Hi all, I have some questions regarding the university of South Africa. 1. It has been that this university is accrediated world wide. Hence, its PhD program is also accrediated. Then, why DTEC does not accredited any DL PhD? 2. Did any body know how long it takes to finish the PhD in Computer Science in this university, how much it (the whole process)cost (in US $'s), do I nned to show up there? I have gone to the web site and I find it tricky to get all the information you need. So any help is appreciated. Thank you in advance Mohammed Omran, OCP
DETC appears to have a new policy, in which, instead of accrediting entire schools, they are willing to accredit only the distance learning portions, and, it seems, only the non-Ph.D.-granting distance portions.
If UNISA has what is considered the equivalent of US regional accreditation (which I think we all agree it does), then I'm wondering the reason why they would seek DETC accreditation. For better or worse, DETC accreditation would make UNISA second-rate in many people's eyes. Bruce
Bruce's question is a mystery to me, too. But, as I reported in another thread yesterday, three 'big guys' have just applied for DETC accreditation: UNISA, US Open University, and Western Governors U. I haven't seen any public explanations of their reasoning.
Possible advantages I can see: 1. It would allow them to fire up a MIGS/GST-esque extension campus that holds separate accreditation. One of the major selling points of the GST/PUCHE program is that not only is PUCHE a highly credible and venerable school, but GST is 43 years old and holds ODLQC accreditation. 2. It would allow them to offer special U.S.-only programs that are not evaluated by their national ministries of education. If memory serves, UNISA does not offer an MBA; it offers an MBL. With DETC accreditation, it could offer an MBA to U.S. students. 3. It's a good will gesture. 4. It might make the verification process simpler; "Is it accredited?" as answered by a detailed explanation of South African educational quality control standards would not be workable; just plain "Yes." sounds so much nicer. 5. The extra layer of U.S. accreditation could be a marketing point if UNISA pursues students in Latin America, Asia, et. al. Some people don't trust South African educational standards, and the extra U.S. agency "vouching for them" could be helpful. 6. Maybe UNISA wants to take a sort of global leadership role in the DETC, and what better first step than becoming accredited themselves? Peace, ------------------ Tom Head www.tomhead.net
I made an inquiry to UNISA's Computer Science Department regarding obtaining their Ph.D. via Distance Education a few months ago. The reply basically stated: 1. They may or may not accept a Ph.D. student who lives a long distance away from the University. [They gave the appearance of being reluctant to accept Ph.D. students from the US.] 2. Acceptance is highly dependent on their having an advisor (promoter) in the area in which you which to do research. 3. How many times you have to appear at the university is generally be between you and the promoter; however, you will be required to make a minimum of two appearances per calendar year. 4. The mimimum time for the program is 2 years. 5. You will be required to have an advisor in your country of origin. Did not inquire about costs. Russell Staley
This seems to be the case with both Australia and South Africa. I guess it goes back to what Dr. Bear said in his book about the whole thing being somewhat fluid. What applies to one person may not to another. My concern is why UNISA seems to be attempting to market itself (Aihec) on the one hand and yet based on some reports here is unresponsive to DL issues for US students on the other. I must say that this is not first hand experience but based on reports of people here who have contacted them. My own experience with SATS/UZululand has been very positive so far in terms of their responsiveness. Others seem to have equally positive experiences with South African institutions. North
Are you referring to the University of South Africa or the University of South Australia? (The one we generally refer to when we say UNISA is South Africa, unisa.ac.za, but South Australia, unisa.ac.au, is abbreviated the same way.) Peace, ------------------ Tom Head www.tomhead.net
Hello, Br. Tom! As a postcriptum to your note, the "University of Salermo" in Italy is also abbreviated as UNISA (unisa.it), but I don't know if they have any type of distance education per se. I hope this helps. Very friendly, Karlos Alberto Lacaye [email protected]
AIHEC, which proclaims itself "the exclusive agent for the University of South Africa (Unisa) in the United States of America," is an enigma. I tried contacting AIHEC twice, and finally ended up applying to Unisa directly after AIHEC never responded. Why does such a body exists that isn't necessary to utilize to register with Unisa, and won't respond in the first place? Unisa's move towards DETC accreditation is puzzling in light of their upcoming alliance with Thomas Edison State College. TESC already accepts appropriately accredited foreign credits and degrees; DETC accreditation is unnecessary for Unisa, and in the case of any other school a stumbling block for acceptance of transfer credit. As far as unresponsiveness, I've finally come to not assign to malice what can best be explained by incompetance. I hope one of the benefits of the Unisa/TESC alliance is an overhaul of the marketing/registration morass through which new students, particularly outside of RSA, must prevail. The latest, for instance: Students attending a South African university must obtain a Certificate of Matriculation Exemption ('Certificate'), which essentially is a document vouching for the student's capability to successfully study at the collegiate level. In early March as part of the registration process and using Unisa's forms and instructions, I submitted my birth certificate, a notarized copy of my high school diploma and the appropriate form and 200 rand fee. Some days later, I received a recipt for the application fee, and a few weeks after that Unisa returned the legal documents. I've never received the Certificate itself; I assume that stays with the student's records. Then, I received a letter on 26 April indicating an exemption certificate must be supplied by 17 April (nine days before the letter had arrived!) to remain registered as a student at Unisa. I submitted photocopies of forms, receipts, and documents along with an explanatory cover letter, and I received a short email on 9 May which said I am now re-registered. Several days later, I received a letter which announces I've been cancelled out of all my classes. That letter, though, had been posted two days before the email reasserting my student status; it was sent surface mail (versus the letters back in April, which were sent International Air Mail), and therefore it lapped the email. Confused? I remain so. During my initial registration with Unisa, I applied for advance standing because of classes I already have completed, and documented that on transcripts. Having studied at the collegiate level should have established my ability to study at the collegiate level. But the rules specify all students need the Certificate; fine. When I sent the materials in and they accepted the 200 rand fee, somewhere a note should be made that this student has a Certificate pending award. A fellow Unisa student wrote to say his Certificate took a year to arrive. The fact that the form to get the Certificate is sent with the form to register implies to the applicant this can all be done at the same time. If change results from either DETC accreditation or partnering with TESC, it can almost only be change for the better. Now to the positive, I will say the professors are helpful and provide useful study materials and insightful comments on the assignments; also, these are beginning student difficulties and I shouldn't have to go through this again the rest of the way through. Plus, few other places offer math and astronomy and the price really is right... Mark A. Sykes Still attending Unisa
Hi Omran I thought you posted a while ago that you were pursuing a Ph.D degree at Kennedy-Western University. What happened? Did you change your mind? If you are not the Omran that posted here about Kennedy-Western, please ignore this post. Ike
