Post on 29-May-2018
Akamai University -
dicated to the Advancement of the Human Condition
The Akamai Community News
One of the goals of the Akamai Community Newsletter is to help our community stay better con-nected. If our readers have any comments or suggestions on how to keep our students, fac-ulty, and alumni informed on the issues that are important to you, please send your thoughts to the editor.
Likewise, if there are aspects of the university, administration, or staff that you would like to see highlighted in future columns, your ideas are most welcome.
- The Editorial Staff
January 2011
Volume 8 Issue 1:
Akamai Community News
Message from the President
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
President’s Message 1
Akamai Accreditation
Review Success in Hawaii
2
IDEAL Quality Assurance
Accreditation Benchmarks
3
Akamai Board in Hawaii for
2011Annual Gathering
4
Akamai Pohakuwaena Re-
search Station Hosts IDEAL
5
Akamai Hawaii Visitors at
Volcanoes National Park
7
Academic Council Seeks
Student Representative
8
Closing Meeting of IDEAL Onsite Survey Accreditation Visit at Akamai headquarters 19 January
(clockwise from left) Dr. Deryl Gulliford, Chair of Akamai Academic Council; Dr. -elson Binag,
Chair of IDEAL Accrediting Team; Dr. Serafin -gohayon, Vice Chair of IDEAL Accrediting Team;
Dr. Irving Katz, Member of IDEAL Accrediting Team; Prof. Ranko Cvetkovic, Observer from Euro
College, Macedonia; Dr. Ljubisa Petrusevski, Minor Member of IDEAL Accrediting Team; Dr. Ben
Lee, Minor Member of IDEAL Accrediting Team. (not shown at table) Dr. Douglass Capogrossi,
President Akamai University and Dr. Anthony Maranto, Vice President, Akamai University.
On 16-21 January 2011, the International Distance Education Accreditation
League (IDEAL) sent an official five-member Accreditation Team to the Ha-
waii headquarters of Akamai University for a thorough and detailed examina-
tion of its educational quality and institutional integrity. The Accrediting Team
found Akamai sufficient and more than sufficient on eight major benchmarks of
international accreditation for distance education and cross border institutions.
At its 19 January 2011 meeting in Hilo, Hawaii, hosted at Akamai University,
the IDEAL Board of Directors with a quorum of members in attendance, ap-
proved Akamai University for Layer I full accreditation. The National Network
of Quality Assurance Agencies (NNQAA) in Philippines, shall conduct a final
review of the documentation and recommendations of the IDEAL Accrediting
Team and make a final determination regarding the formal awarding of accredi-
tation to Akamai. IDEAL thereafter shall award the official certificate.
Akamai Onsite Survey Accreditation Visit
Overwhelming Success with IDEAL Reviewers
Volume 8 Issue 1: Akamai Community News Page 2
Akamai Accreditation Review Finds Success in Hawaii
The IDEAL Accrediting Team conducted and extensive review of Akamai operations across a comprehensive
set of policies and standards, following procedures for effective conduct of accreditation reviews for
Akamai’s distance education and cross border programs and operations of the central administration. Eight
benchmarks were the focus of review, each included extensive pointers, and were designed to itemize and indi-
vidualize the essential elements of the quality assurance process.
Benchmark #1, Leadership, Administration, and Governance required that Akamai have in place an efficient
and effective leadership, adequate administration, and competent governing in our operations, and the aptitude
and capability to adjust, develop, and change. The Accrediting Team carefully reviewed the essence of our
leadership and its capability to successfully resolve problems and to employ our policies and procedures in
achieving our goals and objectives, and the aims of our organization.
Benchmark #2, Curricular and Delivery Programs required that Akamai have fixed learning quality and stu-
dent’s results at suitable levels, based on our vision, mission, goals and objectives. It expected that Akamai
have effective systems and processes for academic delivery and procedures for determining and recording re-
sults and that our systems successfully meet the established objectives and empower students to achieve
planned career goals and academic end results. This benchmark explored our curriculum, and program of stud-
ies, learning opportunities, evaluation of academic performance, and instructional materials, student’s aca-
demic performance, graduation requisites, and administrative assistance for instruction.
Benchmark #3, Academic and Facilitative Staff Academic examined our effectiveness in providing for the
qualifications and professional competences among faculty relevant to the needs of our academic programs. It
reviewed our recruitment, selection, and orientation process for faculty and staff, and the appropriateness of
our faculty assignments, faculty development program, faculty appraisal system, and the faculty compensation
system. Further, they carefully reviewed our code of ethics and professional behavior, and grievance policies.
