“University of the People” – free university for developing nations

On May 19th, the UN “Global Alliance for Information and Communication Technology and Development” launched the University of the People – a tuition free, online university targeted at developing nations.

The school uses course groups and a variety of social collaboration tools, open source delivery methods, and license-free course material to deliver a quality learning experience at low cost. Read “How it Works” for more detail. So far there are business and computer science programs offered.

One note of concern, based on my own third world experiences in Bangladesh and rural Indonesia is the price. While it may be “tuition” free, its not fee free:

The only charge to students is a $15 to $50 admission fee, depending on their country of origin, and a processing fee for every test ranging from $10 to $100. [UN News Center]

In Bangladesh, where the average monthly earnings is 3000 taka, or about 55 USD, the cost of admission and test-taking would be unbearable by many – if not most – families.

I’m also curious about how the school will address the issue of moral relativism. Especially in the business program, course material must be shaped by the values of its institution. Who’s values will the school present in Muslim Africa, for example,when the school is founded by an Israeli entrepreneur, and has an advisory roster of (mainly) westerners?

Also interesting: the New York Times article on the subject doesn’t mention a UN connection.

Final note: does UoP, or internet learning in general, provide a model for delivering quality education to those who can’t afford to attend university? Could we – or are we – using technologies like these to deliver education to northern communities?

Tagged as: Education, northern communities, un, university, uop