Quality Innovative Learning Solutions Critical to Future Workforce Success

TAGIUNI and Pearson Sign Partnership Agreement to provide students with the latest in learning technology

DUBAI, UAE, September 25, 2012: Economies in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are one step closer to achieving their goal of enhancing the competitiveness and productivity of their workforces, with a major new agreement signed between global education powerhouse, Pearson and the Talal Abu-Ghazaleh University (TAGIUNI).

The partnership agreement between the two parties that was signed this week will see internationally respected qualifications become accessible to a wide range of students all over the world. It is hoped the agreement will lead to an increased number of highly skilled professionals becoming available to local employers, and assist governments in the GCC to deliver on their promises of building increasingly knowledge-based economies.

Under the agreement, the world’s largest education company, Pearson, will provide the Talal Abu-Ghazaleh University (TAGIUNI), Democratizing World-Class Education, with programmes from its internationally acclaimed suite of Edexcel qualifications, some of which will be delivered online through the University’s state of the art e-learning system. All short courses offered by TAG-Org and its franchised and partner companies and affiliated entities, will also be accredited to receive Edexcel Assured Status – a global mark of quality assurance.  Edexcel is part of the Pearson family and is the United Kingdom’s largest provider of professional qualifications, including the renowned BTEC programmes.

Partnering with Pearson was an obvious choice for TAGIUNI, given Pearson’s proven record of providing leading educational solutions to institutions all over the Middle East. The company works closely with governments and education providers in more than 65 countries to supply dynamic and engaging learning products and services from prep level, right through to post graduate degrees.

By partnering with a company of Pearson’s magnitude, TAGIUNI will have access to a global network of educational experts that are also experienced in tailoring educational tools to meet the needs of learners in this region.

Mr. Mark Andrews, Regional Director of Edexcel for the Middle East, Africa and the Caribbean said: “The beauty of the Edexcel qualifications we are providing for TAGIUNI is that they have been developed to give learners not only the knowledge, but also skills and behaviours that are valuable in the workplace. These qualifications are well known for making learners highly employable. They can also be adapted and contextualised to meet the learning needs of students in this part of the world, giving them a very engaging and motivating learning experience, and setting them up for success in whatever career they pursue”.

Both Pearson and TAGIUNI believe that online education solutions are central to providing rapidly emerging economies with the skills and knowledge-base necessary to compete in a competitive global environment.

Mr. Salah M. Abu Osbeh, TAGIUNI’s Executive Director of Professional Partnerships and Continuous Education said: “Online education is increasingly gaining ground on conventional education...according to recent reports there has been a huge rise in the number of online students around the world”.

Mr. Abu Osbeh added the MoU aims to enhance the quality of education in the region, saying: “We believe this partnership will raise the bar for training materials, delivery models, assessment, certification and content, as well as upgrading the capabilities of trainers”. He also added that, working with pearson companies will continue to witness more agreements, as TAGIUNI and TAGORG’s education training arms intends to become Pearson Vue testing centers.

For more information about the products and services offered by both parties, please visit www.edexcel.com/mea  www.tagiuni.com