The National Accreditation and Quality Assurance Authority (NAQAA) has granted the International Open University (IOU) a four-year full licence to operate as a higher education institution in The Gambia effective February 23rd 2023. Previously NAQAA granted a three-year provisional license in April 2019, which was extended in 2022.
The Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology in the Republic of The Gambia has granted to the Islamic Online University (IOU), the original name of the International Open University, a license to operate an online university in The Gambia with effect from May 13th 2014.
The National Accreditation and Quality Assurance Authority (NAQAA) has granted the International Open University (IOU) a four-year full licence to operate as a higher education institution in The Gambia effective February 23rd 2023. Previously NAQAA granted a three-year provisional license in April 2019, which was extended in 2022.
The Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology in the Republic of The Gambia has granted to the Islamic Online University (IOU), the original name of the International Open University, a license to operate an online university in The Gambia with effect from May 13th 2014.
In this month of March 2018, the International Open University (IOU) was pleased to announce that the government of Indonesia issued a Certificate of Equivalency to the IOU with regard to its MAIS program. It was issued by the Director-General of Learning and University Student Affairs Ministry of Research, Technology, and High Education of the Republic of Indonesia.
In this month of March 2018, the International Open University (IOU) was pleased to announce that the government of Indonesia issued a Certificate of Equivalency to the IOU with regard to its MAIS program. It was issued by the Director-General of Learning and University Student Affairs Ministry of Research, Technology, and High Education of the Republic of Indonesia.
University of Tourism, Technology and Business Studies and International Open University (IOU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding in September, 2020.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Mashreq University, Sudan, and the International Open University (IOU) has been signed on November 15, 2018.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Fatoni University, Thailand, and the International Open University (IOU) has been signed on December 15, 2015.
The Institute of Business & Technology (Biztek), Karachi, and the International Open University (IOU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on December 10, 2015.
Umma University, Kenya, and the International Open University (IOU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on October 30, 2015.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Fountain University, Osogbo, Nigeria, and the International Open University (IOU) has been signed on June 26, 2015.
COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Pakistan and the International Open University (IOU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding in February 2015.
The College of Sharee’ah and Islamic Studies at Kuwait University, Kuwait and the International Open University (IOU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding in August 2014.
Please click here to view the MOU. Click here to view the English translation of the MOU.
Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) of Malaysia and the International Open University (IOU) have signed a Letter of Intent in July 2014 to execute a formal Memorandum of Understanding.
Wisdom International School for Higher Education Studies (WISHES) of Philippines and the International Open University (IOU) have signed a Memorandum of Agreement in 2010.
University of Tourism, Technology and Business Studies and International Open University (IOU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding in September, 2020.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Mashreq University, Sudan, and the International Open University (IOU) has been signed on November 15, 2018.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Fatoni University, Thailand, and the International Open University (IOU) has been signed on December 15, 2015.
The Institute of Business & Technology (Biztek), Karachi, and the International Open University (IOU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on December 10, 2015.
Umma University, Kenya, and the International Open University (IOU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on October 30, 2015.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Fountain University, Osogbo, Nigeria, and the International Open University (IOU) has been signed on June 26, 2015.
COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Pakistan and the International Open University (IOU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding in February 2015.
The College of Sharee’ah and Islamic Studies at Kuwait University, Kuwait and the International Open University (IOU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding in August 2014.
Please click here to view the MOU. Click here to view the English translation of the MOU.
Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) of Malaysia and the International Open University (IOU) have signed a Letter of Intent in July 2014 to execute a formal Memorandum of Understanding.
Wisdom International School for Higher Education Studies (WISHES) of Philippines and the International Open University (IOU) have signed a Memorandum of Agreement in 2010.
The International Open University is an associate member of the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE), which is a world-wide association of over 200 organizations active in the theory and practice of quality assurance in higher education.
INQAAHE is a quality assurance community with shared interests, a common language and an understanding of how things are done with regard to a very specific field of work. It provides a forum for the discussion of global issues, such as cross border education that go beyond national or regional boundaries. Members have the opportunity to learn from what others are doing, from both their successes and their failures, and thus have now set the ground for the development of a quality assurance profession. The membership can be verified here.
The International Open University is an associate member of the African Quality Assurance Network (AfriQAN), which has been set up to provide assistance to institutions concerned with Quality Assurance in higher education in Africa. The Network has been set up by the Association of African Universities (AAU) with financial support from Global Initiative on Quality Assurance Capacity (GIQAC)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
The Network is committed to the enhancement of the quality of higher education on the African continent and the collaboration with similar organizations on other continents.
