Open Education Program: Non Degree Programs

This question is related to the Campus Section of International Open University

Here are some of the commonly asked questions related to Open Education Program.

What is an Open Education Program?

The International Open University Open Education Program (OEP) is especially characterized by the university’s aim to cater to the special needs of all students across the globe who do not have a high school diploma or any provable education qualification, yet they wish to study and grow in their learning. The Open Education Program opens its door wide to accommodate all individuals who are enthusiastic about learning and gaining knowledge.

For the administrative purposes, the students applying for the OEP are only required to upload their scanned photo ID (passport / national ID card) and a passport size photo to begin their journey of university-level courses. The basic difference of studying the same undergraduate programs of the IOU as a mainstream degree student and under the Open Education Program is that the credits earned do not carry the equivalent of the university credits nor count toward the admission requirement of any of the accredited degrees, diploma, higher diploma or certificate program at the IOU.

The study materials, curriculum, and classes of the regular undergraduate and graduate programs, and of the Open Education Program are completely identical. While the students share the same classes, discussion forums, and recorded supplementary sessions conducted by the teachers, it is not possible to identify who is enrolled under which program; hence, there is no discrimination between students enrolled through the mainstream programs and those of the OEP. Thus, the students of the Open Education Program may attend classes and sit for the exams freely without any hesitation.

The same marking system and fee structure are applicable for the IOU OEP as well.

Note: Thesis writing is not a part of the Advance Diploma stream

Which programs come under the IOU Open Education Program?

All the “Advanced Diploma” and the “Intensive Arabic Program” come under the IOU Open Education Program

(OEP).

The exhaustive list of the programs under the IOU OEP, which are identical with the degree programs, is as follows:

BAIS Advanced Diploma
BEd Advanced Diploma
BSc Psychology Advanced Diploma
BSc in Islamic Economics, Banking, and Finance Advanced Diploma
Bachelors of Business Administration Advanced Diploma
BSc Information Technology Advanced Diploma
BA Arabic Advanced Diploma
MAIS Advanced Diploma
Intensive Arabic Program

What is the maximum duration of a program under the IOU OEP?

The duration of the various programs under the IOU OEP are:

BAIS Advanced Diploma: 4-year course; maximum duration is 12 years.
BEd Advanced Diploma: 4-year course; maximum duration is 12 years.
BSc Psychology Advance Diploma: 4-year course; maximum duration is 12 years.
BSc in Islamic Economics, Banking and Finance Advanced Diploma: 4-year course; maximum duration is 12 years.
Bachelor's of Business Administration Advance Diploma: 4-year course; maximum duration is 12 years.
BSc Information Technology Advance Diploma: 4-year course; maximum duration is 12 years.
BA Arabic Advance Diploma: 4-year course; maximum duration is 12 years.
MAIS Advanced Diploma: 2-year course; maximum duration is 6 years.
Intensive Arabic Program: 2-year course; maximum duration is 6 years.

The maximum duration implies that a student must finish the program within the allotted time frame.

What will the IOU issue to the students who successfully complete the IOU OEP? Will it be a degree?

The students will receive a ‘diploma’ that will be stamped and signed by the Ministry of Higher Education of Somalia. However, it will be clearly mentioned on the certificate and transcript that this is a ‘diploma’ that does not carry university credits.

Will the IOU accept the Advanced Diploma or Intensive Arabic Program (IAP) certificate of the IOU OEP graduates to gain admission into any of the accredited degree/diploma/certificate programs?

No, the IOU will not accept the Advanced Diploma or the IAP certificate of the IOU OEP graduates to grant admission into any of the accredited degree/diploma/certificate programs.

Will other universities accept the Advanced Diploma or the Intensive Arabic Program (IAP) certificate of IOU OEP graduates to gain admission into any of the accredited degree/diploma/certificate programs?

The admission is subject to the discretion of the Admissions Office of the university a student would apply to.

Will offices/schools accept the Advanced Diploma or the IAP certificate of IOU OEP graduates to teach there?

The employment acceptance is subject to the discretion of the particular organization where an OEP graduate would apply.