Linkage between Knightsbridge University & Claremont International University(Part 2)

This then led me to http://www.johnkersey.org/biography.html and the following:

In 2003, John Kersey founded Claremont University in the Seychelles as a major new international private distance learning university that would put into practice his educational philosophies in the areas of non-traditional education, open and distance learning and accreditation of prior experiential learning, offering innovative programmes of quality to a global audience of mid-career adults and thus widening educational opportunity. Currently in the initial stages of its operation, Claremont welcomed its first students in March 2004. As President of Academic Affairs, John Kersey has overall responsibility for all areas of academic provision, and has secured the services of a faculty that includes senior academics from the UK, South Africa and the USA, as well as working with the experts in business areas who make up Claremont's Board of Directors. As testament to its high academic standards, Claremont degrees have been evaluated to be the equivalent of those issued by US Regionally Accredited degrees by several recognised US credential agencies.

John Kersey is one of the founders and remains President of St Katherine's Institute of Theology and Religious Studies, a private theological college which prepares students for Knightsbridge University, Denmark, degrees in Church Music and Theology in the UK. Through St Katherine's, he has supervised and examined to the doctoral level for Knightsbridge awards. He also serves as a Music specialist on the Knightsbridge faculty. Knightsbridge is a highly innovative, exclusive private university serving a clientele of mature and experienced students chiefly through distance learning. Its graduates have been sponsored by NATO, amongst other institutions, and include senior diplomats, senior academics and royalty.

John Kersey has been an Honorary Member of Advisory Council and Honorary Representative for the UK for Ansted University, Malaysia and British Virgin Islands (founded 1975), since 2002. Ansted is a private international open university with 40 affiliated campuses and training providers around the world and support from more than 1,000 faculty members, scientists and researchers from more than 80 countries, currently graduating around 500 students each year. In September 2003, he was awarded the degree of Doctor of Music honoris causa by Ansted University during their UK convocation at London Metropolitan University, ‘in recognition of his exemplary contributions to music and music educational development and his dedication to the promotion of music pedagogy, performance and music criticism’. (Illustration: Ansted University in Penang, Malaysia)

And so to Ansted University, where it is suggested at http://www.ansteduniversity.org/faq.htm

11. Q : Where Ansted University is registered, and is Ansted University degrees respected around the world?
A: Ansted University is established in British Virgin Islands and can legally GRANT DEGREES to all students who meet the graduation requirements of the university. Ansted University degrees has been recognised by various Educational Institutions and Accreditation bodies worldwide.
Ansted University is an OPEN INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY with students in 96 countries. Our university main administration is located in British Virgin Islands. Ansted University does not belong to one country and cannot mold itself to the policies of any one country! Ansted University degree programs are WORLD CLASS and designed by our distinguished faculty for adults who deserve recognition of their work place achievements as academic credit. The Academic Community find our degree programmes to be OUTSTANDING!
Again, Ansted University faculty members are graduates of fine universities from different countries worldwide. (You may refer to the list in the Prospectus). You will be lucky enough to be student of great minds ! Ansted University graduates are recognized for their accomplishments in business, industry, international organisations, United Nations and governments around the world! That is the best proof of RESPECT AND RECOGNITION OF A ANSTED UNIVERSITY DEGREE!

And the following bold claim at http://www.ansteduniversity.org/accreditation.htm :

