Saint Monica University

Saint Monica University
Motto Servire Sine Fine
Motto in English
 Service Without Limit
Type Private
Established 2012
Chancellor Dr. Nicholas Asongu Jingwa, DEd.
President Prof. Januarius Jingwa (JJ) Asongu, PhD, FABPP
Provost Prof. Rafael Bisaliev, MD, PhD, DSc.
Location Cameroon, UK, and USA
Campus Traditional and Online
Nickname The American International University
Affiliations GUIDE, CIC, IAU, ASIC etc.
Website www.smuedu.org

Saint Monica University or Saint Monica University: The American International University (SMU), is an accredited private independent Catholic university with operations in Cameroon, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It is an American-style university offering career-focused programs that are at the intersection of liberal arts, science, and technology.[1] It provides educational opportunities for the intellectual, social, entrepreneurial and professional development of a diverse student population.[2]

The university offers Bachelor's, Master's and Doctoral degree programs both on-campus and online to students in Cameroon, the United Kingdom, the United States, and over a dozen other countries. The university's motto is "Servire Sine Fine," the Latin for “Service Without Limit” , and the university's slogans include: “Transforming Lives, Transforming Society” and "Learn with Support, Graduate with Confidence."[3]

Schools & Institutes

The university operates four schools[4] - The School of Arts, Education & Humanities (SAEH); the School of Business and Public Policy (SBPP); the School of Science, Engineering and Technology (SSET); and the School of Health & Human Services (SHHS). In addition, it has specialized institutes including the International Institute of Petroleum Studies (IIPS), which operates under the SSET; the Physician Assistant Training Institute (PATI),[5] which operates under the SHHS; the Institute for Ethics, Democracy, and Human Rights (IEDHR), which operates under the SAEH; the Institute for Sustainable Development & Entrepreneurship (ISDE), which operates under the SBPP; and finally the Institute of Biodiversity and Non-profit Studies (IBiNS), which operates under the SBPP and in collaboration with the training and capacity building division of the Environment and Rural Development Foundation (ERUDEF).[6]

History

The roots of the university go back to 2001, when a group of American intellectuals originally from Cameroon decided to start a US-style university in Cameroon. In 2009, the Professional Training Center (PTC) went operational in Bamenda, Cameroon, approved by the Cameroon Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training. PTC provided training in various areas of sustainable energy, especially solar energy. In 2012, Saint Monica University came to birth, replacing the PTC, with the incorporation of the University in the State of Hawaii in the United States as a non-profit institution offering Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral programs.

In the same year (2012), Saint Monica University began seeking authorization to operate in Cameroon and was finally granted the permission, where it operates under the name, Saint Monica University (SMU) Higher Institute. It has since received the approval of the Cameroon government and is now fully accredited by the National Commission on Private Higher Education at the Ministry of Higher Education.[7]

In 2014, SMU decided to establish a campus in the UK. SMU has been incorporated with Companies House, Cardiff. The Registrar of Companies for England and Wales has incorporated the university as “Saint Monica College Limited” under the Companies Act of 2006 as a private company, with Company Number: 9353311. In addition to being incorporated in the United Kingdom, Saint Monica University has also been registered with the UK Register of Learning Providers (UKRLP) and has been assigned the UK Provider Reference Number (UKPRN): 10048183.

SMU has joined many international professional and academic organizations including CIC, GUIDE, IAU, ACFE etc. In 2013, SMU became one of only 19 universities outside of the United States to be admitted into membership of the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC),[8] an association of over 700 private non-profit colleges and universities in the United States. SMU is also a member of the Global Universities In Distance Education (GUIDE),[9] an Italian-based international association of universities offering online educational programs.

In 2014, it became the first institution in Cameroon, and the second in all of Africa, to be accredited by the Accreditation Service for International Colleges and Universities (ASIC),[10] a UK-based agency recognized by the British government.

