I have always been digging out to bring some alternative mode of education for adult professionals, and for that purpose worked hard to invent methods, tools, science, and approaches to
A) Enable Working Adults to be professionally strong by admitting them to an online organization like GAFM.org
B) Can compete with other nations of the world especially when they work in Europe and Middle East
C) Should devise innovative plan to get certification at higher level
Rationale & Reason Of My Interest in Online Education:
I have been to KSA two times and saw the deplorable situation of Pakistani labor. In contrast I have seen flexible model of higher education in USA.
They were mainly labor Class even after matriculation and despite rigorous jobs experience at the same company were not allowed to pursue regular mode of education and certification.
Spending 5 to 10 years in the same cadre with out job promotion is something that changed my mind.
The overseas persons of other countries like Sri Lanka, India and Bangla Desh are comparatively at higher positions in the in Middle East.
This was a challenge for me. On one hand these overseas Pakistanis feed us and earn Forex for Pakistan and at the same time , suffering from huge negligence.
Formal regular education is good but working adults can’t afford it because of jobs and family compulsions.
So this was the point to be addressed and for filling this gap I went through some literature to see that any other country has addressed or brought out any innovative methodology for it. Luckily I found that many universities in Europe & America have addressed this gap centuries ago.
On further investigation it was revealed that education does not mean only to be a full time enterprise. Abnormal situations require above the mark solutions, and this was the time I plunged into the arena since 2009.
To search various platforms, I found skill development council at the local level which was working under the pious leadership of late Serat Mehdi. He was the man with innocent mind. City and guilds was an other platform. Finally TRACCERT Canada was also supportive in awarding professional based certification. Then came the trade testing board Khyber Pukhtunkhwa, but it could not survive the needed programs for even three years.
EIU of Paris, BallsBridge of Dominica, KESMONDS University of USA and eduqual of UK and so many other forums. In the same vein this scribe concluded MOUs with various universities and bodies with the conditions that:
The experience gained in the field work can be transferred to the credit hours where law permits of the awarding university.
that the prospects shall pass rigorous trade tests and
that research assignments and along with action research dissertation of 200 to 300 be made mandatory in PhD. Keeping in view the busy schedules of overseas Pakistanis maximum relaxation shall be awarded to them. For graduate and master course two exams and 20 research assignments are required. However each assignment shall contain ten to 15 pages with less than 20 ratio of plagiarism.
Being a Professor, the following Universities some of which are UNESCO listed agreed to my terms and conditions.
A. Pacific University pacific.university Formerly this university was UNESCO listed from 2018 to 2024 but has been delisted due to technical reasons.
B. Azteca University Mexico ( www.univ-azteca.edu.mx)
C. North West International University ( www.nwiu.ac) Armenia. This university awards certification and diplomas as well.
D. Traccert Canada ( www.traccert.org) Canada. Traccert is only training accreditation and certification organization the most suitable for those working professionals who seek accreditation to their experiences in terms of certificates and diplomas.
E. QAHE Special awards USA, QAHE.org. This body of Quality Assurance in tertiary and higher qualification awards certification of specialization to engineers, doctors, professor, managers, nurses etc
F. GAFM.org USA for Special Awards. GAFM and AAPM.org offers specialist certificates like AFA,ChFM,AMA,MFP,CRA,CWM,CAM,MPM,CPE,CLC,CPC,CPD
Eligibility: MBA only From GAFM approved University.
However, PDRi is granted Special Permission To get MBA from Asia Pacific School Of Business APSB.edu.eu
This MBA program shall be completed under CRASH program with minimum time.
In addition to other options are being sought like Certified Professional Engineers from France.
AM I mentioning these information to earn money like capitalists?
Not At All!
I spend major portion of earning on those who are poor students but talented students.
Pl for any advise write an email to me on zshah@professorzahirshah.com and with in 48 hours you will get response with guidance.
On every admission 30% fee is Discounted from the one mentioned in the websites of universities.
What is Academic and Certificates
Academic Programs
An academic program is defined as any combination of courses and/or requirements leading to a degree or certificate, or to a major, co-major, minor or academic track and/or Concentration. All institutions of higher learning offer academic programs. Academic programs comprise the core, required and elective courses that lead to a degree or certificate. Whether somebody is attending a two-year program at a local community college or pursuing a graduate degree at a large university, he/she will be involved in an academic program. The main types of academic program offered at many colleges and universities are certificate, undergraduate and graduate programs. PDRi as an institution of higher education also provides academic programs. It is consisting of various kinds of degrees and academic certificates. The PDRi will develop curriculum/program for implementation of courses, seminars and etc. on the basis of organizations, institutions, company’s educational needs.
