Last week, we sat down with Shai Reshef, Ashoka Fellow and social entrepreneur in higher education. Reshef is the founder and president of the University of the People. UoPeople is devoted to providing universal access to quality, post-secondary education to qualified students, all online.
When Reshef says he wants ‘universal access,’ he means it: UoPeople is tuition free. The University uses open source materials and open educational resources, so that students are not thwarted by expensive textbooks. To date, UoPeople has over 600 students from almost 100 countries.
We asked Reshef what brick-n-mortar type institutions have to fear if his idea goes to scale and spreads globally. “Nothing.” he said smiling. “If University of the People becomes an alternative to Harvard then I’ve missed the point…It’s better to have decent education for all than exclusive education for few.”
Currently, Reshef is working hard to follow through on his commitment to get Haitian students back to college after this year’s devastating earthquake, which completely destroyed 28 of Haiti’s 32 major universities. Read about Reshef’s vision for UoPeople in Haiti.
I love the University of the People. I would like to register. Thank you and long live the school.
I worked in a Graduate School, and tuitions were free not because our President agreed, but because I used the law to make it possible.
I didn´t need to say to our students what they have to do, no, they had the opportunity to take the courses and assist normally as the others. When they were in the advanced level, they tried to officialize their status because they were afraid they could lose everything they won. The secret is: First you give the opportunity, they take the opportunity, [...] this innovation could develop others, that you never had in mind, it´s an experiment, based ion COMMITMENT because everybody will have a com-mitment with you, with their teachers, [..] and with themselves. You have a great, great, great, commit- ment to everybody, but I think everybody will help you, because everybody is intrested in doing well the future. Maria
Thank you, Maria, for your words of support to Shai Reshef. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to feature Shai’s courageous innovation. And you are right: The success of UoPeople rests on the hard work and determination of students all over the world!
I want to be educated. I would like to receive my masters of education at the University of the People.
I am so surprised but very happy to read about University of the people that is available in the most difficult moment. Moreover, special treatment is addressed to the recent devastated country by earthquake, the poor Haiti. Our educational buildings are completely destroyed or seriously damaged and the quantity we had before the earthquake couldn’t even support the students, now is the worst. Not only the online system is easy, it is also free. That is very good for humanity. In this regard, I encourage students to register, to work hard and to witness. Special thanks to the founder & president, Mr Shai Reshef, for having such a good heart and for creating this initiative. Keep up the good work!
To Flavia and Ameyaw: Thank you for posting! We love your enthusiasm for UoPeople. I suggest you check out the application procedures at http://www.uopeople.org/groups/admissions_process. A UoPeople admissions officer can help you through the process.
I am interested to learn more about the University of the People.
Could you explain a little bit more but the most important points about this University?
Thanks for the explanation.
Regards,
Currently, i have just completed orientation courses at UoPeople. I must say that it is an exciting experience. HAPPY ARE THOSE WHO GET TO KNOW OF THE UNIVERSITY AND ACT ON IT. you will enjoy conducive virtual learning environment here. thanks to UoPeople.
Well, No hope is lost in God! I have been searching online for tuition free schools both online and on campus; even if its work and pay but its not easy to come across. but on thursday last week i was just giving it my best again when i say a post directing me to a link where an interview with the founder was conducted. After reading the interview, i followed the link to the school straight away to apply.Now am about sending the second part of the application called the offline application. i will be sending my documents out this week hopefully and i believe i will be granted addmission.
Thanks to University of the People. and the Authors of each post i had red.
Well,
I’ve been studying at UoPeople since April 2009, and my experience is… simply the best.
I hold a Bachelor in Business, but my dream is to learn about Computer Science, in 2008 I heard in the news about the opening of UoPeople, and I applied immediatly!
About the experience, let me tell you that you have to be aware about the quality of the education: Is very good. You have to read a lot, there is an assigment every week, you have to exchange opinions with your pairs… each course, at each term is extremetely rigorous!
Thus, my learning until now is very good, we are developing a very interesting network worldwide, and I hope to finish my Bachelor, and to see my “Dream come true”.
If someone wants to know about my UoPeople experience, feel free to contact me!
gustavo.vasquez(at)colombia.com
I want to have my undergraduate study on electronic engineering. Thanks
I am yet to begin classes for computer science come next April this year. i Just need some counseling or guidance. i am a physician assistant with a diploma in medicine and community health and 5 years working in a hospital. But i had always wanted to do something about computers because i have a passion for such courses.
Do you think by combining my diploma in medicine and computer science will make have a brighter future?? what are computer science-medical related programs that are available at masters level??