RDI, a subsidiary of Capella Education Company, has a 24-year
history of pioneering online distance learning
Company Website:
http://www.capellaeducation.com
MINNEAPOLIS -- (Business Wire)
Resource Development International (RDI), a leading independent provider
of United Kingdom (UK) university qualifications by distance learning,
and a subsidiary of Capella
Education Company (NASDAQ:CPLA), has announced that it has been
granted degree-awarding powers.
Taught degree-awarding powers (TDAP) are granted by the Privy Council,
part of the UK government, following rigorous scrutiny by the UK’s
Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) for Higher Education.
RDI, which is based in Coventry, England, has a 24-year history of
pioneering online distance learning. It is now able to develop its own
degree programs to meet the growing UK and international demand for its
affordable, flexible learning model.
The organization now plans to apply for university title and then launch
a new UK online distance learning university – one of only a few
dedicated distance learning universities in the UK. The new online
university will build on RDI’s success in exporting UK university
education overseas by offering increased provision for international
students, as well as meeting growing demand from UK students.
“This is the culmination of 24 years of work to develop RDI into an
organization that complements the UK campus university sector by
providing students with affordable and flexible study choices,” said Dr.
Philip Hallam, chief executive of RDI. “Achieving degree-awarding powers
is the result of rigorous scrutiny by the UK’s Quality Assurance Agency
(QAA) for Higher Education and demonstrates that RDI has met the high
standards it requires in the UK university sector. We are now entering
an exciting new phase in which we will apply for university title and
develop our own programs to meet growing UK and international demand for
our provision.”
"RDI offers the flexible learning opportunities that are vital to so
many students,” said UK Minister for Universities and Science David
Willetts. “The UK government is keen to encourage greater competition
and diversity in higher education provision, and it is right that
institutions like RDI, that have met the rigorous standards required,
should be granted the power to award their own degrees."
Founded in 1990, RDI currently offers undergraduate and postgraduate
courses accredited by UK universities. Courses can be taken through
leading online resources. Subjects include: business, management,
finance, law, marketing, human resource management, health, tourism,
computing, information systems, telecommunications, graphic design,
health care and psychology.
With degree-awarding powers, RDI will next apply for university title so
that it can offer its own programs under the brand of the new online
university. New courses will be designed that continue to improve
employment prospects for students and meet employers’ business needs.
As well as offering its own programs, RDI will continue to offer
distance learning programs from its UK university partners and may
expand this complementary provision. Students who are currently studying
with RDI will not be affected by the changes and will continue with
their existing programs.
“I would like to thank our UK university partners for their support
during our 24-year journey, and particularly through the TDAP
application phase,” Dr. Hallam added. “We will continue to work with
them and are actively exploring the possibility of helping them to
extend their own distance learning provision whilst also developing our
own academic programs.”
About Capella Education Company
Founded in 1991, Capella Education Company is a leader in online
education, primarily through our wholly owned subsidiary Capella
University, a regionally accredited online university*. In addition,
Capella Education Company offers online education through Resource
Development International Ltd. (RDI), an independent provider of
United Kingdom (UK) university distance learning qualifications; and
owns Sophia, a first-of-its-kind social education platform that
offers students many ways to learn by making credible academic content
available to anyone, anywhere, at anytime.
Capella University (www.capella.edu)
is a regionally accredited online university* that has built its
reputation by providing quality online degree programs for working
adults. About 70 percent of Capella students are currently enrolled in
master's or doctoral degree programs in business, counseling, education,
health administration, homeland security, human resource management,
human services, information technology, nonprofit management and
leadership, nursing, psychology, public administration, public health,
public safety, and social work. Capella also offers bachelor's degree
programs in business, information technology, nursing, psychology, and
public safety. Within those areas, Capella currently offers 143 graduate
and undergraduate specializations and 21 certificate programs.
Approximately 35,000 learners were enrolled as of Dec. 31, 2013. For
more information about Capella Education Company, please visit http://www.capellaeducation.com.
For more information about Capella University, please visit http://www.capella.edu
or call 1.888.CAPELLA (227.3552).
*Capella University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and
is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
(NCA),www.ncahlc.org.
Capella University, Capella Tower, 225 South Sixth Street, Ninth Floor,
Minneapolis, MN 55402, 1.888.CAPELLA (227.3552),www.capella.edu.
About RDI
Founded in 1990, RDI
is a leading independent provider of UK university distance learning
qualifications. The typical RDI undergraduate degree student is 24 years
old; ages across all courses range from 18 to over 75. More than 90
percent of students are in part or full-time employment. www.rdi.co.uk.
Contacts:
Capella Education Company
Investor Contact:
Heide
Erickson, 612-977-5172
Heide.Erickson@capella.edu
or
Media
Contact:
Michael Walsh, 612-977-5661
michael.walsh@capella.edu
Source: Capella Education Company
© 2024 Canjex Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.