Opinion & Debate
There are a few Internet references that consider Bircham International University a questionable institution. There are three States ( Texas, Michigan y Oregon) out of the 50 States from the USA that publish a list of institutions whose online university degrees may not be used in their jurisdictions. There are initiatives like Wikipedia managed by activists from the traditional education establishment (Wikiversity) that pretend to "alert" the public about institutions like BIU, that consider "nonsense" any institution related to natural health sciences. The BIU Forum may give you detailed information about all these issues.
- How to correct these comments?
BIU contacts these websites and provides correct information and supporting evidence that demonstrates the legitimacy of Bircham International University, consumer guarantees offered and academic quality. Throughout the years some websites corrected their opinions, others made some changes, and others still keep their criteria. Time, BIU presence and quality are our best arguments and will finally prevail. Read some of our graduate's testimonies. Bircham International University has also created a forum to have an opportunity to explain the veracity and credibility of the negative statements published in Wikipedia. BIU has been denied the right to edit such article. Read more...
Sometimes it is difficult to win legal actions, mostly in the Internet. Every person is free to express his or her opinion, and it is legitimate to consider that an institution is questionable if it does not meet the author's criteria. BIU initiates legal actions when false information is detected, but Internet legal processes are complex, and final results are achieved slowly.
- Is BIU authorized to grant degrees?
Yes, but BIU online university degrees are not recognized by a Ministry of Education. BIU is a provider of non-formal or nontraditional distance learning higher education, so it does not need an expressed authorization from the Ministry of Education of Spain. BIU activity and online diplomas are authorized by its registration with the Spain Ministry of Economy (Higher non formal education). This fact is usually not well understood by many American organizations (AACRAO, Mexico, Wikipedia, etc...).
- Can BIU get the recognition from the Ministry of Education?
BIU distance education university believes that the success of adult degree programs resides in a personalized syllabus for each student and the evaluation of the learning outcomes through reports written at home. Both factors are still far away from the regular procedures and requirements established by a Ministry of Education. This is the reason why BIU online diplomas fit in the non-formal education section and lead to non official recognized degrees. Today, it is impossible within the traditional educational system to offer a distance learning degree program with the flexibility, curriculum design and pedagogical approach offered by BIU.
- What about the USA Accreditation?
Accreditation is not equivalent to legality or recognition, it is a non-governmental and voluntary quality standard. CHEA accreditation is important in the USA for two reasons: it provides standards in academic mobility in a country whose Constitution establishes freedom of education, and it distributes US Federal Grants to its members, except distance learning. CHEA academic quality standards are good but they are not the only ones in the world.
Probably, among other interests, there is a consumer protection intention behind the comments posted in the Internet about Bircham International University. Unfortunately there are questionable educational institutions that offer an online diploma without any academic quality. Most of them are located in the USA and are known as Diploma Mills. The fact that BIU lacks the US CHEA Accreditation and an expressed authorization from the Ministry of Education leads to the easy but incorrect classification of BIU in a profile similar to those questionable institutions.
- Is there an end to these comments?
BIU has been dealing with Internet opinions since its foundation. Along the years, many opinions have been corrected or disappeared, and some others sprang new. Bircham International University is a pioneering initiative that intends to resolve the deficiencies of adult degree programs offered by traditional education. Bircham International University is constantly improving in quality and prestige, so we expect that the more known we become the more critics we will get, mostly from competitors who try to defend their market with different arguments.
- How to make sure that BIU is a good option?
Common sense is first. Read BIU website, talk to BIU staff. A questionable institution does not offer consumer protection guarantees, nor clear information and evidence about its legitimacy and recognition (visit BIU Global References section), a sound Academic Board, tangible offices, an admission process, or detailed academic programs. Additionally, during the year 2005, the Spain National Institute of Consumer Affairs ( Instituto Nacional de Consumo - INC) from the Ministry of Consumer Affairs awarded BIU with the official distinction of consumer protection. This seal provides a solid international consumer protection and a unique guarantee to all BIU students worldwide.
- Are BIU graduates affected by these opinions?
Obviously these opinions generate certain unease, nevertheless there is nothing to worry about. We must assume that there will always be some comments. The more important BIU becomes the more opinions will be generated about us. Any pioneering initiative that breaks the pre-established schemes and traditional regulations is observed warily and criticized. Distance learning higher education is not an exception. Since 1992, the students who trusted BIU in the past benefited from a better conditions and costs than the students currently enrolled. We expect that when the traditional education establishment accepts and recognizes BIU adult degree programs, then the costs and procedures will not be the same as the ones offered today.
- What to do about any comments detected?
Bircham International University appreciates that you tell us about your concerns and inform us about any comment that you detect. BIU always welcomes constructive criticism because it is considered a valuable feedback that contributes to our continuous self improvement and quality. Your opinion is important for us. On the other side, false statements or destructive criticism will lead to the corresponding legal actions.
- A final advice for the future student.
If common sense, all the references and evidence provided are not enough to relieve any distrustful feelings about BIU, we suggest you to wait and watch Bircham International University progress and improvement. Time is the only way we can demonstrate our institutional integrity and academic quality. Your motivation is the key to the success in distance learning higher education. If you feel that your educational effort may be useless you will surely loose the will to complete our online university degree. BIU does not want you to enroll but to graduate, to earn your deserved online diploma and to achieve your goals. We are not in a hurry, are you?
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Opinion & Debate
