University of the People

Location: International

University of the People (UoPeople) is the world's first tuition-free online academic institution dedicated to the global advancement and democratization of higher education. The high-quality low-cost global educational model embraces the worldwide presence of the Internet and dropping technology costs to bring university-level studies within reach of millions of people across the world. With the support of respected academics, humanitarians and other visionaries, the UoPeople student body represents a new wave in global education.

Highlights:

"Education, just like democracy, should be a right, not a privilege." ~Shai Reshef, Founder and President, University of the People

The University of the People has four core values:

• Opportunity: It is based on the belief that education at a minimal cost is a basic right for all suitable applicants, not just for a privileged few.  The University opens the gates of higher education to qualified students anywhere in the world by offering its programs through distance learning and by making this opportunity affordable.
• Community: It creates an inclusive community by making its academic programs, educational services, and employment opportunities available to all qualified individuals from all over the world, and by providing learning opportunities that engage students and faculty from diverse backgrounds. 
• Integrity: It grounds its institutional culture grounded in candor, transparency and best professional practices, and expects all students, faculty, staff, and administrators to uphold the highest standards of personal integrity, honesty and responsibility. Additionally, the University expects its students to take responsibility of their education, and to pursue their studies diligently and with seriousness of purpose.
• Quality: It provides a high-quality online academic experience, suitable in its scope and depth to the challenges of the 21st century. The University assesses and evaluates all aspects of its academic model on an ongoing basis.

NOTE: Currently, University of the People is not an accredited university. While University of the People intends to obtain accreditation, it cannot promise nor guarantee the time-frame in which this might occur. If the University is accredited at the time a degree is awarded to a student, that student would have the benefit of having graduated from an accredited institution. Prospective and current students of UoPeople should take into consideration the possibility that they will finish their studies with University of the People with no accredited degree.

Links:

• University of the People - http://www.uopeople.org/
• University of the People partners - http://www.uopeople.org/groups/partners
• New York Times article about University of the People - http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/25/education/25future_people.html?_r=2

Submitted by lmeier on: Tuesday, August 30, 2011 - 1:30 pm

Tags for this entry:
higher education, university of the people