WCRDE – World Council for Regular and Distance Education

The World Council for Regular and Distance Education (WCRDE) is a non-profit international membership organization for the regular, open and distance education community. WCRDE is supporting all Government Education systems, norms and regulations and code of ethics.

Members of the WCRDE institution must be recognized and in good standing in its own country or region, and must accomplish its educational operations in distance education. The institution must be prepared to provide documentary evidence of this at any time. Document Review is conducted by WCRDE review committee to verify the establishment of documented policies and procedures addressing the requirements of the desired assessment standard and to evaluate organization's readiness for assessment.

During this formal verification, the WCRDE review committee examine and evaluate the Quality Education Systems (QES) conformance with the requirements of the applicable standard. The duration of the review depends upon specific criteria including, the organization size, scope activities, and number of sites seeking approval. Upon successful conclusion of the evaluation the review committee team concludes their decision to recommend the Educational Institution for accreditation.

In October 2013, Bircham International University was granted Accreditation from the WCRDE.

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USA Non Profit 501c3 Status 

Bircham International University is a non profit institution that offers full tuition scholarships for distance learning degree programs.

Since its foundation, Bircham International University has always used the income from the students tuition to grow and improve. We want to thank all those students who have believed in BIU innovative distance learning higher education. Those who have known BIU for many years have witnessed the great progress achieved along all these years. Now we have been able to shape this reinvestment and improvement spirit in the form of a non profit institution. This new non profit legal status does not only ensures the continuous reinvestment and improvement of BIU but also it has allowed the creation of a full tuition scholarship fund with the support of donations and other institutions. This full tuition scholarship fund will allow some students to access free distance learning higher education for some specific and selected majors of study.

Bircham International University full tuition scholarship fund is generated by donations and profits. BIU has established some means that allow access to full tuition scholarships. BIU holds a USA 501c3 non profit organization status. You may check the good standing of this status at the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) Exempt Organizations Database.

Full Tuition Scholarships for distance learning

Full tuition scholarships for distance learning degree programs will be granted depending on the availability of donations and support from individuals and organizations.

The terms affecting full tuition scholarships for BIU distance learning adult degree programs are:

• Full tuition scholarships are limited to a specific major of study and adult degree program. If the student who got the full tuition scholarship wants a different distance learning degree program, he or she may be required top pay the difference in tuition and any additional textbook assignments or extra costs incurred by the new distance learning adult degree program.
• Available scholarships will be informed through BIU Social Networks, mostly Facebook, Twiter and Linkedin. If you are interested in this information you should join these networks to get updated information.
• Once you see a scholarship available you should submit the application for admission and write in the “Additional Requests” part at the bottom of page 1 of the application the following remark: “I request full tuition scholarship for the offer published on (date).” The applicant must always meet the BIU distance learning adult degree program admission requirements.
• BIU will inform you if the full tuition scholarship has been granted. You will be asked to pay a 300$ deposit to confirm your acceptance of the scholarship. If you do not pay this deposit within 7 days since BIU confirmed your eligibility, you will loose the scholarship. This deposit will be refunded to you upon completion of your distance learning adult degree program of studies. Note that textbooks assigned for full tuition scholarship distance learning adult degree programs may not be new because they are donated.
• Once your acceptance of the full tuition scholarship is confirmed with the payment of the deposit, BIU will publish your name at the BIU Social Networks as winner of the full tuition scholarship granted. Once admitted into a full tuition scholarship distance learning adult degree program, if you wish to change your major of study or the adult degree program you may request so in writing. In that case the 300$ deposit will be used to cover the change of the distance learning adult degree program administrative expenses. The total value of the full tuition scholarship granted (according to the value chart) will be discounted from the tuition of the new distance learning adult degree program of study. Any new books assigned or other new additional material required are not included in the new distance learning adult degree program. Refund policy is not applicable in case of full scholarship.
• Full scholarships are subject to completion deadlines. If you do not complete any of the required assignments in the due dates that will be shown at the Assignment Evaluation Form, you will loose the scholarship and the deposit of 300$.

Help others to study!

Education is a lifetime asset

and one of the best ways to help others.

Bircham International University full tuition scholarship fund is generated by donations and profits.

BIU holds a USA 501c3 non profit organization status. Charitable donations are deductible from IRS taxes for US citizens. It is a good idea to consult a tax professional to find out the deduction and benefits of your donation to Bircham International University. BIU will always issue an invoice type document that may be required for your tax deduction upon request and after receiving your donation. Request an invoice for any donation exceeding 250$.

