Educational technology has made it easier for students to access quality and affordable education from the comfort of their own home. Academic Partnerships, a company that helps regional public universities expand access and impact through online programs, recently announced it will be merging with Wiley University Services, a division of Wiley.
The merger of these two organisations will serve over 125 colleges and universities in 40 states worldwide. Academic Partnerships was founded in 2007 to expand access to high-quality, affordable, and workforce-relevant education, especially for working and adult students. The combined company will provide universities with a best-in-class partner to assist them in delivering quality online programs.
Fernando Bleichmar, Chief Executive Officer of Academic Partnerships, expressed his enthusiasm for the deal: “There is growing demand for high-quality, affordable online degree programs in workforce-relevant fields across the globe. Bringing together AP and Wiley University Services will better enable the combined company to help universities meet students where they are with high-quality, timely online education in our rapidly changing world. The combined company will have the resources and expertise to provide best-in-class services to our university partners and their students from diverse backgrounds, including working adults and professionals.”
The merger of these two organisations will provide many strategic benefits for university partners and students, such as additional resources to support and scale affordable online degree programs in critical areas like nursing, teaching, business, technology, and public administration. Other benefits include improved opportunities across the university partner network and enhanced technology and support services based on best practices from the combined company.
For teachers, this merger is an exciting development in the world of edtech. It will provide more opportunities for students to access quality online education and for teachers to provide the best learning resources for their students.
The transaction is expected to close by early 2024, subject to regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including obtaining clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act. Winston & Strawn will serve as Academic Partnerships’ legal counsel as part of the agreement. Wiley’s financial advisor is Centerview Partners LLC, and its legal advisor is Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP.
