online degrees and distance education

We have put together an online directory of college and university admissions office email addresses and telephone numbers, college scholarship and financial aid office email addresses, and links to the home pages and online applications of more than a thousand colleges and universities. And, we have assembled a page of links to the very best college and university admissions, college scholarship, and financial aid pages on the web. You will even find information on graduate schools, the GRE and GMAT examinations, MBA programs, the TOEFL, community colleges, historically African-American colleges, and campus life

Geology students without field work opportunities

The students Geology at various universities, especially the Punjab Universities (PU), have been missing opportunities of field work in various parts of the NWFP because of the prevailing instability in the country.
Nonetheless, cuts in grants to institutes of higher learning by the federal government is said to be another factor behind "limited" field work, which is undoubtedly the backbone of geological research.The students believe that the curtailment in connection with duration and destination of field work is badly affecting the standard of education.
Unlike past, the universities now have been imposing more and more restrictions in connection with field visits which, according to the students and teachers, have marred the real spirit of the research based program.According to a senior faculty member, who wished to remain anonymous, the PU department of geology is the oldest seat of geological learning in the country which produced many eminent geologists.He said in geology the field work was considered a natural lab work, therefore, students in the applied courses were sent to 50 days guided excursion as a whole during 3 years BSc and for 90 days for theses work. He further said students were also paid daily allowance for it in the past, but, He added, the things had changed.

First Aga Khan University Graduation in Uganda

At a ceremony held in Kampala, Uganda, 57 Ugandan students of Aga Khan University (AKU) received their degrees, diplomas and certificates at the University's first graduation ceremony outside Pakistan. Chartered in 1983 as Pakistan's first private, international University, AKU launched programmes of Advanced Nursing Studies and teacher education in Uganda in 2001. Uganda's Minister in Charge of the Presidency, Honourable Professor Gilbert Bukenya, the chief guest at the ceremony, said, "Uganda was fortunate to be a partner of Aga Khan Development Network and Aga Khan University in the development of its human resources," and offered every support for future programmes of AKU. Addressing the graduates and guests, Professor Bukenya said this graduation was an important milestone in the government's efforts to upgrade the quality of education and health care in Uganda. He said, "We are delighted that AKU has established its academic programmes in Uganda. The future growth of our country is strongly linked to the development of our human resources. Uganda needs educated, committed and caring nurses and teachers to ensure healthy bodies and healthy minds in all our citizens."

Aga Khan University signs agreement to further health and education development in Syria

The Ministries of Health and Higher Education of the Government of Syria and Aga Khan University (AKU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding tThe memorandum was signed at the Office of the Prime Minister in Damascus and witnessed by Syrian Prime Minister, His Excellency Muhammad Naji Al-Otri and His Highness the Aga Khan, Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims. His Highness the Aga Khan is the founder and Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) and the Chancellor of the Aga Khan University. He is in Syria on a 6-day official visit. The memorandum, which provides a framework for cooperation in nursing education and hospital quality assurance, was signed by Dr. Maher Al-Husami, Minister of Health, Dr. Ghiath Barakat, Minister of Higher Education and Mr. Firoz Rasul, President of AKU, witnessed by Mr. Mohamed Seifo, AKDN Representative in Syria.

NED University confers 864 degrees

The NED University of Engineering and Technology conferred 864 degrees to engineering graduates and postgraduates at its 17th Convocation on Wednesday.Around 804 degrees were conferred to the graduates in 13 disciplines and 60 masters' degrees in 11 disciplines while a PhD degree was awarded to NED University faculty member Dr Muhammad Shakaib.The 13 top scorers of various departments were awarded, while Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad announced that the first three position holders of every department would be given Rs 10,000 as a reward.For the first time in the country, a batch of five students studying marine engineering graduated from the university in collaboration with Lloyds Register for Quality Assurance for Middle East and Pakistan; a batch of 22 students studying petroleum engineering also graduated for the first time from the university.Expressing his joy on being a part of the first batch of marine engineers graduating from a university in Pakistan, Kamal Ahmed, who clenched the second position in the discipline, told this scribe that he was proud of being a part of this historic start. He added that he will try is best to show a positive image of the university wherever he works in the future.

