IOND University

IOND University is an unaccredited supplier of distance education based in Japan and registered as a domestic nonprofit corporation in Hawaii. [ [http://hbe.ehawaii.gov/cogs/details.html?t=MSTR&fn=115146+D2 IOND UNIVERSITY] BREG Online Services, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs,the State of Hawaii. (accessed March 2, 2008) ] It is considered to be a diploma mill operation by experts in Japan. [http://www.osac.state.or.us/oda/unaccredited.html List of unaccredited schools and diploma mills] Oregon State Office of Degree Authorization website (accessed January 26, 2008)]

The university dates its beginnings to April 12, 1999. Its name is an acronym for International Organization for Nontraditional Distance Learning. [ [http://www.iond-univ.org/hawaii/ IOND University Hawaii] website]

IOND's programs include studies in Japanese traditional culture for students who are United States citizens. [ [http://www.iond-univ.org/hawaii/special.htm Special Offer] , IOND website (accessed January 26, 2008)] Other areas of study offered include liberal arts, hypnosis, international relations (including defense, religion, and political economy), art, music, management, sciences, engineering, English, Japanese sword, Budō, unknown phenomena research (including UFOlogy, ESP, and paranormal phenomena), environmental sciences, and marine sciences. [ [http://www.iond-univ.org/hawaii/special.htm Educational Programs Which Promote Success] , IOND website (accessed February 19, 2008)] Bachelor's, Master's and Ph.D. degrees are offered. [http://www.iond-univ.org/hawaii/purpose.htm The Education Ideals and the Purpose] , IOND website (accessed February 19, 2008)]

The university states that its "first motto" is "We care about what you know, not where you learned it." This motto refers to the university's practice of awarding academic credit for life experience. According to IOND's website, "We assess and evaluate the student's personal experience and convert it into university credits... The professor scientifically assesses and evaluates the student's personal experience and achievements. The professor then provides the technical and methodological learning direction so as to change the student's personal experience into knowledge. We issue degrees to students according to their level of achievement of their learning paradigm."

IOND's website states that the institution has academic partnerships with Mindanao State University and "Univaersidad De Manila" (possibly referring to Universidad de Manila) in the Philippines and with the University of Lodz in Poland, [http://www.iond-univ.org/ IOND University website] , accessed January 26, 2008] but the Oregon State Office of Degree Authorization (ODA) states that there is "no evidence of legal authority to issue degrees valid in Philippines" and that the University of Lodz denies being affiliated with IOND. [Also see [http://www.uni.lodz.pl/bip/uchwaly.php?typ=1&id=1703 University of Lodz webpage] with information about IOND University (in Polish language).] The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board states that IOND has claimed to be approved by the Philippines, but "that appears to consist of a claim of affiliation with some Philippine universities, which does not constitute approval to operate." [ [http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/AAR/PrivateInstitutions/NoTX.cfm Institutions Whose Degrees are Illegal to Use in Texas] , Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (accessed February 19, 2008)]

The State of Hawaii has filed an official complaint against IOND University charging violation of state consumer protection laws. As of February 2008 the case is pending, with a trial scheduled for October 13, 2008. [ [http://www.hawaii.gov/dcca/areas/ocp/udgi/lawsuits/ionduniversity/ IOND University] , State of Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (accessed February 18, 2008)]

References

External links

* [http://www.iond-univ.org/ IOND University website]