Benchmark #4, Student Selection, Sizing-up and Support Services observed the details of our policies and proce-
dures for admission and retention of students. It examines our student services program, our student guidance
and counseling efforts, scholarship programs, and extramural activities for students. The Accrediting Team
reviewed our support services to assure development of the total potential of our students, and to assure we
follow a system of good practice.
Volume 8 Issue 1: Akamai Community News Page 3
IDEAL Quality Assurance Benchmarks
Benchmark #5, Physical Resources and Management reviewed details of our physical and online resources and
management systems in place to support teaching and learning, including our library and learning resources,
management resources, finances, and infrastructure to assure efficient conduct of our activities. This bench-
mark dwells on the physical resources, administration, and support staff, personnel development, organization
and development, services, linkages, and special and financial provisions.
Benchmark #6, Research and Development Operations sought to identify that Akamai has employed qualified
faculty researchers, that they contribute to peer-review journals, and that the University carefully budgets
funds for research ventures. They examined the quality of our publications and peer-review journals and ex-
amined opportunities for publication of quality student research and course papers at Akamai.
Benchmark #7, Tie-up Extension and Consultanship reviewed the details of our local and international affiliations,
networking, and association memberships. The Accrediting Team assessed the funding for our community service
and extension activities, and the extend which we act through outreach to improve human welfare.
Benchmark #8, Entrepreneurship, Operation, Appropriation of Finances reviewed our operational sustainability,
administrative sufficiency, and financial integrity to assure completion of student programs and the longitudi-
nal operation of the University business functions.
Dr -elson Binag, Dr. Irving Katz and Dr Serafin -gohayon share ideas during preliminary meeting.
Volume 8 Issue 1: Akamai Community News Page 4
Akamai Board in Hawaii for 2011 Annual Meeting
Sunday, 7:00 PM, 16 January 2011, Akamai Board at -aniloa Volcanoes Resort, Hilo, Hawaii, USA
(from left) Dr. Dale McSherry, Secretary; Dr. Douglass Capogrossi, President; Dr. Deryl Gulliford, Academic Council
Chairman; Prof. James Ferrell, Treasurer; and Dr. Anthony Maranto, Vice President.
The Akamai University Board of Directors meet Sunday evening on the 6th of January 2011 for their annual
meeting, just prior to entering the week-long On-site Survey Accreditation Visit with the five-member Accred-
iting Team from International Distance Education Accreditation League (IDEAL) at Akamai’s international
headquarters in Hilo, Hawaii USA.
The Board reviewed the past year accomplishments and considered plans for advancement during the 2011
calendar year. Matters of importance identified to be addressed in greater detail at special meetings scheduled
throughout the year include emphasis on strategizing further advancement of international partnerships, im-
proving quality assurance measures and longitudinal follow-up studies with graduates and their employers, and
expanse of promotions and student recruitment measures for Akamai’s mentored distance learning programs.
All members of the current Board of Directors shall be retained for the 2011 calendar year, permitting strength
for continuation on vital projects underway and brought forward from 2010. The Akamai Board enjoyed the
companionship and close guidance of the IDEAL Accrediting Team, and anticipates continuing cooperation
with IDEAL and contributions to the advancement of the quality assurance body.
Volume 8 Issue 1: Akamai Community News Page 5
On Thursday, 20 January 2011, international visitors made an on-site visit to tour the Akamai Pohakuwaena
Research Station. Prof. James Ferrell, the Research Station Manager conducted a brief orientation in one of the
research station’s major greenhouses, demonstrating the method of growing vegetables by the hydroponic
method using specially designed water tables to hold mineral nutrient solutions, growing healthy plants in wa-
ter solution, without the need for soil. The Station also has experimental growths of special timber woods
known for their beauty as furniture wood.
The Station is housed on more than a hectare of well maintained land, including more than an acre of mature
coffee plants, among lemon, tangerine, tangelo, orange, macadamia, star fruit, avocado and other fruit trees
and specialty wood trees. Visitors are treated to the juiciest oranges and tangerines, and Prof. Ferrell prepares
glasses of the sweetest orange juice ever tasted. The Research Station also has additional land in production in
nearby locations, including a two acre coffee crop established as an experimental commercial venture, and ex-
tensive aquatics ponds near the Island’s major geothermal power stations.
The Pohakuwaena Research Station is an active site for graduate students conducting thesis or dissertation re-
search projects, as well as individualized field study projects for credit.
