College Newspapers Don't Care About the Web

Online Course Construction Gets a 'Do-It-Yourself' Web Site

July 22, 2010, 03:55 PM ET

Online University Aims to Build Sites in 6 Developing Countries

Through a new partnership with World Computer Exchange, the upstart online institution University of the People hopes to build communication centers in six developing countries over the next six months, allowing students without good Internet access to take online courses.

World Computer Exchange is a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding youth access to information technology in developing countries. “We’re trying to go into developing countries that [the university] might not have a lot of students in now,” said Timothy Anderson, World Computer Exchange president.

University of the People, founded in 2009, promises tuition-free education in business administration and computer science. The university says its enrollment includes approximately 500 students from nearly 100 countries.

According to Mr. Anderson, the two institutions are focusing on establishing sites in Zimbabwe, the Dominican Republic, Bangladesh, Haiti, Liberia, and Palestine. Each center would provide students with personal assistance and Internet-accessible workspace, with 20 computers at every location.

Another goal is to develop arrangements with local universities, allowing University of the People students to use their facilities.

World Computer Exchange has ties to partner organizations in 71 countries. Mr. Anderson said the opportunity to work with the University of the People fits as a key part of its mission.

“This is exactly why we’ve been working with these computers, planting them like Johnny Appleseed, all over the world,” he said.

While the organization has previously worked with partners to expand primary and secondary education, the University of the People adds a new element to its agenda, Mr. Anderson said.

“This is a great way to get to the university level,” he said.

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Comments

1. stevefoerster - July 23, 2010 at 10:12 am

The University of the People is a good initiative, but they're unaccredited and don't actually offer degrees. Why do they get this much press? I would understand it if no one in the world offered free business and IT training online, but they're hardly unique in that.

2. jasonnorris - July 23, 2010 at 11:26 am

Steve, what are some of those other organizations that offer free business and IT training online?

3. jimptas - July 23, 2010 at 11:48 am

Microsoft has a program called "IT Academy Student Pass" which gives students access to up to 22 hours of free elearning programs (http://tinyurl.com/clmdww). In addition, there is a program called Dream Spark (www.dreamspark.com) which gives them access to free software. There is also a program called "Students-to-Business (http://tinyurl.com/ns4vdm) which connects students to potential employers.

4. jasonnorris - July 23, 2010 at 11:55 am

Cool. Does Apple offer any programs like that?

5. arrive2__net - July 24, 2010 at 03:10 am

HP offers some free online pc classes at www.hp.com/go/learningcenter.

The U of P website says students have to have proficiency in English, and they can charge Exam Fees up to $100 based on a sliding scale.

It will take some tremendous fund-raising and volunteer recruiting to make that go.

Bernard Schuster
Arrive2.net

6. kujawa - July 25, 2010 at 03:14 pm

I just returned from Haiti last night. While there I investigated the possibility of offering accredited distance learning programs in business and information systems. I was able to make some great contacts including the executive director of Haititec and the president of the University of Notre Dame of Haiti. Both are interested in "twinning" (their expression) with us to offer these programs. We are close to providing the computers, but still need financial support for the rest of the program.
Sister Rose Marie Kujawa
President, Madonna University, Livonia, Michigan

7. uopeople - July 26, 2010 at 07:27 am

University of the People offers undergraduate degrees in Business Administration and Computer Science. The University intends to apply for accreditation and authorization from recognized agencies and authorities in accordance with the rules, regulations and timeline of said agencies and authorities. Prospective and current students of UoPeople should take into consideration the possibility that they will finish their studies with the University with no accredited degree.

8. stevefoerster - July 27, 2010 at 07:45 pm

No, you do not offer degrees. Your own web site says, "It should be noted that unless and until University of the People receives state licensing, it will be unable to grant degrees to graduating students."

And as for where you are located, your site uselessly says, "With a convenient virtual address, www.uopeople.org, University of the People is accessible anywhere a computer and Internet connection exists."

You can talk about your intentions, but every vaporous project in history has done that. The bottom line is that right now you not only cannot award degrees, you won't even disclose your location. If only you were as good with those fundamentals as you are at generating hype!