The objectives of AfriQAN are to:
Promote a culture of quality assurance in higher education in Africa;
Foster collaboration and linkages among quality assurance bodies within Africa;
Advance good practices in the enhancement and maintenance of quality higher education in Africa;
Collaborate with quality assurance bodies in Africa in capacity building;
Facilitate research into the practice of quality assurance in higher education for purposes of improving the quality of higher education in Africa;
Provide advice and expertise for the development of new national and sub-regional quality assurance bodies in Africa;
Assist members of the Network to articulate standards of institutions operating in member countries;
Foster harmonization of standards for quality assurance across countries in Africa
Facilitate international recognition of qualifications to enhance mobility of staff and students in Africa; and
Promote the interests of Africa in other networks and international organizations with related focus.
The International Open University is an associate member of the Association of Quality Assurance Agencies of the Islamic World (IQA) established in an effort to promote and enhance quality higher education in the countries of the Islamic world.
The goals of IQA are:
To enhance the capacity of quality assurance agencies in countries of the Islamic World
To facilitate collaboration and exchanges of best practices, experiences and expertise among quality assurance agencies of countries of the Islamic World; and
To encourage cooperation with regional and international quality assurance organizations.
The International Open University is an associate member of the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE), which is a world-wide association of over 200 organizations active in the theory and practice of quality assurance in higher education.
INQAAHE is a quality assurance community with shared interests, a common language and an understanding of how things are done with regard to a very specific field of work. It provides a forum for the discussion of global issues, such as cross border education that go beyond national or regional boundaries. Members have the opportunity to learn from what others are doing, from both their successes and their failures, and thus have now set the ground for the development of a quality assurance profession. The membership can be verified here.
The International Open University is an associate member of the African Quality Assurance Network (AfriQAN), which has been set up to provide assistance to institutions concerned with Quality Assurance in higher education in Africa. The Network has been set up by the Association of African Universities (AAU) with financial support from Global Initiative on Quality Assurance Capacity (GIQAC)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
The Network is committed to the enhancement of the quality of higher education on the African continent and the collaboration with similar organizations on other continents.
The objectives of AfriQAN are to:
Promote a culture of quality assurance in higher education in Africa;
Foster collaboration and linkages among quality assurance bodies within Africa;
Advance good practices in the enhancement and maintenance of quality higher education in Africa;
Collaborate with quality assurance bodies in Africa in capacity building;
Facilitate research into the practice of quality assurance in higher education for purposes of improving the quality of higher education in Africa;
Provide advice and expertise for the development of new national and sub-regional quality assurance bodies in Africa;
Assist members of the Network to articulate standards of institutions operating in member countries;
Foster harmonization of standards for quality assurance across countries in Africa
Facilitate international recognition of qualifications to enhance mobility of staff and students in Africa; and
Promote the interests of Africa in other networks and international organizations with related focus.
The International Open University is an associate member of the Association of Quality Assurance Agencies of the Islamic World (IQA) established in an effort to promote and enhance quality higher education in the countries of the Islamic world.
The goals of IQA are:
To enhance the capacity of quality assurance agencies in countries of the Islamic World
To facilitate collaboration and exchanges of best practices, experiences and expertise among quality assurance agencies of countries of the Islamic World; and
To encourage cooperation with regional and international quality assurance organizations.
The International Open University (IOU) is an approved member institution of the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO).
ICESCO is an international non-profit organization emanating from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), specializing in the fields of education, science and culture.
The mission of ICESCO is the construction of tomorrow's decision-makers, the sharing of expertise and institutional support, the optimization of development policies and systems of innovation and knowledge.
The International Open University (IOU) is an approved member institution of the International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE).
The International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE) was founded in 1938 in Canada as the International Council for Correspondence Education and today, the ICDE is the leading global membership organization for open, distance, flexible and online education, including e-learning, with members from 60 countries representing every continent.
ICDE is a non-governmental organization supported by the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research and in formal consultative relations with UNESCO. ICDE works together with UNESCO in the service of international cooperation and development since 1967. This status grants ICDE’s members a voice at UNESCO. The IOU membership can be verified here.
he International Open University is an associate member of the Asian Association of Open Universities (AAOU). The Association, AAOU, is a non-profit organization of higher learning institutions that were established to widen the educational opportunities available for all people in Asia and to improve the quality of the institutions in terms of their educational management, teaching and research.
