The perception that only foreign educated Muslims in Islam are to be addressed as Aleem in our setting,is indeed questionable. 
Let me contribute my little thoughts to Dr. Panda's views in his article: True Ulama. 
First, Ulama is Arabic, while Ulema is Turkish, the plural of Alim. It is a community of learned men or refers to the educated class of Muslim legal scholars engaged in the several fields of Islamic studies or its direct translation is " ones possessing knowledge". Alim (long A) is the singular term meaning "learned, knowing man" or scholar with several years of training and study of Islamic Sciences. 
The Ulama teach in Islamic Religious schools. In some countries, like Iran, they are very powerful. In Afgahnistan's Taliban regime, they are local power figures such as the Mullahs.During the time of the Prophet(pbuh) , they most of them served as military commanders. In other countries as Saudi Arabia and UAE, many of them are judges and counsels for the King,who are engaged in the interpretation and maintenance of Islamic law. In South Asian countries like the Philippines, they lead public prayers, preaching, and delivering sermons, especially at Friday prayers. 
Ulama usually belong to different school of thoughts(Madhhab) such as Shafii(common in Indonesia, Malaysia, Jordan, and Palestine), Hanafi( common in Egypt and Turkey), Maliki( common in Africa and Persian gulf states) and Hanbali(common in Saudi Arabia). The Ja'fari school is usually associated with Shia Muslims.Although, there are Ulama who do not belong to any school of thoughts and just use the power of ijtihad.Ulama in most nations consider themselves to represent the ijma(consensus) of the Ummah.Madhhab in Islam is sometimes translated as religion which is a fundamental fallacy as it goes aginst the very essence of Islam, which is a din, not a madhhab or school of thought. 
Who is entitled to be called Alim or a knowledgable person in Islam? The author mentioned a Quranic point of view on this, however there are other views on this also in the Quran.One particular Quranic explanation is the following verse-'" Did you not ponder the rain that Allah Almighty caused to fall from the sky, with which we produce fruit of diverse colors; and among the mountains there are layers of red and white which differ in shade and type, some being dark in color. Similarly, humans and animals are of different colors and kinds. Among the followers of Allah Almighty and knowledgeable persons(Ulama) are those who are awestruck by the greatness of Allah"(35/27-2. 
These two verses deal with different parts of the universe, different branches of nature, and different fields of science. Physics, botany, zoology, and the humanities are all touched upon. The knowledgeable persons are awestruck because their insight has convinced them of His power and Wisdom in controlling the universe perfectly. The quran has referred to those people as Ulama, and in modern terminoly they are called scientists. These are the people who study nature and after observation and consistent experimentation, conquer the forces of nature. Allah Almighty has put the forces of nature under our control, but only those who know the laws can manipulate these forces. The only way to become one of the Ulama is to acquire knowledge. 
With that as definition of Ulama, how many Meranaos can qualify?Many of them do not know the fundamentals of natural sciences, and their knowledge is limited to theoretical discussions., and may not have bearings on the universe or the practical life of people . Big Madrasa schools teach logic, philosophy, rhetoric, grammar, literature,etc. but most are outdated.Some teaches arithmetic and geometry but also outdated. 
Indeed, the universe was not created in vain. Muslims who work constructively within Allah's system and concerned for its other well being are on the right path. If we Meranaos want to shape our society according to the Quran, then we must become competent researchers and sientists in every field. Through observation and experiment in both the internal and external worlds, the forces of nature can be harnessed and the rewards amassed can be used and distributed according to the laws given in the Quran. Only Meranaos or other Muslims with these characteristics are qualified to be called ULAMA!

Ulama as commonly accepted

In my simple understanding of our local, in Lanao, adherence to the world ULAMA is paying respect to our elders and fellow meranao who have sacrificed most of their times seeking knowledge in Islamic and arabic discipline. Imagine, giving up the chance to study western or secular education in favor of studying in foreign muslim countries.  
 
we call them Ulama in order to identify their class in our society, so as we call lawyers as ATTYs, Doctors, nurses and CPAs as accountants. How can we segregate Alims from professionals if we don't call them as they are recognized.  
 
the discipline that they have thread is more focused on Islam but the reality is that it is their calling. being an alim means being a professional in islamic or arabic studies.  
 
so to picture an Ulama as a perfect example of a pious or religious individual is not a gauge for one to be an Ulama.  
 
For me, ULAMA or Being an Alim is merely a title or a profession. 
 
let's ask ourselves, do we call or address an Alim who finished engineering an engineer? No. do we address an Alim who finished Sharia Law a lawyer? no. Do we address an Alim who finished Science in Islamic perspective a scientist? No.  
 
