Innovation University of Silicon Valley (IUSV) - fake University and diploma mill

Discussion in 'Accreditation Discussions (RA, DETC, state approva' started by Jose1980, Jul 5, 2016.

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  1. Jose1980

    Jose1980 New Member

    Hi, My GF wants to study distance in Innovation University of Silicon Valley (IUSV), I told her it seems to be a fake university and diploma mill.
    Did any one study in this university?
    Even their link is strange
    link removed by Moderator

    Thank you
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 5, 2016
  2. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    Here's what I've noted. While the school address is in California, all the phone numbers go to Florida. Here's a list of the businesses at the stated address:

    1st St San Jose CA (California) Street Directory

    Our friends at Innovation are allegedly at #203. So are these guys

    Financial Planners at 12 South 1st Street Suite 203 in San Jose, CA

    So, maybe you're more open minded than me but I don't need to look any further (unless I'm interested in learning who's actually behind this ummm enterprise.)
     
  3. mbwa shenzi

    mbwa shenzi Active Member

    I think there's a connection to Personal Branding University and Technology School of the Americas, or if it was Technological University of the Americas.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 5, 2016
  4. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    So it appears. A familiar name. School's web-docs say it's applied for BPPE authorization - not received yet.

    When I first looked, Wikipedia said "Innovation University of Silicon Valley is a private unaccredited internet school without a real campus. It claims to be located in California, IUSV is not accredited ..."
    Then somebody changed it. See what it says now: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Innovation_University_of_Silicon_Valley Wow! What a change-up in ten minutes!

    Nobody's hiding! It appears the President of the school himself wrote some of the web-publicity for his school - and, of course, used his own name in it. He also posted a picture of Donald Trump, mentioning that The Donald had sent it to him last year after receiving his (the school's President's) latest book. According to the school's President, Mr. Trump sent the picture to him with the advice to "think big."

    I believe the President of this school has been involved with the creation of other schools and universities in the past, including Personal Branding University, Technological University of the Americas, Business School of the Americas...

    J.
     
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  5. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    I went to look, but the change was reverted. That highlights an interesting aspect to open collaborative development models like the one Wikipedia uses: so long as more people want to improve the resource than abuse it, it usually stays in pretty good shape.
     
  6. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    I was curious to see what's happened to the same owner's Personal Branding University, founded in Suriname, IIRC, a couple of years ago. It seems the site now belongs to a ...um, personal enlargement company. C'mon, guys, you know what I mean. :smile:

    J.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 6, 2016
  7. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    As of right now, (5:01 my local time, July 6) it's got the new message (again), Steve.

    J.
     
  8. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

    "Durak Al Valaby" is persistent, I'll give him that.
     
  9. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    He sure is, Bruce. Haven't been able to find much yet, but he may have something to do with a Cantonese - oops, no - I mean Cantonally approved Swiss school - ABMS, aka the "Open University of Switzerland." The Wiki record indicates Mr. Al Valaby adapted something-or-other from that school for the IUSV Wiki. Arabic names abound at the Swiss school, but no sign (on the web) of any Mr. Al Valaby. Could be a pseudonym. I'll keep sniffing around...

    J.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 6, 2016
  10. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    Perhaps I'm having difficulty finding "Durak Al Valaby" because I'm looking for some Arabic significance - and there is none, as far as I know.
    "Durak" is not an Arabic word. It is, however, the Russian word for "stupid" and also the name of a somewhat popular card game in that country. "Valaby" doesn't exist in Arabic either, although it is an infrequent Russian surname.
    I guess "Durak Al Valaby" is an Internet pen-name. Whose? No idea - like looking for "Johann" - and honestly, who'd waste their time? :smile:

    J.
     
  11. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    More searching. Still no concrete Arabic connection, but "Durak" means "station" in Turkish and I've seen it (once) as a Turkish last name. Found precisely one Arabic name containing "Durak" - a deceased Syrian artist, Ahmad Durak Sibai (d. 1987). No Arabic use of Valaby - lots of "Halaby" and similar spellings, though. Probably no connection here. I'm quitting for now.

