|
Introduction
Ansted University is a
private open international university and
research institution of higher learning
incorporated in British Virgin Islands.
Ansted offers courses of instruction leading
to Diploma’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s
and Doctoral Degrees as well as Undergraduate
and Post Doctoral Programmes.
Ansted University offers
its programmes worldwide, utilizing contemporary
communication technologies, in order to
provide students with the opportunity to
study anywhere, anytime, and at their own
pace.
All the degree programmes
offered by the University have been reviewed,
evaluated by the highly qualified scholars
who are academic and faculty members at
prestigious institutions and universities
throughout the world.
From a humble beginning,
the vision of the Ansted University as a
corporate institution began to spread across
the world. Ansted University was developed
equally as an alternative to traditional
institution of higher learning for those
persons who are unable to experience a classroom
college-level education for various reasons.
A group of educators and
professional people from 23 countries actively
participating in our efforts, comprising
an international planning committee for
exploring the possibilities of creating
an Ansted International Open University
with a world philosophy and a worldwide
outreach
Ansted University has its
history, its finances, its philosophy, and
a host of aspects such as its administration,
its curricula, its academic practices, its
faculty, its representatives, its affiliated
campus developments, and its long-range
objectives, which are calculated to take
Education to new frontiers.
A university must have
a reason for its existence such as the education
of youth and of mature students seeking
higher degrees. Providing lifelong learning
opportunities for a world that reflects
optimum human capability is indeed the reason
for Ansted University’s existence.
For Ansted University
to succeed, it must be far-sighted, visionary,
courageous in exploring new knowledge, and
sensitive to significant changes in our
way of life. It is a University that dares
to dream of a more humane world in which
organised violence is unknown and human
potential fully developed.
Ansted University is multi-dimensional,
without artificial barriers and dogmatic
limitations. It aims to not only consider
education as an art, but also as a science.
It excludes nothing that is constructive,
uplifting, inspirational and in the mainstream
of human evolution.
Ansted University operates
as an international university for business
administration and entrepreneurship, arts,
science, technology, alternative medicines,
engineering, environmental science, agriculture,
applied science and law. It offers Modular
Certificate Programme, Diploma’s,
Advance Diploma’s, Bachelor’s,
Master’s and Doctor’s degree
programmes.
Ansted’s graduates
are experienced mid-career working people.
They are culturally, ethnically, and professionally
diverse. The age extreme ranges from twenty
onward to eighty plus. They speak English,
Afrikaans, Spanish, French, German, Greek,
Indonesian, Malaysian, Italian, Japanese,
Mandarin, Norwegian, Swedish, Russian, Cantonese,
Farsi, Urdu, Hindi, Arabic, and many other
languages. Ansted’s graduates have
been accepted for further research and study
by some universities in various part of
the world.
It is not just a few paragraphs can introduce
Ansted University even though we are a young
Open International University. If we were
to accumulate the years of experience of
our Ansted community to bring their acute
and in-depth knowledge and experience then
it would increase to huge number of years.
This itself sounds very interesting. Yes,
indeed. No matter how you look at it, establishing/founding
Ansted University has been a wonderful and
satisfying thing to do. And we have been
doing this worthwhile thing together with
more than 1000 Academicians, Scientists,
Researchers and Experts in various fields
from more than 80 countries since our inception.
The majority of them are serving as volunteers
and holding Honorary position while they
are still working for reputable traditional
Universities and Organisations. We human
beings have the power of choice. The ability
to make choices and decisions.
Many thousands of our alumni
have been starting to serve the communities
in their home country and proud to hold
our university degree qualifications despite
the fact that we are not an accredited university.
We have many surveys to prove that our university
graduates not only can compete but also
can out-perform others in the work place.
Ansted University has room
for Ansted community to continue to develop
and find their research interest without
any barriers because Ansted has been creating
a platform to promote education in a non
traditional approach. It becomes common
place for Ansted community to continue to
grow and at the same time to help keen learners
to grow together for cultivating a better
world to live in.
Besides describing the
background of Ansted University as a part
of introduction, we feel that the best way
to introduce Ansted University to public
is to articulate some statements mentioned
by Ansted community at large to create a
more impact illustration which will help
readers to know us better.
