Greenwich, IUPS and Akamai Universities

Dearest Mr. Le,

I hope that you will indulge me as I have tried to answer all of your questions with as much precision as possible, but I now have a few questions for you. I am somewhat curious about your background and your overall interest in Akamai.

I have been a participant on this discussion board for a few years and have publicly described my educational background, experience, and affiliations. For the most part, I would think that regular readers of this board have a fairly good idea of who I am and what I stand for. As a new member to the board, however, I don’t believe that we really have a good understanding of who you are and where your interests are.

1) If I may respectfully ask, could you please provide some information on your background?
2) What types of degrees do you hold? Are they from accredited universities?
3) Do you work in the education field? If so, for what institution?
4) Why has your interest on this board focused on a single institution (all 9 of your posts to date have been on Akamai)? If as you say, you are truly concerned about fraudulent practices in Asia, there are certainly a number of institutions who’s motives are much more questionable than Akamai’s. Will you be posing the same types of questions on threads dedicated to the discussion of their programs? I hope so as your questions have been good.
5) Do you have multiple log-in names on this board?

I ask because it is not altogether uncommon for posters, who themselves represent other schools, to repeatedly post regarding competing institutions. Please understand, that I am not accusing you of this, but as you are new to this board, we just don’t know anything about you. I hope that you will take this opportunity to share a bit about yourself.

Also, once again, I would encourage you to share any specific information that you have regarding your stated concerns directly with the University leadership (I have provided you with contact information and university is looking forward to hearing from you). If you are really interested in helping to clean up the system you describe, then you can best help by providing specifics to the folks who can (and want to) improve things. We are investigating all of your claims, but the source of your information and the specifics behind it would be of great assistance.

Respectfully,
Tony Maranto

P.S. Because I wouldn’t ask you to do anything that I wouldn’t do myself, here is a thumbnail of my background (readily available):

B.A. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
M.A. Environmental Science, Goddard College
Ph.D. Environmental Science, Union Institute

- Over 15 years of professional and research experience including serving as a consultant to the US Army (on environmental issues) and Director of a state radioecology laboratory
-Over 30 professional papers, technical reports, and presentations
-Dissertation title: “Human Health Risks from Carcinogenic Biocides in Chesapeake Bay Fish and Shellfish: A Meta-Analysis”
-Thesis title: “Environmental Externalities of Various Energy Conversion Technologies Employed in the United States”
-Have served at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry; Essex Community College, Department of Biology; Greenwich University; Environmental Science Program; Akamai University, Center for Ecological and Environmental Studies. I have also served on several Union Institute graduate committees.
-Happily married (for 10 years) with two children (son age 6 and daughter age 4).

 

Mr Maranto, there is no doubt that the faculty and the published standards provided by the associated overseas schools of Akamai match that of the home school.

However, the problem usually lies with the management of the school. The decisions regarding all matters including the selling of courses and the assessment is usually confined to the management and in most cases their agenda is to maximize student numbers and income. The lecturers also have no idea whether students have been sold a degree. The lecturers only lecture to those who come to class. They have no input into what goes on beyond their sphere of work.

There are no proper academic check and balances in place. Academic faculty do not meet together and decide teaching material, assessment and quality control. Lecturers, as well qualified as they are, simply come along and teach a seminar and in many cases do not even sight the assessement task. In the cases where they do, the management tell them what sort of pass mark is expected and should the lecturer not wish to conform, then they will find their teaching terminated or they, out of disgust, will leave the institution.

In Asian countries, academics are poorly paid and doing contract teaching for any school is a good source of income.

It is hard for anyone from the West who has not had some exposure to the way education works in many developing and undeveloped countries to appreciate just what goes on. From what I have seen and heard over the years, the only system of education provision that seems to work is where the home school is close quality control measures in place, a large input into the school, constant visits from the home school by way of audit and provision of teaching staff, and an emphasis on the exam based system.

