Abstract:

Education is a wide topic. It extends from Kindergarten to graduate program like a Doctoral degree. On the other hand globalization within the context of education can be defined as a process or standard that is applicable to a specific level of education around the world. The scope of this paper is to discuss an initiative involving a relatively large and renowned University in the United States and its active attempt to establish a “Life Long” learning foundation through its Continuing and Professional Certification Programs. The programs are intended in collaboration with various professional organizations, corporations and universities around the world via technologically supported platform, commonly known as distance learning. The primary author plays an important role in this initiative. The university can be described as an institution which:
• Is one of the largest Land Grant University in the US and well renowned in the world with more than 19000 faculty and staff, 8 campuses and over 125,000 students.
• Has nearly 250,000 alumni working in the state of Indiana, US, which constitutes more than 50 percent of Indiana’s physicians, 40 percent of nurses, 64 percent of optometrists, 35 percent of teachers, 75 percent of lawyers, and 90 percent of dentists.
• Has recognized the central role of information technology in the 21st-century economy and has one of the largest Admission and Learning Management System.
• Is regarded for its business, law, health and human services and education programs along with others.
It is to be noted that the proposed initiative is not what is known as “Academic Degree Programs”. They are Professional and Continuing Education (CE) Certification in collaboration with another institution, for example, Saint Mathews Healthcare System in US, Department of Health and Human Services in Bangladesh, Association of Engineers in Iran, and Queen’s University in Australia . The overall objectives of these programs are well stated in the literature as “the acquisition or improvement of work-related skills by people already in the workforce” . However, in the Phase-II we might explore programs with a “Knowledge base” orientation, directed towards adult population in general, homemakers or senior citizens. These programs might include Liberal Studies, Computer Literacy, and Literature etc.
The typical Certifications currently being considered will include, along with others:
• Certifications in Health and Human Services.
• Certifications for Nurses and Healthcare Caregivers.
• Certifications for Strategic Management Information System professionals.
• Certifications in Project Management skills.
A typical curriculum will entail seven to eight, 5- Week term courses (24-30 CE Credits) over the Internet with a subject level expert and assisting graduate students. It is rather encouraging that so far, Dr. Dey has established fruitful communication with US Healthcare institutions with over 100,000 employees, professional organizations around the glove, and a United Nation (UN) connected intergovernmental alliance of twenty-two 'developing' countries. There may be other institutions around the world who might be interested in this collaboration. The authors are seeking an opportunity to discuss this program in detail through a virtual paper.

Keywords:

professional education, globalization, lifelong learning, critical thinking, customization of education.