No to online qualifications Part-time distance learning and online qualifications at all levels from foreign universities will not be recognised by the Public Service Department for purposes of employment, Education Minister Tan Sri Musa Mohamad said today. "The holders of such qualifications therefore cannot be employed in the public service. This is even though the degree is from the same university which is recognised for full time courses." He said institutions of higher learning conducting distance and online courses on a part time basis could be recognised on condition that it applied in the normal manner via LAN, with the courses assessed in the usual manner. ... "If these courses succeed in satisfying the criteria, the courses will be recognised even though they are part-time courses." Musa also said that agents of facilitators acting for universities, including foreign universities, were not allowed to apply for recognition or accreditation on behalf of the institution or university. He said the universities and institutions themselves had to officially apply. ... (LAN = Lembaga Akreditasi Negara, the national accreditation board.)
I can think of no comment to make which would not be construed in an age of servility as culturally insensitive. Oh, whatever: f**k 'em if they can't take a joke, the little anti-Semitic, Christian-persecuting, ersatz-aristocratic, slave-labour-employing b*st**ds.
What would happen if a DL program claimed to offer full-time courseloads? I have to say that this doesn't really surprise me. There are countless degree mills and 'less than wonderfuls' busily working the Asian market. It was inevitable that there would eventually be a reaction. It's just another example of how the degree mills can do serious damage to all of DL.
This might be aimed at the University of London in particular. Malaysia recognized the London LL.B. to the exclusion of all other such programs but for the last few years has been considering eliminating it as a Bar qualifying degree. Damned unfortunate; one thing D/L programs do is provide the less advantaged with a chance to better their position in life. Maybe THATS the problem!
I think the gist of this announcement is that they will accept degrees from insitutuions that apply and go through their process. This way they can weed out the "less-than-wonderful" programs. In the meantime, until schools apply they will not accept degrees from such programs because, I interpret it as being easier to do this from a blanket perspective rather than being selective at the time of the announcement. Overall, I think these may be good steps to insure that quality programs become recognized and poor programs are excluded. John
This is stunning news!!!! Finally, justice prevails. It is only through forums like this and the constant battering at Ministries of Education, that the polies will listen and take note. Congratulations Malaysia! Cheers, George