More students join the Undergraduate Certificate

A second intake of students have just arrived at the University of Stirling to begin the Undergraduate Certificate. These new students will study exactly the same three-term programme as September-entry students, but will finish in August instead of June. In October, provided they have achieved the grades they need, they will join the first cohort in progressing to the second year of their chosen degrees at Stirling.On the first day of the ISC spring term, the new students, who are from China and Pakistan, were inducted into the on-campus International Study Centre and welcomed by the staff and existing students. They can now begin studying and enjoying living in Scotland.

Pakistani Student’s Scholarships for a Master’s or Ph.D. in the United States

Fulbright/USAID Master’s Scholarship
This program funds graduate study in the United States for a Master’s degree program. The program is funded by The United States Agency for International Development (USAID). All disciplines are eligible, except for clinical medicine, with priority given to Education, Educational Management, Agriculture, Health, Teaching of English, Journalism, and fields related to economic development. Eligible candidates will have either a four-year Bachelor’s degree or a Bachelor’s and Master’s combination totaling 16 years of formal education from an accredited university. Recent graduates are strongly encouraged to apply, except for MBA applicants, who require 3 years of work experience.This program funds graduate study in the United States towards a Ph.D. degree. This may be coursework and/or research towards a Ph.D. or an entire program. Funding for this program is provided by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of the Government of Pakistan as well as USAID. Eligible applicants will have a Master’s, M. Phil. or comparable degree (a minimum of 18 years of formal education) from an accredited university.

KING ABDULLAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SCHOLARSHIP

The KAUST Discovery Scholarship is the general scholarship program of the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST).This program is designed to ensure that any highly talented student who is qualified and eligible to enroll in KAUST will receive full financial support while at the University. Those who receive a Discovery Scholarship will receive full tuition support, a living stipend, and summer and career enrichment programs.KAUST will offer Discovery Scholarships to all KAUST students – an exceptional level of support intended to attract gifted and talented students from Saudi Arabia and from other countries around the world.KAUST will offer a pre-enrollment version of this general scholarship program to students attending first-university or bachelor's degree programs. KAUST will provide financial support to pre-enrollment Discovery Scholarship recipients at their home institutions prior to the University's opening. Upon graduation, these students will enter KAUST as master's degree students in September 2009 and 2010 to complete their graduate studies on a fully funded scholarship.

The path to learning is a critical one

Compulsory tutorials, late night teleconferences and a string of student accolades can all be traced to Charles Sturt University (CSU) academic, Dr Graeme McLean.The senior lecturer and coordinator of the philosophy discipline at CSU has been named winner of the 2008 Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Teaching Excellence for his ‘outstanding contribution and sustained commitment’ to teaching and learning at the University.One of those hoops includes the introduction of compulsory tutorials for internal philosophy students - a move Dr McLean is adamant has been free of student complaints.“There is no hiding in my classes as all the students participate,” said Dr McLean. “Once they get over the shock, the students enjoy the tutorials.”“Learning is a very active thing … you can’t learn for someone. My job as a teacher is to help the student through the learning process, drawing out the knowledge and ultimately enabling the student to take the next step in critical thinking and intellectual development.”

New education pathways for CSU and CIT

Charles Sturt University (CSU) and the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) will sign an agreement today, Friday 6 March, to create higher education pathways between the two institutions for students from the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), regional NSW, and overseas.The agreement will allow CIT students to gain qualifications beyond their studies at CIT in order to access CSU’s range of degrees, including distance education courses, and CSU students will gain access to unique CIT offerings.The arrangement will help the ACT to increase the proportion of its residents with higher education qualifications in order to provide more professionals locally.Both institutions will work to capitalise on mutual strengths and interests to improve the quality of provision in areas such as student support and administration, and online learning. There will be planned credit arrangements across a broad range of disciplines including business studies, graphic design/multimedia, information technology, library and information services, spatial information services, complementary medicine and allied health.

