Dear Editor,
I pen this letter to express my frustration at what I believe is an extremely long period for a decision to be made on qualifications pursued through distance learning/online.
It has been well over six months since I visited the University Council of Jamaica's (UCJ's) office to have an evaluation done for an Associate Degree I pursued at an accredited US college. This is a college through which I previously earned a diploma, which the UCJ evaluated as being equivalent to that under the Caribbean Community Free Movement of Skills Act.
I am being told that there is a review concerning online programmes. With the increase in the number of diploma mills, it is pertinent for a policy to be developed as it relates to distance learning, but in my opinion, it should not affect the evaluation of credible degree programmes. Most, if not all, universities/colleges in the United States offer at least one programme/course online, to include top schools such as Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
The UCJ has access to the various accrediting agencies worldwide, so establishing the authenticity of a distance learning programme shouldn't be that difficult. I am losing increment payment by the month because of the UCJ's slow, unacceptable pace of coming to a conclusion.
Distance learning is no easier than studying at a brick-and-mortar school because the curricula are identical. Distance learning is the fastest growing component of higher education; hence, it should not be met with scepticism.
DD Christian
denchris25@gmail.com
UCJ pace slow, unacceptable
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I pen this letter to express my frustration at what I believe is an extremely long period for a decision to be made on qualifications pursued through distance learning/online.
It has been well over six months since I visited the University Council of Jamaica's (UCJ's) office to have an evaluation done for an Associate Degree I pursued at an accredited US college. This is a college through which I previously earned a diploma, which the UCJ evaluated as being equivalent to that under the Caribbean Community Free Movement of Skills Act.
I am being told that there is a review concerning online programmes. With the increase in the number of diploma mills, it is pertinent for a policy to be developed as it relates to distance learning, but in my opinion, it should not affect the evaluation of credible degree programmes. Most, if not all, universities/colleges in the United States offer at least one programme/course online, to include top schools such as Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
The UCJ has access to the various accrediting agencies worldwide, so establishing the authenticity of a distance learning programme shouldn't be that difficult. I am losing increment payment by the month because of the UCJ's slow, unacceptable pace of coming to a conclusion.
Distance learning is no easier than studying at a brick-and-mortar school because the curricula are identical. Distance learning is the fastest growing component of higher education; hence, it should not be met with scepticism.
DD Christian
denchris25@gmail.com
UCJ pace slow, unacceptable
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