Dr. David Lingiah
“Distance Education
acquired through Ansted University is a
valid learning experience. Following my
first degree in Health Studies at Glasgow
Caledonian University I took all my post
graduate education through distance learning
mode from Masters to PhD in Counselling
and Psychology. As such I feel sufficiently
prepared in my academic life to be able
to write with confidence and have had several
texts published in the area of Counselling
and Health. These texts are well used by
students and others. I continue writing
for several newspapers and magazines. Recently
my academic work was further evaluated by
Ansted University and was awarded a DSc.
as well. I was elected as an Honorary Council
member of the Board to Ansted University
and had the privilege of serving as editor-in-chief
of the 2005 newsletter and the present university
new website working closely with Professor
Roger Haw and many fellow colleagues of
Ansted University. It was an honour and
in fact a valuable experience. Ansted’s
reputation is now worldwide through the
untiring efforts of Dr. Haw. His personal
achievements are a testimonial of his recognition
by several governmental bodies and NGOs
around the world. The UNESCO recognition
of Ansted University mission and activities
are one special achievement we should all
be proud of. The invitation to attend the
UNESCO Forum on “Higher Education,
Research and Knowledge Colloquium on Research
and Higher Education Policy, “Universities
as Centres of Research and Knowledge Creation:
An Endangered Species?” in Paris,
France at the UNESCO Headquarter on November
2006 was one that will last deep in my memory.
By Dr. David Lingiah (UK)
Prof. Dr. Irene
Ovenstone (UK) said “AU founding
members seem to be doing a marvellous job
for promoting education worldwide and are
justly proud of their efforts. They must
have had a difficult time. Life is certainly
full of problems but to achieve a goal it
is necessary to be persistent in the face
of all adversity. I have certainly had a
share of that in my life but the end product
is important. Falling down and getting up
again are all part of the process. Many
of Ansted students all over the world must
be grateful that they were able to study
at the university and broaden their horizons
towards a more successful and enriching
life. I will be pleased to hear more about
the university activities in due course.
I feel complemented on the part Ansted is
playing in promoting education and research.
I do not need to tell you that funding is
always a problem with any research. I believe
that Universities need to come closer to
the communities. Much needs to be done in
the developing countries to raise standards
of education. I believe it is likely to
be a long uphill struggle but very well
worth the effort.”
Prof. Dr. Roger Haw
“Ansted University
has seen a steady and healthy growth over
the past few years. All these would not
have been possible without team spirit,
strong support and good collaboration from
the Ansted family. Especially I highly appreciated
each and every single word you have given
to encourage and acknowledge our most sincere
and warmest effort to the establishment
of AU in the world to help the needy for
Educational Development. I was the pioneer
and so derive much satisfaction for taking
the first step but I was not the only person
who made the journey. The University needs
to be nursed well by all of us. Let us join
hands and with concerted efforts make its
future as healthy and wholesome as we can.”
Prof. Dr. Roger Haw (Malaysia)
Prof. Dr. Dana M Barry
“Ansted is unique
in that it unites the people of many countries
into one large family under the excellent
leadership of its Founding Member Dr. Roger
Haw. The University is wonderful, open,
caring, and inspiring. It also provides
numerous opportunities and encourages social,
economic, and educational development at
all levels. Ansted means everything to me
and I am very proud to be a member of its
community. Since I serve as President of
the Scientific Board, I am also concerned
with the improvement and promotion of the
University’s Science, Engineering,
and Research Programs.” Prof. Dr.
Dana M Barry (USA)
We know that numerous difficulties can arise
while striving for a noble goal. It is quite
likely in our mission too. However, we sincerely
hope to have constructive criticism and
sympathy along with cooperation, patronage
and support from everyone. We had to deeply
consider the most sensitive aspects of leadership
style to be followed in each organisation
that we set up. Ansted University Foundation
provided us the financial support for this
vital point.
One can be sure that nothing
happens by chance. When people suffer, as
they do on a scale almost unimaginable,
they suffer for a reason and that reason
can be traced to human misconduct in some
form or another. It may not always seem
that way, but behind every effect there
is a cause, and behind every cause there
is accountability. For the university to
remain silent in the face of this accountability
is to perform a monumental disservice to
the student body it is educating and to
the society it is guiding with through its
leadership.
The time has come for the
university to rethink its role as a learning
institution with an eye on the universe,
within and outside of each individual learner.
