The American University of Science

Gotta love the homepage video of an older white guy with a long flowing beard and three studs in his left ear dressed in a lab coat and goggles in one scene, young female assistant and all, and solo in a gray jacket in another. I guess he’s supposed to represent a stereotypical intellectual and exemplify the saying on the screen, Be Wiser. My interior monologue wondered how they could keep a straight face. That’s what good actors do! Also, gotta love the introduction: “The American University of Science aims to bring quality education to all, without boundaries and regardless of background. Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights declares that everyone has the right to education equally accessible. We focus on supporting all people to pursue wisdom for a better life in a better world.” How noble of them. I look forward to seeing how much this “quality education for all” costs. My educated guess is profit through volume and based on low overhead. Then there’s this lon g-winded caveat, evidence that AUS is a yet another US rogue provider, i.e., unaccredited institution: “According to the United States Department of Education (USDE), ‘accreditation in the United States is a voluntary, nongovernmental process, in which an institution and its programs are evaluated against standards for measuring quality.’ ​The American University of Science (The University) acknowledges that possessing an USDE-recognized accreditation significantly favors students in numerous aspects. Thus, one of the strategic pillars of The University is to continuously advance its system and standards to be comparable to those holding USDE-recognized accreditation when it comes to awarding Doctorate, Master’s, Bachelor’s, and Associate’s degrees, as well as other diplomas and certificates. Ultimately, this practice functions as a cornerstone for working towards USDE-recognized accreditation when this option becomes viable. The University has continuously been investing a significant effort in satisfying the mandatory requirements demonstrated in the accreditation policies of all USDE-recognized accrediting bodies. ​The educational system of the United States of America remains uniquely exceptional. Before seeking USDE-recognized accreditation, all institutions in Hawaii must comply with the provisions of Chapter 446E (MAA: I inserted this link) of Hawaii Revised Statutes (Unaccredited Degree Granting Institutions) to operate and grant postsecondary qualifications of all levels legally.​ As a good-standing institution in the State of Hawaii, The University fully and willingly complies with Chapter 446E of Hawaii Revised Statutes, which requires The University to state that ​The American University of Science IS NOT ACCREDITED BY AN ACCREDITING AGENCY RECOGNIZED BY THE UNITED STATES SECRETARY OF EDUCATION. Note: In the United States, many licensing authorities require accredited degrees as the basis for eligibility for licensing. In some cases, accredited colleges may not accept for transfer courses and degrees completed at unaccredited colleges, and some employers may require an accredited degree as a basis for eligibility for employment.” The part in caps is the money phrase. I’ve seen this wording before, likely a copy and paste. Oh, and most of the links on the website don’t work. The website was registered on 9.5.21, updated on 14.5.22, and will expire on 9.5.23. All of the contact information, i.e., registrant, administrative, and technical, was “redacted for privacy.” According to the description on VietnamWorks, “The American University of Science, a private university established in the State of Hawaii, United States of America, aims to expand its influence and deliver its educational services in Asia, focusing on Singapore and Vietnam.” Is it licensed in Hawaii? (My request is pending.) I’ve got to give these US rogue providers credit for one thing – persistence. Wherever there’s profit potential, that’s where they’ll be, like a bad penny and flies to honey or something less savory. Memo to AUS: You’re late to the rogue provider game in Vietnam – by over a decade. Official Vietnam, including the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET), is onto you! The clock is ticking.