Academic Certificates
An academic certificate is a document that certifies that a person has received specific education or has passed a test or series of tests.
In some countries, a certificate may be also offered by an institute of higher education. These certificates usually signify that a student has reached a standard of knowledge about a certain vocational or professional subject.
It also may be awarded as a necessary certification to validate that a student is considered competent in a certain specific networking skill area in information technology. An academic certificate is a document that certifies that a person has received specific education or has passed a test or series of tests.
In some countries, a certificate may be also offered by an institute of higher education. These certificates usually signify that a student has reached a standard of knowledge about a certain vocational or professional subject.
It also may be awarded as a necessary certification to validate that a student is considered competent in a certain specific networking skill area in information technology.
Thus, a graduated university expert like a computer engineer or computer science graduation most likely will have to obtain additional certificates on and pertaining to the specific technologies or equipment used by the hiring corporation; if not, such employer may suffer unwanted penalties like voiding the contract the protections of a certain level of customer service or warranties.
WHAT IS DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A CERTIFICATE AND DIPLOMA
Generally speaking Academicians never agreed on the difference between the two. However, if a course is of 9 months to 11 months, that course may be called certificate. Similarly of the said certificate is consisting of more or equal to 02 years programs , called Diploma.
Apostille & Embassy Legalization
An “Apostille” is a form of authentication issued to documents for use in countries that participate in the Hague Convention of 1961. In fact, apostille is simply the name for a specialized certificate, issued by the Secretary of State or Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the countries. The Apostille is attached to your original document to verify it is legitimate and authentic so it will be accepted in one of the other countries who are members of the Hague Apostille Convention.
In 1961, many countries joined together to create a simplified method of “legalizing” documents for universal recognition. Members of the conference, referred to as the Hague Convention, adopted a document referred to as an Apostille that would be recognized by all member countries.
The Apostille Convention provides the simplified certification of public (including notarized) documents to be used in countries that have joined the convention. Documents destined for use in participating countries and their territories should be certified by one of the officials in the jurisdiction in which the document has been executed.
P.L.A.R
Prior Learning Assessment Recognition (P.L.A.R) is a process that the Northwest International University uses to offer adult learners an opportunity to have their experiential learning assessed for potential credit. PLAR can ease the entry or return of adult learners to formal learning by providing them with opportunities to articulate and verify what they know and can do against the standards required by specific university-level courses and programs. “Challenge credits” are awarded to these students so that they do not need to take courses for which they have demonstrated knowledge and skills. For adult learners who bring prior learning with them to the University, PLAR can reduce the time that it takes to earn a degree.
You may have mastered knowledge and skills equivalent to the standards of particular university-level courses through work experience, independent study, seminars and workshops, community activities and non-degree courses. It is important to understand that credit for prior learning is awarded based on verified knowledge and skills, not just on experience.
Prior Learning Assessment Recognition is not appropriate for all university-level classes. The decision about whether to allow a challenge credit for any course is entirely a department-level decision based on the best interests of their students and departmental resources.
PLAR is only available to students who have been admitted to the Northwest International University.
Extremely History of Prior Learning Assessment
Initial research into the Prior Learning Assessment practice and implementation was conducted by the Educational Testing Service, which launched a subsidiary organization dedicated only to Prior Learning Assessment. Through an ever-increasing demand for its research expertise, this special sub-group quickly became an independent non-profit organization, now known as The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL). Since 1974, CAEL has worked with postsecondary institutions, state boards of regents, and individuals by establishing and disseminating high quality standards for the awarding of credit through assessment, by training faculty evaluators and administrators in PLA practices, and by conducting research on the outcomes of these efforts and disseminating it widely throughout the postsecondary community.
CAEL has emphasized the assessment and promotion of experiential learning for adults and is responsible for the development of several landmark publications on the topic, including Assessing Learning: Standards, Principles, & Procedures (in which a set of research-based standards for best practices in assessing learning is outlined) and Fueling the Race to Postsecondary Success: a 48-Institution Study of Prior Learning Assessment and Adult Student Outcomes (in which prior learning assessment is linked to positive academic outcomes, including improved retention and graduation rates).
Prior Learning Assessment Recognition is not appropriate for all university-level classes. The decision about whether to allow a challenge credit for any course is entirely a department-level decision based on the best interests of their students and departmental resources.
PLAR is only available to students who have been admitted to the Northwest International University.
The P.L.A.R Process
Students must first meet with the P.L.A.R Advisor in Student & Enrolment Services to discuss the process and confirm courses available for recognition. To make an appointment with the PLAR Advisor, contact us.