    J.
     
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  12. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    It was reverted again. But I went through the history, so I see the version you were talking about.
     
  13. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    At last, something good from all this, anyway. I could care less about IUSV or Durak Al Valaby, but I sure like the work of artist Ahmad Durak Sibai, born Homs, Syria, 1935, d. 1987. Google his name and hit "images." His work is beautiful.

    J.
     
  14. heirophant

    heirophant Well-Known Member

    I notice that this thing's website is up and that it's apparently already doing business. That's interesting, given California Education Code section 94886, which states:

    "94886. Except as exempted in Article 4 (commending with Section 94874) or in compliance with the transition provisions in Article 2 (commencing with Section 94802), a person shall not open, conduct or do business as a private postsecondary educational institution in the state without obtaining an approval to operate under this chapter."

    http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=edc&group=94001-95000&file=94885-94892
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 7, 2016
  15. heirophant

    heirophant Well-Known Member

    California Education Code Section 94897(e) forbids private postsecondary schools operating in California from advertising themselves as being 'accredited', unless that accreditation is from an accreditor recognized by the US Department of Education.

    Nevertheless, IUSV's 'accreditation' page says (highlighting by me):

    "IUSV has received full accreditation from the United Kingdom Awarding Organization, Qualifi Ltd., for levels 4,5,7, and 8. These awards are the UK equivalents of Years 2 and 3, MBA and Doctoral levels at university...

    Qualifi is a regulated accrediting body and has approved IUSV to offer postsecondary, university level awards and diplomas which are recognized by universities around the world... All universities that reside in GATT countries are required to recognize Ofqual regulated awards and diplomas. This is an internationally recognized accreditation, a passport to any university including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Japan, Nigeria and over 120 other countries."
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 7, 2016
  16. mbwa shenzi

    mbwa shenzi Active Member

    Yeah, TUA says the same thing:

    Qualifi Ltd seems to have its office in a business park in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, UK. I don't know what they're doing exactly but as far as I can tell only TUA and IUSV refer to Qualifi as a "regulated accrediting body"
     
  17. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    One difference - TUA is registered in Suriname. Presumably, Suriname rules apply - and I have no idea what they are. IUSV is registering in California - and I think Hierophant has quoted the rules pretty clearly in Post 15, above.

    Qualifi Ltd. says - to prospective learners - that if they get a Qualifi diploma, it gives them advanced entry to several universities, including one in US - Northwood U., in Michigan - RA (North Central).

    Here's their diploma list: www-dot-qualifi-dot-net/qualifications/ And to see where (we're told) these diplomas can lead, you can click on "University Pathways" on the same page.

    J.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 7, 2016
  18. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    More on Durak al Valaby! A "Durak Al Valaby /Sandbox" page has surfaced at Wikipedia. Durak doesn't like the Swiss school ABMS "Open University of Switzerland" saying in part:

    "ABMS Switzerland passes generally for a diploma mill in contrast to real and working vocational universities in Switzerland, Germany, Austria and in other countries."

    Quick - before Durak disappears again and the page is reverted or whatever! :smile: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Durak_Al_Valaby/sandbox

    J.
     
  19. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    Aw -- heck. I was sorta hoping for Stockton-On-Tees again. :smile:

    J.
     
  20. Habib1980

    Habib1980 New Member

    Yes, that's right. You know, there is that tricky distinction between "degree mill" and "new university." It's unavoidable for a new university to land on the Wikipedia list of unaccredited institutions. The private education mess in Europe and America makes it hard to start a new project without raising instant suspicions. That's one more reason why we need tough laws and better control mechanisms. The new IUSV seems to be open and transparent, and its founder seems to be an able and respected man. A diploma mill looks different, so much is certain. The IUSV is state-monitored, and that's how it should be.
     

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