The International Medical University (IMU) Scholarships 2009

The International Medical University (IMU) has recognized that there are many Malaysian students who aspire to be a health sciences professional. For various reasons, some of these students are not able to achieve their life-long ambition, including those students whose families do not have the financial resources to support them for entry into an international institution like the IMU.In view of this, the IMU has established a number of scholarships to be awarded.

Higher education at a turning point

Charles Sturt University (CSU) Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ian Goulter, welcomed the preliminary response today by the Deputy Prime Minister, The Hon. Julia Gillard, MP, to the Bradley Review of the Australian Higher Education System.“Higher education is no longer at a crossroads, but at a turning point,” said Professor Goulter.“The historic expansion of higher education participation has not only made a massive impact on national wealth, but also given hundreds of thousands more Australians the opportunity to realise their full potential through advanced study.“Given the great success of higher education expansion on national social and economic well-being over the last 20 years, it was inconceivable that a government would turn its back on the opportunity to further extend participation to underrepresented groups and others in the future.”The Vice-Chancellor welcomed the decision to embrace a student demand-driven higher education system.“Charles Sturt University has always been driven by student demand in meeting the needs and aspirations of its inland and regional communities. Charles Sturt University has consistently been over-enrolled in order to meet inland and regional demand for our on campus courses, as well as national demand for our extensive range of distance and digital courses

Traditional private education still favoured by universities, report suggests

Private schools are increasingly seen as "bastions" of traditional subjects as state comprehensives divert pupils onto new courses such as media studies, according to a report.The focus on rigorous areas such as mathematics, science and languages mean fee-paying pupils are much more likely to win places at leading universities, it was claimed.
Academics at Buckingham University said "not all" subjects taken in huge numbers in the state sector were acceptable to institutions such as Cambridge.It was also claimed that members of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference, which represents 250 top independent schools, outperformed state grammar schools in 24 out of 30 A-level subjects.It comes despite the fact that grammars are often more selective and have greater competition for places.Professor Alan Smithers and Dr Pamela Robinson, from Buckingham's Centre for Education and Employment Research, analysed international data, domestic exam results and interviewed headmasters as part of the study.

New university feasibility proposal submitted

Charles Sturt University (CSU) and Southern Cross University (SCU) have submitted a proposal to the Federal Government to undertake a feasibility study into the creation of a new national university based in regional Australia.CSU Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Ian Goulter, said considerable work has been done since the announcement of the proposal late last year, and detailed discussions have been held with Southern Cross University and the Government to refine an appropriate scope for the study.“Facilitated consultation has been incorporated into each stage of the process to ensure that our regional communities, staff, students, alumni and other stakeholders would have ample opportunity to provide input into the study,” Professor Goulter said.“The University will now wait to hear whether the Government will fund this study.”The universities have submitted a proposal to the Government to undertake a study in three stages:
Needs Analysis: Examining the role of regional universities in meeting local and national labour force needs; assessing the future demand for distance education to meet national higher education participation goals; and examining gaps in the current arrangement and resourcing of institutions in meeting these needs. This stage will involve extensive consultation with regional communities, staff and other stakeholders to get an overall view of the issues and options. A report on the findings of this stage of the study will be published for comment and will determine whether further progress of the study is warranted .

Middle-class parents should pay more to send children to university, says Lord Patten

Middle-class students should be prepared to pay higher university tuition fees, according to the chancellor of Oxford.Lord Patten said they could have no objection to paying more than the £3,000-a-year currently levied by most universities. He said it was a "mad world" in which affluent parents were prepared to pay thousands to send children to private school but not get them through higher education.Lord Patten, former governor of Hong Kong, said the Government had to raise the "intolerable" existing cap - in place since 2006 - to allow universities to compete with those in the United States.The comments will increase pressure on the Government to increase fees when it reviews existing levels next year.The National Union of Students recently warned that graduates face average debts of £37,000 if fees rise significantly

