COU provides adult continuing education. It was developed to meet the
needs of adults by offering non-resident degree and other programs on
an international basis. The programs have been organized and developed
using as a starting point the "off-campus" external degree concept tried
and tested by the various "universities without walls".
There are no entry requirements for undergraduate courses. You decide how long you
will take to complete your course work. While you are studying, a teacher
will be available to offer help, answer questions, and guide you through the
learning process, but students are free to choose their own study pace.
As an institution of distance learning, COU has been able to assemble a faculty
of recognized experts from throughout the global marketplace. Our faculty
consists of university professors, business executives, consultants, and
other specialists. Though these instructors vary in subject matter
expertise, they share important attributes. All of them are actively practicing
what they teach, and they are skilled in imparting their knowledge through
distance learning channels and technology.
COU is committed to providing equal opportunities for study. We welcome
applications from English and Spanish speaking people of all nationalities
and from any background, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, age, occupation, marital
status, sensory or physical disability, religious or other beliefs.
Commonwealth Open University is an international institution registered
and established in the British Virgin Islands (U.K.), which has many students all over the world. COU educational programs are acknowledged as the foremost, with an excellent academic reputation. COU staff and lecturers are very committed to quality in services.
Our graduates have had remarkable success in having their degrees accepted. We will gladly supply information to potential or current employers or institutions.
"What then is a Virtual University? A virtual university emulates a physical university, adding the global interactive advantage of computers in bridging time and space. It enables teaching and learning to occur anytime/anywhere. It has built in mechanisms for assessment and accountability.
Virtual University programs may be housed within a conventional university, it can result from a consortium of universities such as the Western Governor's University, or it can originate in a teaching institution where no students are physically present, such as the Commonwealth Open University."
From the Editors
Education on the Internet
The Key Resource award is based on an analysis of millions of web pages. Any group or organization who conducts a similar analysis will arrive at similar conclusions. When Links2Go says your page is a Key Resource, we mean that your page is one of the most relevant pages related to a particular topic on the web today, using an objective statistical measure applied to an extremely large data set."
Links2Go Awards
Carl F. Hartig, Ph.D., CBM, CIA
Helen Featherby, M.Sc.
Jeffrey Riggs, Ph.D.
Adele O'Shea, M.A.
Hamida R. Laseko, M.A.
Richard Hamling, D.Litt.
Albert R. Michael, MBA
Rodrick Sakamba, MBA
Jeffrey Britton, PhD
Gareth Balch, PhD
Francis Lukong, PhD
Simon Burton, PhD
M.J. Rossi, Ph.D.
M.L. Rua, M.A.
D. Williams, M.Sc.
Mohammed Abubakar, Raphael Adebayo, Iyorchia Ayu, Alejandro Berlin, Theodore A. Burger, Carlos Campoy, Henry D.R. Carrol, Lavelda Davis, Victor E. Effiom,
Luis Fernandez, Michael Festa, Walter R. Frisby, Jose M. Gay, Jose M. Gallego, Joseph H. Gelberman, Franklin D. Hall,
Scott F. Hall, Jusuf Hariman, Syed A. Hassan, Liezl Herholdt, Marius D. Herholdt, MD. Abdullah Y. Imam, Kassim M. Khamis,
Sum-Wah Lam, Wooi B. Lee, Daniel Lemmer, Juan E. Llaneza, Julia Loytved, Paul W. Miller, Hadi Moghadasi, Frederick M. Monderson, Andy Ng Yoke Beng, Janice A. Nielsen,
Johan Potgieter, K.L. Michael Prendergast JR, Naomi S. Prendergast, Roger Ross, Stefanus S. Saaiman,
Michael L. Siebers, Lorraine H. Teller, Javier Teres, Mario Teres, Felix Tomillo, Pierre J.M. van Niekerk,
Govert Westerveld, John H. Wilkinson.
