Press Release
UNIVERSITAS 21 GLOBAL
to address projected shortfall of campus-based places worldwide from Singapore HQ
Officially inaugurates Asia's first e-MBA programme to nurture intellectual capital for the new knowledge-based economy
SINGAPORE, 05 August 2003 – Universitas 21 Global today officially launched its global e-MBA programme.
As Asia's first e-University, Universitas 21 Global is poised to address a projected shortfall of campus-based places over the next decade. Universitas 21 Global is formed by a joint venture between Universitas 21 and Thomson Learning in September 2001.
The institution will provide students worldwide with an affordable and convenient online solution and will particularly appeal to working professionals who need to juggle study with career. More importantly, Universitas 21 Global will address a large unmet global demand for higher education, currently estimated at US$111 billion (Source: UNESCO; DRI; U.S. IDB)
Universitas 21 Global is a partnership between Universitas 21, a network of research-intensive universities, and Thomson Learning, one of the world's largest publishers of educational materials and providers of online information and solutions. Scholars from the universities in the Universitas 21 network have worked with Universitas 21 Global academic staff to produce an e-MBA programme of premier quality. It will enrol its own students and award its own degrees. The degree programme and subjects are accredited by U21pedagogica after intensive quality assurance review process by the faculty experts.
In Singapore, Universitas 21 Global has received the pioneer status and International Headquarters certificate from the Economic Development Board (EDB). The certificate was presented at its inauguration ceremony held today at the Raffles Hotel attended by several corporate and academic officials and dignitaries including the Acting Minister for Education, Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam who officiated at the ceremony.
Recognising the integral role Universitas 21 Global will play in helping Singapore develop as a world-class education hub, Universitas 21 Global CEO, Dr Mukesh Aghi said, "Premier universities in Universitas 21 Global include Singapore's very own National University of Singapore. Indeed, Singapore will play a pivotal role as our headquarters for launching Universitas 21 Global to the world to address the projected shortfall of campus-based places for students worldwide.
"Within less than a decade, there will be around 100 million people around the world qualified to undertake university study but without access to a campus-based place. Without high quality online alternatives, many people worldwide will be denied access to the global knowledge economy. Universitas 21 Global aims to help fill this gap and address this demand by combining excellence and expertise of traditional on-campus teaching with an innovative and flexible online solution, with the end result of being a world-class branded degree."
Universitas 21 Global has received authorisation from the Singapore Ministry of Education to offer the e-MBA degree. The academic reputation of Universitas 21 Global's degree, based on the stringent requirements of U21pedagogica, reflects the international standing of the Universitas 21 Global universities. Every Universitas 21 Global degree certificate will bear the names and crests of these universities.
Acting Minister for Education, Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam said, "Today's inauguration of Universitas 21 Global marks the addition of another high quality offering to Singapore's education hub. We are pleased that Universitas 21 Global has chosen Singapore to set up its global headquarters to develop and deliver online learning content. It provides a new dimension in Singapore's efforts to meet the growing demand for higher and post-tertiary education, across Asia."
Prof Alan Gilbert, Chair of Universitas 21 Global said, "This launch of a world class MBA by Universitas 21 Global marks the beginning of a new kind of higher educational opportunity around the world. I am confident that this new MBA is a quality programme that will establish Universitas 21 Global as the world's most prestigious online university. It will appeal especially to outstanding young professionals in Asia who have been prevented by work or family commitments from travelling overseas to a prestigious Business School."
Mr Ron Dunn, President and CEO, Academic and International Group, Thomson Learning said, "Universitas 21 Global will transcend physical and geographical boundaries to provide world-class higher education that all students deserve. Universitas 21 Global students will benefit from sophisticated teaching methods and content developed by professors at some of the world's leading universities, while enjoying the conveniences of working in an online environment."
Prof Shih Choon Fong, President of the National University of Singapore said, "Many universities have just entered the learning curve for web-based education. E-learning has to become a part of a larger holistic integrated learning environment offered by universities. E-learning also provides a new model for co-operation among universities around the world."
The who's who of pedigree universities in the partnership include some of the oldest and most established with top MBA school rankings. In 2002, five of Universitas 21's member universities were ranked among the top 15 MBA schools by Asia Inc, including the National University of Singapore, University of New South Wales, University of Queensland, University of Hong Kong and University of Melbourne.
| Lim Chwen Yiing | Molly Chin |
| Hill & Knowlton (SEA) Pte Ltd | Universitas 21 Global |
| DID: +65 6390 3355 | DID: +65 6410 1312 |
| Email: cylim@hillandknowlton.com.sg | Email: mchin@u21global.com |
About Universitas 21 Global
Universitas 21 Global is a joint venture between Universitas 21, an international consortium of distinguished universities and Thomson Learning, a worldwide provider of tailored learning solutions for individuals, businesses and institutions. Established to become one of the world's premier e-universities, we offer programmes designed to create leaders for the global economy of the future.
Universitas 21 Global addresses the need of the information economy for ongoing, internationally focused education. Our programmes harness the power of the Internet as an educational medium to deliver courses directly to corporate clients and individuals worldwide. Whether a company seeks to develop its best managers as future executives, or whether an independent professional seeks skill enrichment and career enhancement, Universitas 21 Global responds with effective educational programmes and services.
As a joint venture, Universitas 21 Global builds on the strengths of the venture partners, two established organisations recognised for excellence in providing programmes and resources in higher education.
About Universitas 21 Global
Universitas 21 (www.universitas21.com), incorporated in Guernsey, Channel Islands, is an international network of 17 research-intensive universities in Europe, North America and East Asia, including Southeast Asia and Oceania. It will bring high quality branding, robust quality assurance and multi-jurisdictional accreditation to the joint venture, having developed a global quality assurance capability in higher education via U21pedagogica, a wholly-owned subsidiary.
Member Universities include: Europe: *University of Birmingham, *University of Glasgow, *University of Nottingham, *University of Edinburgh, *Lund University, *Albert-Ludwigs University; North America: *McGill University, *University of British Columbia, *University of Virginia; Australia & New Zealand: *University of Melbourne, *University of New South Wales, *University of Queensland, *University of Auckland; East Asia: *National University of Singapore, *University of Hong Kong, *Peking University, *Fudan University.
About Thomson Corporation
The Thomson Corporation (www.thomson.com), with 2002 revenues of US$7.8 billion, is a global leader in providing integrated information solutions to business and professional customers. The Corporation's common shares are listed on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges (TSX: TOC; NYSE: TOC). Its learning businesses and brands serve the needs of individuals, learning institutions, corporations and government agencies with products and services for both traditional and distributed learning.