MIVA OPEN UNIVERSITY TERMS OF SERVICE

This platform, operated by Miva Open University, offers a variety of web pages for your educational journey. Your access to and use of the Miva Open University website is subject to the following terms and conditions, as well as our Privacy Statement. Please carefully read and understand these Terms of Use before navigating the site. Your use of the Miva Open University website indicates your acceptance of these terms.

MINIMUM AGE

Our Services and Products are only available to persons above the age of 18. If you are below this age, you must obtain permission from your parent(s) or guardian before accessing this Website. By signing up on this Website, you warrant that you have obtained such permission.

SCOPE OF USE

By accessing the Miva Open University website, you agree to use its content for personal, informational, and non-commercial purposes. Ensure that any information you provide to Miva Open University is accurate and complies with applicable laws. You also agree not to interfere with the proper functioning of the website or impose an unreasonable load on its infrastructure.

Miva Open University reserves the right to terminate, change, suspend, or discontinue any aspect of the website at its discretion, with or without notice.

MODIFICATION OF THESE TERMS OF USE

Miva Open University retains the right to modify the terms, conditions, and notices governing the Miva Open University website. This includes any charges related to admission and participation in educational programmes. Changes are effective upon posting, and it is your responsibility to review these terms regularly.

TUITION FEE

a. Payment Methods and Enrollment:
When you choose payment methods such as bank transfer, cheque, or other options requiring manual enrollment, you will be enrolled upon providing details and we verify that payment was made to the associated Miva Open University bank account within 3 business days.

b. Tuition Fee:
Our Tuition Fees are billed on a monthly, semesterly or academic session basis (the “Tuition Fee”) For students opting for semesterly payment, an initial deposit option is available, allowing them to pay a smaller portion of the total semesterly fee upfront, to secure their enrolment. However, the full semester payment must be completed prior to examinations to guarantee continuous access to educational resources and eligibility to participate in the examinations. This means that once your Tuition Fee expires, you will no longer have access to the Learning Management System. To renew your Tuition Fee, follow the steps provided on the Student Information System. If you opt to provide credit or debit card information for payment, you confirm that you are authorized to supply such information, and you authorize us to charge that payment method to cover the fees as they become due.

c. Annual Tuition Payment Option:
Our annual tuition is offered for all programmes. Students will be able to pay securely through the Miva payment gateway. Students are obligated to settle their tuition fees on or before the designated due date to ensure uninterrupted access to learning materials and participation in examinations.

d. Semester Tuition Payment Option:
Our semester tuition is offered for all programmes. Students will be able to pay securely through the Miva payment gateway. Students are obligated to settle their tuition fees on or before the designated due date to ensure uninterrupted access to learning materials and participation in examinations.

For students opting for semesterly payment, an initial deposit option is available, allowing them to pay a smaller portion of the total semesterly fee upfront, to secure their enrolment. However, the full semester payment must be completed prior to examinations to guarantee continuous access to educational resources and eligibility to participate in the examinations.

Once a student enrols for a semester by paying semester fees in part (upfront), the student is deemed to have registered for that semester, therefore, is committed to pay the fee balance whether examinations are taken in the scheduled period or not. The University reserves the right to apply fee recovery measures if this balance is not paid by the last day of the semester.

e. Monthly Tuition Payment Option:
Our monthly tuition is powered by Edubanc and students will be able to pay securely through the Miva payment gateway. Students are obligated to settle their monthly tuition fees on or before the designated due date to ensure uninterrupted access to learning materials and participation in examinations.

Students who select the monthly tuition payment option can opt-out within 24 hours of their initial enrollment.

Payment Grace Period: Students who miss the due date for their monthly tuition payment will be granted a 10-day grace period, during which they can make the payment without incurring penalties. During this grace period, access to learning materials will remain uninterrupted.

• Notification Window: To opt-out students must notify the Miva Open University admissions team in writing within 24 hours of enrolling in the monthly payment plan. This notification can be submitted via email to admissions@miva.university or by contacting the admissions office at +234 700 044 4000.
• Change After 24 Hours: After the 24-hour window has closed, students will be locked into the monthly tuition payment plan for the chosen semester. Changes to the payment plan will not be possible.
• Change Within 24 Hours: Students who notify the admissions team within the 24-hour window to opt out will be provided with the outstanding semester tuition balance. They must complete this payment to finalise the change to the semester tuition payment plan.
• Refund Requests: Students who wish to request a refund instead of changing their tuition payment plan will be subject to the Miva Open University refund policy outlined in this Terms and Conditions.

f. Tuition Fee Transparency:
While we strive to maintain accurate Tuition Fee information for all programmes on our website or programmes offered through other means, please be aware that our Tuition Fees are subject to change. If you start your application process and the programme Tuition Fee has changed, the new tuition fee will be visible to you before completing your enrollment.

g. Tuition for International Students:
Tuition for students based outside Nigeria is denominated and collected in US Dollars (USD). All payments for tuition fees originating from students located outside of Nigeria must be made in United States Dollars (USD).

