STUDENTS, beware.
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has issued a notice to the public against enrolling in diploma and short-term post-graduate programs offered by a university supposedly based in the United States and a local partner institution.
CHED Secretary Prospero de Vera III named the foreign university as Saint James University and its local partner as the Leadership in Education Academy and Development (LEAD) Philippines.
“The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) informs the public that the international diploma and post-graduate short-term programs offered by Saint James University in Pennsylvania, USA, in partnership with the Leadership in Education Academy and Development (LEAD) Philippines, are not recognized by CHED,” he said.
De Vera added that offering transnational higher education (TNHE) programs without the required government permit constitutes a violation of the Transnational Higher Education Act (Republic Act No. 11448) and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).
He revealed that verification by the CHED showed that Saint James University is not on the Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP) of the US Department of Education (USDE).
At the same time, there is no record that the university was recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) nor accredited by the USDE.
“As such, CHED cannot confirm the legitimacy, quality, or accreditation of any programs offered by this institution. The public is strongly advised to verify the recognition or accreditation status of any postgraduate programs before enrolling,” the CHED chief added.