For the purely distance learning mode, the Heriot Watt system has much to commend it. I always think that an Heriot Watt graduate has earned their degree.

Just some food for thought, Mr Maranto. If I didn't think Akamai was a solid institution and had the potential for a great future, I wouldn't waste my time penning these few observations.

 

Mr Matanto;

I respect your qualification and experience and that is why I suggest that you shall head the quality monitoring task of the university.

As for my background, I can only tell you that I am not working with any education instituition and I have my degree from NA university. I have 9 posting on Akamai only because I find your reply very interesting and you have the determination to improve (though you wrote very long posting). Of course, if I come acroos other universities that are suspicious in the quality, I will post them up here too.

Please relook at my first post in this forum, we are discussing about two issues that raised about Akamai?

1. Is Akamai a top 50 online MBA as what claimed by their Asia operator?

2. Is Akamai the reborn of Greenwich as what the other member raised in the forum?

I don't have any ill feeling about Akamai or bad intention, I only reply to your answer in the forum about how you control the quality and also referring to your web-site and newsletter information.

If Akamai is truely determine to maintain the quality and live up to the mission of non-profit as what you mentioned earlier, then Adam Smiith's suggestion of termiantion of oversea affilaition or Herriot Watt's way of assessment may be worth considered.

I am also glad that you find out the truth that in fact non of your student is Asia graduated from the program though they "walked" in the ceremony. However, please look carefully at the newsletter that you do not clarify that and in fact you congratulated the graduate. This is a very serious mis-intepretation and mis-leading especially to many students who sign up the program. Futhermore, you don't know if your oversea affiliates will use this as another promotion strategies besides the top 50 online MBA.

Mr Matanto, I start to like you after many rounds of exchanging idea and comment in this forum. As a NA graduate, we don't mind unaccredited universities to offer their program in Asia but we do concern that about the value of American degree as your graduate is considered as American graduate as well but we have to spend much more time, effort and money then them to obtain the degree.

When I have the solid evidence, I will definately send to you in private but as a responsible and transparent university, Akamai shall start its own internal investigation rather then waiting for others to submit the claims. This may be too late by then.

 

Dear Mr. Le.

Thank you for posting a bit about yourself. It is always easier to have a dialogue with someone when you know a bit about them. I do appreciate your questions and I hope that you will continue your crusade to clean up unscrupulous operations. You have my support. Direct answers to your questions:

1. Is Akamai a top 50 online MBA as what claimed by their Asia operator?

No. The issuer retracted this award. We have ordered a complete search to make sure that any printed materials that were produced in the brief window between when the recognition was announced and when it was retracted have been destroyed. There should be no claims to the above.

2. Is Akamai the reborn of Greenwich as what the other member raised in the forum?

No. I believe that I have covered the history of Akamai in another post, but the short answer is no we are not a continuation of Greenwich.

Again, I do appreciate the chance to discuss things with you. Over the last week, I have appreciated our dialogue and I’m sure that we will have the chance to discuss other maters in the future. I truly hope that you will remain an active member of this board. The comments that you, Candace-VN, Adam Smith and others have made are very much appreciated and will be studied closely as we move to improve our operations. Our internal investigations are continuing and we will periodically keep this board apprised of our findings and corrective actions.

Thanks again and all of the best to you,
Tony Maranto

 

Mr Tony;

What is going on???

I am disappointing as just a few days after your reply here, the solid evidence posted by other member in this forum and this advertisement form your agent in VN is a clear reverse to what your reply here.

According to the advertisement which are send to many organization in VN and other parts of Asia:

1. Akamai is top 50 US online MBA

2. Akamai's status of accreditation is intentionally hide

The said advertisement is still distributing now as no stop order being given by Akamai and I doubt Akamai can stop their oversea affiliate anymore. Many and many more innocent people are going to be mislead by this advertisement.

John Bear and all others senior members who are respected so much by other new and non member here shall post your stand now.

 

Michael,

Please email me.

