Taras Shevchenko National Open University, Kyiv, Ukraine

I would. Having degrees from both Kyiv Poly and Kyiv U. would give me some bragging rights among fellow Ukrainians. Besides, it appears that it is the only university in the nation that is internationally ranked.

Locals usually call this school "Shevchenko U." or "the red University" (for the distinctive color of the historic main building), because every postsecondary institution in town was renamed "Kyiv University of X and Y"; very confusing. We're prone to long names; just before I matriculated, my university, with 100-year history, renamed itself from "Kyiv Polytechnic Institute" to, and I kid you not, "National Technical University of Ukraine Kyiv Polytechnic Institute". It's a mystery why the admins think this was a good idea. But this is not all! It was renamed again, and now bears the name National Technical University of Ukraine "Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute". Swell.

 

Well I am confuse. How can something that feel so right is not good!
Anyway a little q&a.

What is*Taras Shevchenko National University - Open University (KNU OU)?

Taras Shevchenko National University Open University (KNU OU) is the*Taras Shevchenko National University (KNU) Online Faculty for International Students only.

Who is the founder of*Taras Shevchenko National University - Open University (KNU OU)?

KNU OU founded according to the*Decision number*KNOU3417*signed by the "KNU Vice-Rector" and the "KNU OU Dean"

Will my final Degree/Diploma contain KNU logo and information?

Yes. KNU OU will offer you the study program however the final award (Degree or Diploma) will contain only Taras Shevchenko National University (KNU) logo and information

 

The site makes it quite clear that these are not government-licensed diplomas and are not the same as mainstream diplomas KNU awards.

My diploma does NOT have a university logo on it. What it has is a hologram with the national heraldic emblem ("small coat of arms"), just like all accredited diplomas of the era. My understanding is that Ukrainian universities do not have to issue these uniform plastic diplomas anymore (these were printed by the same private company, for the whole country - and also for high schools - a lucrative monopoly contract awarded in a nontransparent way). Still, the important part of a diploma is not a logo - it's a serial number registered with Ministry of Education. I bet KNOU degrees don't have it.

 

A statement made on college campuses, worldwide.

 

Stanislav thinks it is.

I'm with Stanislav on this.

There's just too much of what Ukrainians call нісенітниця I'm officially calling буллшит!

We'll be hearing from Durak Al Valaby any minute now.

J.

 

So do I understand this correctly, KNU agreed to award nonnational standard degrees with their logo?
From what I know KNU has good reputation and integrity.

Is this for revenue purpose? just curious why would they do such a thing to agree to award (unaccredited) degree certificate?

The KNU OU site shows a certificate of accreditation of traditional KNU in Kyiv.
Is this to confuse the potential student to KNU-OU that they are getting an accredited degree?

How long this subsidiary exists, are there graduates?
I'm thinking loud here, maybe something misunderstood.
An email with the inquiry to Kyiv KNU or a call may clarify somewhat.

 

AFAIK, that's Dr. al Suleiman, who also owns the previously mentioned ABMS University in Switzerland

I checked whois, for the KNUOU internet registration to try and confirm that. Oh noes! It's hidden behind a privacy screen. Never a good sign for a university! The server is the famous big hive in Scottsdale AZ. Look at the domain! IT'S A DOT-COM! Doesn't that suggest something!

@ Lerner - we've established that here, WES would require State verification for any Ukrainian degree - and Stanislav doubts they could get that for these non-standard degrees. Your country is stricter than almost anywhere else. How do you think one of these would fare in Germany? Keep in mind that a reliable German poster in the ABMS thread has said that Dr. al Souleiman's other school, ABMS, is regarded as a "degree mill" in Germany.

How many red flags does it take, guys?

J.

 

I haven't been following this thread closely but I'm pretty sure that no one has answered my question. Not really. If there's any doubt about this school then what's the attraction? It's especially cheap? They have unique degree programs? Or maybe you just want to be the first kid on your block to have a Ukrainian degree?

 

Johann

I understand what you are saying, what I have a hard time to understand is how the authentic recognized KNU is involved in this.
Especially if this is less than wonderful establishment that they are endorsing or partnering with.

Let's say it was offered by the University of Massachusetts? Would you be interested to find out?
Just curious.

 

From my mom, have you heard about the cow that gave a pail of milk then knocked it over just before the farmer could have reached for the pail? Why will a quality university like KNU make this effort to offer a useless piece of paper? I guess that knu is not doing business anymore rational than the fabled cow.

 

I am having a hard time with this one. From the research KNU is a quality university. Its world ranking is better than anything that I have ever attended. It is bewildering why KNU will offer unaccredited degrees. It is beyond comprehension.

 

Uh, I have many people on my block with Ukrainian degrees. My wife and I have two each. IF this was legit, the school would compare very favourably to most inexpensive international options, except maybe UNISA. With added benefit of being in "Europe". The listed degree offerings are quite extensive.

Let's put it this way: I clearly see value in the DBA program from a Bosnian university described in Business forum. Inexpensive, quick, accredited, in English. KNU Shevchenko is a few notches more well-regarded than a small private university in Bosnia, so the same thing from them would be more valuable.

 

Ukrainian universities like to show "international cooperation"; it looks good in annual reports. Usually it doesn't go beyond signing a MOU and a photo op. My bet is Prof. el Suleiman sweet-talked whoever is in charge of International Cooperation, and they failed to realise it'll go beyond the usual photo op. Probably believed ABMS is recognized, too.

Remember Wisconsin International University Kyiv (er, sorry, Ukrainian-American Liberal Arts Institute "Wisconsin International University in Ukraine", actual name)? WIU USA is a defunct degree mill; WIU Kyiv is headed by a full professor from legit Dragomanov Pedagogical University (my parents went there), is properly licensed and accredited. It continues to award worthless "American" degrees along with very much official Ukrainian ones. Probably it's reflected in Dragomanov reports under "International Cooperation", too.

 

$weet talked?

 

You know, those sweet-talking Ukrainians . . .

 

None in this forum. ;-)

And if this wasn't a candy factory then I'd think the sweet talk was from the other party.

 

So they colluded with Ukrainians? Just kidding, with all the things in the news.

Any body know when this thing began was it 2017 or been in operation for some time?

 

The country is currently led by the "King of Candy", so...

 

KNU appears reasonably prestigious in the Ukrainian context and certainly adequate in international research university terms. KNOU offers degrees at all levels in many fields of interest to Degreeinfo readers. An opportunity to earn a degree from KNU through KNOU it at a reasonable cost has appeal. It would certainly be competitive with UNISA and many of the other DL offerings out there.

But in this case, KNOU's relationship with KNU is murky at best. (Stanislav's post #6 pretty much sums up everything I need to know.)

I'm not interested in enrolling in it and would encourage those who are to be careful. But that being said, if it really was what it purports to be, then it would be a very cool thing.

 

I'm itching to respond to this comment. Thanks for a chuckle!

That said, I actually Googled to verify no one attached Taras Bulba's name to their school. If we're talking about Nikolai Gogol's character from eponymous novel, not an anthropomorphic bull from Darkwing Duck cartoons, he is enough of an archetype that someone may well name an institution after him. Of course, I haven't hear about universities named after fictional people before, but there's always a first. Hamlet, Prince of Denmark College of Philosophical Reflection. James Bond Institute of Foreign Affairs, Fashion, and Marksmanship.