Fraud Alert!

Sleazy:  dishonest or immoral; marked by low character or quality Synonyms:  skanky [slang], slatternly, sluttish, slutty, trampy Antonyms:  excellent, fine, first-class, first-rate, good, high-grade, superior, top-notch Yes, dear reader, here's another story about a US institution of higher education that uses lies and deception as key tactics in its aggressive student recruitment strategy in Vietnam … Continue reading Fraud Alert!

Accreditation: When It Comes To Higher Education, Nothing Could Be More Relevant – Or Controversial

Good article by Jesse Nickles of CollegeTimes and not just because I'm quoted in it. MAA Accreditation. It’s a word that most college students have heard at some point, but that (unfortunately) very few actually comprehend on a meaningful level. And that is NOT a good thing. With greedy investors and corrupt congressmen aggressively turning … Continue reading Accreditation: When It Comes To Higher Education, Nothing Could Be More Relevant – Or Controversial

Notarization: The Trojan Horse Approach to Gaining Credibility for a Diploma Mill Diploma

No·ta·rize (nō′tə-rīz′): To certify or attest to (the validity of a signature on a document, for example) as a notary public. It’s often what one bureaucracy requires of another to prove that a document is authentic. This is one of the many fee-based services offered by embassies and consulates general in Vietnam. What if the document … Continue reading Notarization: The Trojan Horse Approach to Gaining Credibility for a Diploma Mill Diploma

Sự thật về các chương trình giáo dục Mỹ tại Việt Nam

This article, entitled "The Truth About American Education Programs in Vietnam" (Một Thế Giới, 23 April 2014), reflects the growing sophistication about US higher education as a service sector export.  As I am fond of saying, the US exports some of the world's best and worst higher education.  The term "officially accredited" covers a broad spectrum … Continue reading Sự thật về các chương trình giáo dục Mỹ tại Việt Nam

Education Companies in Vietnam: Take a Walk on the Wild Side (Part II)

Note:  Follow this link to read the first post in this two-part series. Due Diligence Some advice to my foreign higher education colleagues:  don't trust any of the come-ons or be seduced by the slick lines in (sometimes) passable English that arrive in your inboxes on a regular basis.  Do your homework, check references, and find out who's really behind … Continue reading Education Companies in Vietnam: Take a Walk on the Wild Side (Part II)

Education Companies in Vietnam: Take a Walk on the Wild Side (Part I)

In Vietnam, where cheating is a national pastime and ethical business practices are in dangerously short supply, the world of educational consulting is no exception.  EducationUSA fantasies notwithstanding, the reality is that most parents and students work with an education agent instead of applying directly to U.S. (and other foreign) colleges and universities, as in other … Continue reading Education Companies in Vietnam: Take a Walk on the Wild Side (Part I)

Welcome to Readers of the ICEF Monitor

Welcome to An International Educator in Vietnam, which I launched in November 2009.  If you look around my blog, you'll soon find out why the subtitle is Information, Insights & (Occasionally) Intrigue.  Chances are you're here because you read my guest post, Why Vietnam?  A Market Snapshot, the first of its kind to appear in the … Continue reading Welcome to Readers of the ICEF Monitor

Not What They Signed Up For

"The bittersweet fact is that America exports some of the world's best and worst higher education." (MAA)  When Albert Anarwat applied to the for-profit Aristotle University, in California, the Ghanaian student said he asked the university if the institution was accredited. Not only was he told yes, he said, but he also was told that … Continue reading Not What They Signed Up For

“how to buy a phd”

It's amazing how many people visit my blog in a vain attempt, no pun intended, to find out how to buy a degree, especially a Ph.D.   In addition to "how to buy a phd," other search engine terms include life experience phd, get a phd based on job experience, buying phd and buy university degrees.   Some want something for nothing, as … Continue reading “how to buy a phd”

“Obama targets diploma mills that market to vets”

White House issues new protections for military families, veterans targeted by diploma mills You're dealing with folks who aren't interested in helping you.  They're not interested in helping you find the best program.  They are interested in getting the money.  They don't care about you; they care about the cash.  That's appalling.  That's disgraceful.  It … Continue reading “Obama targets diploma mills that market to vets”