Pythagorean Olympic University

Anyone heard of this program? They claim affiliation with the University of London

Thanks

Dan

 

On the face of it, this appears to be another tutor service trying to blur the nature of their relationship to a much more eminent institution.

If your work falls short of UoL standards, you can always apply it to a POU credential Any guesses as to how much that's worth?

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Bill Gossett

 

"P.O.U is authorized to grant degrees by its Constitution which has received Governmental Approval by the Authorities of the Country of Registration"
Folks the above "sh.ty" stuff came from a pytagorean university, in an attempt to validate their legitimacy via UNEXPLAINABLE accreditation. Will someone with a better understanding of both the Queens and American English please explain to me what they are really saying here ? it is amazing how stupid this people really think we (the public)are.

Timmy.

 

Like many less-than-wondeful schools, POU attempts to gain credibility by citing a number of organizations to which it belongs.

They get the name wrong for at least one; they state at several places that they belong to the International Council for Distance Education. This is actually the International Council for Open and Distance Education.

Extracts from their constitution state:

3.2. As it is not prohibited under any law for the time being in force in the country of its registration P.O.U is hereby authorized to grant degrees ... [not exactly a very strong authorization, is it?]




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Kristin Evenson Hirst
DistanceLearn.About.com

 

Kristin and all,
is this international council for open
and distance education recorgnized by the US dept. of Educ. ?

Tim.

 

Timmy,

Short answer: No.

Long answer: Why should it be? It is not an accrediting association; it is not a U.S. organization. The International Council for Open and Distance Education describes itself as a "global membership organisation of educational institutions, national and regional associations, corporations, educational authorities and agencies in the fields of open learning, distance education, and flexible, lifelong learning." It "facilitates international cooperation in distance education and open learning throughout the world."

The mission statement mentions promoting open and distance education, fostering international collaboration, providing a forum and other good things -- but says not one word about accreditation or quality assurance.

In other words -- it's a good organization, doing good things (such as the North America Regional Conference of the ICDE -- see http://www.athabascau.ca/conf2002/ for more info), and it makes sense for an individual or institution with an interest in open and distance learning to join. HOWEVER -- this says more about the worth of the organization than the worth of the individuals and institutions that are members.

See http://www.icde.org/ for more information from them.

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Kristin Evenson Hirst
DistanceLearn.About.com