Notre Dame University

The Congregation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI) first came to the Philippines on September 25, 1939, and immediately went about their work of evangelization in the then Empire Province of Cotabato and the islands of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, endeavoring to win friends among Christians and Mulims. In 1948, the Oblates established the Notre Dame College as the first college founded in Cotabato City and the entire province. Fr. Robert E. Sullivan was its first Rector and Dean. When it opened, there were only 128 students and a pioneering faculty of eight, with classes being held at the Notre Dame of Cotabato Girls Department building. In 1949, the Notre Dame College acquired its own building. The college received full government recognition for its course offerings in Liberal Arts, Commerce and Education in 1953. In the same year, the College of Law started offering first year law subjects. Complete elementary education was offered later with the establishment of the Notre Dame Training Department, envisioned to be a teaching laboratory for Education students majoring in Elementary Education. With the increase in enrollment, the administration saw the need of finding a new school site. On February 27, 1959, the cornerstone-laying and blessing of the present University site was held with no less than the Very Rev. Leo Deschatelets, OMI, Superior General of the Oblates, presiding over the ceremony.