i think the key differece between a SIM student and one from a proper university is that one is paid for with money (no effort required), and the other is earned.

and i can empathise with paying for something, its just like if i walk and buy the latest IWC watch vs one that is given to me.

obviously, i would have more pride over what i paid for - after all i'm paying for it.

now this explains why SIM students feel the need to brand themselves as UOL/LSE/RMIT etc. and it boils down to the fact that since they are paying for it, brand matters.

what they fail to realise is that these institutions are a far cry from their fairy tale world. for starters, the courses run by SIM are not even available in UOL - they distinguish what is distant learning vs on campus.