| Notre Dame University Cotabato City | |
| Former Names: | Notre Dame College (1948–1969) |
| Motto: | Latin: Sedes Sapientiae |
| Mottoeng: | Seat of Wisdom |
| Type: | Private non-profit basic and higher education institution |
| Founder: | Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate |
| Religious Affiliation: | Roman Catholic (Oblates) |
| Academic Affiliations: | NDEA, PAASCU |
| Chairman: | Fr. Gerry Gamaliel S. Delos Reyes, OMI |
| President: | Fr. Francis Efren C. Zabala, OMI |
| Vice-President: | Ronald G. Mamaril, CPA, DBA, JD (VP for Finance and Administration) Delma A. Yuarata, PhD (VP for Academic Affairs) |
| City: | Cotabato City |
| Country: | Philippines |
| Coor: | 7.2152°N 124.2497°W |
| Pushpin Map: | Mindanao mainland#Philippines |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location in Mindanao##Location in the Philippines |
| Colors: | and |
| Nickname: | Notre Damean |
The Notre Dame University, also referred to by its acronym NDU, is a private Catholic research basic and higher education institution run by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate in Cotabato City, Philippines.[1] It was founded by the Oblates in 1948 and has been a member of the Notre Dame Educational Association, a group of schools in the Philippines named Notre Dame. The Association is under the patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Notre Dame University has academic programs in graduate school, law, liberal arts, arts and sciences, engineering, nursing, accountancy, business administration, computer studies and education, as well as secondary, elementary, and preparatory education.
The college was founded in 1948, and was the first college in the province. 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 the first year. The college obtained its own building the following year. 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, a new school was needed. 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.
The college received its University status on March 11, 1969. In 1980, The Philippine Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU) certified the Level I accreditation of the three colleges of the University, the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Commerce and the Teachers' College.
In the same year, the Core Curriculum was introduced integrating both Christian and Islamic Values in all core subjects taken by the students.
In 1983, a program towards a doctoral degree in the field of Education, major in Peace and Development Education was introduced.
In school year 1997-98, the University, in cooperation with the Mindanao Advanced Education Project (MAEP) of the Commission on Higher Education, offered a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Peace and Development Education and Master of Arts (M.A.) in Peace and Development Education.
In 2001, NDU was afforded a deregulated status by the Commission on Higher Education. Hence, NDU enjoys the following benefits: Issuance of Special Order, Deregulated Monitoring/ Evaluation of CHED, Access to Subsidies/ Assistance, Curricular Prescriptions, and Conferring Honoris Causa.
On January 4, 2021 Commission on Higher Education (CHED) awarded the Autonomous Status to Notre Dame University.
Notre Dame University has obtained accreditation from the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU)
Level III Re-accredited:
Level II Re-accredited:
Notre Dame University has become a MikroTik Academy in the Philippines. This opportunity means the College of Computer Studies can offer MikroTik Certified Associate (MTCNA) Course to the Students.
(Plan A with thesis / Plan B non-thesis)
Notre Dame University Bar and PRC topnotchers:
| Atty. Rosemil R. Bañaga | Bar Exam | 2011 | 4th Placer |
| Rustom D. Lamosao | CPA Board Exam | May 2024 | 10th Placer |
| Engr. Jose R. Rabago | Civil Engineering | February 1970 | 10th Placer | |
| Engr. Augusto E. Chio | Civil Engineering | February 1976 | 1st Placer | |
| Engr. Yu Beng Chua | Civil Engineering | February 1976 | 4th Placer | |
| Engr. Valentino L. Chua | Civil Engineering | November 1981 | 9th Placer | |
| Engr. Herbert Pabi Seloterio | Mechanical Engineering | October 1990 | 13th Placer | |
| Engr. Nicolas S. Educalan | Mechanical Engineering | October 1992 | 8th Placer | |
| Engr. Roy B. Hatague | Civil Engineering | November 1997 | 12th Placer | |
| Engr. Jose Rodolfo N. Lao, REE | Electrical Engineering | November 2003 | 2nd Placer | |
| Engr. Raphy R. Menor | Civil Engineering | November 2004 | 16th Placer | |
| Engr. Albasir T. Sedik | Electrical Engineering | May 2009 | 5th Placer | |
| Engr. Elso U. Elumbaring, Jr | Mechanical Engineering | September 2016 | 1st Placer | |
| Engr. Nelbert I. Sumalpong | Mechanical Engineering | September 2017 | 3rd Placer |
| Piamae Keil Roslin | Psychometrician | February 2022 | 9th Placer |
| Al-Zaheer Adil Abubakar | LET Elementary Education | March 2023 | 10th Placer |
| Eyart Jaz Villarin Soriano | Nursing | June 2013 | 10th Placer | |
| Patricia Tillo Mangat | Nursing | June 2016 | 8th Placer |