What strikes me as impressive is that they are not coming up with cheesy programs and courses. The course descriptions, assuming they are legitimate, sound perfectly credible. I mean, just by reading the description, I am not sure I see an obvious difference with the corresponding program taken at UNB, say.

So where does this leave the public universities?

Well. One thing is missing from Meritus: a list of professors with bona fide Ph.D.s and research publications. Quite clearly because they would have difficulties attracting and keeping Ph.D.s around. And they will not maintain research programs.

Public universities are just not school, they are also research institutions, and in that respect, Meritus is totally out of the picture.

Now, do you want to attend a school where there is no ongoing research? Maybe. I guess it depends what you are after.

Maybe public universities should focus more on research and leave more of the teaching to private universities?