Universities socially engineer student intakes

University tutors are being encouraged to offer places to poor students over their middle class counterparts, under new systems which flag up their applications for special consideration.In a move that critics claim filters out middle class students, admission tutors at leading institutions are being told to give interviews and make offers to working class candidates who have attended low performing schools or who live in postcodes where few go on to higher education.It comes as more universities, including Sussex, Worcester, Dundee and the University of East Anglia, have decided not to use the new A* grade at A-level in offers from 2010 amid fears that independent school pupils will win more places.Admission tutors are told that they should use their own judgement when deciding to "make standard, or slightly lower offers, to applicants who appear to have potential but whose predicated grades are lower than standard offers because of contextual factoCritics said the systems being adopted by institutions were driven by Government pressure and could represent a systematic bias against other candidates."The Government and universities are rejecting the A* because they say its effect has not been evaluated," said Geoff Lucas, the secretary of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference, which represents top private schools.

Students 'graduating from university with poorly paid jobs'

Students risk being left in debt for decades after a study found many were leaving university with poorly paid jobs.
Just a day after vice-chancellors said they wanted tuition fees to more than double to over £6,000, new research.shows some students will earn little more than those getting a job straight from school or college. Students on arts and humanities courses - along with those failing to get at least an upper-second class degree - are most likely to miss out on the highest-paiIt comes despite Government claims that a degree "comfortably" adds more than £100,000 to students' lifetime earnings.The claims have been used to justify higher tuition fees, with students expected to share the burden of paying for university.Yesterday, it was revealed that vice-chancellors wanted the existing £3,100 fee to rise to around £6,500 to maintain decent teaching d jobs, said the Warwick University study.The conclusions were made despite claims that a similar increase would result in students accumulating debts of more than £32,000.In the latest study, the Warwick academics warned that "any substantial increase" in fees risked preventing teenagers from going to university, particularly those from poor backgrounds

Connect to the University of California LL. M. Degree

University of California Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco invites you to apply for a one-year LL.M. degree in United States Legal Studies. LL.M. candidates may receive a general degree in U.S. law or elect to specialize in any of the following areas:
International Law and Human Rights
Science, Technology and Intellectual Property
International Business and Trade
Dispute Resolution and Legal Process
Taxation
Family Law
UC Hastings offers you a dynamic and humane intellectual community committed to the pursuit of justice and the highest professional standards. Our LL.M. graduates hold a wide variety of positions in law, business and education both abroad and in the United States. They include judges, law professors, and practitioners. UC Hastings is the first law faculty established in the western United States and is regularly ranked among the top 15 U.S. public law schools.

Punjab government for efficient education system

Punjab while submitting its recommendations on the upcoming national education policy (NEP) 2009 has stressed the need to focus on governance issue to bring efficiency to the education system.In their feedback of draft national education policy, the Punjab Higher Education Department and Schools Education Department have highlighted the need to address issues related to implementation on the policy besides need for huge fund allocations. One of the important factors related to governance issue is devolution which according to many has been creating confusion and duplication of power and also affecting service delivery.The departments have also stress recruitment of maximum teachers to meet the growing shortage. The Schools Department, in its feed back, has maintained that the executive district officers (education) should recruit teachers up to BPS-16 and the Provincial Public Service Commission (PPSC) should be authorized for recruitments for the posts of BPS-17 and above.

University rejects call to ignore new grade in the short term. Rebecca Attwood reports

Students will need at least one A* A level to enter the University of Cambridge next year, the institution announced this week.The higher grade will be introduced from 2010, but the National Council for Educational Excellence (NCEE) has recommended that universities ignore it for the first few years after its introduction because of concerns about its impact on widening participation.However, Cambridge said it had chosen to make use of the A* at the first available opportunity because it was turning away record numbers of students predicted to gain three A-grade A levels, and hoped that using the new grade would help it to choose between candidates.A spokeswoman for the university said: “In view of the desire for both clarity and standardisation of offer levels wherever possible, it has been decided to make use of the opportunity the A* grade presents, and to revise the standard offer in most subjects from AAA to A*AA for entry in 2010.”In October, the NCEE warned that there was “no evidence” that A* attainment could be accurately predicted by teachers at this stage.