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

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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