Universitas 21 Global achieves significant milestones in its first year

Over the past year, and as a result of their efforts, the regional office in Dubai has facilitated the sign up of 60 students from the Arab region, making it one of the fastest growing regions for the Business School outside Singapore. Also worldwide over 400 students from more than 25 countries, have enrolled in the Business School's courses. Currently, the Business School has over 1,400 applications that are being processed. Several top profile organisations including Frontline Technologies, Satyam Computer Services, StarHub, Hewlett-Packard Company, Keppel Corporation Limited, Singapore National Trade Union Congress (NTUC) and Korn/Ferry International have also sponsored their employees for Universitas 21 Global's courses.

Significant highlights in the last year have included receiving International Headquarters Award status from the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) in August 2003 and receiving Online Academic Institute status in the Knowledge Village by the Government of Dubai in March 2004. To boost numbers and attract students from all over the world, the Business School also embarked on an aggressive expansion plan, opening up regional offices in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Dubai, India and China as well as signing partnership agreements with established organisations in Ireland, Canada, India, Sri Lanka and China to further increase its global presence.

Universitas 21 Global also received international awards lauding their achievements, becoming the only Singapore company to receive the 2004 Computerworld Honors Laureate, joining the prestigious ranks of visionaries recognised for their use of information technology to benefit society. The Business School was additionally nominated for the award in the "Program's 21st Century Achievement Award in the Education and Academia category".

Dr Mukesh Aghi, CEO of Universitas 21 Global , said, "We have accomplished a significant amount in this past year. We will continue to further establish our position as a leading online provider of quality postgraduate courses that are priced affordably and available to prospective students all over the world. Our immediate main focus is to put every effort into ensuring the content and quality of our courses is of the highest standards, to reflect the great reputation and tradition of our 16 well-known international member universities.

Outlining Universitas 21 Global's future plans for the Middle East, Vikram Tah, Regional Manager Middle East and Africa of Universitas 21 Global said the UAE will be the base of operations for regional expansion plans. "Because of the highly positive response to the Business School's program, we intend to branch out to the rest of the Middle East, Levant, Africa, and select Eastern
European countries next year by means of strategic partnerships throughout our target markets."