The AAOU promotes education by distance teaching systems, as well as professional and ethical standards; develops potentialities of open and distance education; cooperates with official bodies and others directly or indirectly interested in education at a distance; and facilitates cooperation with other similar regional and international bodies.
The objectives of the AAOU are:
To widen the educational opportunities available to all the people of the region and to improve the cost of member institutions by exchanging management information, teaching materials and research;
To help promote education by distance teaching systems, and develop its potentialities;
To help promote professional and ethical standards amongst distance educators;
To cooperate with official bodies and others directly or indirectly interested in distance education;
To facilitate cooperation with other similar regional and international bodies in all the above objectives;
To do all other things incidental or conducive to the attainment of the above objectives.
The membership of IOU at the AAOU may be verified here.
In its quest to change nations through education by raising a generation of individuals aware of their social duties towards their communities, the International Open University has joined the Talloires Network, which is an international association of institutions committed to strengthening the civic roles and social responsibilities of higher education. The Talloires Network is a global coalition of 315 universities in 72 countries with a combined enrollment of over 6 million students.
General Benefits of the Talloires Network Member Institutions
Eligibility to apply for the annual MacJannet Prize, which provides monetary awards and public recognition for innovative and effective university civic engagement programs
Connections to peers (administrators, staff, faculty, and students) at institutions around the world who have similar interests in civic engagement
Opportunities for joint initiatives, including institutional partnerships and regional conferences
Access to a shared global platform, through the Talloires Network’s website, monthly newsletter, and other communication tools to increase the visibility of the Islamic Online University’s civic engagement work
Access to expertise on civic engagement through online toolkits and resources
Announcements of opportunities that may be of interest to the Islamic Online University, such as grant opportunities and regional conferences
Access to information on civic engagement and experiential learning, which builds critical thinking skills, leadership skills, and a sense of social responsibility
Platform for student voices and a framework for more communication with other stakeholders than might be possible inside a single institution
The International Open University is committed towards its civic engagement and realizes that universities should play a major role in creating a generation of individuals who are aware of their social responsibilities and would benefit their communities as responsible citizens. The IOU’s civic engagement activities’ summary and membership status can be verified here. The International Open University Civic Engagement Report (August 2015) may be viewed here.
The International Open University is a member of the International Council of Islamic Finance Educators (ICIFE) which is the Global Body for Professional Certification and Accreditation for the Islamic Finance Education. The ICIFE aims to increase and maintain the professionalism of educators in the Islamic Finance field at the national (Malaysia) and international level. Some of the Objectives of ICIFE are:
To design and develop a world class curriculum for the Islamic finance education.
To review and update the Islamic finance curriculum continuously to be relevant to market needs.
To develop training modules for knowledge and skills development of talents for teaching, and training students and professionals in Islamic finance.
To publish text and reference books, journals, magazines and newsletters.
Benefits of Joining ICIFE:
Membership in ICIFE will give IOU professional recognition in the field of Islamic banking and finance educators as ICIFE is the leading authority here.
Access to a pool of experts who can be relied upon for information and advice on the recognition, accreditation and authenticity of curriculum in Islamic banking and finance and the related areas.
Opportunity to participate in specialized programs and courses organized for the benefit of ICIFE members and associates in the field of Islamic banking and finance and its related areas.
Benefits for the Students:
The students will receive a world class curriculum in Islamic economics and finance education that will be updated continuously to cater to the needs of the market.
There will be networking opportunities for students to develop their careers further in the respective fields of study in the area of Islamic banking, economics and finance.
The membership of IOU at the ICIFE can be verified here.
The IInternational Open University (IOU) ?has ?established ?ICIFE (International Council of Islamic Finance Educators) ??country chapters in four countries: India, the Gambia, Sierra Leone, and Somaliland?.
The country chapter certificates may be viewed here:
The International Open University (IOU) is an approved member institution of the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO).
ICESCO is an international non-profit organization emanating from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), specializing in the fields of education, science and culture.
The mission of ICESCO is the construction of tomorrow’s decision-makers, the sharing of expertise and institutional support, the optimization of development policies and systems of innovation and knowledge.
The International Open University (IOU) is an approved member institution of the International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE).
The International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE) was founded in 1938 in Canada as the International Council for Correspondence Education and today, the ICDE is the leading global membership organization for open, distance, flexible and online education, including e-learning, with members from 60 countries representing every continent.
