International Open University

The International Open University (IOU) is a private distance education university headquartered in Kanifing, The Gambia. It was founded as the Islamic Online University by Bilal Philips in 2007 and offers undergraduate and graduate degrees.

International Open University
Former names
Islamic Online University
MottoChanging the Nation Through Education
TypePrivate
Established2007
ChancellorBilal Philips
Vice-ChancellorCherno Omar Barry
Students500,000
Address
21 Kanifing Mosque Road, P.O. Box 2340, Kanifing South, KMC, The Gambia
CampusOnline
Websitehttp://iou.edu.gm/

Background

Initially established in 2001,[1] the program shut down due to technical difficulties. In April 2007, the IOU reopened under the name Islamic Online University, with a greater offering of completely free short courses.[1] On January 13, 2020, it was announced through the IOU's official Facebook page that the institution's name has been changed to the International Open University.[2][3]

Ernest Bai Koroma, the chancellor of the University of Sierra Leone (USL) welcomed the idea of establishing the IOU type Islamic institution.[4] In 2014, the Niger State Government paid the International Open University's Bachelor of Arts school fees for 35 students that registered from the state.[1]

The International Open University is amongst the most ethnically diverse universities in the world, having students from over 250 countries (year 2018).[5]

In the year 2018, the International Open University's programs have been ranked among the best online Middle Eastern Studies programs by Successful Student.[6]

Tuition

The International Open University is a tuition-free institution. However, a very modest registration fee is charged per semester, which is based on the human development index and thus varies from country to country.[7][8] Those who cannot afford the registration fees, may apply for scholarships. The IOU has launched a project to distribute one million scholarships to African youths.[9]

Academic departments

The International Open University offers study programs at seven academic departments:[10][11]

  • Department of Arabic Language and Linguistics
    • Bachelor's Degree
    • Certificate
    • Higher Diploma
  • Department of Business Administration
    • Bachelor's Degree
    • Associate degree
    • Certificate
  • Department of Education
    • Bachelor's Degree
    • Associate degree
    • Certificate
  • Department of Information Technology
    • Bachelor's Degree
    • Associate degree
    • Certificate
  • Department of Islamic Economics, Banking and Finance
    • Bachelor's Degree
    • Associate degree
    • Certificate
  • Department of Islamic Studies
    • Master's Degree
    • Bachelor's Degree
    • Higher Diploma
  • Department of Psychology
    • Bachelor's Degree
    • Associate degree
    • Certificate

Affiliations

The International Open University is a full member of Association of African Universities,[12] approved member of International Council for Open and Distance Education,[13] African Quality Assurance Network (AfriQAN), Association of Quality Assurance Agencies of the Islamic World (IQA), associate member of International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies,[14] Asian Association of Open Universities,[15] as well as a member of International Council of Islamic Finance Educators (ICIFE) and a member of the Talloires Network.[16]

Research

The International Open University actively engages in research. The IOU has launched a multidisciplinary peer-reviewed journal, "Journal of Integrated Sciences", with the first issue published in 2019. [17]

Professor Dr. G. Hussein Rassool, the Dean for the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Head of the Department of Psychology, Director of Research & Publications, Professor of Islamic Psychology at the International Open University, and a Fellow of the Royal Society for Public Health, has been appointed as Editor-In-Chief of the journal. [18][19]

References
  1. "Niger State Government Pays Islamic Online University BA Fees for 35 Students". Niger Times. March 2014. Archived from the original on August 12, 2015. Retrieved November 24, 2016.
  2. "Islamic Online University - IOU". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2020-01-13.
  3. onedeentech (2019-02-12). "IOU launches one million scholarship program in Sierra Leone". Sierra Leone Islamic Web. Retrieved 2020-01-18.
  4. "Chancellor of IOU meets Chancellor of USL". Sierra Express. December 12, 2013. Archived from the original on May 17, 2014. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
  5. "Islamic Online University Signs Agreement with FBC". ayvnewspaper.com. Retrieved 2019-04-10.
  6. "6 Best Online Middle Eastern Studies Programs". 2018-03-13.
  7. http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/free-tuition-degrees-at-islamic-online-university-iou
  8. "Islamic Online University (Gambia)". The Talloires Network. 2015-07-31. Retrieved 2019-04-18.
  9. "Education centres for the under privileged". Rising Sun Lenasia. 2018-07-24. Retrieved 2019-04-18.
  10. "Islamic Online University (Gambia)". 2015-07-31.
  11. "Streams – Islamic Online University".
  12. "Member in focus". Association of African Universities. Retrieved 2019-04-12.
  13. "ICDE Institutional Members". ICDE. Retrieved 2019-04-12.
  14. "Islamic Online University | INQAAHE". www.inqaahe.org. Retrieved 2019-04-12.
  15. "Associate Members". Asian Association of Open Universities. 2017-02-09. Retrieved 2019-04-12.
  16. "Islamic Online University (Gambia)". The Talloires Network. 2015-07-31. Retrieved 2019-04-12.
  17. "About the Journal | Journal of Integrated Sciences". jis.iou.edu.gm. Retrieved 2020-01-09.
  18. "G. Hussein Rassool". www.amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 2020-01-09.
  19. "Dr G Hussein Rassool Biography". crescent-of-care. Retrieved 2020-01-09.
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