Cheers,

George Brown

 

All,

We are presently working to correct this issue and ensure that it doesn’t happen again. Until yesterday, nobody at the university was aware that the UNDP posting existed as it was not authorized or approved by the university. We are taking prompt steps to remedy the situation. Additional details will follow.

Respectfully,
Tony Maranto

 

Beneath the whiff of agitprop...

Cynical Carpathian b*****d that I am, I find it absolutely fascinating that somebody in a Communist dictatorship (oops, he said a bad word) should so tax anybody with issues of legality. If subjects of such a regime are defrauded for lackof information, perhaps a dose of freedom of speech and of the press might meet the need better than any excoriation of honorable people (Capogrossi, Maranto).

The lies on other fora notwithstanding, I have from the beginning defended many unaccredited schools, giving the lie to the "RA or no way" myth about this forum.

I have never at any time applauded a scam or ethically substandard school.

I have no ties of any kind to Akamai University. I anticipate none.

But I would be remiss (not that he needs any statement from me) if I failed to say that in all his posts here and in a former private correspondence with me Tony Maranto has been unfailingly honest, candid, and a person of integrity. I am ideologically very remote from Akamai University's worldview. But I would a thousand times sooner trust unaccredited, startup, possibly blundering Akamai University, represented by persons of the caliber of Tony Maranto, than I would any ostensible B&M, RA-equivalent, GAAP, blah blah university under the bloody aegis of Communist butchers.

Noapte buna, all.

Janko Preotul

 

I support your view wholeheartedly Unc. I too have been in correspondence with Dr Capogrossi and Mr Maranto, and they are very concerned about this whole affair. I too find their postings and communication sincere and credible.

What appears to have happened is that a rather zealous, over excited agent in Vietnam has been doing the hard sell on Akamai, using the retracted article without Akamai's approval. I know in my previous positions I have dealt with Education agents, and you have to be very careful with them. Strict guidelines have to be in force, and all advertising material (in any form be it print or digital) must be approved by the host institution. It appears this agent has over stepped the mark....and an episode that can easlily be fixed.

Now, if Michael would care to elaborate on Vietnam's education system and regulatory framework, I am sure Akamai would be very interested ie is Akamai's operation in Vietnam illegal? Are they breaking any rules? Are they approved by the Ministry of Education to operate there in a twinning arrangement with another institution? Do they need to be approved? Instead of dwelling on a mere advertising glitch, I suggest you should concentrate on the these issues.

Cheers,

George

 

George;

You can check in another tread name: Violation of Chapter 446E the evidence about Akamai University's claim that they are top 50 onilne MBA program in USA. Also, the intentionally undisclose of their non-accreditation status while UN banner is highlighted.

What else you need from me? I don't have any inside information but what I have are all can be downloaded from the web.

You may also want to look at the Akamai web-site abouit their newsletter and they displayed the graduation photo of Asia graduates. 50MBA and 5 DBA. And now Mr Tony said that there are no graduate from Akamai in Asia since they only operated in Jan 2003 and in less than 1 year, they can not have any graduate.

So, is it the fault of the overseea agent again if that is what appear in their own web-site and newsletter? Oversea agent just use whatever information they can find from the web and do promotion, do they need to get approval even if they use the information form the university own web-site?

Don't blaim Vietnamese as we are innocent. Akamai also has Asia Pacific Liasion Office and what is this office for?

Possible scenario are:

1. Akamai is behind all these and now trying to push the responsiblity to the VN agent

or

2. It is entire the job of the VN agent and Akamai is not aware of what had been advertised and promoted here

or

3. Both VN agent and Akamai USA are innocent as Akamai Asia Pacific liasion office is the bridge between the agent and the university and somebody is the link must have given an unauthorized approval beyond the authority given

 

Goerge;

Don't you think that as a responsible university, Akamai should check and investigate before appointing any affiliate in oversea. Now, you ask me to provide the information instead, it is funny.