If courses are available for challenge credit, the student completes an application form, which includes details of the Prior Learning Assessment request. You may apply for Prior Learning Assessment on multiple occasions during your academic year.
The PLAR Advisor reviews the application, and, if accepted, forwards it to the relevant college, department, or program head for review. If the application is accepted by this reviewer, the student pays an assessment fee to meet with a faculty advisor, who will discuss with the student method(s) of assessment and timelines. The student and faculty advisor must sign an assessment agreement.
P.L.A.R encourages a combination of assessment strategies to evaluate a student’s breadth and depth of learning. These methods may include the more traditional university assessment method of written examination, as well as demonstrations, interviews and oral examinations. Another assessment tool is the use of learning portfolios, which may include a variety of supporting evidence of prior learning, such as samples of work, course outlines from corporate-sponsored learning events and skills validation certificates. You and your faculty advisor will discuss the method(s) most appropriate for assessing your prior learning.
Following the assessment by the faculty advisor, the PLAR advisor will inform the student of the outcome.
Students must first meet with the PLAR Advisor in Student & Enrolment Services to discuss the process and confirm courses available for recognition. To make an appointment with the PLAR Advisor, contact us.
If courses are available for challenge credit, the student completes an application form, which includes details of the Prior Learning Assessment request. You may apply for Prior Learning Assessment on multiple occasions during your academic career at the Northwest International University.
The P.L.A.R Advisor reviews the application, and, if accepted, forwards it to the relevant college, department, or program head for review. If the application is accepted by this reviewer, the student pays an assessment fee to meet with a faculty advisor, who will discuss with the student method(s) of assessment and timelines. The student and faculty advisor must sign an assessment agreement.
P.L.A.R encourages a combination of assessment strategies to evaluate a student’s breadth and depth of learning. These methods may include the more traditional university assessment method of written examination, as well as demonstrations, interviews and oral examinations. Another assessment tool is the use of learning portfolios, which may include a variety of supporting evidence of prior learning, such as samples of work, course outlines from corporate-sponsored learning events and skills validation certificates. You and your faculty advisor will discuss the method(s) most appropriate for assessing your prior learning.
Following the assessment by the faculty advisor, the PLAR advisor will inform the student of the outcome.
What is a Portfolio?
A portfolio is a collection of documents that details your past learning. It focuses on the skills, knowledge and abilities developed through education, experience, volunteer work, self-directed learning and other methods of learning. It must clearly apply this learning to the learning outcomes appropriate to the course(s) in which you are interested.
A portfolio usually includes the following types of information:
-
- Resume
-
- Autobiographical letter
-
- Description of your career plan
-
- Translation of documented experience into learning outcomes
-
- Documentation / verification of skills
-
- Job Descriptions
-
- Letters of Reference
-
- You will be also required to demonstrate your learning through either the presentation of a portfolio and/or by one or more of the following challenge methods:
-
- Demonstration of a particular skill
-
- Competency testing
-
- Submission of assignments
-
- Challenge exams
-
- A structured interview with a designated subject expert. Remember, credit is not awarded for experience but only for verifiable learning.
Benefits of PLAR
P.L.A.R has several benefits. It improves access to education when formal credentials are not well understood. It helps place learners at appropriate levels within educational programs. It eliminates the need for students to study things they already know. It helps learners develop clear educational goals and plans. Research indicates that PLAR also improves learner confidence, self-esteem, and motivation to learn. If an institution’s course offerings are flexible, PLAR can reduce students’ program workloads and costs.
P.L.A.R increases access to professions by providing important information to licensing and certification bodies about what applicants already know and can do. It can help determine if applicants are eligible to write qualifying exams or undertake placements. PLAR can help to determine if individuals need additional training, and it can reduce costs by pinpointing training needs more accurately.
How to apply
You need to apply for any prior learning to be recognized and accredited. You can do this on the relevant section of the online application form.
If you have already submitted your application but now wish to request recognition of your prior learning, please contact us.
We will not consider any application for recognition of prior learning if you have already entered the exam for the course concerned.
When applying for Prior Learning Assessment, applicants can qualify with either an academic diploma or a combination of education and work experience. You can also combine post-high school education and experience to meet total qualifications.
Don’t overlook courses taken at no accredited institutions, such as work-related training, seminars, workshops and vocational training. These courses are acceptable if they meet the following criteria:
The courses are accepted for advanced credit at an accredited institution.
The institution’s transcript is given full credit by a state university.
The courses have been evaluated and approved by a state department of education.
The coursework has been evaluated by an organization recognized for accreditation by the Council of Post-Secondary Accreditation
The prior learning experience in the careers and jobs which are listed in the following website will be acceptable for PLAR process by Northwest International University evaluating scientific boards.