The following list of Universities and Institutions are accredited by the International Association for Management Education (AACSB). The Business Week (9/22/1986) calls AACSB as “seal of approval” for business degrees. We are proud to inform you that the listed Universities accept Ansted University graduates for enrolment to their programmes. However, an applicant would still need to meet all of the requirements for admission which include TOEFL and GMAT exams. Students are expected to earn a minimum 550 on the TOEFL with a preference 600. The TOEFL is valid for two years and GMAT is valid for five years. The average GPA is 3.0 and the average GMAT is 600.
Albany State University - USA
American International College - USA
Arkansas Tech University - USA
Babson College - USA
Baldwin Wallace College - USA
Baylor University - USA
Boise State University - USA
Boston University - USA
Bowling Green State University - USA
Brigham Young University - USA
Budapest University of Economic Sciences - Hungary
California State University - USA
California State University - Long Beach, USA
California Polytechnic State University - USA
California State Polytechnic University - Pomona, USA
Cameron University - USA
Chaminade University of Honolulu - USA
Chicago State University - USA
Christian Brothers University - USA
Colorado State University - USA
Columbus State University - USA
Cranfield University - UK
Dominican University - USA
Drake University - USA
Emporia State University - USA
Francis Marion University - USA
IDAHO State University - USA
Illinois Institute of Technology - USA
Iona College - Hagan School of Business - USA
Ithaca College - USA
Kennesaw State University - USA
Kent State University - USA
Lehigh University - USA
Louisiana Tech University - USA
LSB College - Dublin
Manchester College of Arts & Technology - UK
Manhattan College - USA
The College of New Jersey - USA
The George Washington University - USA
The University of Akron - USA
The University of Alabama - USA
The University of Hong Kong - Hong Kong
The University of Iowa - USA
The University of MAINE - USA
The University of Manchester - UK
University of Albany - USA
University of Cape Town - Africa
University of Central Arkansas - USA
University of Connecticut - USA
University of Detroit Mercy – USA

And just back to St Katherines Institute of Theology and Religious Studies, the following information at http://www.johnkersey.org/stkatherines.htm

The By-Laws of the Institute define its aims as follows: “St Katherine’s Institute of Theology and Religious Studies shall exist for the purpose of offering Biblical and religious instruction, and basic instruction in other subjects or disciplines as may be felt appropriate in compliance with statute W.S. 21-4-101(a)(iv) of the state of Wyoming, to students in any state or country, within or beyond the United States of America, where the Directors of this Corporation may determine there is a sufficient cause and opportunity for opening and maintaining work; to carry out such instruction by extension courses, correspondence, the internet, lectures and any other appropriate method, by the publication of papers, bulletins, magazines, books or other publications; or by any other means the Corporation may determine to be fruitful; to employ teachers, officers, extension lecturers, correspondence tutors, or such other workers as may be necessary; to establish and maintain such educational institutions, chapels and dormitories as may be found useful in promoting the cause of religious education; to grant diplomas, academic or honorary degrees in any subject for work done in the institution of the Corporation, under its guidance, or for merit.”
The Institute functions mostly at the postgraduate level, and prepares candidates for degree awards up to and including doctorates. It was decided by the Governing Council that the Institute should partner with an established distance learning university for the purpose of awarding degrees, and as a result an agreement was formed with Knightsbridge University, Denmark. As a result, the Institute functions effectively as an associated college of Knightsbridge University, which validates and awards all degrees of the Institute.

In early 2004, upon the ratification of the agreement with Knightsbridge University, the Governing Council decided to transfer the administration of the Institute from the USA to the UK, reflecting the fact that its activities had become to all effects wholly centred there. At this time the Wyoming corporation was dissolved and the Institute was established in the UK as an unincorporated learned society.

The Degrees offered by the Institute (validated by Knightsbridge University, Denmark) are as follows:
Master of Theology
Master of Music/Master of Sacred Music
Doctor of Theology
Doctor of Music
Doctor of Letters
The Diplomas awarded by the Institute in its own right, which are awarded for meritorious work done in the field concerned, are as follows:
Fellow in Theology (ThSoc)
Fellow in Church Music (FChMus)

CONTACT DETAILS FOR THE INSTITUTE
c/o Professor John Kersey, BM3816, London WC1N 3XX

Fascinating stuff!!!

Cheers,

George

 

"CONTACT DETAILS FOR THE INSTITUTE
c/o Professor John Kersey, BM3816, London WC1N 3XX"

For the record, an address with "BM" (British Monomarks) and ending in "XX" is a mailbox service.