ICDE is a non-governmental organization supported by the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research and in formal consultative relations with UNESCO. ICDE works together with UNESCO in the service of international cooperation and development since 1967. This status grants ICDE’s members a voice at UNESCO. The IOU membership can be verified here.
he International Open University is an associate member of the Asian Association of Open Universities (AAOU). The Association, AAOU, is a non-profit organization of higher learning institutions that were established to widen the educational opportunities available for all people in Asia and to improve the quality of the institutions in terms of their educational management, teaching and research.
The AAOU promotes education by distance teaching systems, as well as professional and ethical standards; develops potentialities of open and distance education; cooperates with official bodies and others directly or indirectly interested in education at a distance; and facilitates cooperation with other similar regional and international bodies.
The objectives of the AAOU are:
To widen the educational opportunities available to all the people of the region and to improve the cost of member institutions by exchanging management information, teaching materials and research;
To help promote education by distance teaching systems, and develop its potentialities;
To help promote professional and ethical standards amongst distance educators;
To cooperate with official bodies and others directly or indirectly interested in distance education;
To facilitate cooperation with other similar regional and international bodies in all the above objectives;
To do all other things incidental or conducive to the attainment of the above objectives.
The membership of IOU at the AAOU may be verified here.
In its quest to change nations through education by raising a generation of individuals aware of their social duties towards their communities, the International Open University has joined the Talloires Network, which is an international association of institutions committed to strengthening the civic roles and social responsibilities of higher education. The Talloires Network is a global coalition of 315 universities in 72 countries with a combined enrollment of over 6 million students.
General Benefits of the Talloires Network Member Institutions
Eligibility to apply for the annual MacJannet Prize, which provides monetary awards and public recognition for innovative and effective university civic engagement programs
Connections to peers (administrators, staff, faculty, and students) at institutions around the world who have similar interests in civic engagement
Opportunities for joint initiatives, including institutional partnerships and regional conferences
Access to a shared global platform, through the Talloires Network’s website, monthly newsletter, and other communication tools to increase the visibility of the Islamic Online University’s civic engagement work
Access to expertise on civic engagement through online toolkits and resources
Announcements of opportunities that may be of interest to the Islamic Online University, such as grant opportunities and regional conferences
Access to information on civic engagement and experiential learning, which builds critical thinking skills, leadership skills, and a sense of social responsibility
Platform for student voices and a framework for more communication with other stakeholders than might be possible inside a single institution
The International Open University is committed towards its civic engagement and realizes that universities should play a major role in creating a generation of individuals who are aware of their social responsibilities and would benefit their communities as responsible citizens. The IOU’s civic engagement activities’ summary and membership status can be verified here. The International Open University Civic Engagement Report (August 2015) may be viewed here.
The International Open University is a member of the International Council of Islamic Finance Educators (ICIFE) which is the Global Body for Professional Certification and Accreditation for the Islamic Finance Education. The ICIFE aims to increase and maintain the professionalism of educators in the Islamic Finance field at the national (Malaysia) and international level. Some of the Objectives of ICIFE are:
To design and develop a world class curriculum for the Islamic finance education.
To review and update the Islamic finance curriculum continuously to be relevant to market needs.
To develop training modules for knowledge and skills development of talents for teaching, and training students and professionals in Islamic finance.
To publish text and reference books, journals, magazines and newsletters.
Benefits of Joining ICIFE:
Membership in ICIFE will give IOU professional recognition in the field of Islamic banking and finance educators as ICIFE is the leading authority here.
Access to a pool of experts who can be relied upon for information and advice on the recognition, accreditation and authenticity of curriculum in Islamic banking and finance and the related areas.
Opportunity to participate in specialized programs and courses organized for the benefit of ICIFE members and associates in the field of Islamic banking and finance and its related areas.
Benefits for the Students:
The students will receive a world class curriculum in Islamic economics and finance education that will be updated continuously to cater to the needs of the market.
There will be networking opportunities for students to develop their careers further in the respective fields of study in the area of Islamic banking, economics and finance.
The membership of IOU at the ICIFE can be verified here.
The IInternational Open University (IOU) ?has ?established ?ICIFE (International Council of Islamic Finance Educators) ??country chapters in four countries: India, the Gambia, Sierra Leone, and Somaliland?.
The country chapter certificates may be viewed here:
The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE) of the Government of The Gambia, and the International Open University (IOU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on June 15, 2015. Please click here to view the MOU.
The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE) of the Government of The Gambia, and the International Open University (IOU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on June 15, 2015. Please click here to view the MOU.
