Irish International University

The Irish International University is an unaccredited university operating in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1996, the IIU has no campus of its own, but works with unspecified partner institutions in Ireland and abroad. When talking about the IIU to a BBC reporter, its "Honorary Chancellor", Jeff Wooller, said that: "The whole thing's dodgy." [ [http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/articles/2008/01/05/bogus_education_final_feature.shtml BBC - London - Features - Investigating the bogus education scam ] ] According to its website, the IIU is still in operation, although in response to the report shown on the BBC, it has removed some material. [http://accountancymatters.accountancyage.com/2008/01/jeff-woollers-r.html Jeff Wooller's response to the Accountancy Age article [http://accountancymatters.accountancyage.com/2008/01/jeff-woollers-d.html here] ]

In the news

It was reported in the press on 7th January 2008, that businesswoman Mary Chapman, chief executive of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) had been hoodwinked into attending and handing out certificates at a degree ceremony [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/career_and_jobs/graduate_management/article3142514.ece Times Online article 7th Jan 2008] . Chapman agreed to be Guest of Honour at the ceremony held in the Divinity School at the University of Oxford. Pictures of her in attendance, which were posted on the university's website, have now been removed. The ceremony was also attended by an undercover reporter and actor from the BBC [http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/features/my_london/bogus_education/ Roundup of BBC News coverage of the IIU] . The Times article referenced above states that the CMI has "severed all links" to the university and the University of Oxford has banned the institution from using its premises again.

A BBC London News investigation by reporter Angela Saini [http://education.guardian.co.uk/higher/news/story/0,,2236682,00.html Guardian article, Jan 8 2008] discovered that at its Dublin campus address, there was only a mailbox. The investigation also found that the IIU was accredited by an accrediting organisation owned by the IIU's Executive President that is nothing more than a mailbox and a small website.

References

ee also

* List of unaccredited institutions of higher learning
* Diploma mills
* Accreditation mill

External links

* [http://www.iiuedu.ie Irish International "University" website]
* [http://www.qac-uk.org Quality Assurance Commission (accreditation company owned by the IIU's Executive President)]