Notre Dame of Dadiangas University

Notre Dame of Dadiangas University is a Catholic, Filipino Institution of Academic Excellence established by the Marist Brothers of the Schools (F.M.S.- Fratres Maristae a Scholis) characterized by St. Marcellin Champagnat's ideals of simplicity, humility, and quiet zeal for God's word as inspired by the Blessed Virgin Mary. The school is dedicated to forming persons in all learning levels, who, as Christian leaders, Competent professionals, Community-Oriented Citizens, and Culture-Sensitive individuals, will actively participate in building a peaceful and progressive nation.
As a Catholic Educational Institution, NDDU shares in the Church's evangelization mission by integrating life and faith. As a Filipino Institution, NDDU seeks to preserve Filipino Culture and propagate the love of the country and its people. As an Institution of Quality Education, NDDU aims to leadership in Curricular Programs, Multi-Disciplinary Programs, Research, and Community Service. As a Marist Institution, NDDU promotes the core values of Family Spirit, Marian Spirit, Simplicity, Presence, Preference for the Least Favored, Love of Work, and Integrity of Creation. As a Community-Oriented Institution, NDDU aims to respond to the locality challenges it is serving: South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani Province and, General Santos City (SOCSKSARGEN Area).
Health and Safety Services of the school includes providing a healthful school environment, care of emergency-related health conditions, and guidance in the development of desirable healthy practices. All scholars of recognized college educational plans must present a certification issued by their respective plans to the Student Accounts-In-Charge for recognition every enrollment period. Only selected college educational plans are recognized at NDDU. Please check with the Finance office if your plan is still recognized before the enrollment period. All academic and government scholars recognized by NDDU shall present a certification from the guidance office to the Student Accounts-In-Charge for recognition every enrollment period.
The year 1953 marked the modest beginning of Notre Dame of Dadiangas University, which started as an annex of Notre Dame of Lagao. Like its parent school, ND Dadiangas was a high school for both boys and girls in the Dadiangas area. While Notre Dame of Lagao was handed over by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (O.M.I.) Fathers to the Marist Brothers (F.M.S.) in 1952, the Brothers solely established the annex school ND Dadiangas, with Brother Damian Teston, F.M.S. as the first school Director. This was the first school founded by the Marist Brothers in the Philippines. The second one was the Marist School in Marikina in 1964. The first four years under Brother Teston was marked with informal structures and work arrangements. The Brothers in the community helped each other in running the school.
Two years later, in 1955, Notre Dame of Dadiangas became independent of Notre Dame of Lagao. The first Marist Community of Dadiangas was composed of Brothers Alfred George Ouellette, F.M.S., Michael O'Keefe, F.M.S., and Sergio Dignadice. The Brothers bought a four-hectare land for the High School Boys Department. After winning some legal battles on land ownership, the Brothers developed the four-hectare land site into a high school campus. In 1958, the Brothers handed the old school site near the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage church to the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena. The Sisters run the school exclusively for the girls while the Brothers administered Notre Dame of Dadiangas exclusively for the boys.
Another milestone in the university's life was the grant of the renewal of the University's Autonomous Status by the Commission on Higher Education. This is effective March 11, 2009 – March 20, 2014. Two new programs, Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management and Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management, were opened. A laboratory for these programs was also constructed. During the First Semester, the IBED-High School Department was resurveyed by PAASCU and was granted a five-year renewal of its accreditation. During the first semester, both the College and the Graduate School prepared their reports for PAASCU evaluation scheduled on February 1-6, 2010.
In June 2012, NDDU continued its mission to widen the educational program for the community. Four new programs were opened: Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology, Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy, Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science, and Bachelor in Elementary Education major in Special Education. Two of these programs are in Health Sciences. These are alternative programs for B.S. Nursing, which has started to decline as a favored choice of parents and students. When classes opened in June 2012, the new programs' enrollment is as follows: Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Medical Technology, 44 students B.S. in Pharmacy, 30 students B.S. in Environmental Science, 11 students and BEEd major in Special Education, 12 students. Other significant developments during the SY 2012-2013 are three programs, Bachelor of Arts, BS in Business Administration, and B.S. Elementary Education and Bachelor of Secondary Education were granted Level IV accreditation, the first Level IV in Region XII, while B.S. Nursing and the Grade School Department were granted Level III accreditation.
In the IBED Espina Campus, the construction of the administration building started in June 2012. Dato Low Tuck Kwong funded this, a recipient of the degree, Doctor of Humanities, Honoris Causa, from Notre Dame of Dadiangas University in March 2012.