Whitney International University System Signs Alliance With Bogota Community College – BCC joins growing international education network
(August 17, 2006) DALLAS –
Continuing the search of providing accessible, affordable education for students that will lead to meaningful employment and richer life, Whitney International University System (WIUS), signed an alliance with the Bogota Community College (BCC).
The alliance was announced Thursday according to Dr. Gerald A. Heeger, president of WIUS.
Dr. Heeger said the new alliance will permit WIUS to expand its presence in the Latin-American market, and will also allow BCC to expand its educational programs, benefiting low income students.
Pablo Michelsen, rector of Politecnico Grancolombiano, which supervises BCC's academic programs, said "Whitney International University System is a perfect match with our plans to expand our reach through new technology and to strengthen the ability of our students to get the education competencies they need to succeed in the work force. The community college is ideally suited to widen access to postsecondary education. This alliance will allow for a rapid expansion of Bogota Community College."
Mr. Michelsen said BCC's new alliance with WIUS will bring multiple benefits to BCC, such as:
- Membership in an international higher education system
- Access to new academic programs and exchanges
- Expansion of the number of degrees and campuses
- Greater access to technology for students to study on-line.
"Colombia has the potential and the need to provide higher education opportunities to its people at affordable prices. This is the central vision of this alliance with Whitney International University System, to bring our programs to more Colombians and help them prepare successfully for the future," he said.
Bogota Community College was founded in 2003, through an educational agreement between Fundacion Politecnico Grancolombiano and Federacion Nacional de Comerciantes (FENALCO), the most important traders' association in Colombia, in order to create technical programs in response to the needs of trades and society in general. A major strength of BCC is the fact that its students can have access to internships at FENALCO member companies.
BCC offers technical degrees in computer programming, marketing and sales, international trading and customs, trading management, account and finance, restaurant management, and capillary technology.
Whitney International University System was developed in 2005 to make high quality higher education more affordable and accessible for students around the world. WIUS is creating a network of colleges, universities, and international collaborations. The hallmark of all WIUS members is that they will have prestigious accreditation, high quality courseware, and a unique, next-generation delivery system.
The WIUS leadership team includes education leaders of distinction such as former U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige; Dr. Gerald A. Heeger, the former president of the University of Maryland University College; and Dr. Reid Lyon, one of the architects of the "Reading First" program in the United States.
WIUS has offices in Dallas, Boston, Mexico City, Sao Paulo, and Morocco. Future locations are anticipated in Latin America, India, and Asia. Additional information can be found at www.whitneyintl.com.