SHAI RESHEF: AN EDUCATIONAL ICON AND GREAT PACE-SETTER
Kanini Evans Kariuki
November 13, 2009
READ THE MOVING STORY OF SHAI RESHEF THE GREAT, AND THE UNIVERSITY OF THE PEOPLE (UOPEOPLE) WHICH HE FOUNDED.HERE WE GO.................
HISTORY will judge him very warmly, very generously,very kindly and very
appreciatively.
Yes, when history is read and re-read by generations and generations to come, Shai Reshef- the highly brilliant, exceptionally creative, visionary and focused Israeli educational entrepreneur, will be judged with recognition and admiration.
Shai Reshef, in a stroke of his creative genius, has founded the world's first tuition-free on line academic institution- University of the people (Uopeople).
He is the Founder and President of Uopeople. Shai Reshef is a hero.
He has achieved a remarkable feat not for himself as a person, but for the benefit of mankind, hence his reference to the academic institution he has founded as the University of the People!
It is for this reason that Shai Reshef will occupy a special place in history, owing to his commitment in educational development in the whole world.
Great people like Shai Reshef are rare in the world.They sacrifice too much and use their creativity to make the world better than seen at the moment.
Shai Reshef is a linchpin for positive change in the world. Indeed, he is a driving force behind progress in this planet through his special commitment in education.
Without education the world cannot develop and molehills will remain. But with education, mountains can be moved the world over.
Shai Reshef has hit the right target with the sights he has set on education as the creative entrepreneur that he is.
For the umpteenth time I say, history will notice him kindly. Incidentally, Fast Company has named Shai Reshef one of the most successful people in business for the year 2009. He deserves the commendation.
A QUICK GLANCE AT THE JOYFUL FEELINGS OF SOME OF THE MANY SUCCESSFUL UOPEOPLE APPLICANTS:
"Without Uopeople I could never afford to go to university"- Issac, Ghana.
"I didn't dare to think about my application. What a surprise when I was told I had been accepted. I shouted so loudly!- Trang, Vietnam.
"This is a dream come true. Uo people gives me the opportunity to build myself, my family and my community into something better"- AIi Patrik, Jordan.
"I need not the titles but the information, the training, the connectedness of peers who believe in universal education"- Michael, Australia.
THE MESSAGE OF UOPEOPLE:
i.A model for delivering change.
ii.Universities break through physical boundaries to take quality education to the masses.
iii.Governments: spending a fraction of budget on this model increases reach exponentially- educating the many for the cost of a few.
iv.A global education platform for economic and social growth.
SPECIAL REPORT ON THE UNIVERSITY OF THE PEOPLE:AN INSIGHT INTO THIS UNIQUE INSTITUTION
DOORS OPEN AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE PEOPLE
—Changing the Terms of Engagement in Global Access to Higher Education—
"If governments invested just a fraction of a fraction of their collective education budgets, the whole world could go to University."
Shai Reshef, University of the People.
www.UoPeople.org
UNDESA-GAID Global Forum, Monterrey, Mexico (September 4, 2009) - The United Nations Global Alliance for ICT and Development (UNDESA-GAID) and University of the People (UoPeople) announce that the doors to the world´s first tuition-free online university opened on September 10.
One hundred seventy-eight students from across the globe start the first ever term at UoPeople, an initiative supported by prominent educators, humanitarians and organizations, which provides unparalleled access to post-secondary education on a global scale.
Comprising arguably the most diverse university class, the students beginning their degree program at UoPeople represent 49 countries. Ranging in age from 16 to 61, 105 are pursuing the Business Administration program and 73 the Computer Science program. Currently, a majority of students come from Indonesia, Colombia, Vietnam and the United States.
"In just a short period of time, University of the People has taken remarkable strides. The UNDESA-GAID fraternity is all about helping to ensure that such shining initiatives come to fruition and play their part in delivering change for the better through information and communications technologies," commented Sarbuland Khan, Executive Director, UNDESA-GAID.
"I am inspired by the breadth and depth of the response to our call for the democratization of higher education and I am eager to witness our students´ journeys of development." said Shai Reshef, founder & president, UoPeople, and high-level advisor, UNDESA-GAID. "My hope is that governments, education policy makers and funding bodies around the world will recognize the global craving for higher education and the ability of UoPeople to fulfill this demand."
Students will begin their studies at UoPeople with two orientation classes to fully prepare them for their chosen programs.
Computer Skills for Online Learning will provide a basic introduction to the computer applications which students will use to pursue their academic studies in an online environment, while English Composition will develop and enhance fundamental skills of reading and writing English.