Akamai Pohakuwaena Research Station — Model for Sustainability
Volume 8 Issue 1: Akamai Community News Page 6
Prof. James Ferrell, Manager, Pohakuwaena Research Station
Prof. Ferrell earned his Master of Science in Agriculture and Natural Resource Education at Oregon State Uni-
versity (1978) and his Bachelor of Science in Plant Science and Horticulture from Utah State University
(1975). He pursued post-Master's training and research in Tropical Agriculture from University of Hawaii, and
Agricultural Studies from South China Agriculture University, Beijing Agriculture University, Peking Univer-
sity, Eurotechnical Research University, Mauna Loa Research Institute, and Australian Center for Minesite
Research. Prof. Ferrell is currently a Teaching Professor with the University of Hawaii Forestry Department
and Office of Continuing Education and has a number of active research ventures with other universities..
Among his many projects, Prof. Ferrell presently serves as a consultant in Tropical Forest Restoration and Re-
source Management, Sustainable Agriculture, Tropical and Subtropical Agriculture and Agronomy, Green-
house and Nursery Management, Hydroponics, and Re-vegetation and Reclamation. His current areas of re-
search include Chemical, Nutrient, Waste Cycling for Sustainable Reclamation Management, and Techniques
for Adaptation of Site Specific Plant Materials. Prof. Ferrell holds National Teacher Certification through the
Department of Education and Agricultural Extension Service, Certified Pesticide Application Trainer with
United States Department of Agriculture, and Certified Organic Farm Inspector with the Hawaii Organic
Farmers Association. Prof. Ferrell's prior professional achievements include positions with United States De-
partment of Agriculture, Hawaii Department of Public Safety Office of Education, Hawaii Community College
and Freeport Mining Company, Irian Jaya, Indonesia.
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Volume 8 Issue 1: Akamai Community News Page 7
Hawaii Volcanoes -ational Park Vitality of Island of Hawaii as Learning and Research Environment
Dr. Ben Lee and Dr. Serafin -gohayon at Caldera Overlook Kiauea Volcano’s Halemaumau Crater Becomes Active
Dr. Serafin Enjoys Walk through Thurston Lava Tube Drs. -elson, Ben, Doug, and Tony Walk the Lava Field
Dr. -gohayon and Dr. Binag Examine a Steam Vent Dr. Dale McSherry Shows His Great Sense of Humor
20 January 2011
Akamai University -
dicated to the
Advancement of the
Human Condition
Akamai University
187 Kino`ole Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720 USA
Email General Inquiries to:
information@akamaiuniversity.us
V ISIT US ON THE INTERNET : http://www.akamaiuniversity.us
AKAMAI UNIVERSITY IS NOT ACCREDITED BY AN
ACCREDITING AGENCY OR ASSOCIATION RECOG-
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Editor:Editor:Editor:Editor: Dr. Douglass Capogrossi (dcapogrossi@akamaiuniversity.us)))) Assistant EditorAssistant EditorAssistant EditorAssistant Editor Dr. Anthony Maranto (amaranto@akamaiuniversity.us)
The Academic Council Bylaws, Article II: Or-
ganization of the Academic Council, Section #3:
Selection of Student Representatives states the
following: A student representative shall be se-
lected through an open forum of the student
body. During November of each year, each stu-
dent shall be invited by the University admini-
stration to nominate a student to serve. Once stu-
dent names are placed in nomination, all students
would have one vote in electing their representa-
tive. The Student Representative would be able
to attend meetings and contribute on matters
when asked, but shall not have a vote on the
Council. The University has selected this post-
ing as an initial form of outreach to identify in-
terested candidates.
Dr. Deryl Gulliford, Chair of Akamai’s Academic
Council is presently seeking candidates for the po-
sition of Student Representative to the Council for
2011. The Academic Council is the University’s
highest level faculty body for advisement of the
University executive leadership related to curricu-
lum, instruction, student support and other areas
important to the quality and success of our pro-
grams. The Student Representative is your point
of access to the Council for your questions, con-
cerns, commentary, input, and advisement.
The Student Representative will be assisted by ad-
ministrative staff to prepare an open questionnaire
to the student body, requesting areas of interest, in
which students wish to explore during this calen-
dar year, such as, expanded student study materi-
als, better interactivity among students, interna-
tional student chat environments, more frequent
student-body contact, and more effective follow-
up from the University, and so on.
Additionally, after building a volunteer committee
to assist with strategizing, the Student Representa-
tive may structure a questionnaire relative to build-
ing Bylaws for a Student Council to guide the stu-
dent representative in his or her activities and open
for the student body areas for input to the business
of the Academic Council and Akamai Board.
Akamai Academic Council
Seeks Student Representative
ACCREDITATIO-
http://www.ideal.ph
(From left) Dr. Anthony Maranto, Akamai Vice President,
Dr. -elson Binag, IDEAL Accrediting Team Chairman,
Dr. Deryl Gulliford, Chairman of Academic Council, and
at computer, Dr. Douglass Capogrossi, Akamai President