Non-western unis rule, despite IGNOU raising overseas tuition ten times

I hope I am wrong but if my reading of the Indira Gandhi National Open University website is correct, their rates haver gone up astronomically. Unless I missed a digit, IGNOU is no longer dirt cheap, simply good value (compared to first world universities).

Are any members of this forum studying with them currently (registered before the rate rise)? Or did any members study with IGNOU previously, and thus can vouch for the reputation of tuition of under US$100 a year before?

I am looking for an Asian university to finish my BA. I did two years in Canada at a brick-and-mortar university. When in checked with IGNOU in their pre-website days, as I recall credits were non transferable. And their degrees cannot be accelerated, three years for a BA is still the minimum. Pakistan and India have a world class educational systems - so the degrees of their universities are not only not third rate, I'd say they are higehr standard than many US or Canadian ones. Still disappointed I can't get credit for my publishing and video ventures. But the price is right.

I can't recommend UNISA in South Africa. Unless they have improved, four years ago they were a real headache to deal with. I didn't get beyond even registering because they seemed to have an attitude problem, as if they resented non-African overseas students. I had to call to get anything done in a timely manner. And it was as if I had to talk to people who sounded to be of European decent (Afrikanner/Brit - judging my their accents and names) to be treated as if I was welcome. I drew my own conclusions from this.

 

Here is the link to admission information and other details pertaining to the Jan 2008 intake. The details include prospectus and admission forms.