Office of Community Extension (OCE)

About OCE

The Office of Community Extension (OCE) is the community engagement arm of Our Lady of Fatima University. It takes the lead in the conduct of meaningful and impactful community extension activities in the partner communities and institutions of the University. The OCE programs, projects, and activities are issue-based, need-based, participatory, impactful, and sustainable. The office is the embodiment of the University’s dictum of “Improving Man as Man” and hopes to contribute to social transformation by improving the general well-being of its partner communities and institutions.

OCE acts as a bridge between the academic community and society, translating the university’s wealth of knowledge into real-world solutions for partner communities. The office ensures that its initiatives are not only issue- and need-based, but also grounded in collaboration, empowering both students and community members toward shared growth and development.

Services Offered

The Office of Community Extension delivers a broad range of services designed to support holistic community transformation:

• Spearheading Community Engagement Activities: OCE leads institutional programs and supervises and provides assistance to college and program-based community extension and outreach initiatives.
• Project Planning & Monitoring Support: Assists colleges and departments in preparing, executing, and assessing their own community involvement projects.
• Information and Documentation Management: Prepares and distributes information related to community efforts and maintains comprehensive records.
• Institutional Linkages: Coordinates with local government units (LGUs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other stakeholders to strengthen partnerships.
• Program Assessment and Evaluation: Regularly reviews  project proposal and activity narrative reports of the various extension projects of the different units of the university. The office computes and publishes the impact scores of the community extension projects of the different units of the university and ensures alignment with community needs and university goals.

OCE ASSEMBLY

The General Assembly (OCE Assembly) is the annual foundational event for OLFU’s student volunteers, aligning with SDG 4 (Quality Education) and the mission to “improve man as a man.” It serves as a structured space for reflection, realignment, and reinforcement of commitment. Through formal dialogue, the assembly encourages critical thinking, shared accountability, and clarity of purpose among volunteers, ensuring the Office of Community Extension (OCE) remains a responsive, inclusive, and purpose-driven space for driving meaningful, collective change.

UN SDG and OLFU SDA Seminar

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and OLFU’s Sustainable Development Agenda (SDA) Seminar is a vital initiative focused on the Education of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework. This essential step in building capacity highlights the interconnectedness of the 17 SDGs across economic growth, environmental sustainability, and social inclusion. The seminar equips attendees with the necessary information, tools, and expertise to understand the global goals and drive transformative, practical change within their communities and institutions, emphasizing the significance of partnerships in achieving the global agenda.

HANDOG FATIMA

Handog Fatima is OLFU’s enduring, annual gift-giving and solidarity initiative, embodying the core values of Veritas, Caritas, and Scientia. This platform gathers students, faculty, staff, and university partners to go beyond simple donation. It is a powerful expression of faith in action, providing holistic support, material gifts, emotional warmth, and spiritual encouragement, to underprivileged families and communities, thereby strengthening the bonds between the university and the public it serves.

MEDICAL CARE PROJECT

The Medical Care Project is a dedicated, collaborative effort led by OLFU volunteers to bridge the healthcare gap in underserved urban poor areas like Brgy. Karuhatan, Valenzuela. Leveraging the expertise of volunteer healthcare professionals, the project provides free consultations, treatments, and essential preventive care to individuals with limited access to regular services. Its dual focus on immediate health needs and sustainable health education ensures both an immediate reduction of health inequalities and long-term community well-being.

COLLEGE ACTIVITIES – NURSING
Mass Blood Donation

Blood donation is a voluntary procedure where a person donates a volume of his blood to save someone in need. Such a simple method can make a big difference in the lives of the people who receive it. It is in this endeavor that the concept of the project Mass Blood Donation Drive was created.

COLLEGE ACTIVITIES – NURSING
Medical and Dental Caravan

In celebration of the National Children’s Month, a Medical and Dental Caravan was held in Barangay Kaligayahan, Novaliches, Quezon City on November 17, 2023. The Medical and Dental Caravan is an outreach program organized by Captain Freddy Roxas and Councilor Kris Roxas, in collaboration with the Quezon City Health Department and Our Lady of Fatima University. The College of Nursing Quezon City provided manpower headed by faculty members Mrs. Mary Ann Lopez and Mrs. Karla May Jamosmos. The Social Orientation and Community Involvement Committee and Level III student volunteers helped in facilitating the medical and dental mission. Hygiene kits, consisting of toothbrushes, toothpastes, soaps, cotton buds, paper towels and masks were donated by the university and the local government.

