Educational Directories Unlimited and the Institute of International Education Expand their Strategic Alliance from Web to Print
Success of IIEPassport.org leads to Publishing Agreement
CHESTER, PA, May 27, 2003 -
Educational Directories Unlimited, Inc. (EDU), the leading provider of online academic recruiting tools, and the non-profit Institute of International Education (IIE), the nation's largest educational and cultural exchange organization, today announced an expansion of their strategic alliance to include the publication of both print and web directories. EDU will now manage and market the Institute's study abroad directory publications, online through IIEPassport.org and in print through the Academic Year Abroad and Short-Term Study Abroad guides.
This partnership between IIE and EDU is designed to meet the growing demand for detailed and comprehensive information about opportunities for international study. According to the Institute's Open Doors 2002 report on international educational exchange, the number of U.S. students studying abroad each year has increased by more than 55% over the past five years, to 154,000. Since 1991/92 this number has more than doubled (116%). By expanding the relationship to take advantage of EDU's expertise, the Institute hopes to further its goal of once again doubling the number of Americans who study abroad within the next decade.
The innovative relationship brings the technical expertise of a thriving provider of on-line directories together with the professional knowledge of a well-established non-profit organization to enhance the print directories and to provide a unified level of service to the academic community. Two years ago, EDU and IIE entered into an agreement that re-launched IIEPassport.org as "the study abroad search engine". Academic administrators and advisors have recognized this site as the most powerful on-line tool available. Expanding this partnership to include IIE's printed directories will bring the best on-line and printed study abroad resources together to better serve the study abroad community.
Under the enhanced alliance, EDU will assume responsibility for the editorial process, merge advertising sales and handle pre-production of the print publications. IIE will continue to provide input from its network of member institutions and the expertise of its international education professionals, along with knowledge from its many years of experience in developing accurate and reliable study abroad listings. "Expanding this alliance is of great value to our network," said Peggy Blumenthal, IIE's Vice President of Education Services. "The Institute of International Education continues to enhance and extend its services as the premier global source of information and resources both to assist international education professionals in their work and to enable individuals to access an international education. With EDU we have a world class partner who brings marketing expertise to our study abroad directories."
IIE is the world's most experienced global higher education and professional exchange agency. Well known for its administration of the Fulbright Program for the U.S. State Department, the Institute is also the source of authoritative data on international academic mobility, published annually in Open Doors, with support from the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Through its directories, IIEPassport.org, Academic Year Abroad and Short-Term Study Abroad, users find details on over 5,000 study abroad and learning travel opportunities available worldwide from Argentina to Zambia. Students, parents, advisors, and adult travelers can conduct detailed searches for programs using up to 8 search criteria, including country of study, world area and city, field of study, organization, and duration, as well as language of instruction and restrictions.
"This agreement is a major validation of our business strengths, both by IIE and within the academic community," says EDU President Mark Shay. "Our organization is eager to enhance these IIE publications and to support IIE leadership in the field of international education. It holds true to our philosophy of blending education and commerce to benefit the entire higher education community. Study abroad has a tremendous influence on the lives of those students who participate, and we at EDU are proud to be the premier marketing service for the field."
EDU is a market-leading publisher of online directories, including StudyAbroad.com, which targets students early in the study abroad search process, complementing IIEPassport's in-depth search capabilities. In addition to StudyAbroad.com, EDU produces GradSchools.com, EducationForAdults.com and the newly launched CollegeAbroad.com.
About IIE
The Institute of International Education is the world leader in the exchange of people and ideas. IIE has a network of 19 offices worldwide, over 800 college and university members, and more than 6,000 volunteers. IIE designs and implements programs of study and training for students, educators, professionals and trainees from all sectors with funding from government and private sources. IIE has administered the Fulbright Program on behalf of the U.S. Department of State since the program's inception over 50 years ago; IIE also designs exchange programs and technical training for other governmental agencies, corporations and foundations. IIE conducts policy research and provides advising and counseling on international education and opportunities abroad.
Information about IIE can be obtained from IIE's Web sites, www.iie.org and http://www.iienetwork.org/, or by e-mail at switherell@iie.org.
About Educational Directories Unlimited, Inc.
Educational Directories Unlimited, Inc. (http://www.edudirectories.com)
is a unique college-oriented marketing firm that achieves a dynamic blend of academic purpose and commerce. Among Educational Directories Unlimited's computer-based recruiting tools are several comprehensive directories: GradSchools.com (http://www.gradschools.com); StudyAbroad.com (http://www.studyabroad.com); EducationforAdults.com (http://www.educationforadults.com); CollegeAbroad.com (http://www.collegeabroad.com); Distance.GradSchools.com (http://distance.gradschools.com); Business.GradSchools.com (http://business.gradschools.com) and StudentProspector.com (http://www.studentprospector.com). The Educational Directories Unlimited systems design provides a unique utility for prospective students, advisors, and educational administrators. Since its inception in 1995, Educational Directories Unlimited and its directories have captured a significant share of the "educational shoppers" market by providing students a wealth of information in an easy to use directory format.
For more information about Educational Directories Unlimited, please contact Matt Ulmer at 484-766-9200 or mulmer@edudirectories.com.