Paris, France, January 22, 2010 /All Press Wire/ -- The Independent Global Education Council (IGEC) also known as the World Accreditation Commission (WAC) today announced new programs and partnerships for progressive higher education, professional development and community service -- and unveiled its new website at www.WorldAccredited.com. The three focus areas support the World Accreditation Commission’s mission to help education institutions that support independent study efforts to gain acceptable accreditation by aligning international institutions of higher education that share similar purposes and learning standards.
"There are many fine educational institutions found worldwide that may not be accredited and therefore be confused with degree mills, said WAC President and International Board of Governors Chair, Joshuah Bekhor . “For example, the institution may be seeking accreditation, but the process is not complete. Or a legitimate institution may choose not to be regionally accredited for reasons that do not relate to their degree offerings”. The new WAC initiative offers an alternative for schools seeking recognition and an acceptable international standard between governments, regional academics, code officials and alternative education communities by providing efficient ways to communicate standards and deliver acceptable student learning curriculums and essential information on study topics that maybe out of the domain of traditional institutions.
While WAC approval does not mean that the degrees will be accepted by licensing agencies or employers, the reality is thousands of students across the globe use distance education to complete college-level courses and degree programs. “Whether it is brick and mortar or a virtual campus, World Accredited programs are becoming known as international leaders in certifying a large number of quality offerings through our broad distance education network and partnerships.” Bekhor said. As new consumer education programs evolve subjects and school curriculum grows ever lengthier, it is easy for schools and students to lose sight of extra-curricular or “Nuevo” add-ons that, some would say, lie at the heart of a good education.
“Joining forces with the World Accreditation Commission can help align various schools with one of the most significant advancements in the international education profession," said Les Wingate, Dean of UN College. "We are confident that this partnership will expand our ability to offer exceptional education programs that will give our students located the world over the comfort and confidence to enroll and successfully graduate."
Many alternative programs (online, distance, correspondence, self-study, etc) lack uniformity in assessment that allowed for an acceptable international accreditation standard. The level of educational programs in the past, in contrast, to study programs that are offered and supervised today by WAC are designed to be more focused and purposeful. Advancement in the quality and scope of learning management systems (LMS) can be credited towards this modern shift in WAC oversight. The need for WAC includes the greater availability of online courses, an increased demand for additional training and/or degrees used for career advancement, increased Internet access to the point of ubiquity, and increased time pressure that individuals face to study.
Community service efforts also include a partnership to support innovative programs that provide education opportunities and access by combining the volunteer spirit and expertise of World Accreditation Commission and Independent Global Education Council (IGEC) members with various charities and partner agencies.
The Independent Global Education Council (IGEC) is a subsidiary of the World Accreditation Commission (WAC), a membership association dedicated to advancing quality international education and acceptable standards of degree recognition and study credit transference. The World Accreditation Commission works with colleges, universities and career schools in all sectors (profit and non-profit; independent and public) to provide accreditation for online degrees, independent schools, colleges, universities, and seminary listings ranging from home-schooling programs and virtual high schools through accredited bachelors, masters, and doctorate degrees and numerous alternative degree programs offered by international universities. The Council develops and oversees standards and codes used to construct acceptable accreditation standards.
The World Accreditation Commission (WAC) mission is to support and promote alternative education and professional development standards and gives input concerning ideas‚ methods and technologies that will encourage the application of innovative learning methods and standardized independent study curriculums.
SOURCE Independent Global Education Council
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