It is the fault of Akamai if they never check the background of their affiliate and the legal system in the countries of their affilaites. This only show that:

1. Akamai is not ready to appoint oversea affiliate as their own system and resources are not ready

or

2. Akamai is not even bother to check the background and legal system as long as the affilaite can bring in student and fee

Tell us which one is true since you are close to those in the Akamai?

 

Thank you for the reply.

Some serious allegations re-meeting admission criteria and language requirements are stated in another thread which obviously need addressing, if they are true. I will leave it to Mr Maranto to respond, as I have no knowledge of this, or Akamai's operations in Asia.

Cheers,

George

 

All,

As these threads have splintered, I would like to direct you to the thread titled “Violation of Chapter 446E” for my comments to the most recent issue that has been discussed.

http://forums.degreeinfo.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15792

I believe that I have already addressed at lenght the issue of the newsletter article and our admission and language criteria in depth, but further questions may be directed to the university.


Thank you,
Tony

Anthony R. Maranto, Ph.D.

 

Commonwealth Open University BVI

From what Akamai is trying to explain here, I think it is quite conviencing that they are not related to Greenwich and IUPS though their president was also president of these two universities before.

However, from an album picture of Akamai graduation ceremony in Malaysia Dec 2003, my friend noticed that the graduation ceremony was held together with Commonwealth Open University from BVI. Are these BVI university related to Akamai or another of Akamai spin-off? How can two unrelated universities holding graduation ceremony at the same time and same place? Is that common in USA?

 

I believe that the affiliate program also supported COU. As they were hosting the ceremony, they jointly hosted both institutions. This is not something that is typical, and in hindsight we will probably not be doing things that way in the future. Other than that there is no connection between the two.

Cheers,
Tony

 

Akamai University = IUPS


http://yellowpages.superpages.com/profile~SRC_yploop~C_Schools~T_Hilo~S_HI~PP_LN~CID_526081~LID_dc8DsQoCszIj1LIk9rDPew%3D%3D.htm

Akamai University

Contact Info:
(808) 934-8793
(877) 934-8793 USA & Canada
(800) 806-0317 (toll-free) Message Center
Email: [email protected]

Location Info:
P.O. Box 1557, Hilo, HI 96720



A P.O.BOX address is a strong sign of a diploma mill

 

Correction: A PO Box as the only mail contact is a strong sign of a diploma mill.


Akamai University
193 Kinoole Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720 USA
Tel/Fax: (877) 934-8793 USA and Canada
Tel/Fax: (808) 934-8793 International
Fax: (509) 693-5470 International

 

I really want to like Akamai, just like I really wanted to like their sister campus Greenwich.

But they never want to be 100% honest. They fudge the accreditation information, they don't really lie, but they couch the non-accredited status in such terms that it's almost dishonest.

And they do bad things for good reasons, Greenwhich went off to Norfolk, Akamai deals diplomas for sale in the Asian market.

Why can't these organisations just say no to dishonesty? They both tried to establish good academic policy in a market filled with phoneys. Only absolute honesty will assure that they survive.

 

Accreditation

Dear Prof. Tony,
I hope that you still remember me. I have graduated from Greenwich university, Norfolk Island, Australia in 2000 with Master in Toxicology. As I believed at that time, the university was accredited under the Australian laws. You were responsible about my thesis: Impact of drug screening in the final diagnosis of drug overdose patients. I published about 10 papers on GJST. I was surprised to know that the university is no more accredited and you personally know the academic value of my thesis. I also had a PhD in Clinical Toxicology from IUPS University. Currently, I am pursuing a master degree from the Wayne state University, MI and have a bachelor of education degree from the University of Windsor (both universities are accredited). Kindly, can you tell me the exact status of my Master in Toxicology?
Dr.Libda

 

Your Professor Tony was vanished with the reputation of the institution. Your Master in Toxicology diploma is now a piece of paper that can get you into trouble. Your title "DR" is illegal....