Online discussion on Universitas 21

-----Original Message-----
From: Scott Jaschik [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Sonntag, 23. Juni 2002 17:36
To: [email protected]
Subject: [DistanceLearning] online discussion on plan to offer distance education in developingcountries

The Chronicle of Higher Education is sponsoring an online
discussion on Universitas 21 with Alan D. Gilbert, the vice
chancellor of the University of Melbourne and the former
chairman of Universitas 21, on Thursday, June 27 at 4 p.m.,
U.S. Eastern time. An article in the new issue of The Chronicle
explores the plans of Universitas 21 -- a consortium of leading
universities from around the world -- to being offering distance
education in developing nations. The article also notes the fears
of some faculty groups about the project.

The Chronicle invites members of this list to read the article,
to join the discussion with Mr. Gilbert, and to submit questions
or comments for Mr. Gilbert to respond to (advance questions
are encouraged and may be submitted now) at:

http://chronicle.com/colloquylive/2002/06/universitas/chat.php3

A transcript of the discussion will be available at that address
after the chat is over.

Scott Jaschik
Editor
The Chronicle of Higher Education

 

The Chronicle has a little more info about Universitas 21 at: http://chronicle.com/free/v48/i42/42a02801.htm

Lots of talk about "profits" from representatives of member schools--schools that are not-for-profit. Those pesky little paragons of altruism are once again about their money-grubbing ways!

(Lest anyone misunderstand my point, I continue to contend that the difference between for-profit and not-for-profit universities is largely in tax and accounting methods. Universitas 21 is another example of not-for-profit universities targeting and penetrating markets, realizing profits, etc., just like the for-profits. A rose by any other name.... )

 

However, since U21Global (http://www.u21global.com/) is the one that issues the diploma as said in the FAQ. I wonder how this diploma will be recognized by other universities around the world. Also, if people see that you have a MBA from U21Global, they must have a lot of question marks, what's U21Global? etc.

 

The chat has now finished - see:

http://chronicle.com/colloquylive/2002/06/universitas/chat.php3

Jonathan, I didn't seen you post re-source of degree granting authority for U21, but it was one of the questions I did pose to Alan Gilbert. I too had similar concerns. However, it looks like the Singaporean Ministry of Education will be conferring degree granting status on U21 - right on you back door!

Nonetheless, this raises some *very* interesting questions, such as, is the U21 degree a Singaporean degree?

I must say, I was very releived that I did not see Montana, California, Hawaii etc as the degree granting jurisdiction

Cheers,

George

PS - A similar virtual university model (although not a global consortium) The Global Virtual University http://www.gvu.ac.nz was seeking accreditation through the Office of Higher Education in Queensland, Australia. The owners were based in New Zealand, whilst the company name was registered in Delaware. This is (was) a serious attempt at a virtual university, but as you can see from the site, it appears to be no more. Will check out the latest developments.

 

So will Universitas 21 be considered as a Singaporean university and fit the GAAP? My main concern is that how an employer recognize an U21 degree. Since I graduated from one member university of Universitas 21, it is very interesting to follow this subject.