Passing grades in both courses are necessary to formally begin the Business Administration or Computer Science programs at UoPeople.
"This is a wonderful opportunity – really a chance to see a dream come true. I had no way of going to university before now," explained Ali Patrik Eid, 29, from Jordan, one of the first UoPeople students. "The University of the People gives me the opportunity to build myself, my family and my community into something better – I know I am capable of more."
Currently, students may attend UoPeople, a non-profit organization, entirely free of charge. As the University expands, the sustainability model requires that nominal admission and examination processing fees ($15-$50 and $10-$100 respectively) will be levied to cover operating expenses. These fees will be adjusted on a sliding scale based on the economic situation in the student´s country of residency. Students will never be charged for applying, taking classes or accessing study materials.
Thousands of prospective students applied to attend UoPeople, which seeks to accommodate all who satisfy the entry requirements. With five terms per year, UoPeople allows students to commence their studies on a rolling basis. Enrollment for Term 2, beginning November 19, is currently open at www.UoPeople.org.
ABOUT UNIVERSITY OF THE PEOPLE
Founded by educational entrepreneur Shai Reshef, University of the People (UoPeople; www.UoPeople.org) is the world´s first tuition-free, online academic institution. Based on the principles of e-learning and peer-to-peer teaching, coupled with open-source technology and courseware, UoPeople is designed to provide universal access to college studies, despite geographic and economic constraints. Enrollment is currently open for Term 2 which begins November 19.
CONTACT: Pamela Brown, 646.695.7048, pamela@rosengrouppr.com
UNIVERSITY OF THE PEOPLE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Yale ISP and University of the People
Partner for Digital Education Research
New Haven, CT and Pasadena, CA. (September 22, 2009) – The Information Society Project (ISP) at Yale Law School is expanding its research program in digital education by entering into a research partnership with University of the People (UoPeople), the world´s first tuition-free, online academic institution.
Dedicated to the global advancement and democratization of higher education, UoPeople is a non-profit organization comprised of volunteers and students from around the world. UoPeople currently offers two on line programs of study: Business Administration and Computer Science.
Jack Balkin, Yale ISP Director and Knight Professor of Constitutional Law and the First Amendment at Yale Law School, serves on the Advisory Committee of University of the People.
He said the global initiative combines two important ideas: "The first is that digital networks and social software platforms allow people to produce valuable information goods at an increasingly low cost.
The second is that affordable education is a crucial ingredient for human development and human freedom. Harnessing new technologies to deliver low-cost education to people around the world is a daring venture. It is also the kind of experiment that everyone should want to succeed."
Yale ISP Executive Director Laura De Nardis said the partnership between the Yale ISP and University of the People makes sense since the two share an interest in improving access to education around the world through new digital technologies.
"Advances in social networking software, Internet access technologies, and digitization processes facilitate the education of individuals and communities in numbers that were previously unimaginable.
These advancements, however, have not yet reached their potential to bring effective digital education to the world´s poorest areas—and that is something this collaboration will help change."
The Yale ISP brings to UoPeople more than a decade of leadership in developing the principles of access to knowledge and equitable digital education, including founding the global digital education movement, Dynamic Coalition of Digital Education, formed as part of the United Nations Internet Governance Forum.
A world-renowned site of learning, research, and public service, the Yale ISP is uniquely positioned to help pave the way for effective digital education innovations around the globe.
Within the partnership, the Yale ISP will engage in research, advocacy, and network building to advance the marketplace of ideas supporting UoPeople´s effort to create accessible, high-quality digital education.
Shai Reshef, Founder and President of UoPeople, echoed the enthusiasm and need for this partnership: "It brings together a storied academic institution with 300 years of enriching the educational world and a fledgling university introducing a new approach to academia. I am confident that the synergy of these two organizations—united by their common goals—will allow us to make significant strides in digital education, bringing collegiate level studies to anyone who welcomes the opportunity to learn. We look forward to embarking on this joint venture with one of the top educational institutions in the world."
ABOUT YALE ISP:
The Yale ISP is an intellectual center addressing the implications of the Internet and new information technologies for law and society, guided by the values of democracy, development, and equality. Information about the Yale ISP is available at its web site http://isp.law.yale.edu and blog http://yaleispblog.net/.
ABOUT UNIVERSITY OF THE PEOPLE:
Founded by educational entrepreneur Shai Reshef, University of the People (UoPeople; www.UoPeople.org) is the world´s first tuition-free, online academic institution. Based on the principles of e-learning and peer-to-peer teaching, coupled with open-source technology and courseware, UoPeople is designed to provide universal access to college studies, despite geographic and economic constraints. Enrollment is currently open for Term 2 which begins November 19.
