Brief greetings from the only public computer in Kyzyl, Republic of Tuva, Siberia. A reminder how fortunate we are; this is a dark and dingy little room adjoining the post office, with one computer, 28k modem, and a dozen people in line, so I won't have time to look at messages until return to Ulaan Bataar in ten days. Fascinating little insight: I was sitting next to the lady from South Africa on the little rowboats with outboard motors that were taking us 84 miles up the Yenisey River of Tuva to a village of Old Believers (Oh, I do enjoy being able to say that). She runs quite a large business in Johannesburg -- over 500 employees. And she had a lot to say about "alternative" higher education. She was quite familiar with the Columbia Pacific situation, since she had a job applicant with an MBA from there a couple of years ago, and spent a fair amount of time checking it out. But her strongest words were reserved for the Azailiah University/DETC situation. She said that the notion of a (her words) vocational or technical school of low repute buying a (her words) degree factory in New Mexico, and calling itself a "university" has made them a laughingstock among HR people and, she believes, academics in South Africa. She added that the fact that they are trumpeting their accreditation from (her words) an American accreditation mill (she means, of course, DETC, which is a recognized accreditor) makes things even worse. It is true that Azailiah did buy a dreadful unaccredited (even by DETC) school in New Mexico, and thereupon started calling themselves a university -- something they apparently could never do in South Africa. So the world of degrees gets discussed even in these remote parts. And the breakfast discussion today was with the two very crusty and opinionated Swiss doctors in our group, who are promising (with appropriate outrage) to check out Robert Kennedy and do what must be done, as soon as they return. Probably the next computer will be found back in Ulaan Baatar, Mongolia, in a couple of weeks. Your traveling correspondent, John Bear
Thanks for the very enjoyable post. I'm very much looking forward to finding out what must be done about Robert Kennedy.
I hope you'll expand on this when you're able. Sounds like you're having a great time! It's a hoot that no matter where you go, you're finding kindred spirits of the distance learning arena.
Great travelogue John, especially considering there were ten people looking over your shoulder. A bit of critical news: apparently, you went to Mongolia to escape prosecution...so says the latest non-person on AED. I'll bet it works.
Reason #764 for why I no longer read AED. Besides, if John were looking to escape prosecution, there are some lovely South American countries which would be better choices. Tom Nixon
