Vancouver University Worldwide
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Vancouver University Worldwide is an illegal[1] and unaccredited vendor of higher education credentials, headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, which describes itself as a "secular consortium university of globally-located public and private member colleges." It offers to evaluate "external learning." Vancouver University Worldwide claims its degrees are "authorized" under "various British Commonwealth Common Law precedents". Its website also states that it has "registered charity status" in both Canada and the United States. The associated organization "Vancouver University Colleges Society" is registered in the United States Treasury's charity database. [1]
Vancouver University Worldwide has been involved in controversy due to its external/distance education. Vancouver University is not accredited by any recognised accreditation body. As such, its degrees may not be recognized by employers or other institutions, and use of degree titles may be restricted or illegal in some jurisdictions.
In terms of the degrees being recognized by employers, the institution's FAQ states "we cannot advise you about such details."[2] In 2003, USA Today listed the institution in an article about diploma mills.[3] The United States jurisdictions of Oregon and Michigan list the institution among those whose "degrees" are invalid because they lack accreditation.
Vancouver University is listed in a Canadian government online directory of companies [2] as a private secular non-profit institution. This should not be interpreted as an endorsement because the government website notes "Industry Canada assumes no responsibility for the accuracy, currency or reliability of the content." Vancouver University is not included on the online directory of public post-secondary institutions that is maintained by the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC) [3] in consultation with the provincial/territorial ministries and departments responsible for education.
An application by the British Columbia government to enjoin the university's activities was denied by Hon. Justice Maczko on January 9, 2002. [4] [5] This injunction application was denied because Justice Maczko said Vancouver University Worldwide ought to have the chance to defend itself in a full hearing rather than be forced out of business by am interim injunction. In his reasons for judgment, Justice Maczko said that he thought it unlikely Vancouver University Worldwide would be successful in its defense.
On May 2, 2007, British Columbia Supreme Court Justice Kelleher ruled[6] that Vancouver University Worldwide and its associated legal entities had operated in violation of BC's Degree Authorization Act[7] and issued an injunction to stop it from granting degrees in British Columbia.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Confederation of University Faculty Associations of British Columbia, Who is operating illegally in BC?, updated 28 March 2007, accessed July 15, 2007
- ^ FAQ Vancouver University Worldwide website
- ^ USA Diploma mills insert degree of fraud into job market, USA Today, 28 Sept 2003.
[edit] External links
- List of unacceptable/illegal schools by State of Michigan Notes "Unacceptable schools for civil service requirements."
- List of unacceptable/illegal schools by Oregon State Office of Degree Authorization Notes that Vancouver is "Not authorized or listed by appropriate BC authority"
- List of unlawful degree providers in British Columbia, Canada
- Vancouver University Worldwide