 

Ah, George, you had to go and spoil my fun, didn’t you? Now that you have let the cat out of the bag, so to speak, my plans are ruined.

On the plus side, I’m glad someone else (instead of me) revealed this information. Also, It is important to note that John Kersey is the President of Claremont University (also known as Claremont International University and Claremont International University of Arts).

Oh well, there is more, much more. All I will say at this time is that these guys are extremely inept at covering their tracks.

 

Good on yer, George! Brilliant work!

I guess it's really true: if it walks like a duck, and talks like a duck...

 

Did I say John Kersey? I’m sorry. How disrespectful of me!

I meant to say Hon. Professor John Kersey, MKN, GCSC, GCHMA, KStG, KGStJ, HonDMus (Malaysia and British Virgin Islands), CDPhilMus (USA), HonPhD (Italy, Spain, Brazil, USA), PhD (Denmark), MMusRCM, DipRCM, HonFMusICMA, HonFCAM, HonFNMSM, HonFASC, FRSA, FRGS, FSA Scot, FCCM, FNSCM, FCSM, FGMS, FMCM, FFLM, FLSMR, FIAL(Lond), FChMus (St Katherine's), FIGOC, HonIWA, HonCIL, President of Academic Affairs of Claremont University, Seychelles, Honorary Visiting Professor of Music, Parthasarathy International Cultural Academy, Honorary Member of Advisory Council and Honorary Representative for the UK, Ansted University, Honorary President for the UK, Accademia Superiore di Studi di Scienze Naturali e Psicobiofisiche Prof. Ambrosini - Diandra International University and Academy.

Oh, and for those interested in degree mill history, the Hon. Professor John Kersey is also a Founder Member of World University (see BG15, page 225), Cultural Doctorate Member, World University Roundtable Vice-Delegate, and President, English National Office of the World University.

My only question is this: I know that Claremont university has an articulation agreement with Ansted University; however, being that one of Prof. Kersey’s “schools,” (St Katherine’s Institute of Theology and Religious Studies) is “an associated college of Knightsbridge University,” when will Claremont University achieve that lofty status and also have all of it degrees validated and awarded by Knightsbridge?

 

He "is also a Knight of Grace of the Sovereign Order of St John of Jerusalem (Knights of Malta)". This is similar to the "Kt.Comdr., Sovereign Military Order of MALTA, St. John of Jerusalem" claimed by Egbert Phipps (http://forums.degreeinfo.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=8525). I wonder how one becomes one of these.

 

Sorry mate, an honest mistake - I just came across this information whilst surfing.

Cheers,

George

 

No wockin' furries, mate.

If it had to be released prematurely, I'm glad it was you, as your integrity is above reproach.

 

Mark: I think you have to eat one of those little dogs.

 

George Brown wrote:

> This then led me to http://www.johnkersey.org/biography.html

which now seems to be gone, so good job posting the content.

 

When George Brown started this thread, http://www.johnkersey.org was a multi-page Website. When I posted my last message, it had become one Web page with no links. Now, even that page is password-protected.

 

Excellent work George! So Claremont started accepting students a month ago? Here is some additional information from Claremont's website (which actualy looks quite nice):

"What is Claremont University's Legal Authority and/or recognition? Claremont University, is a highly respected and internationally recognized University."

In one month they have become both RA equivalent AND internationally respected. I'll bet that quite a few school operators would like to tap into that kind of "fast track"

How well respected will I be as a Claremont University graduate?
Graduating from an internationally recognized institution, alumni can expect to be respected for their academic accomplishments just as the graduates of the campus based school have always been. Graduates of Claremont University enjoy careers as teachers, counselors, scholarly researchers, and in other applied fields.

This can be read two ways.

1) These students who enrolled in March of 2004 have graduated with degrees in April 2004 and have gotten jobs as "teachers, counselors, scholarly researchers, and in other applied fields" within that one month period. That would be QUITE an accomplishment--a true "BA in 4 weeks" (or MA or PhD in 4 weeks)

2) There is a separate "campus based school" of Claremont that has been in operation that has supposedly awarded degrees to these people. I did not notice a reference to the "campus based school" other than the one above.

