Manipal Universal Learning International (MULI) has taken over Cengage's (previously Thomson Learning) 50 per cent equity of U21Global.

U21Global is backed by a network of 20 leading research-intensive universities based in America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Australia.

“Cengage has guided our management team in writing the course of our introduction as a premier online post graduate institution. This investment will chart an exciting new chapter in U21Global’s continued growth and expansion in the region and globally. MULI is a part of Manipal Education Group, which is a leader in higher education in India,” said Sir Colin Campbell, chairman of U21Global Board and pesident and vice-chancellor of The University of Nottingham.

“Manipal Education Group has some of the foremost colleges and institutions of India and is a destination of choice for students keen on global higher education access. The schools are highly regarded in their sphere of expertise. With the success that the group has created in the field of education, MULI's international experience brings great value and synergies into U21Global,” he said.

With over 54 years of experience in offering world-class education, Manipal Education Group is one of the largest and most diversified academic & education services providers in India. With 2 universities - Manipal University & Sikkim Manipal University and over 30 institutions in India besides colleges & university campuses in Antigua, Dubai, Malaysia and Nepal, Manipal education currently has over 125,000 students from over 52 countries studying in various under-graduate, graduate & doctoral programmes, the institute said in a statement.

Established in 2001, U21Global is committed to providing quality post graduate education in the global marketplace through flexible eLearning delivery. The graduate school launched its flagship international MBA programme in 2003 and now has more than 4,000 students representing over 60 countries.

Having established its presence in India particularly in the corporate sector, another recent significant development includes the setting up of a strategic partnership with Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU), one of China's leading and key universities directly under the Ministry of Education of People’s Republic of China.

The U21Global investment complements Manipal's existing portfolio of schools and fosters a multi-disciplinary environment geared towards technology enabled learning and eLearning.

“This investment is reflective of our continuing commitment to make education valuable, available, accessible and affordable. U21Global is a quality institution with excellent faculty and administration, making it an attractive addition to the Manipal Education brand portfolio. We believe U21Global offers significant growth opportunities, particularly when combined with other Manipal resources,” said Manipal Universal Learning Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Anand Sudarshan.

U21Global will continue to operate headquartered out of Singapore. It is anticipated that MULI will bring its expertise and distribution network to expand U21Global offering across the region. – TradeArabia News Service