Whitney International Gains Partner in Colombia – Politecnico Grancolombiano joins educational alliance
(August 17, 2006) DALLAS –
After a rigorous selection process, Politecnico Grancolombiano signed an alliance Thursday with Whitney International University System (WIUS), according to Dr. Gerald A. Heeger, president of WIUS, and Pablo Michelsen, rector of Politecnico Grancolombiano.
Dr. Heeger said the new alliance gives WIUS a strong partner in South America and the alliance will help Politecnico Grancolombiano prepare for the globalization of higher education.
"This alliance, the first of its type in Colombia, will allow Politecnico to achieve educational and administrative excellence," said Mr. Michelsen.
"Whitney International University System is a perfect match with our plans to expand our reach through new technology and internationalize our programs," said Mr. Michelsen. "WIUS is bringing together outstanding universities from around the world to improve academic quality and access to students."
Mr. Michelsen said Politecnico's new alliance with WIUS will bring multiple benefits to Politecnico, such as:
- Membership in an international higher education system
- Access to new academic programs
- Academic exchanges
- Investment in a new Student Contact Center to enable more students to complete graduation requirements
- Greater access to technology for students who wish to study on-line.
According to Mr. Michelsen, the alliance will become effective in the middle of the second semester of 2006, and will immediately benefit Politecnico's more than 7,000 students, professors, and employees.
"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.
Politecnico Grancolombiano, founded in 1981, is a highly regarded university institution, whose modern campus features state-of-the-art computer centers as well as film and TV studios. Academic programs include marketing/advertising, social communications, journalism, business management, systems engineering, public accounting, law, and international business, among others. Special training is provided for careers in the airline industry and programs are designed to ensure that Politecnico graduates are well-prepared for the jobs of the future. For more information, visit www.poligran.edu.co.
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. More information can be found at www.whitneyintl.com.