Advance Academy Resources Sdn Bhd
All Faiths Seminary International
New Idea Management Consultants
CEDS University College
Singviet Consultants
Regional Partnership for Resource Development
Oak University
Bangladesh Institute of Health Technology
Commonwealth Open University
While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, this information is subject to
later alteration or amendment in the light of policy changes or other constraints. The
University does not intend by publication of this information to create any contractual or
other legal relation with applicants, registered students, their advisers or any other person.
Commonwealth Open University has no relation with The Open University.
About Commonwealth Open University
COU is organizational member of the United States Distance Learning Association. The USDLA mission is to support the development and application of distance learning, education and training by uniting learners around the world.
Whether it is distance learning via satellite, videoconferencing, online or other means of distribution, USDLA keeps informed about technology development, design and application. USDLA is the premier distance learning association around the world.
This web site is referenced by the International Center for Scientific Research. CIRS.NET is the
first and the most important scientific portal.
Accreditation and recognition is an extremely complex issue, given that there are hundreds of accreditation bodies around the world,
and no course is ever going to be accredited or recognised everywhere. The important thing is that you choose education that is going to be meaningful
for what you need. The best indicators of our credibility are the quality of our staff and the testimonials from our students.
COU is accredited by the accrediting commission of Wiener School for Advanced Studies on Global Education and Distance Learning.
Accreditation is an assurance and a guarantee that the learning offered is of uniform and sound quality. COU has been assessed, examined, and verified by WSAS.
Our CEO/Chancellor, R.A. Carbajales, has been invited to assist to the Oxford Summit of Leaders. The Analytical Department of the Europe Business Assembly
(EBA, Oxford, UK) has recommended that our Rector joins the Oxford Rectors' Club (The Club of the Rectors of Europe CRE). Here the Nomination Letter.
COU formally announced on December 15, 2009, the proposed development of a micro-satellite. The micro-satellite Igdal-1 will be a comparatively simple one weighing around 20 kg. It will have body-mounted
solar panels generating about 40 Watt of electrical power and will be spin-stabilised. The micro-satellite development will be a good opportunity for the students and the faculty of Commonwealth Open University
to get an insight into the various aspects of space technology. It will also help them to conduct meaningful application studies and gain experience in satellite mission operations. This is expected to provide impetus
for other universities to take up similar projects in the coming years.
Commonwealth Open University is ISO 9001 certified. ISO 9001 is the internationally recognised standard for the quality management of businesses. It applies to the processes that create and control the products
and services an organisation supplies. It prescribes systematic control of activities to ensure that the needs and expectations of customers are met. It is designed and intended to apply to virtually any product
or service, made by any process anywhere in the world.
The Department of Sociology of the University is working on an investigation project on sociology of cyberspace. It is a collaborative project with coordinating professors from a variety of disciplines
including sociology, anthropology, philosophy, business, art, and information technology. The sociology of cyberspace examines the contemporary revolution in human interaction via computer.
Mathematics plays a key role in many processes affecting Planet Earth as an essential
component of multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research. The Department of Mathematics of
the University will focus mathematical research in the fields of dynamic processes in the mantle,
oceans, and atmosphere. COU is a participant in a special year of broadly based programs in 2013
on the Mathematics of Planet Earth. We invite the COU community to propose workshops, thematic programs,
and conferences that are aligned with this global initiative. Send your proposals to
mathsearth@off-campus.org
The COU Business Consulting Service is a student-run management consulting team, employing top business administration
graduates and members of the faculty from Commonwealth Open University's business programs. Since 2004, our mission has
been to provide affordable management consultancy services to organizations. We provide a comprehensive range of
consultancy services, specializing in the small-and-medium business, business start-up, and not-for-profit sectors.
We offer the service and dedication of a professional consulting firm, but at a fraction of the cost.
Father Luis M. Viana Institute of Genetics is one of Commonwealth Open University research institutes.
VIG supports research on all aspects of genetics, basic biochemistry and cell biology.
Scientists in the Institute use both plant and animal models to address fundamental questions in life sciences, such as genetic control of growth and development, gene expression, signal transduction, structural
and functional genomics, biotech and molecular breeding, bioinformatics and systems biology.