3) They claim no afiliation with the Claremont University Consortium in California, but they just happened to mention that graduates of the Claremont Universities (in California) enjoy careers as teachers, counselors, scholarly researchers and in other applied fields. They, of course, would be right in this instance.

Tony Piña
Faculty, Cal State U. San Bernardino

 

Re: Re: Linkage between Knightsbridge University & Claremont International University(Part 2)

Graduates of Claremont University enjoy careers as teachers, counselors, scholarly researchers, and in other applied fields.

The last part of this sentence sounded a bit odd to me. So I did a Google search for "researchers, and in other applied fields."

Guess what:

Saybrook alumni are internationally respected for their academic accomplishments. Saybrook graduates enjoy careers as licensed psychologists, university professors, organizational development consultants, published authors, scholarly researchers, and in other applied fields.

http://www.saybrook.edu/prospective_students/faqs.asp

The rest of Claremont's FAQ is eerily similar to Saybrook's.

Just a coincidence, I'm sure.

 

Tony Piña writes:

> 1) These students who enrolled in March of 2004 have
> graduated with degrees in April 2004 [...]. That would be
> QUITE an accomplishment--a true "BA in 4 weeks" (or MA or
> PhD in 4 weeks

President Kersey is himself an alumnus of "Claremont University, where he was the first person to graduate with the degree of Doctor of Education."
http://www.claremontedu.org/faculty-list.htm

I suspect he got this doctorate by re-submitting work that he had previously submitted for the doctorate from Saint Regis University that he no longer lists.

 

Gosh, can someone actually DO that?

 

I don't know. Rich. You didn't re-submit any of your Union work to MIGS, or vice versa?

 

I always wonder why people self-destruct like this. The evidence suggests that Mr. Kersey is a talented musician. Award winning in fact. If he had left it there, he would have been pretty cool. So... why this:

I find it telling that many owners of less-than-wonderfuls have bizarre, over-the-top, resumes. Lists of initials as long as your arm. Cosmonauts. Indian chiefs. Knights and nobility. Ordinations by unknown denominations. Officials of imaginary nations. The discoverer of Atlantis.

At some point it becomes self-destructive.

 

Why would he have to do that? I suspect that he simply grabbed a diploma from the stack he has at home and put his name on it. Or maybe he didn't even bother issuing himself a diploma. After all, who would someone contact to verify that he was awarded a degree?

 

The case in point describes taking an entire degree's worth of work (used to "earn" a degree) and using it to "earn" another. This isn't the same as someone who has done work at one school and transfers it to another to continue--and completing the subsequent school's additional requirements.

As for me, MIGS agreed to admit me as a doctoral candidate based on my master's work and my work at Union. (My Union degree program was complete except for the dissertation.) While I didn't enroll, I did prepare to do so until their lack of substance became overwhelming (or is that "underwhelming"?).

No, I didn't use anything I did at MIGS for Union because I didn't DO anything (academically) at MIGS. I wrote a couple of papers, articles, and items for their website. I also edited their manuals.


I've done ground-level work for three schools: MIGS, Greenwich, and Virginia International University. The latter two were unaccredited, the first was affiliated with a recognized university in Mexico. I helped develop policies and procedures for each, but left each one during their respective nascent periods. (I also taught classes for VIU and guided one student at Greenwich.) Contrary to popular troll opinion, I was never "employed" at any of them, and am no longer working with any of them either.

 

Isn't it relatively common for big-name professors to be lured from one university to another? And when they switch schools, don't they often bring some of their doctoral students with them? So it probably isn't unheard of for students to use work performed at university A in their dissertation submitted to university B.

That's different than using a dissertation to earn a degree from university A, then resubmitting the same work to university B for a second degree.

But as Gus points out, the whole question is moot anyway, because owners of vanity "universities" are free to grant themselves any degree they like. Who's going to object? Their accreditors?