The SMU ground campus in Cameroon is currently located on leased premises at the Mount Cameroon Sports Academy in Liongo, just outside the Muea neighborhood in Buea. In October 2013, the university purchased a 4 hectare (about 10 acres) piece of land where it intends to construct its permanent campus. Located in the Bulu neighborhood in Buea, the parcel of land has been christened "Civitas Dei," the Latin for "The City of God." Construction of the first building as started at Civitas Dei.[11] The SMU campus in London is located at 40 Thorne Road, London SW8 2BZ.

Accreditation

Saint Monica University has received or is seeking accreditation in the United States of America, the United Kingdom, and the Republic of Cameroon.

BRITISH ACCREDITATION

Saint Monica University (SMU) is accredited by the Accreditation Service for International Colleges and Universities (ASIC).[12] ASIC is a United Kingdom-based accreditation agency recognized by UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) and is a member of the US-based Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) International Quality Group (CIQG). ASIC is listed on the CHEA International Directory as an international accreditation organization. ASIC has granted accreditation to about 250 Colleges and Universities in the UK and over 70 worldwide. SMU is the second African university to be accredited by ASIC, which is one of the accreditation bodies recognized since 2007 by the United Kingdom Government the UK Border Agency,[13][14] ASIC is one of seven government-approved accreditation bodies in UK permitting educational institutions with ASIC accreditation to sponsor Tier 4 immigrants to study in the UK.[15][16] In addition, SMU London is listed in the UK Register of Learning Providers.

CAMEROON ACCREDITATION

Saint Monica University is also fully accredited in Cameroon by the National Commission on Private Higher Education at the Minister of Higher Education,[17] Yaounde, Cameroon. It has an Ordinance of Creation No: E14/0028/MINESUP/SG/DDES from the Minister of Higher Education in Cameroon. It has also received authorization to go operational through Ministerial Letter No: 14/01319/L/MINESUP/SG/DDES/ESUP/SDA/OAGS from the same Minister of Higher Education. SMU has, therefore, meet all the requirements to function as a de facto institution of higher education in Cameroon and is considered fully accredited.[18]

UNITED STATES ACCREDITATION

Saint Monica University has also applied to set up a US-based ground campus in the State of Delaware and is also pursuing accreditation in the United States with the Accreditation Commission of the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS).[19] The US Department of Education as well the Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) recognize TRACS as a national accrediting organizations for Christian colleges and universities offering the Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral Degrees. Plans are also underway for SMU seek regional institutional accreditation as well as programatic accreditations for its various professional programs.[20]

Partnerships & Affiliations

Saint Monica University has established partnerships, affiliations, and other agreements with Central State University in Wilberforce, OH, USA; Savannah State University in Savannah, GA, USA; University of Applied Sciences in Brandenburg, Germany; Astrakhan State Technical University in Astrakhan, Russia; Mahatma Gandhi University in Khanapara, India; Maharishi Markandeshwar University (MM University) in Mullana, India; and a host of other universities in the US and other countries. SMU is also affiliated to a number of organizations including CIC, GUIDE, among others.

Memberships

THE COUNCIL OF INDEPENDENT COLLEGES

Saint Monica University: The American International University is one of the about 19 international members of the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) and the only such university in Cameroon. CIC is a prestigious major national service organization for all small and mid-sized, independent, liberal arts colleges and universities in the U.S. CIC focuses on providing services to campus leaders through seminars, workshops, and programs that assist institutions in improving educational offerings, administrative and financial performance, and institutional visibility. CIC has about 700 universities as its members.[21]

GLOBAL UNIVERSITIES IN DISTANCE EDUCATION

Saint Monica University (SMU) is just one of over a dozen African universities to join the Global Universities In Distance Education (GUIDE).[22] The GUIDE Association was founded in 2005 by Marconi University with the aim to develop and support international cooperation and open and distance learning worldwide. By strengthening the role of higher education institutions as innovation and development drivers, GUIDE promotes the implementation of innovative results, insights and best practices in order to identify present, emergent and future needs of regional and international stakeholders and highlight potential areas for strategic partnership and transnational cooperation.

