures, and training sessions that are open and accessible to the public, fostering continuous intellectual and skills development.
SMU’s commitment to quality education is significantly demonstrated through its extensive educational outreach efforts, which are executed by all academic units and often involve voluntary student-led initiatives. These programs extend the University’s social responsibility into the community, addressing a wide range of social issues and promoting comprehensive development and social transformation outside the campus environment.
Furthermore, a core aspect of SMU’s commitment is its adherence to inclusive policies. The university maintains a documented policy that ensures equitable access to all its academic and community activities, strictly prohibiting discrimination based on ethnicity, religion, disability, or gender. This structural commitment to equity ensures that all members of the community, including marginalized groups, can benefit from the University’s resources, thus upholding the universal right to education and the dignity of every person.