This is the only way a more humane and peaceful
life can be realised by us all. Religion
by itself cannot accomplish this result.
If it could, we would already be living
that ideal life. We would have peace on
earth, and people would be motivated by
love and not by fear or greed.
At Ansted University, instead
of creating various schools with an international
outlook on one campus, we have decided to
create and promote many affiliated campuses,
scattered across the world. Instead of preparing
students for careers that have one personal
implication, we have agreed to prepare them
for world service and world leadership as
that is where the greatest need exists today.
Prof. Dr. Joy B Cripps
“We are educated
but not always cultured, skilled but not
always constructive. What is needed is some
comprehension of a plan that foresees the
trend of human evolution, and the manner
in which humanity can cooperate for the
lasting benefit of all. Instead of pouring
facts into an empty mind, the satellite
campuses attempt to bring from the individual
the knowledge, --knowledge which is already
there. Hence, the true meaning of education:
to draw out, to evoke, to evolve, to develop,
to express what is within. A concept, which
goes back 2,500 years to the ancient Greeks
and to the Platonic philosophy of successive
re-embodiment. It is nothing new in the
history of education.” Prof. Dr. Joy
B Cripps, President of Ansted University
Board of Governors
“When it is said
that a student is responsible for the condition
in which he/she finds himself/herself and
is the product of his/her own self-image,
then what chance does one have of achieving
success in his/her chosen vocation, unless
he/she does express the proper image? The
assumption that intelligence alone is insufficient
for the mentioned purpose is correct. Today
our world is in the hands of the educated,
but it is also facing catastrophe. Obviously,
our education has to be faulty to produce
such a devastating effect. The missing link
in modern education is the dedication to
a selfless cause that transcends the necessity
for personal aggrandizement as a way of
life. The key to university education is
commitment and not cognitive ability alone.
Life is not just a matter
of achieving success by the time-honoured
method of the accumulation of possessions
and wielding of power. It is a matter of
fulfilling a destiny that is personal and
spiritually satisfying to the individual
concerned. This is the start of a series
on SUCCESS. Different people have their
definitions or meanings attached to success.
Success is valued differently depending
on gender, age, race, religion, lifestyle
etc. Whatever it may be, it’s undeniable
that success is important. Yet many people
set too little rules for success but too
many rules for imperfection. Even if they
are already successful, it’s worthwhile
to think of what success is over and over
again. Successful people are successful
because they form the habits of reminding
themselves and doing those things that failures
don’t like to do.
Not many people realise
it but it’s actually easier to succeed
than to fail. Here’re 3 reasons why:
1. It’s easier to succeed because
success eliminates the agony and frustration
of defeat.
2. It’s easier to succeed because
money spent to fail must be spent again
to succeed.
3. It’s easier to succeed because
joy and expressions of affirmation come
from succeeding, whereas feelings of discouragement
and discontent accompany failure.
Education may be called a philosophy, and
even an art, but it can hardly be called
a science until it has revealed the student’s
identity. That is who he is, where he has
been, why he is here, and where he is going.
Of course, the revelation is applicable
to both sexes.
Once a student knows what his/her capacities
are and what dangers to avoid, the student
is prepared to succeed in any formal professional
training. All education starts with self-revelation,
and it is from this beginning that Ansted
University proposes to guide the student
toward the realization of his/her destiny.
Ansted University exists on the assumption
that all of mankind is on the threshold
of a new experience of world order. The
formation and direction of this world order,
is to engage all men and women of good will.”
This statement was contributed by Prof.
Dr. Joy Beaudette Cripps (Australia), Prof.
Dr. Roger Haw (Malaysia) and Late Prof.
Dr. Howard J. Zitko (USA)
Prof. Dr Adams Bodomo
“I will continue
to support Ansted. I will eventually propose
a curriculum for a proposed Department of
Linguistics and later a Research Centre
in Human Language Technology (HLT) - the
area that deals with how human language
is processed on the information technology
gadgets like computers, phones etc for various
applications such as language learning,
(web-based) teaching, etc, etc. These are
areas and units I would like to see developed
here in at Ansted University. I will gradually
begin setting up the Linguistics programme
and the research centre in HLT.” Prof.