Our CEO/Chancellor, R.A. Carbajales, has been invited to participate in the Socrates Almanac, which is a popular scientific periodical publication. That
participation includes the placement of his own scientific article in the section 'Best in Science and Education-2015'. This publication will be presented
at the Investment Summit of Leaders:Excellence in Quality (July 1, 2015, Montreux,Switzerland).
ED-Education at a Distance. The United States Distance Learning Association.
January 1997
Volume 11#1
"If you are not sure exactly what you want to study, the Commonwealth Open University based in British Virgin Islands offers BS, BA, MA, MS, MBA, and even PhD programs in a wide range of subject areas. Simply supply them with your education and work experience history and they will place you in a curriculum that
is tailored specifically for you."
PC Journal
December 1997
"The page of Commonwealth Open University was selected as a Links2Go Key Resource in the Distance Learning topic. Each quarter, Links2Go samples millions of web pages to determine which pages are most heavily cited by web pages authors.
May 1999
"I found COU to be very professional and responsive to student needs to
ensure that the student made progress. Your guidance and professional
assistance is superior. The caring attention from COU made the difference
in my growth and experiences. The way in which I had been furnished guidance
is the way all learning institutions should operate. I had successfully
completed my doctorate and I have you and COU to thank. I highly endorse
Commonwealth Open University to any person desiring to complete the dream
for their educational goals."
January 2003
"I would like to thank you for all your support, assistance, and efficiency over the last
three years. It has been a pleasure communicating with you. I will not hesitate to recommend
the University to friends and colleagues looking to do distance learning"
September 2004
"I continue to be impressed with the focus of the course assignments and the efficient
administration that COU provides. I expect to complete the MSc in Economics course work this June
and I plan on continuing my educational pursuits."
May 2005
"I would like to compliment the Commonwealth Open University for the good planning of the course. The assignments helped the students to gain a solid
understanding of the subject and challenged the students to form their own ideas and opinions. I would certainly recommend the COU to anyone who is thinking
about taking a distance learning degree programme."
August 2006
"I personally found the course very useful and I am so proud to have pursued this course through COU. I know a number of
UNICEF staff have undertaken their studies through COU and have always been successful in their careers."
April 2007
"I am writing to share my pleasure in working with COU. My experience was efficient, professional, and meaningful in all regards. COU offered an opportunity
that would not otherwise be available. For the motivated, mature, scholarly students, COU's flexibility and academic integrity is a viable approach for experienced
professionals."
April 2008
"I am pleased to note my benefit from the MBA at COU. My degree has served me well and I totally enjoy applying the knowledge."
March 2010
"I have gained immense understanding of the world of business and that puts me an important step forward. Achieving my goal really changed my life, and
helped me find powers in myself I did not have before."
January 2011
"I really do appreciate the COU continuous demonstration of support, consideration, and understanding. It is a battle to defend
the positives of this visionary Institution, but we are doing it with courage. I admire it as an institution that breaks away from
the norms of open distance learning."
August 2012
"Studying with COU allowed me to adapt my doctorate studies around my professional commitments. The award of PhD has been though my
own hard work, independently but with the right balance of support. I have gained several lecturing posts within a short time of succeeding, and
realise that this distance learning model is both highly regarded and of great worth. Thank you to COU."
January 2013
"Studying with COU has been an exciting and wonderful experience which will continue to be a source of inspiration for me. Once again, thank
you for everything."
July 2014
"I just received my documents. Thank you so much indeed. It is finished; happy ending, happy beginning for me. That was an opportunity that you, COU, gave me.
I owe you, I owe my world. I am delighted to work with you. Thank you COU in letter and in spirit. I miss you."
July 2017
Corporate officers
R.A. Carbajales, Ph.D.
CEO
Director of Education
Admissions & Operations
Student Services
Adjunct faculty
M.K. Rabbani Bhuiyan, B.Sc, M.Sc. Ph.D.
