NEW YORK, September 9, 2009--Kaplan, Inc., a leading international provider of higher education and professional training, announced today it has acquired the Murdoch Institute of Technology (MIT) from the Alexander Education Group.  Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

The Murdoch Institute of Technology offers courses that prepare students for direct entry into Murdoch University. MIT’s programs include diplomas in commerce, information technology, mass communications and science.  These programs, which attract both Australian and overseas students, are offered at facilities co-located on the Murdoch University campus in Perth.

The agreement between Kaplan and Alexander Education Group also includes the transfer of The Murdoch Language Institute (MLI).  This school helps students improve their academic English skills for entry into secondary, undergraduate and postgraduate studies and appeals primarily to foreign students.  It is also co-located on the Murdoch University campus.

"This acquisition and the tie-in with Murdoch University in Western Australia, one of Australia’s leading educational institutions, expands our ability to attract qualified students from overseas and help build Australia’s status as an educational hub for the region,” said Mark Coggins, CEO of Kaplan Asia-Pacific.  “Kaplan has become a leading provider of foundation pathway programs for students around the world, wishing to complete their studies at western universities.”

Kaplan has steadily expanded its offerings in Australia.  Kaplan entered the Australian market in 2006 as a provider of professional training.  Today, Kaplan Professional is one of Australia’s largest education and training providers for the financial services, real estate, tax and accounting sectors.

In 2007 Kaplan expanded into higher education in Australia through its acquisition of Bradford College and Grange Business School—later renamed Kaplan Business School. Bradford College provides pathway programs for the University of Adelaide. Kaplan Business School opened branches in Sydney and Melbourne in addition to Adelaide. The school offers programs for overseas and local students in accounting and other business subjects and has articulation and credit transfer agreements with a number of Australian universities.

Kaplan also operates English language colleges in Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns and Perth. The colleges provide training to prepare students for English proficiency exams.

Globally, Kaplan provides college pathway and foundation programs in the United Kingdom through collaborations with the University of Sheffield, Glasgow University, Liverpool University, Nottingham Trent University and other U.K. universities as well as Northeastern University in the U.S.  Kaplan offers preparation courses at centers throughout China for students seeking entry into universities in the U.K., Australia and the U.S.   Kaplan also provides undergraduate and postgraduate programs in Singapore in cooperation with universities in Australia, the U.K. and the U.S.

 

About Kaplan, Inc.
Kaplan is a leading global provider of educational services to individuals, schools and businesses, serving over one million students with operations in more than 30 countries.  Its programs include higher education, test preparation, language instruction and professional training.  Kaplan is a subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE:WPO).  For more information, please visit www.kaplan.com

 

Mark Harrad
Kaplan, Inc
212-974-6231 (USA)
Mark.Harrad@kaplan.com

Gail Appleby
Kaplan/Australia (Sydney)
+612-8248-7657
Gail.Appleby@kaplan.edu.au