Dr Adams Bodomo (Africa)
Each year millions of people
acquire knowledge through various type of
learning method. They study for many reasons
— to advance their careers, increase
their income, obtain better jobs, increase
their prestige, or simply to learn something
new.
What has brought about
such sweeping changes in traditional thought?
For the first time on a mass scale, universities
are beginning to look beyond the brick and
the ivy. What they are seeing are the many
highly intelligent and capable individuals
in the world who are left dangling with
their dreams, desires and goals at a standstill
while those with university degrees enjoy
the promotions, pay rises and the prestige
awarded them by our “degree conscious”
society. Non-traditional study in its many
forms is available now throughout the world,
and adults may now earn University degrees
no matter where they live.
Schools conducting studies
on the “workability” of non-traditional
degree programmes are discovering that adults
can be highly motivated when they are given
opportunities for lifelong learning which
do not conflict with personal and professional
lives. And schools report that in many instances
the personal growth and confidence acquired
by an adult studying in a non-traditional
format often gives him or her deeper level
of understanding and appreciation far beyond
that of the traditional university-age student.
The flexible nature of
non-traditional education allows students
a variety of learning experiences—credit
by examination, credit for life experiences,
evening courses, independent study, contract
learning, weekend college, summer programs,
seminars, workshops, internships, tutorials,
correspondence courses, extension classes,
online courses and more. All of these experiences
are non-traditional in that the learning
(or credits) is obtained outside the traditional
week-long classroom setting.
“Ansted University
is a University like no other; its unique
character is reflected in its mission to
serve society through its teaching and research.
It may therefore be hailed as a true humanitarian
edifice in the spirit of the United Nations,
bringing education to those who would otherwise
be without tangible recognition of their
achievements and success. We should recognise
how important the spiritual and humanitarian
dimensions to education are to the ultimate
success of any study or research-based programme.
Without them we cannot experience the true
richness of education, whose purpose is
to uplift and ennoble the human spirit,
and are left merely with vocational training,
which certainly has its uses but which will
at the end leave the soul unsatisfied. Genuine
education is a profound and life-changing
experience. Its nature is to question and
challenge all held assumptions; this is
why one of the first actions of despots
is to suppress free thinking and speech.
At Ansted University we can see a beacon
being lit whose intellectual and spiritual
fire will, in time, spread throughout the
world. It is indeed an honour to be one
of those involved at the beginning of this
process.
One of the most important
aspects of a spiritually-rich University
is that it stands for peace and the cessation
of conflict in the world today. Those who
truly understand each other through the
shared experience of education will put
themselves above the waste and misery of
war, because they recognise that there is
no solution in armed conflict and that reasoned
negotiation is the only path to success.
Wars are not about who wins or loses - to
have had to resort to war in the first place
is an admission of failure. Through its
mission, there is much that Ansted University
is doing to unite the peoples of many nations
in a single family; a family where debate
and discussion will flourish, but in the
knowledge that the ties that bind this family
together are too strong to be broken. At
a time when the world is far from being
at peace - indeed where fresh destruction
is being spoken of at this very time - we
must all play our part in emphasising our
common humanity and universal brother- and
sisterhood.
It is worth restating that
all successful universities are ultimately
dependent on vision, and in the examples
of Ansted University’s Founding Membership
such vision is present in abundance. Our
President, Prof. Dr Joy B. Cripps, has shown
us through her example and inspiration that
we can achieve our goals if we hold fast
to our dreams and persevere through the
difficult times. Now we can see this vision
beginning to take shape, there is the chance
to create a Great Work whose significance
will be universally known in this, the twenty-first
century, and for many years to come. This
is a historic time, and we should all do
what we can, be that through financial,
educational or spiritual support, to make
Ansted University all that it can and should
be.
Professor Dr. John Kersey
Let us reflect on what
has already been achieved; let us celebrate
what we have at this present time; let us
look forward to the endeavours that lie
ahead. To all those receiving degrees and
awards at the Convocation I send my congratulations;
to all those who are already members of
the Ansted University family I send my best
wishes and every good fortune for the future.
