Universitas 21 Global, a Singapore-based e-learning company, has signed on 1,300 employees from Wipro Technologies for its online MBA programme for the next three years.
It has also signed corporate deals for management programmes with the Aditya Birla group, Satyam Computers and a few other top notch companies.
"Our MBA programme is specially designed for busy executives who want to get a quality higher education without taking time off their job," said Jeremy Williams, director (instruction and assessment) of U21 G.
All students who successfully complete the programme get a degree or diploma with the crests of all 21 universities embossed.
U21 G, formed with a $50 million investment 2001, is a 50:50 joint venture between Universitas 21, an international consortium of 21 distinguished universities, and Thomson learning, a provider of tailor-made learning solutions for individuals and businesses worldwide.
The consortium of universities include McGill University, University of British Columbia, University of Virginia, University of Birmingham, University of Glasgow, University of Queensland, University of NSW and a few other major universities.
"A World Bank report states that by the year 2020 there will be more than 100 million individuals seeking higher education but will be unable to access it because of lack of traditional educational facilities. We are offering individuals a viable alternative through our e-learning programme which does not require a brick and mortar set-up," Williams said.
Besides the MBA programme, U21 G will offer a course in Masters in Management Infosystems and short-term executive programmes in subjects like finance and e-business.
The MBA programme has 18 subjects with a duration of 12 weeks each and the subjects can be taken one at a time or simultaneously. U21 G has partners in Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Pune and Coimbatore and has marketing offices in Bangalore and Delhi.
The MBA course costs Rs 440,000. U21 G is offering scholarships and if a student is awarded scholarship, the programme would cost Rs 250,000 only.
