UNIVERSITY OF THE PEOPLE OPENS DOORS TO INDIAN STUDENTS

ACCREDITED, U.S. TUITION-FREE “UNIVERSITY OF THE PEOPLE” OPENS DOORS TO INDIAN STUDENTS

Pasadena, CA. December 22, 2015. University of the People (“UoPeople”) President Shai Reshef is eagerly preparing for his upcoming visit to India, where he will be a keynote lecturer on December 28 at Techfest, at IIT Bombay, billed as “Asia’s Largest Science & Technology Festival”.

Shai Reshef said, “I’m extremely excited to arrive again in India, a country which holds a warm place in my heart. On my previous visit, my dear late friend, President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam offered his support and endorsement to UoPeople, even suggesting volunteering to teach for us. He encouraged me to do more for India. This time round, I return to India to do just this. Now that the university has been accredited and has graduates working in great places, it makes me feel confident that it is the right time to approach India’s education-thirsty minds.”

The world’s first non-profit, tuition-free, accredited American online university is committed to opening the gates to higher education globally. Founded in 2009, the university offers associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in business administration and computer science. The university has over 2,500 students in more than 170 countries, including India, as well as the backing of big names in higher education and plans to expand into more degree areas.

Professor Devang Khakhar, IIT Bombay Director said, “Not everyone can be fortunate enough to study at institutions like IIT Bombay. It is vital that there be high quality alternatives for higher education available. I’m proud to be a member of the President’s Council of such a forward-thinking, innovative institution as University of the People, under the Chairmanship of John Sexton, President of New York University. I am joined by many esteemed academics such as Oxford Vice-Chancellor Emeritus Sir Colin Lucas, UC Berkeley Chancellor Nicholas Dirks, Indira Gandhi National Open University Vice Chancellor Emeritus Abdul Waheed Khan, and Nobel Laureate Torsten N. Wiesel, among others. We, the academic leaders of this institution are not only showing that tuition-free online education can be done, but that it can be done with high quality, which is what India really needs.”

With the university’s mission squarely focused on accessibility, affordability and employability, UoPeople is rapidly proving to be a disruptive force in the international as well as Indian world of education technology. The university is committed to preparing students to qualify for the job market. Virtual classrooms offer qualified instructors and personalized attention as classes are capped to 20-30 students, typically representing as many different countries. For your application to meet our requirements, students must have graduated high school; have a competent level of English and access to computers with internet connection.

Dr. Indu Shahani, HR College of Commerce & Economics Principal, former Sheriff of Mumbai and Member of University Grants Commission, and a longtime supporter of UoPeople, says “For the millions of qualified high school graduates who do not have the opportunity to access traditional higher education, there is now an alternative: UoPeople’s online, tuition-free, accredited American degrees can be the solution for millions of deserving young people to have a chance at a greater future.”

UoPeople is affiliated with the United Nations GAID, the Clinton Global Initiative. UoPeople has signed collaborative partnership agreements with New York University (NYU) to accept students, and has partnered with Microsoft for scholarships, internships and job opportunities, as well as with Hewlett-Packard (HP) to provide student internship opportunities. For students who cannot afford the university’s modest $100 examination fees ($4,000 for a full four-year degree), the university has a wide range of scholarships available. The university is supported by the likes of The Gates Foundation, Carnegie Corporation, Hewlett Foundation, and companies such as Google, Intel, Western Union, Estee Lauder and others.

About University of the People

University of the People (UoPeople) is the world’s first non-profit, tuition-free, accredited online university dedicated to opening access to higher education
globally. Using open-source technology, Open Educational Resources and the assistance of academic volunteers, UoPeople is designed to provide access to college studies for qualified high school graduates, despite financial, geographic, societal or personal constraints.

UoPeople offers Associate and Bachelor’s degree programs in Business Administration and Computer Science.

Founded in 2009 by educational entrepreneur Shai Reshef, UoPeople has partnered with New York University (NYU) to accept students; Microsoft for scholarships and employment opportunities and Hewlett-Packard for general support and scholarships for women. The University has enrolled students from 170 different countries and is supported by a network of over 4,000 dedicated volunteers.

The institution has gained the widespread support of leading academics from leading universities around the world. Its President’s Council, chaired by New York University President John Sexton, includes Oxford Vice-Chancellor Emeritus Sir Colin Lucas, UC Berkeley Chancellor Nicholas Dirks, IIT Bombay Director Devang Khakhar, Indira Gandhi National Open University Vice Chancellor Emeritus Abdul Waheed Khan, and Nobel Laureate Torsten N. Wiesel, among others. UoPeople is supported by The Gates Foundation, Carnegie Corporation, Hewlett Foundation, and companies such as HP, Google, Microsoft, Intel, Western Union, Estee Lauder and many more.

About UoPeople President Shai Reshef

President of University of the People, Shai Reshef is an educational entrepreneur, with over 25 years of experience in the international education market. President Reshef has been widely recognized for his work with UoPeople. In 2010, the Huffington Post named him the ‘Ultimate Game Changer in Education,’ and WIRED included him in its list of the 50 people who will change the world. He was named one of Fast Company’s 100 Most Creative People in Business as well as a Top Global Thinker by Foreign Policy Magazine. Before founding University of the People, Reshef directed KIT e-learning, the first online university in Europe. Shai Reshef’s TED Talk: “An Ultra-Low-Cost College Degree” has been viewed by over 2 million people. More at UoPeople.edu