(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) In what may be a great varsity con, Woodbridge University, which Omani authorities say exists only in cyber space, is trying to lure students from across the globe, including GCC. While it calls itself the ''world's largest American university providing distance education in Middle Eastern and European Region for the past ten years'', the US Embassy in Muscat says that it is not accredited by any body recognised by the US Education Department.
The 'varsity' offers heavy discounts, is prompt in approving student profiles and claims accreditation to centres in Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and GCC.
''I communicated with people from the university for an online PhD programme after finding its details online. Their talk was unconvincing and they insisted on instant payment. The payment deadline was just a few hours,''a woman from the sultanate who enquired about its programmes, said.
In the conversation with the woman (transcripts of which are with Muscat Daily), the official claimed that the varsity had a quota of 50 seats for each GCC country. Thirty-five of the total seats for Oman are for nationals and the rest for expatriates.
He said the university was ''restricted by the Omani and the other Middle Eastern governments'' and hence the short payment deadline.
He also claims it is the first American university to be affiliated to the Gulf Cooperation Council Accreditation Centre.
''It is accredited under the Middle Eastern Accreditation Council (MEAC) which is approved and recognised by MENA and GCC and we are accredited with MEAC-Oman. …you have an opportunity to avail 50 per cent to 85 per cent discounts if you are willing to start immediately,'' the official told the enquiring student.
A GCC grant, he said, covers half of the US$18,000 fee for the Gulf Financial Plan while ''you are responsible for US$2,199 in one-time full and final fee and rest will be covered by the US Presidential Scholarship of the university.'' A full refund is promised in case the student discontinues the course within a year. The official promised course certificates legalised by Oman and the US.
A spokeswoman from the US Embassy in Muscat said, ''Woodbridge University is not an accredited institution by an organisation that is recognised by the Department of Education in the US. Hence, the degree will not be attested by the US Embassy in Muscat. If anyone is looking in to acquire an online degree and using it in Oman, I recommend that you check with the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) for the list of institutions that it does not recognise.''
MoHE said that Woodbridge University exists only on cyber space and has no physical campus and other resources to conduct academic
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.