what should i do ??

although there will be exams in the british council in riyadh and the MA degree is from a leading british university,the ministry of higher education in my country does not confirm or accept any kind of distant education.....
do you think this will last long....(askd and gave me no reply)
and what should i do ???

 

It doesn't change your problem but most universities don't distinguish between classroom courses and distance courses. I would have no idea whether the school in question does so.

 

You're joking, right? You're asking a bunch of Western infidels if the policies of a Middle Eastern country are likely to change in the near future? Here's the answer:

You're screwed!

Either change schools or move. To me, your question is akin to asking if Syria is likely to hold real democratic elections in the near future. I'm sorry but, c'mon . . .
Jack

 

"the ministry of higher education in my country does not confirm or accept any kind of distant education....."

Look like my country Government not accept any distance curiculum even from reputation university aboard but that rule can force on who want to be a government servant only, cannot force with other people in private sector.

That is answer, if you want to be a goverment servant follow his step, if not it up to you.

 

The world is changing so quickly that what was not accepted yesterday has become the norm today in many areas. For example I read a post somewhere on this forum that mentioned that at one time night school had a stigma attached to it now its no biggy. Also there was a nice article posted here about how most employers now have no problem hiring a person who earned a degree by distance, I believe it can be found in the archives.

The other question I have is do most schools put "distance degree" anywhere on the degree or transcripts??

 

It is hard to believe that the Saudi government does not accept distance education!!

I am really puzzled...

Leading universities in the muslim world (foremost eg. Al-Azhar) have distance education courses... Pakistan, Bangladesh and Turkey have their leading universities provide distance courses... but this policy of not accepting distance ed is out of this world. My goodness!

I guess it goes in line with a question I had asked a mulla once: "I have to travel a lot, and due to that, my prayer timings a a bit out of line... what should I do?". Brace for the answer he gave me: "Why don't you stop travelling" I mean it's crazy!!!

Mahmood

 

Fadel,
If the education authorities in your country do not recognize DL degrees from GAAP universities, then perhaps you may need to:
(1) seek employment outside your country
(2) switch to night school or part-time programs at local universities.
(3) challenge the laws in your country - confront the education authorities.
(4) Stop taking DL courses.
These options are only a few of many that you can pursue. Best of luck.

 

I guess that we are all illiterate according to Saudi government.

If its a private international company that you want to work for then it should not matter where/how you get the degree. otherwise roysavia has mentioned some ideas that you can follow.

 

That could result in his tongue being cut out.

 

probably true

 

Hi, Fadel.

I'm certainly in no position to change your government's position on DL, nor do I even understand what it is, exactly.

But we all have to make trade-offs when we engage in distance learning. Many Degreeinfo participants are seeking DL doctorates and, to be blunt, it's hard to point at a DL doctoral program that is a leader in any field (except alternative psychology perhaps). Many are working on a DL MBA, but none of these are prestige programs. And in some cases, the DL learning experience just isn't as good. But for many people the choice is DL or nothing.

So I guess that you are in the same boat with the rest of us, except worse. The downside for you in choosing DL might be more dramatic than it was for most of us. Basically, you have to decide if you think that a DL degree program is worth pursuing.

First you need to be clear about the utility of DL degrees in your country and in your profession. You say the government doesn't recognize them. What does that mean?

Are DL degrees illegal for anyone to use in any way, kind of like unaccredited degrees are illegal in Oregon? Are they unrecognized for government employment, but widely recognized by private employers? If so, how many private employers exist and how prominent are they in your chosen profession? Is there any kind of licensing necessary in your profession that might be difficult to get with a DL degree?

Second, why do you want to study by distance learning in the first place? Is there any conventional university program that you could attend? Is there a shortage of places in local programs? Or would enrolling in such a program mean moving to a new city and not meeting your current responsibilities in some way? What are the negatives involved in conventional university study?

Finally, you need to balance it all up in your own personal case. Is either DL or on-campus study worth the sacrifices and the problems? If so, which one would work better for you?

If you decide to go with English-language DL, I think that Degreeinfo can give you some good advice and can provide some companionship among other students who are studying the same way and who face many of the same problems. Unfortunately, we can't tell you which choice to make.

Finally, please forgive some of the remarks about your country. As you know, there's tension in the world and people in the US feel it just as people in your country do. I wish it wasn't so.

 

At Kansas State, I have taken on-campus, off-campus evening, CD-ROM, and internet-based courses and there has been no differentiation on my transcript. The only things that have been "marked" are the CLEP and DANTES tests that have been transferred in.

Best of luck, Fadel.

 

I only know of two for sure....the University of London, which states "External Programme" on the diploma, and University of Texas-Online, which has "Online" on the diploma.

 

The big 3?

What about the "Big 3"? Any mention there?

 

The presence or absence of a DL note on one's transcript does not solve the question, especially in a sternly governed country, of "when were you in Kansas, Dorothy? Your passport does not show anything."

 

Good point Uncle Janko!

Fadel, I do know that places like Dubai and other cities in the Emirates have a much more flexible outlook towards DL... have you looked for any jobs there? (Especially since they are not far from Saudia at all, and have a much larger private sector) Or do you specifically wish to reside in Saudi Arabia...

 

The Wizard

Actually I wasn't asking about a "strernly governed" country with regards to my question (unless you consider New Jersey one ) my question was general about the "big 3" as there is still a stigma attatched to DL in some sectors of "loosely governed" countries.

 

dear members.....
thank u very much for giving me part of your valuable time...
all of u have given me excellent advice......
some of u hurt my country !!
i didnt open this topic for others to say bad to me and my country..
i am already working as a teacher in my country and i receive a big salary..
only i wanted to look for something higher..thats all.
if DL is still not applicable here ,that does not mean we are angry.
and dont forget that something like www.speedydegrees.com makes any institusion think many times before acceptin DL degrees.
what i meant with the thread was the ministry of higher education not the whole country !

 

Best of luck in finding options in education.

Thank you American friends for more of that sensitivity to international affairs for which you have become famous.

 

Fadel,

Possibly, you can take most of the requirements for a degree through distance learning, from a traditional school, and then go there to finish the program in a traditional, face-to-face, setting for the final semester. Your degree would then no longer be a distance learning degree. If you timed it for the Spring semester you could take your last classes, attend graduation and travel home with your diploma in hand.

Good luck!