I have the honour to remain so. It is good
to see so many of the Ansted family speaking
with one voice.” Professor Dr. John
Kersey (UK)
Ms. Cherryl E. Berin
“Education remains
a universal quest. That is why it is conceived
as the last bastion of hope. At the present
time, human race is battered with challenges
and issues. Consequently, knowledge becomes
the indispensable wealth of human race and
education has drawn the encompassing frontier
of this future. Needless to say, education
is a profound necessity and a shared responsibility
among us. As a University Lecturer, I see
future unfolds as learning venues arise
like Ansted University. It is a noble mission
to lead the young minds toward national
development. Truly, education equates an
investment in the future and Ansted University
exemplifies a cradle for the future. I assume
that this event is well-attended. And I
was fascinated as to how AU convened such
handful of expertise in the Asian hemisphere.”
Ms. Cherryl E. Berin (Philippines)
Mr. David Wortley
“You have the power
to change the world if you believe in yourself
and commit to helping others fulfil their
potential. My very best wishes and congratulations
go out to Ansted University and especially
to Dr. Roger Haw who has been a source of
inspiration and an example to many in our
globalised Information Society. It is the
passion and commitment demonstrated by Dr
Haw which has the potential to change the
world and he has recognised how empowering
the empowerment of others can be. Although
my own resources are presently limited,
I am happy to make available any expertise
and virtual classroom technology at my disposal
to support the worthy cause of Ansted University.
Always remember, "You have the power
to change the world if you believe in yourself
and commit to helping others fulfil their
potential." Mr. David Wortley (UK)
Dr. A. S. Guha
"Education today is
undergoing cultural shifts in knowledge
related processes. We have distance education,
online learning, virtual campus to make
it globalise and accessible to the marginalized.
This is a creative approach to some of the
fundamentals of education where technology
is a potent medium. Very soon we will see
the duplication of the classroom model in
the virtual universities, in many countries.
In a globalise environment we must think
of "Learning to live together".
This is the paradigm shift of peace and
togetherness which education must foster.
Peace education or Education for Peace should
be a reality. How can education be an antidote
for peace? It is indeed very commendable
that Ansted University is a platform for
people from all over the world to enkindle
this passion for education. Let such diversity
in unity remain the watchword so that we
continue to be free thinkers in our quest
for knowledge. The Programme on 31st October
2002 is a translation of the ideal of living
and learning together into a reality. The
messages are nice. Some of them are very
beautiful and sensitive and moreover they
are from all over the world. It just proves
how compressed the world is today, thanks
to path-breaking technologies. I wish it
grand success.” Dr. A. S. Guha (India)
Prof. Dr. Osama Jannadi
I read the material with
enormous interest. On a review of the information,
I have observed that keeping the rapid developments
taking place in industry, technology, science
and other fields, the future of education
is moving towards preparing students to
work in a global economy with goals that
are shared both personally and by the community
at large. The educational implications are
lucid. Students need to learn how to make
proficient use of ICTs to help support them
in communicating, learning, problem solving,
and researching. In effect, such institutions
need to be readily accessible to students
and educators. I am very happy to note that
Ansted University is meeting this challenge
head-on and is separating itself as one
of the premier institutions for advanced
education. I am very proud to know that
Ansted University’s vision is to make
the students and faculty of the University
gear themselves up to the changing atmosphere.
Under these circumstances, the future structure
and function of Ansted University is well
supported with a strong foundation in promoting
human excellence while encouraging team
efforts. I wish University every success
in its strive towards a strong educational
base in the Far East.” Prof. Dr. Osama
Jannadi (Saudi Arabia)
Prof. Dr. Gregory Vastatzidis
Ansted University’s very promising
attainment requires the warm support and
zest of its devotees. A university like
Ansted is of considerable need today given
the world circumstances, especially regarding
the demand for knowledge. The essential
international perspective implemented by
Ansted University is fully consistent with
the objective of the acquisition of knowledge
for as many people as possible. Excellence
is the hallmark of a university of distinction";
"Excellence requires a total quality
commitment, which must characterize every
activity of Ansted University". I could
not agree more. Indeed, I had the privilege
to experience and fully realize from my
adolescence what devotion to excellence
and commitment to quality really means.
Therefore, I can understand better the essence
of Ansted philosophy. The success is the
result of bold but also tenable conception,
thorough knowledge, sufficient capability,
and appropriate strategy. These four distinct
parameters combined with zeal and unswerving
fervour are fundamental constituents to
any attainment that is potentially successful.”
Prof. Dr. Gregory Vastatzidis (Greece)
|
