Is UoPeople on track to becoming the largest University in the developed world?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Mesogeiakos, Apr 9, 2021.

Loading...
  1. Mesogeiakos

    Mesogeiakos New Member

    Hello everyone,

    From time to time I try to stay in touch with news regarding UoPeople since it is a University that has captured my attention close to a decade now. I love its mission, its focus on refugees, undocumented and people coming from challenging backgrounds. The fact that it is super cheap and accredited makes it even more attractive.

    Currently, UoPeople has over 65k students and I remember I have been following it since its inception when it barely had 1000 students. So the growth is exponential. I remember reading an article stating that UoPeople is estimated to reach 100k students by the end of 2021. Is it possible that they will soon become the largest University in the west? I mean with the rate they are growing its entirely possible that they reach 200k students in a couple of years.

    I think their high profile collaborations with Harvard,McGill and so on also help and if they actually manage to become RA then this would skyrocket their numbers. My only question is, if they become RA will they remain super cheap?

    It seems the University has huge political backing. It's a member of UNESCO Universities and various UN agencies and top professors work for it.
     
  2. SpoonyNix

    SpoonyNix Active Member

    I don't doubt there are enough good potential course instructors to handle far more students, but really question whether the administrative ability is anywhere close to being able to handle 100k. I feel like it already struggles on that end.

    I am currently a UoPeople student, and I very much hope the school does NOT get regional accreditation.

    : ) Keep national accreditation, keep fees low, perhaps expand the degree offerings, and keep the "goofy" name. IMO, the focus should be quality education at an affordable price, with a regionally diverse student body. Less emphasis on growing enrollment numbers. I'd like to see a more educated and skilled Africa, SE Asia, and Middle East.

    I don't think it's going to go the way I want it to, though o_O
     
    Last edited: Apr 10, 2021
  3. datby98

    datby98 Active Member

    I have met many students from developed countries and some of them should not have financial issues getting in a more conventional university.
    The affordable price might not be the only factor, like SpoonyNix mentioned, I love to see the feasible access to education in Africa, SE Asia, and Middle East.
     
  4. Mesogeiakos

    Mesogeiakos New Member

    So you believe that if UoPeople gets RA the fees will increase? I thought that Shai Reshef had promised that even if they got RA fees will stay the same...
     
  5. SpoonyNix

    SpoonyNix Active Member

    No, I don't think getting RA would make them increase fees.

    If assessment fees went up to $200 per course, then there really wouldn't be anything special about UoPeople, right? $200 x 40 courses = $8000. That wouldn't make any sense.

    One reason (not my BIG reason) for my not wanting RA is I think it would bring a lot of students in just wanting to knock out a few courses and then transfer those credits to another institution. I would like to see students finish at UoPeople.
     
  6. Vonnegut

    Vonnegut Well-Known Member

    While they likely already have the systems in place that account for the majority of RA associated costs, that may have been more of an aspirational promise. Daring play...
     
  7. mintaru

    mintaru Active Member

    I fully understand why you like to see students finish at UoPeople, but what is your "BIG reason" for not wanting RA? Also, why do you want UoPeople to keep its name?
     
  8. Mesogeiakos

    Mesogeiakos New Member

    Do you think that UoPeople can reach 200k students in the next two years? If yes, do you believe it will be sustainable?
     
  9. mintaru

    mintaru Active Member

    I'm not sure that will happen within the next two years, but it is not impossible. Sustainability, however, may become a problem if UoPeople doesn't adapt its administrative structures.
     
  10. Mesogeiakos

    Mesogeiakos New Member

    Well they are projected to be around 100k students by the end of 2021 or early 2022 so I guess by the end of 2023 it might be possible to even surpass 200k students. They already can support 65k what administrative structures should they change to sustain even higher numbers?
     
  11. mintaru

    mintaru Active Member

    I am not a student of UoPeople. My statement that sustainability could become a problem was not based on detailed knowledge. It's my opinion and it would be great if that opinion turned out to be wrong.

    Possibly, SpoonyNix is able to answer your question.
     
  12. Mesogeiakos

    Mesogeiakos New Member

    While enrolled students are a lot, less than 3k degrees have been issued by the University which I guess might have an impact on how it is viewed in the job market. It is still not a widely known school thought it is getting there
     

Share This Page