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New uni partnership breaks down barriers to education

Signing the MOU (from left): Mr Andy Rosen, Chairman and CEO of Kaplan, Inc., South ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥n Premier Mike Rann and Professor James McWha, Vice-Chancellor of the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide.
Photo by Michael Haines.
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Kaplan ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥.
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Wednesday, 23 September 2009

International private education provider and one of ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥'s leading universities, the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide, have today joined forces to investigate the establishment of a campus in Adelaide.

Kaplan and the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This partnership will see both universities working together to expand access to high-quality career-oriented educational programs.

Subject to government approval and approval of the Higher Learning Commission in the United States - Kaplan ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥'s accreditor - Kaplan will introduce innovative e-learning technologies to deliver degree programs across ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥, with students able to study at Kaplan's Adelaide-based campus or anywhere in ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ online.

Today's MOU signing was attended by the Premier of South ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥, ; the Chairman and CEO of , ; the Chairman and CEO of Kaplan, Inc., ; the CEO of Kaplan Asia Pacific, Mr Mark Coggins; and the Vice-Chancellor and President of the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide, .

"Today's agreement between Kaplan and the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide is a neat fit with the Government's 'ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ City' project. We want Adelaide to be known as an international centre for university education," said the South ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥n Premier, the Hon. Mike Rann.

"Bringing together a world-class ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥n university in the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide with one of the world's biggest, most innovative education providers, Kaplan, will provide local and international students with a wider range of study options to fit their different needs."

The first intake of students is expected to commence in 2011. Initially, financial services and business programs will be offered, ranging from Bachelors to Masters degree level, with future expansion into other fields such as allied health. Once Kaplan ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ becomes fully operational, the aim is to admit 5000 domestic and international students on campus in Adelaide with many more enrolled online.

Professor James McWha said: "The primary mission of our partnership with Kaplan will be to expand access to higher education in ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥. Under-represented groups, including working adults, students from low socio-economic backgrounds and students in regional and remote areas, will be the big winners from this agreement. With a focus on students from non-traditional pathways, we'll be helping to meet both State and Federal Governments' goals of increasing access to a quality education."

Mr Andy Rosen, Chairman and CEO of Kaplan, added: "This partnership with the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide is another step in serving students across the globe with educational programs that can help them improve their lives. With our mission to build individual futures, we're committed to delivering world-class education to generate positive student outcomes."

Mr Mark Coggins, CEO of Kaplan Asia Pacific said: "This partnership representing Kaplan ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥'s first international campus offers a range of exciting opportunities for both Kaplan and the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide. Kaplan's strength in virtual classroom technologies will enable us to educate students not only within the state but across ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ and the globe. The sharing of educational resources and expertise with the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide will be of great benefit to students and staff from our respective universities."

Formal business planning for the new partnership is now underway with the contract to be finalised in early 2010.

The MOU builds on a long-standing relationship between Kaplan and the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide through . Kaplan's Bradford College offers pathway programs to international students with the majority of these students going on to study at the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide. Kaplan has a variety of additional operations in ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ including: , , and .

Further expansion: Kaplan opens its new Adelaide premises today
Today Kaplan also opens its new premises at 132 Grenfell Street in Adelaide, which will cater to students enrolled in courses through Kaplan Business School.

About Kaplan, Inc.

Kaplan is a leading global provider of educational services to individuals, schools and businesses, serving over one million students with operations in more than 30 countries. Its programs include higher education, test preparation, language instruction and professional training. Kaplan had 2008 revenue of $2.3 billion, is a subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE:WPO) and its largest and fastest-growing division.

About Kaplan ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥

Kaplan ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ is part of Kaplan Higher Education, which serves more than 100,000 students through 70-plus campus-based schools and online operations across the United States and abroad.

About the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide

Since its establishment in 1874, the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide has been among ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥'s leading universities. A member of the prestigious universities, the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide's contribution to the wealth and well-being of South ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ and ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ as a whole - across all fields of endeavour - has been enormous. The ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide has a rich tradition of excellence in education and research, with world-class academic staff. The ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ currently has more than 23,000 students, including about 6000 students from 92 countries studying in Adelaide.

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