University of the People, Private online university in Pasadena, United States
University of the People is a nonprofit university in Pasadena that offers academic programs through a digital platform for learners worldwide. The institution uses a model where students and instructors collaborate through internet connections in virtual seminar rooms without physical presence on campus.
The founding took place in 2012 with the goal of opening higher education to people without traditional access. Later the institution received funding of over 600,000 dollars from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to secure national accreditation.
The institution relies on volunteers from academia who teach alongside their main careers and support learners from many different countries. This approach allows instructors to share knowledge across digital classrooms while learners gain access to professors who would otherwise be beyond their reach.
Participation requires an internet connection and a computer or tablet since all courses take place exclusively online. Learners pay only assessment fees during their studies, bringing the total cost for a four-year bachelor degree to around 4,000 dollars.
The institution operates without a physical library or lecture halls and organizes itself entirely through digital infrastructure. All teaching materials and exchange formats run through web-based tools that reach learners regardless of their geographic location.
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