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Our Lady of Fatima University (OLFU) was granted Autonomous Status by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for its "accomplishments, adherence to quality assurance, and commitment to public responsibility and accountability as a higher education institution." OLFU, known for consistently topping the different Licensure Examinations and receiving 100% passing marks, received notice from the CHED that the Autonomous Status takes effect March 11, 2009 and lasts for 5 years (March 30, 2014). Comments Dr. Caroline Marian Santos Enriquez, President of OLFU: "This is a great privilege for everyone at the University. We have worked long and hard to attain such status and this will further motivate us to work harder to excel at what we do." All private higher education institutions (PHEI) strive for Autonomous Status but only very few attain such status and added to the roster. Among the criteria for selection and identification of PHEI for autonomy is its outstanding overall performance of graduates in the licensure examinations administered by the Professional Regulation Commission and the institution's long tradition of integrity and untarnished reputation. OLFU's foundation of intensive classroom learning experience, wide exposure to the community and use of advance technical equipment in teaching, prepares its students for the rigid Licensure Examinations; thus providing an edge over their counterparts --- proven by its 7 - 1st Placers in the Physician's Licensure Examinations and 100% passing marks for the Medical Technology Licensure Examination and Pharmacy Licensure Examination among others. A point in hand is the College of Nursing. As a Center of Development, the College's curriculum is continuously improving. This has enabled the College to produce 27 topnotchers for the past four years. The College also has the most comprehensive virtual laboratory in the Philippines which equips nursing students with advanced skill that bridge the "learning gap" most Filipino nurses go through upon working in hospitals in the US and the UK. OLFU, has also over the years, partnered with other HEI's and private companies in the Philippines and abroad to provide their students access to advanced learning and internship settings. It has established affiliations with esteemed international institutions to continuously advance its curriculum and elevate its standards. The College has sent several of its students to hospitals in New York, Chicago and Baltimore as part of its on-going International Clerkship Program. Not to be outdone, the College of Dentistry has also secured Memorandum of Agreements with the Dental College of Japan, Hong Kong University Faculty of Dentistry, Mabuhay Deseret International Foundation of the USA and the International School of
Cambodia. It is also an institutional member of South East Asian Association for Dental Education (SEAADE). Autonomous private higher education institutions (PHEI's) enjoy several benefits, among which are "the entitlement to grant of subsidies and other financial incentives/assistance from the CHED" and freedom from monitoring and evaluation of its activities by the CHED. Other privileges of an autonomous PHEI include the privilege to determine own curricular programs & offer new course/program in the undergraduate level, establish branches or satellite campuses and offer extension classes and distance education course/program. These entitlements will not only benefit OLFU but the surrounding communities where the campuses are located. By establishing satellite campuses and distance learning, education is made accessible to families who otherwise could not afford a private college education. More students could be aided through more scholarships and grants. As part of its mandate, OLFU has always made education affordable. Not only has the University been one of the most affordable, it has also awarded more than 50,000 academic scholarship. Last year alone, 3000 students received academic scholarships. And, last March 2009, 300 academic scholars graduated. |