100% of the donations are used for the full tuition scholarship fund. Administrative and other operational expenses of Bircham International University are supported with the tuition received from students worldwide.

Donations may be in the form of money or textbooks. 

• Money donations: use Paypal, bank transfer to BIU Chase Manhattan Bank account in the USA or a check payable to Bircham International University. You may find payments details downloading the payment form.
• Textbooks donations. BIU does only accept textbooks that may be applicable to a distance learning adult degree program. Inform the BIU Office of the books that you intend to donate. If we can use them, BIU will send a courier to pick up the books at no cost. BIU will issue an invoice with the stated value of the donated books for your tax purposes. 

It is time to make a contribution and help others to achieve their goals.

An investment in education always pays the best interest.

Name your full tuition scholarship! 

And know the person you helped to study!

You may decide to sponsor a specific major of study (we have more than 200) or leave it open for any major of study. You may be involved in the selection process of the candidates for the full tuition scholarship. Once the scholarship is assigned, the candidate will be informed of your name as his or her sponsor. You may also propose the candidate you wish to sponsor with your donation. 

BIU will issue a donation certificate thanking your contribution, with the full name, picture, country and adult degree program of the person that you have helped.

Candidates for full tuition scholarship may start at any time of the year and study from anywhere in the world. There is no discrimination with respect to race, color, sex, beliefs and/or religion.

Full tuition scholarship for distance learning value chart:

• A minimum donation of 500$ is required to put your name on a full tuition scholarship for a course. 
• A minimum donation of 1500$ is required to put your name on a full tuition scholarship for a specialist or expert diploma. 
• A minimum donation of 3500$ is required to put your name on a full tuition scholarship for a Bachelor’s degree. 
• A minimum donation of 5000$ is required to put your name on a full tuition scholarship for a Master’s degree.  
• A minimum donation of 7000$ is required to put your name on a full tuition scholarship for a Doctorate Ph.D. degree. 

Any difference between your donation and the actual cost of the distance learning adult degree programs will be sponsored by Bircham International University. BIU will use the above value chart for any degree program changes affecting the full tuition scholarship for distance learning.

Contact BIU Office if you are interested in making any donation.

Thank you for your contribution.

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OECD - Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

The mission of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is to promote policies that will improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world. The OECD provides a forum in which governments can work together to share experiences and seek solutions to common problems. The OECD works with governments to understand what drives economic, social and environmental change. The OECD measures productivity and global flows of trade and investment. The OECD analyses and compares data to predict future trends. The OECD set international standards on a wide range of things, from agriculture and tax to the validation of non formal learning.

People are constantly learning everywhere and at all times.  Not a single day goes by that does not lead to additional skills, knowledge and/or competences for all individuals. For people outside the initial education and training system, adults in particular, it is very likely that this learning, taking place at home, at the workplace or elsewhere, is a lot more important, relevant and significant than the kind of learning that occurs in formal settings.

However, learning that occurs outside the formal learning system is not well understood, made visible or, probably as a consequence, appropriately valued. The OECD activity on the recognition of non-formal and informal learning involves 23 countries on 5 continents. Non formal learning has also been under-researched (see also ongoing EU work). Most research has focused on learning outcomes from formal education and training, instead of embracing all types of learning outcomes; allowing visibility and portability of such outcomes in the lifelong learning system, in the labor market or in the community.

In 1996, the OECD education ministers agreed to develop strategies for “lifelong learning for all”. The approach has been endorsed by ministers of labor, ministers of social affairs and the OECD Council at ministerial level. There are some individuals who are unable to put all the learning they have acquired to full use because they are cannot easily prove their capabilities to others. Non-formal and informal learning outcomes are viewed as having significant value. Policy makers in OECD countries have become increasingly aware that non formal learning represents a rich source of human capital. 

Recognition plays an important role in a number of countries by providing validation of competences to facilitate entry to further formal learning. This often involves exemption from certain coursework or parts of a formal study program. This approach lets people complete education more quickly, efficiently and cheaply by not having to enroll in courses for which they have already mastered the content. Allowing people to fast-track through formal education by making the most of their non formal and informal learning can also create a virtuous circle by making it more attractive for people to engage in self-directed learning.

Bircham International University was created considering the conclusions of the OCDE about the value and impact of non formal learning to reinforce human capital.

Bircham International University is legalized in Spain and the USA, two of the 20 countries that constitute the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.

