In today's Chronicle of Higher Education Online I found the below
article. I found that it reflects certain trends that we are affected
by and so often to you for a glimpse.
Cybercollaborating,
Charles Wankel
Mg-Ed-Dv List Director
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Sylvan Learning Acquires a Controlling Interest in Walden U. for
$8-Million
By MICHAEL ARNONE
Sylvan Learning Systems Inc. has acquired a controlling interest in
Walden University, an online provider of graduate degrees. Sylvan paid
$8-million to increase its stake in the institution to 51 percent.
The takeover was planned for more than a year, said Robert H. Scales
Jr., chief executive officer at Walden. Sylvan bought 41 percent of
Walden's ownership shares last year. The two for-profit education
companies agreed that if Sylvan were pleased with its relationship with
Walden, Sylvan would acquire an additional 10 percent this year, Mr.
Scales said. The new ownership arrangement took effect February 1.
The partnership pairs Sylvan's marketing strength with Walden's academic
reputation and accredited status, said Paula R. Singer, president of
Sylvan's Online Higher Education division. Walden wanted to improve its
name recognition in the education market, and Sylvan wanted to work with
a respected, accredited institution, she said.
Walden will become part of Sylvan's Online Higher Education division and
will continue to offer master's and doctoral degrees in education,
health and human services, business, and psychology, Mr. Scales said. No
major management or curriculum changes are expected.
Walden has seen increased enrollments in all of its disciplines, Ms.
Singer said. Sylvan will focus on helping Walden launch a new online
master's degree in business administration and achieve accreditation so
that it can offer bachelor's degrees in business. Sylvan will also help
Walden market its other programs, especially those in psychology.
Since last year, Walden has seen its enrollments increase to nearly
2,700 from about 1,500, Mr. Scales said. Much of that growth came from a
new master's degree in education for people specializing in
elementary-level reading. Walden is offering the education degree with
Canter and Associates, another education company Sylvan acquired, said
Ms. Singer.
Sylvan formed a partnership with Walden as part of its strategy to move
into postsecondary education, said Steve Drake, Sylvan's vice president
for communications. Since 1999, when it opened its Sylvan International
University division, the company has increasingly focused on providing
degrees and training to adults as well as tutoring to children, he said.
Last year, 60 percent of the company's revenues came from providing
postsecondary education to adults.
The acquisition will also increase Walden's international visibility,
Mr. Scales said. Sylvan International University has controlling
interests in institutions in countries around the world, including
Mexico, France, and India.