Knightsbridge U questions ?

[RA_Ph.D.]

I am not tryng to start a war here, but there has been some very uncomplimentary talk about Knightsbridge lately (elsewhere, not here). I know that this "uni" is one of the most controversial intitutions on the playing field with very loyal supporters squared off against equally strigent damners. Opinions of members here about Knightsbridge?

My own view is that it is just what it seems to claim--a self-validating institution. I would say non-standard in that it does things its own way, but not a mill as it does have faculty processes. I find it hard to get a real grasp of its true public reputation amidst all the acrid debate. Other views ?

[Neil Hayes]

I am not tryng to start a war here, but there has been some very uncomplimentary talk about Knightsbridge lately (elsewhere, not here). I know that this "uni" is one of the most controversial intitutions on the playing field with very loyal supporters squared off against equally strigent damners. Opinions of members here about Knightsbridge?
My own view is that it is just what it seems to claim--a self-validating institution. I would say non-standard in that it does things its own way, but not a mill as it does have faculty processes. I find it hard to get a real grasp of its true public reputation amidst all the acrid debate. Other views ?

Anyone with any experience of Knightsbridge, or anyone who looks closely at the Knightsbridge range of courses offered, will ignore completely the ravings of 'the gang' on that other channel. They rave because they are totally indoctrinated with "RA OR NO WAY" and the simple refuse to accept that any
so-called unaccredited school can be legitimate. One also needs to consider that none of 'the gang' has had any hands-on experience in distance learning, so are really not qualified to comment on such matters.
Consider what Dr Charles C. Moskos had to say about one KU course:

"Knightsbridge University's Master of Arts in military Studies course is a splendid academic program designed for the mature student. The reading list is very impressive and covers a multi-disciplinary approach to military studies, including military philosophy, history, sociology, psychology, asymmetrical warfare, and military/civil relations. The English-speaking faculty currently consists of accomplished scholars and former senior military officers from the US, Canada, Russia, Hungary, India, Romania, Turkey, Bulgaria, Italy, Chile, Greece and Germany. Most have doctorates and all are experts in their
fields of study. What they offer is state-of-the-art, challenging, intensive, multi-national, and unique. I highly recommend this Military Studies program
Dr Charles C. Moskos"

If readers don't know the name "Charles C.Moskos" do a Google on him.
Consider also that KU organised a major anti-terrorist conference in Manchester last year, which was attended by world experts in this field. Hardly something that a non-legitimate school would be involved in!
These are but two examples of the value and utility of KU.

[RA_Ph.D.]

Dr. Hayes, I do not doubt for a momement that you have been well served by Knightsbridge nor do I doubt your example. My problem is that many voices on the other channel, which are right many times about dubious institutions, clamor loudly about Knighstsbridge, too. (I do know that they are not ALWAYS right since they ganged up to silence me there.) Nonetheless, how can they be answered when they post up (supposed) correspondence between Vice Chancellor Fryst and some Rev. applying for an honorary degree which can only be described, at best, as obfuscatory and, at worst, weird and misleading. No one seems to refute (or to be able to refute or dares ?) their allegations definitively on the other channel, either.

I would like to see (public) evidence that refutes mill allegations rather definitively; otherwise, it seems that we are left exactly where we have been on this issue for several years, with opposing ''opinions'' holding the field and less than definitive factual evidence on the public record to refute naysayers. If facts to the contrary were in evidence, voices on the other channel would be howing nothing but slander and libel, and could be held responsible for such unsubstantiated damaging remarks, don't you think ? If any of those boys said the kind of stuff about my alma mater that they say about Knighstbridge, I would see to it that proper legal action was taken as my academic reputation would be in public jeopardy from such untruths.

[Dennis Ruhl]

My own view is that it is just what it seems to claim--a self-validating institution. I would say non-standard in that it does things its own way, but not a mill as it does have faculty processes. I find it hard to get a real grasp of its true public reputation amidst all the acrid debate. Other views ?

The people who criticize Knightsbridge the most tend to be Americans who are committed to the accreditation process which is not so common a thing in the rest of the world.