1. Misrepresentation of residency: Attempts to misrepresent residency for the purpose of paying lower tuition fees will be considered a violation of these terms and conditions.
2. Parity Fee:
   1. Discovery before the semester starts: The student is to pay an international student parity fee of $400 (for students who paid for a full academic session) or $200 (for students who paid for a semester). The student will have the option to:
      1. Agree to the international parity fee and continue their studies.
      2. Disagree to the fee, which will be considered a voluntary withdrawal. In this case, the standard refund policy will apply.
   2. Discovery during the semester, before exams: The student will be notified of the international student fee as stated in A above and the student must pay the international student fee before being permitted to take exams. The student will have the option to:
      1. Pay the international student parity fee and proceed with exams.
      2. Disagree to the fee, which will be considered a voluntary withdrawal. In this case, the standard refund policy will apply.
   3. Discovery after exams: The student will be notified of the international student fee as stated in A above and the student must pay the international student fee before his/her results are released. The student will have the option to:
      1. Pay the international student parity fee and receive their results.
      2. Disagree to the fee, which will be considered a voluntary withdrawal. In this case, the standard refund policy will apply.
3. Subsequent semesters following discovery: The student will be billed in USD according to the tuition for international students.

h. Early-Bird Discount

1. Availability and deadline: The Miva MBA programme offers an early-bird discount on tuition fees. To be eligible for this discount, students must complete full payment of tuition fees before the application deadline for the relevant academic session.
2. Late payment and discount ineligibility: Students who make payments after the end date of the application window will not be eligible for the early-bird discount. They will be required to pay the full programme tuition amount.
3. Partial Payments: In the event that a student submits a partial payment prior to the conclusion of the early- bird discount period but fails to remit the full payment, said student shall be obligated to satisfy the entire tuition fee without the benefit of the discount. The sum already tendered by the student will be subtracted from the original tuition fee, and the remaining balance shall be required to be settled subsequent to said deduction.

TUITION PAYMENT REFUND POLICY

This Tuition Payment Refund Policy is established by Miva Open University to provide guidelines for the refund of tuition payments made by students in the event of withdrawal or other qualifying circumstances.

1. WITHDRAWAL POLICY:
a. Voluntary Withdrawal:
    i. A student who voluntarily withdraws from a programme after registration, at least four (4) weeks before the start of an academic session, will be eligible for a 50% refund of tuition billed for that academic session.
    ii. A student who withdraws voluntarily later than four (4) weeks before or anytime after the start of an academic session will not be eligible for any tuition fee refund.

b. Multiple Session Payments:
When a student pays for more than one academic session in advance, the following conditions apply:

    i. If the withdrawal is made at least four (4) weeks before the start of an academic session, s/he will be eligible for a 50% refund of tuition paid for that academic session, in addition to 100% of fees paid in advance for future academic sessions.
    ii. A student who pays for multiple academic sessions and withdraws voluntarily later than four (4) weeks before or anytime after the start of the academic session will not be eligible for any tuition fee refund for that session. S/he will only receive refunds for fees paid in advance for future academic sessions.

c. Involuntary Withdrawal:
If a student is involuntarily withdrawn from a course or programme due to academic or disciplinary reasons, no refund will be issued.

2. REFUND PROCESS:
   a. Request for Refund:

• To initiate a refund, a student must submit a request to the Registrar by filling out the Tuition Refund Form,  stating the reason for withdrawal and providing supporting documentation if required.

4. TIMELINE FOR REFUND PROCESSING:

• Refund requests will be processed within fourteen (14) business days of receiving the complete documentation.

6. REVIEW AND REVISION:

• This Policy will be periodically reviewed to ensure its effectiveness and may be revised as needed.

By enrolling in a programme at Miva Open University, students acknowledge their understanding of and agreement to comply with this Tuition Payment Refund Policy.

Process:

EXAMINATION

The University will issue semesterly examination timetables which students are expected to adhere to. Requests to defer examinations need to be submitted formally through Success Advisors and are subject to approval by the University Management.