CONTACTS: Pamela Brown, 646.695.7048, pamela@rosengrouppr.com
Abby Berman, 646.695.7043, abby@rosengrouppr.com
HISTORY will judge him very warmly, very generously,very kindly and very
appreciatively.
Yes, when history is read and re-read by generations and generations to come, Shai Reshef- the highly brilliant, exceptionally creative, visionary and focused Israeli educational entrepreneur, will be judged with recognition and admiration.
Shai Reshef, in a stroke of his creative genius, has founded the world's first tuition-free on line academic institution- University of the people (Uopeople).
He is the Founder and President of Uopeople. Shai Reshef is a hero.
He has achieved a remarkable feat not for himself as a person, but for the benefit of mankind, hence his reference to the academic institution he has founded as the University of the People!
It is for this reason that Shai Reshef will occupy a special place in history, owing to his commitment in educational development in the whole world.
Great people like Shai Reshef are rare in the world.They sacrifice too much and use their creativity to make the world better than seen at the moment.
Shai Reshef is a linchpin for positive change in the world. Indeed, he is a driving force behind progress in this planet through his special commitment in education.
Without education the world cannot develop and molehills will remain. But with education, mountains can be moved the world over.
Shai Reshef has hit the right target with the sights he has set on education as the creative entrepreneur that he is.
For the umpteenth time I say, history will notice him kindly. Incidentally, Fast Company has named Shai Reshef one of the most successful people in business for the year 2009. He deserves the commendation.
A QUICK GLANCE AT THE JOYFUL FEELINGS OF SOME OF THE MANY SUCCESSFUL UOPEOPLE APPLICANTS:
"Without Uopeople I could never afford to go to university"- Issac, Ghana.
"I didn't dare to think about my application. What a surprise when I was told I had been accepted. I shouted so loudly!- Trang, Vietnam.
"This is a dream come true. Uo people gives me the opportunity to build myself, my family and my community into something better"- AIi Patrik, Jordan.
"I need not the titles but the information, the training, the connectedness of peers who believe in universal education"- Michael, Australia.
THE MESSAGE OF UOPEOPLE:
i.A model for delivering change.
ii.Universities break through physical boundaries to take quality education to the masses.
iii.Governments: spending a fraction of budget on this model increases reach exponentially- educating the many for the cost of a few.
iv.A global education platform for economic and social growth.
SPECIAL REPORT ON THE UNIVERSITY OF THE PEOPLE:AN INSIGHT INTO THIS UNIQUE INSTITUTION
DOORS OPEN AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE PEOPLE
—Changing the Terms of Engagement in Global Access to Higher Education—
"If governments invested just a fraction of a fraction of their collective education budgets, the whole world could go to University."
Shai Reshef, University of the People.
www.UoPeople.org
UNDESA-GAID Global Forum, Monterrey, Mexico (September 4, 2009) - The United Nations Global Alliance for ICT and Development (UNDESA-GAID) and University of the People (UoPeople) announce that the doors to the world´s first tuition-free online university opened on September 10.
One hundred seventy-eight students from across the globe start the first ever term at UoPeople, an initiative supported by prominent educators, humanitarians and organizations, which provides unparalleled access to post-secondary education on a global scale.
Comprising arguably the most diverse university class, the students beginning their degree program at UoPeople represent 49 countries. Ranging in age from 16 to 61, 105 are pursuing the Business Administration program and 73 the Computer Science program. Currently, a majority of students come from Indonesia, Colombia, Vietnam and the United States.
"In just a short period of time, University of the People has taken remarkable strides. The UNDESA-GAID fraternity is all about helping to ensure that such shining initiatives come to fruition and play their part in delivering change for the better through information and communications technologies," commented Sarbuland Khan, Executive Director, UNDESA-GAID.
"I am inspired by the breadth and depth of the response to our call for the democratization of higher education and I am eager to witness our students´ journeys of development." said Shai Reshef, founder & president, UoPeople, and high-level advisor, UNDESA-GAID. "My hope is that governments, education policy makers and funding bodies around the world will recognize the global craving for higher education and the ability of UoPeople to fulfill this demand."
Students will begin their studies at UoPeople with two orientation classes to fully prepare them for their chosen programs.
Computer Skills for Online Learning will provide a basic introduction to the computer applications which students will use to pursue their academic studies in an online environment, while English Composition will develop and enhance fundamental skills of reading and writing English.
Passing grades in both courses are necessary to formally begin the Business Administration or Computer Science programs at UoPeople.