We address all Alim or Ulama coming from different fields of specialization as ALIM. so, even in our part there is BIAS.

Ulama as commonly accepted

Strictly speaking, one cannot use the word Alim, meaning all knowing. It is one of the beautiful names of Allah. Using it is comparing oneself to Allah. You may call your self Abdul Alim perhaps as slave of Allah.Ulama, strictly speaking, and with the Quran as the basis, applies to a knowledgeable person and did not specify only for those knowledgeable in Islam.So . few Meranos will qualify to be called Ulama,and the more one could not qualify to be called as Alim.

My Own perception about ULAMA

Ulama, Plural of Alim means "scholar" - The people of Islamic Knowledge, refers to the group of Alim or educated class of Muslim lawful scholars engaged in the several fields of Islamic studies. Ulama literally mean those who have enough knowledge (Ilm), specially about ISLAM.  
 
Lawyers and judges or other field of studies were just key members of the ulama; their lawful skills were serious to the instruction of Islamic society in social and commercial matters such as wills, marriage, and trade. They’re teachers that teaches us ways that come from the Qur-an and Hadith so that we can avoid wrong deeds as what Prophet Muhammad Teaches her followers. That’s the reason why Ulama are the successors of Islam. Ulama known as the first interpreters of the Qur’an and transmitters of hadith (the words and deeds of the prophet Muhammad). So, They must sacrifice too and do their very best to gain our beliefs.  
 
 
Hence, it is a profession and a tough responsibility accurate in Islamic Society. They possess a tough responsibility than those other profession.

http://www.paradisephilippines.orgz.ph

Ulama as commonly accepted.

yellow bird and adom: QADROLLAH. Only Allah knows who are those true Ulama. My understanding and according to those Muslim religious Scholars. Ulama are those scholars in Islam.We can't just say all our Ulama in the Philippines are not true Ulam. Qadrollah who are those true Ulama.

Ulama as commonly accepted.

With the Quran as basis, people who study the universe and perform practical research on the objects therein as well as the forces of nature are the Mumin(believers) or Muttaqi( those who indulge in piety).The experience gained by them is called knowledge, and the Quran calls those who have this knowledge ULAMA. 
Westerners are not Mumin and Muttaqi in the true sense of the words.It is wrong to assume that if you acquire scientific knowledge you can become a Mumin or Muttaqi.It is whether one uses the information according to the injunctions of Allah.Hence, there are two conditions in becoming a Mumin, to gain knowledge from nature, and to use it according to the injunctions of Allah.The Quran demands that " its system be accepted in totality" Ch 2/verse 208.A nation that does not meet both of these criteria cannot be Mumin, and since Muslims fail regarding the first condition, we cannot claim to be Mumin. Moreover , if we have no knowledge of the forces of nature, we will not be able to use them as Allah Almighty has advised in the Quran.In contrast Western nations do not fulfill the second criterion, thus on a practical level, Muslims and western non-Muslims are in the same position.You have to study the Quran in order to use the forces of nature in accordance with Allah's laws. 
Westerners, despite of their scientific knowledge, they cannot find the right solution to human problems. 
The devoted believers must look beyond the horizon and strive for more knowledge.Those who are satisfied with the status quo and do not strive for improvement and a better future are devoid of thought and action; they fall from grace and are left far behind in the struggle of life. While, those nations that work hard to develop new inventions and make new discoveries are well advanced ahead!

ULAMA in meranaos perspective.

I am not questioning who is true Ulama. 
 
I think the article originally posted is talking about our local ulama in Lanao that's why i made a point that we, in Lanao, call our Alim or Ulama as Alim because of the respect that we have over their spiritual and religious ascendancy before us.  
 
If we will not call them ALIm then what will we address to them?

ULAMA in meranaos perspective.

Why not call him Uztad, Adom. Strictly speaking, you cannot call a person using a name of Allah and Aleem or Alim ( omniscient, that is who knows everything) is one of them. As one Ummah or a nation of believers in Allah,it is not logical to call somebody an Alim in Lanao but different probably in Malaysia or Saudi.The definition of Ulama in the comments above is based on the Quran!

Ameen

Whatever you address them for as long as you respect them doesn't really matter - for me, an 'Aalim must be a Hafithul Qur'an along with its meaning and interpretation, and acquired knowledge about the Sunnah (Hadith) of the Prophet (SAW) and knowledge in Figh. Frankly, we don't address our scholars properly - mostly addressed our scholars as 'Malipudus' due to the pronounciation of 'Ayn' we pronounce it as Alif instead of 'Ayn'. Alim means Malipudus, while 'Aalim means scholor in Islam. Thanks

salam

peace be w/ u...wasssalam

http://salam