As an educational foundation focused exclusively on distance education for social change, the IOUF has a unique perspective on the world of learning. Other educational organizations certainly educate people to a PhD degree. Other institutes and associations work diligently to make the world a better place. And certainly other excellent opportunities exist for people to complete their doctorate through online education.

But as far as we know, the Intercultural Open University Foundation (IOUF) is the only organization that brings it all together in a caring academic environment that effectively gives people who have a desire to learn an opportunity to do so in a way that benefits humanity as a whole.

The IOUF community is teeming with outstanding academic and technical advisors and we are bolstered in our mission by academic partnerships with the Universidad Azteca and the Universidad Central de Nicaragua. Each of these universities is recognized and accredited by their own country’s federal department of education. They are also both listed with the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the International Handbook of Accredited Universities which is published by the United Nations and the International Association of Universities (IAU).

In exploring these partnerships, IOUF representatives were initially hopeful that the academic and other benefits to our learners would be substantial; the affiliation has exceeded our expectations and we are very pleased with the results to date.

These academic partnerships mean that the academic work our learners complete is reviewed and ultimately approved by representatives from two other social-change oriented academic institutions that we respect and trust.

We are a non-traditional academic foundation that attracts learners whose world view tends to be different from that of students at most other universities. For the most part, our learners are well into careers and charitable works that are high priorities for them. Often their activities are of key importance to their home communities, if not the world as a whole. They are already playing full out and we help them fit their post-doctoral work around their lives and their missions.

This is not how most universities work, and it was challenging to find academic partners that were sensitive to the needs of our learners while still supporting high standards of academic excellence and the imperatives of social change work.  We are most appreciative of our connection to the Universidad Azteca and the Universidad Central de Nicaragua as a result. What makes our connection to these two fine universities even more exciting is the fact that they both have an international outlook that integrates well into the global perspective inherent in the IOUF’s teaching philosophy and administrative practices.

Upon completing the requirements to obtain a PhD degree, IOUF learners are awarded degrees from our partner universities as well. There is no additional cost to the process for our learners, nor is any additional work required.

If you would like more information on how you could undertake a PhD degree through the IOUF we invite you to explore our website and contact us with your questions.