It is important to say, before I describe my experience at AIU, let understands the (1) background, (2) its philosophy, (3) principles, and (4) the values of AIU. So, when I learned about AIU which was incepted in the 1980s and in those years the primary focus was on a wide range of undergraduate degrees.
The institution degrees were initially intended for employees of various enterprises owned by the university’s founders. Then, the goal encompassed a paradigm shift from “traditional knowledge” to “practical knowledge”.
It was a move from Pedagogy to Andragogy with an emphasis on human and environmental capital, which appears to be the only viable solution to an increasingly globalized world.
With encouraging results that never stopped to pile up through Bachelor’s Degree programs, the AIU system crossed international boundaries and expanded to also include studies at the graduate and terminal levels (Masters and Doctorate).
At the front of its philosophy: There is a need to define the concept of andragogy, as an antonym of pedagogy, is based on the difference between the purpose, objectives, tenets, materials, and outcome assessment of the two learning processes. Definitely, methods of education intended for adults require a close look at their bio – psycho – social traits along with their past, present, and future/desirable experiences.
All in all, THE CONCEPT Today, andragogy is considered as the method applied to teaching adults whereas pedagogy is applied to the education of children.
That makes the Learning processes much more personalized and entail curriculum development based on distance learning, or a hybrid attendance that combines direct (live) and indirect (distant) instruction.
What makes the study at AIU more compelling than ever is that AIU has agreements with 21 foreign universities and educational institutions in various countries. AIU also maintains a worldwide presence with quality satellite centers with thousands of students throughout all continents.
Having thoroughly studied the concept andragogy, my educational journey with AIU starts from 2021 to date. “Having completed one degree in Defense Executive Management, two Masters from Roehampton UK; -one in Business Administration [MBA], and a Master of Art in Theology and Leadership”. [MA]
So, in 2021, I enrolled in AIU for a Doctorate degree in Human Resource management and completed it in 2023 and decided to go on to complete a Post Doctorate degree in Strategic Human Resource Management. Because the flexibility and professional advice of the AIU faculty team, they afforded me the opportunity to change my Major from Strategic Human Resource Management to Organizational Psychology.
There are some outstanding factors needed to be aligned to show that AIU is a unique educational set up and feeling comfortable to share: –
- The affordability of tuition fee for the programs.
- The availability of Literature in AIU Library. There are volumes of books, journals, magazines and so forth. Accessibility of the literature is 24/7 and simple steps to access the library.
- The faculty staff are professionals, and accommodating at all time.
- The student portal is designed in a simple way; allowing easy access and flexible to navigate through
- As student, you are able to take additional courses to that of your Major one, and select the courses of your choice which you would like to be listed on your official transcript.
- As student, you are enabling to design your own subject curriculum.
The above factors generate positive implications. For instance, this leads to the understanding that adult learners, who are committed to self-learning, thus managing their essential auto-development to a great extent. They would be able to place themselves among select groups of people with the potential for professional success, personal growth, and social progress.
To conclude, the following are definitions of andragogy some authors have proposed: “…[Andragogy] is an educational discipline that attempts to understand adults from all perspectives, that is, as a psychological, a biological, and a social entity.” In context, it is highly recommended that adults should not miss out the opportunity to join AIU family.
Dr. Gelage Hoareau