International Open University Chancellor Visits UTG Vice-Chancellor
On Friday 10 February 2017, the Chancellor and founder of the Islamic Online University (IOU), Dr. Bilal Philips and the Acting Vice Chancellor, Dr. Cherno Omar Barry, former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, paid a courtesy call to the Vice Chancellor of the UTG, Prof. Anjum at his Office,the UTG Chancery, MDI Road, Kanifing. VC Anjum and his Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration, Dr. Momodou Jane, welcomed the guest and emphasized on the need for collaboration between the UTG and IOU. According to Dr. Philips, the purpose of their visit was to explore possible areas of collaboration with the UTG especially on joint programmes. The UTG VC mentioned that the UTG intends to introduce a Bachelor of Science in Halal science in the near future. Dr. Philips shared his experience and efforts on collaborating with scholars in Pakistan and Malaysia on programmes in Halal Sciences.He also stressed upon the lack of commitment he has found in appointing someone to be an active part of this initiative. He implored VC Anjum to assist him in networking with a qualified individual to serve as the focal person in Halal Sciences. In his response, VC Anjum assured him of his full support in providing the curriculum and recommending someone.
Dr. Philips also recommended close collaboration on joint online programmes with the UTG, using his six-years of university experience in online programme preparation, and the IOU stressing the latter could be of immense support to the UTG in preparing online courses. He added that IOU is not in competition with the UTG but that both institutions should seek to complement and support each other in order to reach the unreachable. For his part, acting VC Barry of the IOU emphasized the need for the two institutions’ collaboration to be complementary and of a mutual interest that would result in the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to formalize the collaboration. According to VC Barry, the proposed MOA will focus on resource sharing, joint research and programmes. He further emphasized that higher education in the Gambia is mainly centered within the urban areas. He also said it would require a strong partnership between the public and private universities in order to breach the gap between rural and urban Gambia through a hybrid online programme to enhance and promote access to higher education throughout the country and beyond.
In his concluding remarks, Dr. Philips said recent research has shown that in the US about 80% of those who graduate from university had done some courses online. Prof. Anjum for his part concluded by commending both Dr. Bilal Philips and Dr. Barry for the visit and for identifying UTG as a partner for collaboration. He reassured them of his full cooperation to establish and enforce the agreement.
PRESS RELEASE
International Open University Chancellor Visits UTG Vice-Chancellor
On Friday 10 February 2017, the Chancellor and founder of the Islamic Online University (IOU), Dr. Bilal Philips and the Acting Vice Chancellor, Dr. Cherno Omar Barry, former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, paid a courtesy call to the Vice Chancellor of the UTG, Prof. Anjum at his Office,the UTG Chancery, MDI Road, Kanifing. VC Anjum and his Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration, Dr. Momodou Jane, welcomed the guest and emphasized on the need for collaboration between the UTG and IOU. According to Dr. Philips, the purpose of their visit was to explore possible areas of collaboration with the UTG especially on joint programmes. The UTG VC mentioned that the UTG intends to introduce a Bachelor of Science in Halal science in the near future. Dr. Philips shared his experience and efforts on collaborating with scholars in Pakistan and Malaysia on programmes in Halal Sciences.He also stressed upon the lack of commitment he has found in appointing someone to be an active part of this initiative. He implored VC Anjum to assist him in networking with a qualified individual to serve as the focal person in Halal Sciences. In his response, VC Anjum assured him of his full support in providing the curriculum and recommending someone.
Dr. Philips also recommended close collaboration on joint online programmes with the UTG, using his six-years of university experience in online programme preparation, and the IOU stressing the latter could be of immense support to the UTG in preparing online courses. He added that IOU is not in competition with the UTG but that both institutions should seek to complement and support each other in order to reach the unreachable. For his part, acting VC Barry of the IOU emphasized the need for the two institutions’ collaboration to be complementary and of a mutual interest that would result in the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to formalize the collaboration. According to VC Barry, the proposed MOA will focus on resource sharing, joint research and programmes. He further emphasized that higher education in the Gambia is mainly centered within the urban areas. He also said it would require a strong partnership between the public and private universities in order to breach the gap between rural and urban Gambia through a hybrid online programme to enhance and promote access to higher education throughout the country and beyond.
In his concluding remarks, Dr. Philips said recent research has shown that in the US about 80% of those who graduate from university had done some courses online. Prof. Anjum for his part concluded by commending both Dr. Bilal Philips and Dr. Barry for the visit and for identifying UTG as a partner for collaboration. He reassured them of his full cooperation to establish and enforce the agreement.
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