COLLEGE ACTIVITIES – PHARMACY
Responsible Self-Care Series

The College of Pharmacy initiated a SOCI program entitled “Responsible Self-Care Series”, which aims to promote responsible self-care through the proper use of herbal medicines, over-the-counter drugs, and other forms of healthcare. Activities include information dissemination and distribution of healthcare products.

COLLEGE ACTIVITIES – MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE
Healthy kids, Happy hearts: Let’s Get Moving Together!

Despite changing circumstances in society, our department CMLS conducted an outreach program last December 10, 2023, entitled “Healthy Kids, Happy Hearts: Let’s Get Moving Together”. This program is the outcome of recognizing the significance of physical health even though we’re still sustaining a thriving community. By promoting wellness, we want to increase the overall quality of life and academic performance of the youth. This wellness program is aligned with international agendas such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

COLLEGE ACTIVITIES – MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE
MedTech Week 2023: Medical Mission

MEDTECH WEEK 2023: Medical Mission is more than just a conference; it’s a transformative experience designed to unite industry leaders, healthcare professionals, researchers, and innovators from around the globe. Together, we will delve into the latest trends, breakthroughs, and challenges in the dynamic field of medical technology.
Through engaging keynote speeches about the importance of regular laboratory tests, giving free blood typing, blood sugar level measurement, urinalysis, and blood pressure measurement, we aim to ignite inspiration, foster collaboration, and drive actionable solutions that will redefine the way we approach healthcare delivery.

IP BAZAAR

This project focuses on the education aspect of the Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education for Indigenous Peoples (IP). It is a direct effort to address the disproportionate poverty, limited access to services, and high rates of illiteracy experienced by IP communities. By mobilizing Fatimanians (students, faculty, alumni) to collaborate with and support these communities, the initiative aims to catalyze change, promote awareness, and ensure the unique culture and historical value of the Indigenous Peoples of the Philippines are recognized and celebrated.

SEED BAZAAR

The S.E.E.D. (Sustainable Entrepreneurship Education and Development) for Fatimanians and Community Bazaar is an innovative initiative designed to combat poverty and promote economic resilience in partnership with local communities.

This program integrates sustainable entrepreneurship education, equipping students with skills for responsible and innovative business practices, with a Community Bazaar. It serves as a direct platform for students , employees, and community members to apply their learning, showcase sustainable ventures, and contribute to local economic growth. S.E.E.D.  is a multi-disciplinary effort aligned with SDGs 4, 8, 9, 11, 12, and 17, driving real-world solutions for decent work and sustainable cities.

SEED SEMINAR & WEBINAR

The S.E.E.D. (Sustainable Entrepreneurship Education and Development) Seminar is the essential training component of OLFU’s commitment to economic development and sustainability.

Targeting students from various colleges, this program focuses on equipping participants with the knowledge and skills to lead socially responsible and environmentally sustainable business practices. The seminar’s core objective is to foster a comprehensive understanding of how entrepreneurship can break the cycle of poverty, serving as a crucial capacity-building step toward achieving SDG 8 (Decent Work) and SDG 9 (Innovation and Industry).

60 HOMES PROJECT

The 60 Homes Project 2025 is a major collaborative housing initiative led by OLFU in partnership with Habitat for Humanity Philippines. Designed to address the pressing need for secure, dignified, and disaster-resilient housing for low-income and informal settler families, this project is aligned with SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

The initiative goes beyond constructing 60 durable homes; it focuses on long-term community development through holistic support, including community-building, financial education, and livelihood training. This comprehensive approach empowers vulnerable families, ensuring they have access to safe shelter and the foundational resources needed to thrive.

COASTAL CLEAN UP & MANGROVE TREE PLANTING

The Coastal Clean-Up is a vital environmental action project that directly supports SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). This initiative brings together OLFU students, faculty, staff, and alumni in a unified effort to remove significant marine debris and promote the conservation of ocean resources.

The project reinforces the university’s commitment to producing socially responsible and environmentally conscious individuals. Beyond the immediate goal of marine litter removal, the CCU incorporates pre-event education sessions to ensure volunteers are fully trained in sustainable practices, fostering a more climate-resilient ecosystem and culture of global environmental solutions.