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IHAC - Intergovernmental Higher Academic Council 

The Intergovernmental Higher Academic Council is a non-government and non-profit making initiative of the International University of Fundamental Studies (IUFS) registered in St. Petersburg, Russia and  working together with Russian state universities. In 1998, the Ministry of Education, Russia - State Committee for Higher Education & Science, St. Petersburg, Russia, recognized IUFS. In 2007 IUFS opened the Intergovernmental Higher Academic Council (IHAC).

The Intergovernmental Higher Academic Council  approves and asserts the quality of dissertations, scientific research and pedagogical activities of leading Universities.

In 2007 Bircham International University got the Accreditation of IHAC.

In 2012, the IHAC ceased its operations and Bircham International University updated this accreditation with the International Accreditation Organization.

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ICHE - International Council for Higher Education

The International Council for Higher Education is a global body pursuing excellence in academic programs and promoting sustainable and integrated model of higher education, particularly in countries where educational opportunities are restricted or are in need of development for nation building.

The aims and objectives of the ICHE are to network individuals and institutions involved in higher education in order to pursue common concerns in the cause of excellence, to engage in appropriate educational programs and projects of global concern, and to offer assistance in and advice to institutions in keeping with highest standards of relevant global education.

ICHE seeks to facilitate the improvement of the educational offerings of its members through its accreditation and validation services in accordance with the Characteristics of Excellence in Higher Education stated in the ICHE Bylaws. The focus of our program and degree accreditation and validation services is with the social sciences, education, business, and other fields that are interdisciplinary in nature. 

In 2013 Bircham International University was accredited by the International Council for Higher Education.

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Open Education Europa is the gateway to European innovative learning.

The European Commission launched Open Education Europa in September 2013 as part of the Opening up Education initiative to provide a single gateway to European Open Education Resources. The main goal of the Open Education Europa portal is to offer access to all existing European Open Educational Resources in different languages in order to be able to present them to learners, teachers and researchers.

Open Education Europa is a dynamic platform built with the latest cutting-edge open-source technology, offering tools for communicating, sharing and discussing. The portal shows leading European institutions. Each institution is also featured alongside the MOOCs, courses, and the Open Educational Resources it provides.

In 2014, Bircham International University was admitted into the Open Education Europa as a private and independent institution of distance learning higher education at university level.

A course to explain the Bircham International University effective pedagogy and experience for adult higher education via distance learning is provided free of any charge to any educator interested. Interested educators may enroll at anytime of the year and from anywhere. This course is based on the previous edition we published several times at the Grundvigt database until 2013. Click for more information about the free course: Effective pedagogy for adult distance learning higher education

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EADL - European Association for Distance Learning

EADL is the European association of schools, institutions and individuals working in correspondence and distance education. With members from over 20 European countries, the Association is a representative forum for the exchange of information and ideas on current practice and developments in the expanding field of distance learning.

Bircham International University becomes member of ANCED, Spain Asociación Association for Distance Learning, in 2004 after a through site visit inspection and quality review.

ANCED is a member in good standing of the EADL - European Association for Distance Learning.

Since 2009, membership in ANCED is replaced with the European Foundation for Quality in eLearning.

In 2014, Bircham International University was admitted into the Open Education Europa as a private and independent institution of distance learning higher education at university level. Open Education Europa is the European Commission gateway to European innovative learning.

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EADI - European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes

EADI, the European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes, is the leading European network in the field of development research and training. EADI is a Europe-wide network of institutes, researchers and students of various disciplines. The association was founded in 1975 and is an independent and non-profit-making international non-governmental organisation. Its Secretariat is based in Bonn, Germany. The EADI Executive Committee is drawn from across Europe. It is financed by its members’ contributions, an institutional grant from the German government.

IAC/EADI Accreditation 

The International Accreditation Council for Global Development Studies and Research

EADI, as the professional European organisation of institutes and professionals in the field of Development, wishes to influence proactively the process of accreditation and quality assurance. To this end it has developed a state-of-the art quality assurance  and accreditation system. The International Accreditation Council for Global Development Studies and Research (IAC/EADI) is the independent council of EADI in charge of the system.

In 2014 Bircham International University becomes a member in good standing of EADI - European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes.

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APICS - Accademia per la Promozione Internazionale della Cultura e della Scienza

APICS, the Accademia per la Promozione Internazionale della Cultura e della Scienza, developed quality standards for those institutions promoting culture and science on an international level.

Accreditation review of Bircham International University was conducted in 2001 by Prof. Dr. Waldo Bernasconi, Ph.D.

APICS was based in Lugano, Switzerland.

APICS accreditation of Bircham International University is replaced with the International Accreditation & Recognition Council in 2004.

APICS closed in 2008 for financial reasons.

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APICS website may still be verified with web archive.