ASSOCIATION OF CERTIFIED FRAUD EXAMINERS

Saint Monica University (SMU) is an educational partner of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), which is the world's largest anti-fraud organization and premier provider of anti-fraud training and education. Together with more than 70,000 members, the ACFE is reducing business fraud worldwide and inspiring public confidence in the integrity and objectivity within the profession.[23]

References

  1. ↑ Saint Monica University. (2014). Welcome to Saint Monica University. Retrieved July 31, 2014, from http://www.smuedu.org/#!about-us/c1se
  2. ↑ PRLOG. (2014). Saint Monica University. Retrieved, July 31, 2014, from http://news.prlog.org/tag/saint-monica-university/
  3. ↑ Saint Monica University. (2014). Welcome to Saint Monica University. Retrieved July 31, 2014, from http://www.smuedu.org/#!about-us/c1se
  4. ↑ All About Cameroon. (2014). Saint Monica University. Retrieved, July 31, 2014, from http://www.all-about-cameroon.com/saint-monica-universitysmu-buea-cameroon.html
  5. ↑ PRLOG. (2014, June 25). Two American Institutions in Cameroon Create Partnership on Health Programs. Retrieved, July 31, 2014, from http://www.prlog.org/12341374-two-american-institutions-in-cameroon-create-partnership-on-health-programs.html
  6. ↑ Nawom, I. (2014, March 6). St Monica University matriculates second batch of students. Retrieved, July 31, 2014, from http://erudef.org/index.php/news-mainmenu/item/st-monica-university-matriculates-second-batch-of-students-2
  7. ↑ Saint Monica University. (2014). Welcome to Saint Monica University. Retrieved July 31, 2014, from http://www.smuedu.org/#!about-us/c1se
  8. ↑ Council of Independent Colleges. (2014). International and Association Members. Retrieved July 31, 2014, from http://www.cic.edu/About-CIC/Who-We-Are/Members-of-CIC/Pages/Internationals-and-Associates.aspx
  9. ↑ GUIDE. (2014). GUIDE Association - Members. Retrieved, July 31, 2014, from http://www.guideassociation.org/members_en,
  10. ↑ Accreditation Service for International Colleges. (2014). International Directory. Retrieved, July 31, 2014, from http://www.asicuk.com/international-directory/
  11. ↑ Saint Monica University. (2014). Welcome to Saint Monica University. Retrieved July 31, 2014, from http://www.smuedu.org/#!about-us/c1se
  12. ↑ Accreditation Service for International Colleges. (2014). International Directory. Retrieved, July 31, 2014, from http://www.asicuk.com/international-directory/
  13. ↑ UK Border Agency Guide
  14. ↑ UKBorder Agency, VAT9
  15. ↑ Alderman, Geoffrey (12 March 2012). "Private colleges are being sacrificed to please the anti-immigrant body". The Guardian.
  16. ↑ Norfolk, Andrew (June 29, 2009). "Man given job of closing bogus colleges was sacked by university". The Times. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
  17. ↑ Ministry of Higher Education, Yaounde, Cameroon
  18. ↑ Saint Monica University. (2014). Accreditation. Retrieved, July 31, 2014, from http://www.smuedu.org/#!accreditation/c2oh
  19. ↑ TRACS. (2014). Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools. Retrieved, July 31, 2014, from http://www.tracs.org
  20. ↑ Saint Monica University. (2014). Accreditation. Retrieved, July 31, 2014, from http://www.smuedu.org/#!accreditation/c2oh
  21. ↑ Council of Independent Colleges. (2014). International and Association Members. Retrieved July 31, 2014, from http://www.cic.edu/About-CIC/Who-We-Are/Members-of-CIC/Pages/Internationals-and-Associates.aspx
  22. ↑ GUIDE. (2014). GUIDE Association - Members. Retrieved, July 31, 2014, from http://www.guideassociation.org/members_en,
  23. ↑ PRLOG. (2013, May 1). Saint Monica University Joins Global Anti-Fraud Education Partnership. Retrieved, July 31, 2014, from http://www.prlog.org/12129010-saint-monica-university-joins-global-anti-fraud-education-partnership.html

External links

http://fnewspaper.com/2016/08/25/minister-of-higher-education-strikes-on-illegal-universities-here-are-universities-considered-illegal-and-will-be-closed-paid-st-monica-university-others-threatened-with-closure/

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