Dr. Dale Alsager, a longtime Maple Valley family physician, has been appointed Interim Dean, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences of International Cloud University.

Alsager is a medical practitioner and medical school professor. He said in a press release that technology is dramatically changing the landscape for traditional degree and certificate educational programs.

“The traditional bricks and mortar medical schools are no longer sustainable, or affordable,” Alsager said in the release. “Thanks to new mobile digital technology alternatives the cost-effectiveness of alternatives are very exciting.”

Alsager said International Cloud University utilizes 3- and 4-D animated computer apps to produce cloud-based technology modules in a compressed data form, making it possible for students in any country to obtain an accredited medical degree.

“The number of students that we can reach through Cloud University is in the millions and the tuition costs are a fraction of traditional medical school tuition,” he said. “Our technology can be applied to other degree and certificate programs.”

Production of instruction modules for this project has already started under Alsager’s direction at a temporary location in Maple Valley.

“When full production is reached we will need additional space to accommodate 26 teams of technology experts to handle the production demands,” he said. “We are working now establishing course content, finalizing the technology and designing a digital curriculum that will meet accreditation criteria. The interest in this new educational technology is growing rapidly.”