"This is a wonderful opportunity – really a chance to see a dream come true. I had no way of going to university before now," explained Ali Patrik Eid, 29, from Jordan, one of the first UoPeople students. "The University of the People gives me the opportunity to build myself, my family and my community into something better – I know I am capable of more."
Currently, students may attend UoPeople, a non-profit organization, entirely free of charge. As the University expands, the sustainability model requires that nominal admission and examination processing fees ($15-$50 and $10-$100 respectively) will be levied to cover operating expenses. These fees will be adjusted on a sliding scale based on the economic situation in the student´s country of residency. Students will never be charged for applying, taking classes or accessing study materials.
Thousands of prospective students applied to attend UoPeople, which seeks to accommodate all who satisfy the entry requirements. With five terms per year, UoPeople allows students to commence their studies on a rolling basis. Enrollment for Term 2, beginning November 19, is currently open at www.UoPeople.org.
ABOUT UNIVERSITY OF THE PEOPLE
Founded by educational entrepreneur Shai Reshef, University of the People (UoPeople; www.UoPeople.org) is the world´s first tuition-free, online academic institution. Based on the principles of e-learning and peer-to-peer teaching, coupled with open-source technology and courseware, UoPeople is designed to provide universal access to college studies, despite geographic and economic constraints. Enrollment is currently open for Term 2 which begins November 19.
CONTACT: Pamela Brown, 646.695.7048, pamela@rosengrouppr.com
UNIVERSITY OF THE PEOPLE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Yale ISP and University of the People
Partner for Digital Education Research
New Haven, CT and Pasadena, CA. (September 22, 2009) – The Information Society Project (ISP) at Yale Law School is expanding its research program in digital education by entering into a research partnership with University of the People (UoPeople), the world´s first tuition-free, online academic institution.
Dedicated to the global advancement and democratization of higher education, UoPeople is a non-profit organization comprised of volunteers and students from around the world. UoPeople currently offers two on line programs of study: Business Administration and Computer Science.
Jack Balkin, Yale ISP Director and Knight Professor of Constitutional Law and the First Amendment at Yale Law School, serves on the Advisory Committee of University of the People.
He said the global initiative combines two important ideas: "The first is that digital networks and social software platforms allow people to produce valuable information goods at an increasingly low cost.
The second is that affordable education is a crucial ingredient for human development and human freedom. Harnessing new technologies to deliver low-cost education to people around the world is a daring venture. It is also the kind of experiment that everyone should want to succeed."
Yale ISP Executive Director Laura De Nardis said the partnership between the Yale ISP and University of the People makes sense since the two share an interest in improving access to education around the world through new digital technologies.
"Advances in social networking software, Internet access technologies, and digitization processes facilitate the education of individuals and communities in numbers that were previously unimaginable.
These advancements, however, have not yet reached their potential to bring effective digital education to the world´s poorest areas—and that is something this collaboration will help change."
The Yale ISP brings to UoPeople more than a decade of leadership in developing the principles of access to knowledge and equitable digital education, including founding the global digital education movement, Dynamic Coalition of Digital Education, formed as part of the United Nations Internet Governance Forum.
A world-renowned site of learning, research, and public service, the Yale ISP is uniquely positioned to help pave the way for effective digital education innovations around the globe.
Within the partnership, the Yale ISP will engage in research, advocacy, and network building to advance the marketplace of ideas supporting UoPeople´s effort to create accessible, high-quality digital education.
Shai Reshef, Founder and President of UoPeople, echoed the enthusiasm and need for this partnership: "It brings together a storied academic institution with 300 years of enriching the educational world and a fledgling university introducing a new approach to academia. I am confident that the synergy of these two organizations—united by their common goals—will allow us to make significant strides in digital education, bringing collegiate level studies to anyone who welcomes the opportunity to learn. We look forward to embarking on this joint venture with one of the top educational institutions in the world."
ABOUT YALE ISP:
The Yale ISP is an intellectual center addressing the implications of the Internet and new information technologies for law and society, guided by the values of democracy, development, and equality. Information about the Yale ISP is available at its web site http://isp.law.yale.edu and blog http://yaleispblog.net/.
ABOUT UNIVERSITY OF THE PEOPLE:
Founded by educational entrepreneur Shai Reshef, University of the People (UoPeople; www.UoPeople.org) is the world´s first tuition-free, online academic institution. Based on the principles of e-learning and peer-to-peer teaching, coupled with open-source technology and courseware, UoPeople is designed to provide universal access to college studies, despite geographic and economic constraints. Enrollment is currently open for Term 2 which begins November 19.
CONTACTS: Pamela Brown, 646.695.7048, pamela@rosengrouppr.com
Abby Berman, 646.695.7043, abby@rosengrouppr.com
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