1. Schedule for Deferred Examinations:

a. Examinations deferred for a semester shall be rescheduled to occur in the month immediately following the regular examination cycle. For instance, deferred papers for the August 2024 examination cycle will be written in September 2024. See the table below for clarity

2. Fee Considerations for Deferred Examinations

a. First Deferment: Where a student misses a regular examination date, he/she will be allowed to defer once without charges.

b. Subsequent Deferments: Should a student miss the examination date for a previously deferred paper, the following fees shall apply:

• • • For students based in Nigeria: A flat fee of N10,000.
    • For international students: A flat fee of US$20.

3. Parity Fee:

a. International students who have paid N10,000 and are taking their deferred examinations outside Nigeria must remit an additional US$10. This applies equally to students who have relocated from Nigeria to another country.

Please note that examination deferment fees in USD are subject to change.

USE OF COMMUNICATION SERVICES

The Communication Services provided on the Miva Open University website encompass various interactive features such as bulletin board services, chat areas, news groups, forums, communities, personal web pages, calendars, and other message or communication facilities (collectively referred to as “Communication Services”). While we encourage open communication, users must adhere to detailed guidelines to ensure a positive and constructive online environment. By utilising the Communication Services, you agree to the following:

1. Appropriate Content:

• Use the Communication Services responsibly, limiting your posts, messages, and materials to those that are proper and relevant to the specific Communication Service.
• Do not engage in defamatory, abusive, harassing, stalking, threatening, or any other behaviour that violates the legal rights of others.

2. Content Restrictions:

• Refrain from publishing, posting, uploading, distributing, or disseminating any inappropriate, profane, defamatory, infringing, obscene, indecent, or unlawful topics, names, materials, or information.

3. Intellectual Property:

• Do not upload files that contain software or other material protected by intellectual property laws unless you own or control the rights or have obtained the necessary consent.

4. Security Measures:

• Avoid uploading files that may contain viruses, corrupted files, or any other software or programs that could harm the operation of the Miva Open University website, its network, or another user’s computer.

5. Commercial Activities:

• Do not use the Communication Services for advertising or offering to sell or buy any goods or services for any business purpose, unless explicitly permitted by the Communication Service.

6. Respect for Others:

• Conduct yourself ethically and avoid engaging in surveys, contests, pyramid schemes, or chain letters.
• Respect the rights and privacy of others, and do not harvest or collect information about others, including email addresses, without their consent.

7. Code of Conduct:

• Adhere to any code of conduct or guidelines applicable to a specific Communication Service.
• Refrain from restricting or inhibiting any other user’s enjoyment of the Communication Services.

8. Moderation and Removal:

• While Miva Open University is not obligated to monitor all messages and content within the Communication Services, we reserve the right to review and edit or remove, in whole or in part, any materials at our sole discretion.
• Miva Open University may terminate your access to any or all Communication Services at any time without notice for any reason.

9. Caution in Sharing Information:

• Exercise caution when providing personally identifiable information about yourself or others in any Communication Service. Miva Open University disclaims any liability related to the content, messages, or information found in Communication Services.

10. Limitations on Usage:

• Materials uploaded to Communication Services may be subject to posted limitations on usage, reproduction, and dissemination. Users are responsible for adhering to these limitations.

NO UNLAWFUL OR PROHIBITED USE

You warrant not to use the Miva Open University website for any unlawful or prohibited purpose. This includes not damaging or impairing the website’s functionality or violating any applicable laws.

LINKS TO THIRD PARTY SITES

The Miva Open University website may contain links to other websites (“Linked Sites”). These Linked Sites are beyond our control, and we are not responsible for their content. Your access to Linked Sites is at your own risk, and the inclusion of links does not imply endorsement by Miva Open University.

LINKS FROM THIRD PARTY SITES

If you intend to link your website to the Miva Open University site, we appreciate your collaboration. However, we ask that you adhere to the following guidelines:

a. Link Appearance and Attributes:

• Ensure that the link’s appearance, position, and other attributes do not damage or dilute the goodwill associated with Miva Open University’s names and trademarks.
• The link must exclusively point to the URL and should not direct users to other web pages within the Miva Open University website.
• Avoid creating the false appearance that your organisation or entity is sponsored by, affiliated with, or associated with Miva Open University.

b. Display Characteristics:

• When selected by a user, the link must display the Miva Open University website on a full-screen and should not be within a “frame” on the linking website.

c. Revocation of Consent:

• Miva Open University reserves the right to revoke its consent to the link at any time and in its sole discretion.