University of Dhaka, Gifu University
S.A. Chowdhury, B.Sc., M.Eng., Ph.D.
Chittagong University, Kagoshima University
A. Triguero Egea, M.A., Ph.D.
University of Oviedo
F. Greenwood,B.A., M.B.A., Ph.D.
Bucknell University, University of Southern California
J.W. Harris, B.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.
Virginia Union University, Nova University
C. Siew Hun, Bachelor of Accountancy, M.B.A.
University of Putra, Harvard University
K.A. Iannone, B.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.
University of California, S. Illinois University, Delaware University
B.C. Megbo, Ph.D. in Biological Sciences
Charles University, Prague
M. Aslam Khan, B.Com, Master in Public Administration
Clemson University
R.H. Whalley, B.A., M.Sc.
COU
J.E. Mankowsky, B.A., M.S.W., L.C.S.W.
Chapman University, University of California
E.A. Mathews, B.Sc., J.D., M.Sc., Ph.D.
University of Minnesota
G. Nambiar, LL.B.(Hons)
School of Law of Essex
B. Nelson, B.Sc. M.Sc., Ph.D.
Emporia State University, Memphis State University
D. Newling, M.Sc., Ph.D.
University of West Indies
U. Paz, B.A.(Hons)
University of London
C.J. Ross, B.A.(Hons), M.A., Ph.D.
Rodhes University, University of South Africa
A. Sivera, M.Sc., Ph.D.
COU
K. Subramanian, B.Sc., B.Eng, M.Eng., D.Sc.
Madras University, Indian Institute of Science
A. Kumar, B.Sc., B.Ed., M.Ed., Ph.D.
Calicut University, Karnataka University, CCS University
K.S. Chandrasekar, B.Sc.(Hons), M.B.A., Ph.D.
Birla Institute of Technology, Bharathiar University, Alagappa University
A.H. Verster, Ph.D.
UNISA
S.K. Dash, M.A., M.Phil., Ph.D.
Hanyang University
D. Iornem, M.Sc., Ph.D., D.Litt.
Heriot-Watt University
P.A. Agashua, B.Sc.(Hons), Master in Clinical Psychology, Ph.D.
University of Edinburgh, University of Liverpool, University of Lagos
J. Roberts, B.A., M.A., Ph.D.
North Texas State University, University of Wisconsin, California State University
N.C. Kumarasinghe, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.
University of Sri Jayewardenapura, University of Southampton
D.B. Weiner, B.A., M.A., Ph.D.
Hadassah Community College, Hebrew University of Jerusalem
J.J. LeVesque, B.A, M.B.A., D.B.A.
University of Sarasota, University of Dallas, Our Lady of the Lake
L. Adamolekun, B.A., Master in Public Administration, Ph.D.
University of Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Oxford
G. Balch, B.A., M.Ed., Ph.D.
The Open University, University of London
J. Chikati, B.A., Ph.D.
University of Nairobi, COU
N. Islam, M.D., M.Sc.
Sher-e-Bangla Medical College, University of Lahore
S. Marie, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.
YSU, COU
J.M. Manjate, B.A.(Hons), M.A., Ph.D.
Higher Institute for International Relations, COU
P.K. Roy, Master Mariner, M.B.A., PhD in Environmental Management.
Bangladesh Marine Academy, OTU, COUHonorary members of the faculty
Affiliated organizations
Institucion de Nuevas Profesiones
Headquarters:
Sea Meadow House
Blackburne Highway
P.O.Box 116
Road Town, Tortola VG1110
British Virgin Islands (U.K.)
bvi@off-campus.org
International Information Centre
cou@commopu.org
Admissions & Operations
admissions@off-campus.org
Student Services
services@off-campus.org
Rabbi Dinis Alvares Carvajales
College of Jewish Studies
jewish@off-campus.org
Marquis d'Olhonce Institute
olhonce@off-campus.org
Yacht Club
commodore@off-campus.org
Courses for Spanish Speaking Students
commopu@telecable.es