Universitas 21 Global
World-class E-University Opens for Student Registration
Marks paradigm shift from brick-and-mortar education formula to address an estimated US$111 billion global demand for higher education
Singapore, 05/29/2003Universitas 21 Global, Asia Pacific´s premiere online university headquartered in Singapore, opens its doors today to MBA-aspirants in the region.
A joint venture between Thomson Learning and Universitas 21, Universitas 21 Global is a consortium of 16 world-renowned universities. In 2002, five of Universitas 21′s member universities were ranked among the top 20 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. Other member universities were recognised as being among the top business schools ranked by The Financial Times, the Economist Intelligence Unit and The Wall Street Journal.Universitas 21 Global expects to enrol 800 students at this initial registration and projects to grow six-fold to about 5,000 students by 2004. Most of these registrations are expected to be from the Asia Pacific region.
In launching the online university for student registration, Dr Mukesh Aghi, CEO of Universitas 21 Global, said, "This is a momentous occasion for Universitas 21 Global. E-learning will fast gain momentum in this region with the current shift towards an increasingly knowledge-based and driven economy. Corporate professionals and students are under pressure to keep up and they sense the urgency to continually upgrade their skills to stay competitive and relevant in a changing world economy. Universitas 21 Global is all set to deliver a first-class education programme in Asia and beyond. We are proud of strategically positioning our HQ in Singapore where the dynamism of its economy is indisputable and held up as one of the most wired and knowledge-driven economies."
Dr Mukesh added that the university aims to capture a largely unmet market for higher education and will address an estimated US $ 111 billion global demand for higher education.
Best of two worlds
Students from around the world can register with Universitas 21 Global which integrates the Internet to deliver a world-class education experience for its global students.A key offering for Universitas 21 Global students will be the challenge for them to demonstrate their analytical thinking and understanding of coursework through problem-based assignments that will be set in a virtual environment. Students will be able to engage in online discussions that connect them to counterparts across the world; they will be able to also access the Universitas 21 Global library for learning resources.
Active interaction between students and lecturers will be through real-time Internet chat, threaded discussions and other Web-based communications tools. Other learning applications will be through Universitas 21 Global’s proprietary Learning Management System to enhance the e-learning experience. This will include online announcement boards and special notepad functions for students to create their own lecture notes.
In addition to academic programmes, Universitas 21 Global will also offer a holistic approach to education online. Its varied student services will include academic counselling, career guidance and technical support.
In his congratulatory message, 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."
Professor Alan Gilbert, founder of Universitas 21 Global, said, "Universitas 21 Global will be an important part of the future of higher education worldwide. Without high quality online solutions, many people in the developing world will be denied access the emerging global knowledge economy. By drawing on the strength, experience and reputation of some of the oldest and most distinguished universities around the world, and exploiting the unique opportunities that the online environment provides, Universitas 21 Global is creating new learning environments, modalities, pedagogies and technologies, and offering reputable, high quality professional qualifications. The result will combine the excellence of traditional on-campus higher education with innovative, convenient and affordable online solutions."
Bridging the world
Universitas 21 Global offers world-class quality education at a competitive price and the convenience of online connectivity. As an e-University, it offers flexibility in time and a vital curriculum for time-constrained working professionals wanting to pursue a higher degree.Prof Shih Choon Fong, President of the National University of Singapore (NUS), said, "The world's best universities continually produce the best crop of students by putting them through a challenging and stimulating curriculum. Borderless learning is indisputably, the way forward. Indeed, we are honoured to partner Universitas 21 Global in this new path-defining e-learning challenge that we have taken on in affiliation with many of the world’s best universities."
Mr Kenneth Tan, Deputy Director of Services, Economic Development Board of Singapore said, "Students and professionals have to be equipped for a future that is unpredictable and learn to adapt quickly to changes. Building on its reputation as an education hub, Singapore is well-positioned to train, develop and cultivate the best brains in the region through quality and progressive educational institutions like Universitas 21 Global."
Universitas 21 Global provides students with a global perspective and opportunity to network with peers from other parts of the world – a paradigm shift from the brick-and-mortar education formula.
U21pedagogica, an international accreditation body formed by the member institutions in Universitas 21, reviews and approves the courses and subjects. All Universitas 21 Global programmes are required to undergo stringent quality assurance process and meet the standards set by U21pedagogica, which are consistent with those used in the Universitas 21 member universities. U21pedagogica monitors to ensure that standards are met in keeping with the integrity of admission, student examination and selection of adjunct faculty for the MBA programme.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Lim Chwen Yiing
Senior Associate, Hill & Knowlton
DID: +65 6390 3355
Email: cylim@hillandknowlton.com.sgRivai Adidharma
Senior Marketing Manager, Universitas 21 Global
DID: +65 6410 1311
Email: rivai@u21global.comAbout Universitas 21 Global
Universitas 21 Global, a leading collaboration between Universitas 21, a consortium of 16 prestigious universities and Thomson Learning, is a world-class accredited online University spanning the Americas, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific.A cutting-edge partnership between The Thomson Corporation, the world's largest provider of corporate and professional learning solutions (NYSE: TOC; TSX: TOC), and Universitas 21, an international consortium of 17 renowned foreign universities, Universitas 21 Global is truly the leader of the world in the knowledge age of high learning and executive education, shaping the global leaders of tomorrow.
Universitas 21 Global has been awarded "pioneer status" by the Economic Development Board of Singapore.About The Thomson Corporation
The Thomson Corporation (www.thomson.com), with 2002 revenues of $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.About Universitas 21
Universitas 21, 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.