Please note that failure to comply with these guidelines may result in the termination of our consent for the link.

USER ACCOUNT, PASSWORD, AND SECURITY

We are committed to safeguarding the privacy of Your information. When You sign up for Our services, we require that You create an account by providing Us with current, complete, and accurate information as prompted by the applicable registration form.

We have measures in place designed to protect Your information against unauthorised access. But be aware that although we endeavour to provide reasonable security for the information we collect and process, we recognize that no security system can prevent all potential security breaches; thus, we cannot guarantee the absolute safety of Your information.

Please note that You are entirely responsible for any activities that occur under your account and You shall promptly notify Us of any unauthorised use of Your account or any other breach of security. Miva Open University will not be liable for any loss that You may incur as a result of third-party access, either with or without Your knowledge.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

All present and future rights in and to trade secrets, patents, copyrights, trademarks, service marks, know-how, and other proprietary rights of any type under the laws of any governmental authority, domestic or foreign, including rights in and to all applications and registrations relating to the services provided by this Website (the “Intellectual Property Rights”) shall, vest in Miva Open University.

The content of this Website includes but is not limited to computer programs, technology, data files, techniques, algorithms, methods, codes, logos, marks, trade secrets, designs, text, graphics, pictures, audio and video files, other data or copyrightable materials or content, and their selection and arrangement, are protected as a collective work or compilation under Nigerian copyright and other relevant conventions and treaties. All individual content, modules, articles, and other elements, including all software available on this Website or used to create and operate this Website is and remain the property of Miva Open University, excluding third-party materials used to create content on our website, such as those obtained from https://www.istockphoto.com/ (specifically, credit goes to the following artists: Design Cells, Tonaquatic, 7activestudio, Tonaquatic, Composition, Zhengzaishuru, 3d renderings, Studiocasper, Blueringmedia, Jarun011, 221A, Ttsz, Jack0m, Sabelskaya, Vectorpower, IVANVIEITO.

All trademarks and service marks, whether registered or unregistered, as well as product names and company names or logos, displayed or mentioned on this Website are the property of their respective owners. A User may only use such marks with the prior written consent of the owner.

Reference to any products, services, processes, or other information, by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, supplier, or otherwise does not constitute or imply endorsement, sponsorship, or recommendation of it by Miva Open University.

You agree to abide by all applicable copyright laws, as well as any additional copyright notices or restrictions contained on this Website. You acknowledge that this Website is developed, compiled, prepared, revised, selected, and arranged by Miva Open University and its partners and constitutes their intellectual property. You agree to protect the proprietary rights of Miva Open University and all others having rights in this Website during and after the term of these Terms and to comply with all reasonable written requests made by Miva Open University or its suppliers and licensors of contents (“Affiliates”).

In a bid to protect Your copyright as well as the copyright of other Users, You agree to notify Miva Open University in writing promptly upon becoming aware of any unauthorised access or use of this Website by any individual or entity.

All present and future rights in and title to this Website (including the right to exploit this Website and any portions of it over any present or future technology) are reserved to Miva Open University for its exclusive use. Except as specifically permitted by these Terms, You may not copy or make any use of this Website or any portion of it, without prior written approval from Miva Open University.

You shall not upload, post or otherwise make available on this Website, any content protected by copyright, trademark, or other proprietary rights without the express permission of the owner of the copyright, trademark, or other proprietary right and the burden of determining that any material is not protected by copyright rests with You. You shall be solely liable for any damage resulting from any infringement of copyrights, proprietary rights, or any other harm resulting from such a submission. By providing any material to this Website, You automatically grant or warrant that the owner of such material has expressly granted You a royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable right and license to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, and distribute such material (in whole or in part) worldwide and/or to incorporate it in other works in any form, media or technology now known or to be developed in the future for the full term of any copyright that may exist in such material.

By enrolling at Miva Open University, Miva students grant us the irrevocable and unrestricted right to use, reproduce, and distribute their images, likenesses, and photographs for marketing and promotional purposes. This includes but is not limited to print materials, online platforms, social media, and any other medium deemed appropriate by Miva Open University.

By attending virtual and physical events organized or hosted by Miva Open University, whether or not the participant is currently enrolled at Miva Open University, attendance at any Miva event implies the Participant’s consent to use, reproduce, and distribute the Pparticipant’s image, likeness, and photographs for marketing and promotional purposes.

