Iicse university

Dang these clicky-link ad thingies! When I say "Regent" (here) I am referring to the thoroughly bogus "Regent International" not the fine, RA Regent University, located in Virginia Beach.

J.

 

OOps. Looks like we have two IICSE threads - another one in accredited/unaccredited section.

As I posted in the other thread, it looks to me like IICSE U. of Nigeria, Delaware and points east (Myanmar? UK?) is running what I call a "professor farm" - i.e. growing their own, by awarding IICSE Master's and Doctorates. The "grads" are then put on the IICSE Faculty payroll. Details, names to follow.

J.

 

I have examined the study materials of IICSE University. I must say they almost match what you get at other accredited universities. I don't understand the insistence on undermining this entity. For the humble fees that you pay you get an education, and it is up to you how much effort you are ready to put in to learn. IICSE is legal. I have seen a study which says that accreditation raises the cost more that it ensures quality. Those who cannot afford high fees and wish to study should just ignore all negative talk and go ahead and use a good opportunity to learn. Surely you can check the quality and ask questions but do not be bothered by people who use all their power just to make a point and try to prove to others that they are right.

 

And I find the insistence on promoting this entity fascinating.

 

What promotion? It is understood that this university is unaccredited. Their material is good even so. What's the problem with getting a low cost education for those who cannot afford high fees.

 

If you understand that they are unaccredited, and also that they charge a one-time "processing fee" of $150 AND an exam fee of $50 per exam, you should also understand that it comes to ~$2,000 for a 3-year bachelor degree, which you can print yourself on a better quality paper and material for cents on dollars.

Good material? Do you know how much good material and world class books you can buy for $2,000? And do you know how much "good" material is available for free or almost free on the Internet?

IMHO university degrees are not worth the paper they are printed on if they do not have proper accreditation.

 

Nothing wrong with it. As long as you don't try to use it as a legit credential

 

They provide the material so one doesn't have to buy books. And they provide support, so you are not left alone without any help. That's good enough for me, expensive universities do not offer a lot more. And I won't be ashamed to use its legal degrees. Accreditation is not a miracle solution, it is actually optional.

 

This info from the other IICSE thread:

IICSE was founded by the Living Destiny Bible Church and is run from a suite in the Dummec Plaza Business Centre, Area 1 Shopping Complex in Garki, Abuja, Nigeria. IICSE itself is there, as is Springsfield University, allegedly in the UK.

For anyone "not ashamed," as Cheng Bao put it, to use IICSE degrees -- go ahead and use them as you please. Your choice. For low-cost providers, I prefer AsianStew's choices. He's put a lot of research into this - and has "walked the walk." Great job!

 

Oh, that place. Some beautiful plants in the lobby. The plants aren't supposed to be there but they are and they're quite nice.

 

I greatly appreciate the work of AsianStew, really nice. As far as I am concerned, it makes no difference where a university is run from.

 

As long as the university has qualified professors and capable, skilled administrators, I guess location doesn't matter all that much - especially for a distance school. If a school lacks those two essential types of professionals - then nothing matters - nothing at all. Academic recognition of some kind is always a plus, though...

Interesting pen-name you have, Cheng Bao. I recognized the People's Republic of China symbol and I looked up Cheng Bao to see what it was all about. I like doing things like that. At 75, I have lots of time to learn new things. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chengbao_system

 

I personally won't recommend IICSE for a Bachelor's degree, though there is nothing wrong with that for somebody with little income and no better options. But for postgraduate study the student is usually mature and can study independently and benefit as much as he chooses, especially that the materials are OK. Surely they are making use of the experience of professional staff even though they may not have them sitting in their offices.

 

Enjoy your learning Johan. 75 is not considered old any more. Yesterday I met a man who is 83 and he still works full time.

 

You are right. It is the norm for distance universities to employ adjuncts, who are not on site. However, we should not assume anything - ever. I'm used to seeing faculty listings and I have never seen one made available by IICSE. Who are their professors? Where did they earn their degrees? Do they employ faculty whose highest degrees are IICSE-conferred? At present, I have no idea of the answers to such questions as these, but I am not a prospective IICSE student.

As far as options for people with little income - good guidance comes from informed people like AsianStew. And there are some recognized universities that offer scholarships that cover all fees for those in need. University of the People is one such school.

https://www.uopeople.edu/tuition-free/our-scholarships/

As far as postgraduate study goes - yes, students should be capable of independent effort - and in large measure are responsible for their own learning experience. For this effort, a graduate credential should be meaningful and recognized. Otherwise, it is no credential at all, or something even worse. Is an IICSE degree meaningful and recognized where you live? Can you apply for a job with it? Can you qualify to teach? Can you use it to enter advanced study at a mainstream University?

 

He must love his work - or at least I hope he does. I worked hard so I could retire at 50. I liked school -- so I went back. A person should always work and/or go to school. It keeps people like me out of trouble.

 

Johann I understand your points, but we are looking at things from different perspectives. University of the People is a big operation and they raise a lot of funds. Its founder Shai Reshef has done a tremendous amount of work for years and he sought help from international organizations like UNESCO, and still they offer just few specializations. IICSE is a humble university with limited income. If they want to list names of professors they must make them accessible and pay them, which is not cheap so they have special arrangements with some and get some voluntary help from some (I asked people who have some info). As to the recognition of the degrees, accreditation is no big issue any more in a good number of places and what matters is performance. Take the altMBA for example (https://altmba.com) it is not accredited but its graduates work at top companies and many people wait for months to get a place and be able to enroll.

 

Agreed.

 

Yes - we do look at things from different perspectives. I've always gone with recognized schools and paid the going rate - because I wanted the recognized diplomas and I could afford to go. Those factors influenced my choices, but I still believe that recognition of credentials is important - especially where the credential is earned by a person of limited means, hoping to advance him/herself using the degree. I'm not wholly against unaccredited schools - never was. But today, there are fewer and fewer good ones left - or reasons to attend an unaccredited school, in light of new low-cost providers.

Shai Reshef is a real hero, to me. He was very successful in the distance education field before University of the People - and knew exactly what he was doing. "Disruptive" (in a good way) business schools are necessary, too - progress in the business environment does not come without disruption. I know that from having worked in the financial industry for thirty years. I found the altMBA site very interesting - but at $3,950 it's somewhat like the FREE Smartly MBA here: https://smart.ly/candidates/learn-with-smartly/courses Such schools might be a special-purpose solution for some candidates, instead of an AACSB-accredited MBA. Just the same as a coding bootcamp might suit some aspiring IT workers, who want a quicker solution than a 4-year Bachelor's degree.

Yes, we look at things differently. That's what makes us so interesting. Both of us.