About OCE
Online Course Exchange (OCE) is owned and operated by Eagle Crest Ventures, Incorporated, of Greater Vancouver, British Columbia. The president of Eagle Crest Ventures, Incorporated is Arnold K. Friesen, Ed.D.
Dr. Friesen has served as a senior academic administrator with more than 20 years of management and administration experience. He has been an Executive in Admissions for several noted higher educational institutions, most recently at Trinity Western University. These roles, among other duties, have involved the development of effective marketing and promotional campaigns. His education culminated with a Doctor of Education degree in higher education from Nova Southeastern University with emphasis in strategic planning practices. He was the founding president of a national association in Student Development. He has served on numerous accreditation team visits to campuses in Canada and the USA. His administrative experience also includes seasons as Dean of Student Development and Assistant to the President at Providence College and Seminary.
OCE was born out of a vision to create a new economic model for online course sharing in higher education which would benefit all stake holders, Host Institutions, Home Institutions, and above all, students.
Benefits to students
Students who have current status in a member (Home) school have the option to select online courses offered at other (Host) schools without having to apply to those schools. Courses selected will normally be available to the student at their Home school’s tuition rate for their program. Upon completion of the course(s) the normal transfer of credit arrangements apply.
Benefits to Host Institutions
The Host Institution is able to post unsold seats in online courses and thus generate additional profit without any inconveniences. Some Host schools may choose to post a certain percentage of their online courses on OCE on a regular basis. A presence on OCE will also provide the Host Institution exposure and may contribute to enrolment marketing efforts.
Benefits to Home Institutions
The Home Institution is able to offer their students additional online course options without the expense of developing these courses in house. Additionally, the Home school should be able to realize a small margin on most courses purchased by their students through OCE. A presence on OCE will also provide the Home Institution exposure and may contribute to enrolment marketing efforts.
Assurance of Academic Quality
Academic quality is ensured through the requirement that all OCE member (Home and Host) institutions be accredited by an agency recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or the U.S. Department of Education or holds membership in the Association of Universities and Colleges in Canada.
Also, all students requesting courses through OCE will be required to hold current student status with an OCE member school, thus giving assurance that they have all met the appropriate qualifications to study at their divisional level (undergraduate, graduate, postgraduate) at their Home Institution and hence at other OCE member Host Institutions.