NOTICES REGARDING SOFTWARE, DOCUMENTS, AND SERVICES AVAILABLE ON THIS WEBSITE

Disclaimer of warranty and limitation of liability:

• The User expressly agrees that the use of this Website is at the User’s sole risk. Neither Miva Open University, its affiliates nor any of Our respective employees, agents, third-party service providers, or licensors warrant that this Website will be uninterrupted or error-free; nor do they make any warranty as to the results that may be obtained from the use of this Website, or as to the accuracy, reliability or content of any information and service provided through this Website.
• This Website is provided on an “as is” basis without warranties of any kind, either express or implied, including, but not limited to, warranties of title or implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose, other than those warranties which are implied by and incapable of exclusion, restriction or modification under the laws applicable to these Terms.
• This disclaimer of warranty and limitation of liability applies to any damages or injury caused by any failure of performance, error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, computer virus, communication line failure, theft or destruction, or unauthorised access to, alteration of, or use of record, whether for breach of contract, tortious behaviour, negligence, or under any other cause of action.
• We disclaim liability for any errors or inaccuracies that may occur or be contained in any material despite our best efforts to offer the current and correct information in preparing Our Application/Website/Services/Products. Neither We nor any third parties provide any warranty or guarantee as to the accuracy, timeliness, performance, completeness, or suitability of the information and materials found or offered on the Application/Website/Services/Products for any particular purpose.
• We reserve the right to remove, review, edit, or delete any content at any time. Also, certain contents in the Application/Services/Website/Programmes may contain opinions and views. Miva Open University shall not be responsible for such opinions or any claims resulting from them. Further, Miva Open University makes no warranties or representations whatsoever regarding the quality, content, completeness, or adequacy of such information and data.
• We may contact Our Users through SMS, email, and call, to give information about Our Programmes as well as notifications on various important updates and/or to seek permission for a demonstration of Our programmes. You agree to receive these periodic messages.
• Upon registration through any means whatsoever, Miva Open University may contact You through the registered mobile number or e-mail or any other mobile number or contact number or email provided by You to enable the effective provision of Our Services. The User expressly permits Miva Open University to contact them and the student(s) utilising the Services, through the above-mentioned means at any time post-registration.
• Miva Open University’s Programmes and/or Services are compatible only with certain devices/tablets/instruments/hardware. Miva Open University shall not be obligated to provide workable products and/or services for any instruments that are not recognized by Miva Open University or those instruments that may be purchased from any third party which are not compatible with Miva Open University’s products and services. Also, You agree that any defect relating to any devices/tablets/instruments/hardware used to access Our Services or Products shall be reported to the manufacturer whose details shall be specified on the packaging and Miva Open University shall not be responsible for the such defect in any manner.
• Minors, un-discharged, or insolvent persons are not eligible to register for Our programmes or Services. Where a minor wishes to register for Our programmes or Services, such use shall be made available to the minor by his/her legal guardian or parents, who have agreed to these Terms. It is assumed that a minor who utilises Our Services has obtained their legal guardian’s or parent’s consent and that such use is made available by the legal guardian or parents. Miva Open University will not be responsible for any consequence that arises as a result of misuse of any kind of Our Application or any of Our products or Services that may occur by any person including a minor registering for a programme provided. Where it is discovered that a Student is under the age of 18 (eighteen) years, Miva Open University reserves the right to terminate the Student’s Admission and/or refuse to provide the Student with access to the Learning Management System.

EXCLUSIONS OF LIABILITY

Miva Open University and its representatives are not liable for any damages arising from the use of the website. Your sole remedy for dissatisfaction with the site is to discontinue use.

TERMINATION/ACCESS RESTRICTION

Miva Open University reserves the right to seek remedies for violations and to terminate access to the website at any time without notice.

GENERAL

These terms are governed by the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. If any part of these terms is deemed invalid, the remaining provisions shall remain in effect. These terms constitute the entire agreement between you and Miva Open University.

COPYRIGHT AND TRADEMARK NOTICES

Content on the Miva Open University website is subject to copyright. Unauthorised reproduction, modification, or distribution is prohibited.

DISCLAIMER

By this Policy We do not represent or warrant the condition or functionality of Our platform(s), its suitability for use, nor guarantee that Our service will be free from interruption or any error. No liability or responsibility shall lie for risks associated with the use of Our Platform, including but not limited to any risk to your computer, software or data being damaged by any virus, software, or any other file that might be transmitted or activated via Our Platform or your access to it. Neither do We guarantee the reliability of the information contained on Our Platform—particularly those shared by third-party users.

CONTACT US

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at info@miva.university