The FINANCIAL — Distance learning courses cost approximately 4 times more than attending Georgian universities, and one and a half times more than being an attending student abroad.
Despite the fact that there are hardly any European distance programmes available in Georgia, one can still apply for them. A while ago it was impossible to study at popular world known universities without leaving the home country.
A developing cyber network and computer technology has enabled online learning to become a new method of distance learning. Nowadays if you have computer, internet and the necessary amount of money, it is actually possible to get a European education from Georgia in any part of the world.
Elene Nadareishvili is one such distance learner who has completed online courses.
From her point of view this method is especially useful for those who are employed, have little time for full-time study or are already attending a Georgian university. “E-learning gives students the opportunity to form their own timetable structure to fit around their other responsibilities. But of course this method does have disadvantages as well which are evident in how one is unable to ask a question or interact on a face-to-face basis regarding any of the reading material,” Nadareishvili remarked.
Online learning costs less than going abroad to study because of the different expenditures associated with the latter. Furthermore graduates receive exactly the same diploma that they would get if they had physically studied the programme abroad.
What does it cost?
Anyone can register through the internet themselves. After fulfilling the course, the final exam is passed at the British Council or individually through the internet, depending on the requirement of the university.
The tuition fee at Tbilisi Free University is 6,950 GEL per year; TSU – 2,250 GEL; Caucasus university – 3,900 GEL, Business Administration at CU – 7,500 GEL; Georgian University – 2,250 GEL, business administration – 6, 950 GEL; Black Sea International University – 4,600-5,750 GEL, Georgian-American University – 6,000 GEL; Grigol Robaqidze University – 4,000-4,850 GEL.
As for the distance learning courses, these indices fall between 20,000-25,000 USD. E-learning is more expensive in comparison to Georgian universities. That is probably the reason why most students prefer to study in Georgia, or otherwise go abroad, because the difference in the tuition fee becomes smaller for those who can afford to go abroad.
One option where distance learning can be achieved is through the cooperation of Georgian company “Danika Consulting” and Kingston University. There is also another option, among others, which is the Business School in Tbilisi (TBST) in cooperation with Edge Hill University.
Recently a contract of collaboration was signed between Danika Consulting and Kingston University. It offers MBA courses in Economics, NGO Management, Hotel Management, Management, Organization Management, International Business, Information Systems Management, Health Management, e-Business Administration, Marketing Management and Horeca Management (food service).
The MBA programme is designed for suitably qualified and experienced students to work in their own time whilst coping with a full time work schedule.
The cost of the programmes is 24,900 USD. Starting from the date of September 27, they have an ongoing special offer. The first 1,000 students willing to study at Kingston University will actually study free of charge. It is possible to engage in a distance learning process by paying just 1,380 USD which does not represent a tuition fee but is just the excise-duty of the registration. The first part of that payment – 680 USD – is paid at the beginning of the study, while the second half is paid at the end.
“If I had child of the appropriate age, I would definitely register them for the programme, as such chances to get a qualified education practically free of charge appear very seldom,” said Levan TsalugelashvilI, Manager at Danika Consulting.
“This kind of offer encourages more people to be engaged in the programme. There is a problem in the country with Georgians’ scepticism and mistrust of e-learning courses which are not widely addressed,” Tsalugelashvili added.
The second place where an MBA degree is accessible through distance learning is The Business School in Tbilisi (TBST). TBST is a new initiative which has its Head Office in the United Kingdom with its Georgian base at the European School, Tbilisi.
The Business School has formed a partnership with Edge Hill University in the United Kingdom to offer the opportunity to obtain a Master’s degree in two years. It has already announced its first intake of Master of Business Administration students.
Edge Hill University has provided higher education in the United Kingdom for over 125 years and currently has over 24,000 students enrolled. It is an internationally known Business School that offers programmes for study at Bachelor, Master and PhD levels.
The whole programme (24 months) costs 20,000 USD. All the reading materials are provided with no additional fee in electronic format through the Edge Hill University electronic library.
The Distance MBA programme or online MBA programme is delivered through the Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) from the accredited Edge Hill University, UK.
The programme will be carried out on an online supported distance learning basis. Modules are designed so that a student can achieve the learning outcomes of the programme by using the materials and support methods provided. At the commencement of each module, students will be provided with an online learning pack comprising a specially written handbook and module guide.
TBST provides a local coordinator at the European School in Tbilisi who will assist students in the learning process. Twice a week, in the evening, they will have scheduled meetings and discussions with a tutor and with each other.
“It is a very attractive prospect that you can be a student of one of the most prestigious international universities without having to leave your country or even place of residence, however it would still be preferable to actually physically be in the place of study,” remarks Mari Gagloeva, graduate of Tbilisi State University.
Marita Oqromchedlishvili, Bachelor of Business Administration, states that she does not know anything about distance learning or how it works. Given the explanation she said “This is a good idea, I could save more time, receive a good education and work at the same time.”
However it is not the main determiner of getting a good job. “It depends on the position one is aiming to be appointed to. The higher the position, the more desirable a European education is. But still the origin of one’s education is never a decisive factor,” said Nino Gachechiladze, head of the HR department at TBC Bank, one of the largest universal banks in Georgia.
According to the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia there are no distance learning courses in Georgia. In fact they cannot control what private companies offer their customers in regards to this type of education.
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