The United Nations’ Office of Legal Affairs at UN Headquarters in New York issued a statement denying any affiliations with the United Nations Open University of Humanity, Health, Science and Peace (OUHHSP) which operates in Bangkok.
“We wish to clarify that the United Nations, including its funds and Programmes and other subsidiary organs is in no way affiliated with OUHHSP and has no involvement with its activities, including online educational programmes, seminars or other events. We further wish to underscore, that OUHHSP is using the name and emblem of the United Nations without authorization and fraudulently.”
Here is the complete statement relayed by United Nations’ Office of Legal Affairs (UNOLA) to Mr. Roy Wadia, Regional Communications Advisor of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Asia-Pacific Regional Office based in Bangkok.
UN OLA Statement on So-Called UN Open University Page 1
UN OLA Statement on So-Called UN Open University Page 2
On June 18, 2017, the OUHHSP held its 1st Commencement Exercises where more than 100 applicants/attendees paid 1,000 Baht each. Participants were also awarded the degree on Peace Mediation. Another coming Peace Mediation seminar was announced on social media to be held on August 27 in Bangkok.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Embassy in Bangkok also issued an advisory to the Filipino Community to exercise prudence and extra caution when considering enrollment with learning institutions operating in Thailand. The statement which is posted on the Embassy website and Facebook page says:
“The Philippine Embassy wishes to advise members of the Filipino Community to exercise prudence and extra caution when considering enrollment with learning institutions operating in Thailand. Some institutions offer vocational education and training for diploma courses, higher education for degree courses (undergraduate and graduate), distance learning programs such as open universities, among others.”
PinoyThaiyo sent a Facebook message to Dr. Edgar Eleguen to seek clarification regarding the legitimacy of United Nations Open University of Humanity, Health, Science and Peace (OUHHSP). PinoyThaiyo is open to publishing the side of Eleguen and his OUHHSP.
Back on July 25, 2017, PinoyThaiyo tried sending emails to the email ad given by Eleguen to ask for clarification and give his statement regarding the issue but all three emails bounced back. Eleguen who serves as Consul-Academic Dean of the said university is also a Filipino community leader in Thailand. He is the main proponent of the Special Board Licensure Examination for Teachers (BLEPT) which will take place in Bangkok on September 24.
For questions and clarification, you may contact UN OLA or the Philippine Embassy in Thailand.