[Neil Hayes]

Dr. Hayes, I do not doubt for a momement that you have been well served by Knightsbridge nor do I doubt your example. My problem is that many voices on the other channel, which are right many times about dubious institutions, clamor loudly about Knighstsbridge, too. (I do know that they are not ALWAYS right since they ganged up to silence me there.) Nonetheless, how can they be answered when they post up (supposed) correspondence between Vice Chancellor Fryst and some Rev. applying for an honorary degree which can only be described, at best, as obfuscatory and, at worst, weird and misleading. No one seems to refute (or to be able to refute or dares ?) their allegations definitively on the other channel, either.
I would like to see (public) evidence that refutes mill allegations rather definitively; otherwise, it seems that we are left exactly where we have been on this issue for several years, with opposing ''opinions'' holding the field and less than definitive factual evidence on the public record to refute naysayers. If facts to the contrary were in evidence, voices on the other channel would be howing nothing but slander and libel, and could be held responsible for such unsubstantiated damaging remarks, don't you think ? If any of those boys said the kind of stuff about my alma mater that they say about Knighstbridge, I would see to it that proper legal action was taken as my academic reputation would be in public jeopardy from such untruths.

A number of Knightsbridge graduates were members of DegreeInfo, but all have flagged it away - or been banned! Even if we had proven, beyond any doubt, that Knightsbridge was the best university in Europe they would have still chanted "RA OR NO WAY". If you take a look at the recent bumbling posts at DI you will note that they all come from the same people. You must also agree that such incredible postulating could not have come from educated or reasonably intelligent people. You must also appreciate that 95% of 'the gang' have been banned from every DL forum - except DegreeInfo.
I can assure you hat Knightsbridge carries on very successfully and that whilst legal action has been contemplated by a number of graduates it is close to impossible to pursue this from outside the USA. It is also worth noting that fewer and fewer people are reading the raves from 'the gang'. It is not the sort of material members of a DL discussion group wish to read. And, of course, if you seriously try to counter what they say you get banned instantly!
One other point worth noting is that when I earned my PhD I applied for membership of one of the UK's most prestigious Royal Chartered engineering institutions. Two decades earlier my membership application to the same institution was rejected because my qualifications did not pass muster. This time my application was successful. I have so far been loath to mention which institution this is as I have seen 'the gang' at work on numerous occasions - with communications to employers, universities, etc. If you do a Google on "Huffman v Derek Smart" you will understand what I mean.
Some months ago I showed an education psychologist friend some of 'the gangs' postings and the Huffman website, on which he expresses pride in hounding Derek Smart. I doesn't take a great deal of thought to imagine her comments.
However, 'the gang' have one good feature - had it not been for them this site and Jamesville would likely have never been introduced. Remembering again that it was the very same people at DegreeInfo who closed down CollegeHints and Online college.
Dennis is very correct in what he has to say. He has also 'been there'.

[Redlyne Racer]

The people who criticize Knightsbridge the most tend to be Americans who are committed to the accreditation process which is not so common a thing in the rest of the world.

It's fair to say that many Americans have a hard time understanding that things in other parts of the world might be done differently than they are here. They make the immediate presumption that, since many things not done in "the American way" are no damn good, that anything and everything done differently than we do it here must be trash. As the great (British) songwriter Paul Weller put it, "standards rule OK." That seems to be the general outlook at another site, possibly compounded by an inability to comphrehend that there just might be more than one good way to do the same thing. Hard to say therefore if it's just irrational jingoism, lack of intellect, or some combination of the two that inspires their current attack mode.

Doctoral degrees by published work or dissertation only are common pretty much everywhere but America. There is no factual basis to find a degree inferior only because it was issued under a methodology uncommon in America.

Some people take comfort in the fact that a school has had some bureaucrat wave his hand and pronounce it safe for public consumption. It saves them the trouble of thinking for themselves. Others take comfort in the fact that the curriculum is not approved by politicians and the others who feed at the government hog trough. It seems like all the 60's wannabe revolutionaries grew up to be 21st century thought police.

[Robert J.]

Although my intent isn't to stiffel speech. I feel a better forum for Knightsbridge would be "Jay2"'s forum since the owner of Knightsbridge himself hangs out there and as well as a few more of their Alumni.

So...please take it there and I'm sure the Knightsbridge folks would be more than happy to answer your questions RA PHD and I'm sure Jay2 would be fine with it too.

Thanks

Thread closed.