RDI, Subsidiary of Capella Education Company, Approved to Operate as Arden University in the United Kingdom
August 05 2015 - 7:56AM
Business Wire
Resource Development International (RDI), an independent
provider of United Kingdom university qualifications, has become
Arden University, after receiving confirmation from the Department
for Business, Innovation and Skills that it meets the criteria for
university title which is required to operate as a university in
the United Kingdom.
Arden University, which will begin developing UK degrees later
this year, will be the second distance learning university to
launch in the UK since The Open University was established 51 years
ago. The Coventry-based distance learning company has a 25-year
heritage of working successfully with UK university partners. Arden
University will build on this experience to offer degree programs
designed to meet growing UK and international need for affordable,
flexible learning.
“Receiving this approval is an important development for RDI and
a strong validation of the rigor and quality behind their
offerings,” said Kevin Gilligan, Chairman and CEO of Capella
Education Company. “As Arden University, they will help fill a
critical international need for affordable, flexible and career
relevant degrees. While it will take time to establish and build
Arden University, this is an exciting extension of Capella
Education Company’s vision to provide individuals with the most
direct path to their professional ambitions through career relevant
learning.”
This announcement follows the granting of Taught Degree Awarding
Powers (TDAP) in April 2014 by the Privy Council - a formal body of
advisors to Her Majesty the Queen - following rigorous scrutiny by
the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) for Higher Education.
As well as offering its own programs through Arden University,
RDI will also continue to offer distance learning programs from its
UK university partners. Students who are currently studying with
RDI will not be affected by the changes.
“I congratulate Resource Development International on achieving
University Title status to become Arden University,” said Jo
Johnson, Minister for Universities and Science. “This is a positive
step in our effort to enhance the diversity of our world-class
higher education sector, and I wish them well in their future
delivery of specialist distance learning to students.”
“For over a quarter of a century, we’ve worked incredibly hard
to develop a credible Higher Education Institution (HEI) that
complements the UK campus university sector,” said Dr. Philip
Hallam, Chief Executive of RDI. “To receive confirmation that the
Government recognizes this work, and is confident that our academic
standards, financial status, and governance structure meet the
stringent criteria required for university title, is a fantastic
achievement.”
About Capella Education Company
Founded in 1991, Capella Education Company
(http://www.capellaeducation.com) is a leader in online education,
primarily through our wholly owned subsidiary Capella University
(http://www.capella.edu), a regionally accredited* online
university with more than 37,000 learners as of June 30, 2015. In
addition, Capella Education Company offers online education through
Arden University, formerly called Resource Development
International Ltd. (RDI) (http://www.rdi.co.uk), an independent
provider of United Kingdom (UK) university distance learning
qualifications. Capella Education Company also owns Sophia
(http://www.sophia.org), an innovative learning platform leveraging
technology to support self-paced learning.
*Capella University is accredited by The Higher Learning
Commission.
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Capella Education CompanyInvestor Contact:Heide
Erickson, 612-977-5172Heide.Erickson@capella.eduorMedia
Contact:Mike Buttry, 612-977-5499Mike.Buttry@capella.edu
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