University of Texas At Austin Selects Cenquest From RFP Process to Deliver Online Master's Degree

Business Wire, Nov 8, 1999

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 8, 1999--

High-tech commercialization strategies program from IC2 Institute

meets demands of leaders of the Internet economy, both in the

U.S. and abroad

Cenquest, an Internet firm partnering with leading accredited universities to develop industry-responsive graduate business programs and courses, announced today it was selected through a Request For Proposal process by The University of Texas at Austin's IC2 Institute to develop an online version of the M.S. degree in Science and Technology Commercialization.

This innovative program responds to the dynamic new challenges in the marketplace and has been offered in the traditional classroom setting, as well as through the use of digital technology, such as video teleconferencing, and Internet-based groupware, for the past four years. Pending contract development and execution as a result of the selection, Cenquest will have an international presence providing online learning through UT Austin, as well as at affiliate universities including University of Adelaide (Australia) and ITESM/Monterrey Tech (Mexico).

"We selected Cenquest out of our recent RFP candidates while looking for a partner to help us develop an online master's degree," said Barbara M. Fossum, Ph.D., director of the Science and Technology Commercialization Program at the IC2 Institute at UT Austin, which provides graduates with a basis in defining and directing high-technology commercialization strategies in a variety of

global business situations. "Cenquest's dedication to quality instructional design and its expertise in understanding the Internet as a new medium is evidence of our shared vision of a quality education, whether its in the classroom or over the Internet."

Cenquest's expert course designers use content from traditional classroom as the basis to create online courses. The company delivers a rich learning experience, complete with a syllabus, lectures, case studies, faculty video presentations, and synchronous and asynchronous communication tools leveraging Internet technologies. This course delivery model specifically addresses the needs of new leaders in technology-based organizations who lack time for commuting and on-campus coursework, but need relevant post-graduate education to remain competitive and advance their careers. Additionally, Cenquest provides the infrastructure to help university partners attract additional students to the program, as well as provide faculty and student support through the duration of the coursework.

IC2 Institute at UT Austin is an internationally recognized leader in science and technology commercialization. The Institute established two technology commercialization centers for NASA and one for the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). IC2 Institute also established and operates the Austin Technology Incubator (ATI), which is internationally recognized for technology commercialization.

"The IC2 Institute's course offering is representative of the kind of knowledge found in high demand, robust academic program," said LaVonne Reimer Young, Cenquest's president and CEO. "We are excited to begin our discussions with Texas to explore providing an online program."

The main activity of the Institute is an integrated, interdisciplinary and global program of research and education on the enterprise system. The Master of Science in Science and Technology Commercialization is an integral part of this activity as are a series of international conferences, nationally and globally oriented research programs, and visiting scholars from public and private sectors in countries such as Australia, Brazil, China, Korea, Mexico, Portugal, Japan and Russia. Through the degree program, students collaborate with global teams at affiliate universities to assess technology commercialization, create opportunity plans and develop business plans for the commercialization of real technologies.

IC2 Institute

Ideas, plans and the ability to execute them are rarely housed under the same virtual roof; however, The University of Texas at Austin's IC2 Institute is the exception. The IC2 Institute was founded twenty-two years ago as the Institute for Constructive Capitalism. In 1978, the name was changed to reflect the Institute's three major interests: Innovation, Creativity, and Capital. As in institution of ideas, the IC2 Institute's vision is a quest for constructive forms of capitalism that will allow communities and nations to grow and prosper. With over 200 Fellows and Research Associates, living in 16 countries, the think tank is a virtual and global enterprise. The Fellows are key participants in a network that reaches around the world. The mission is to combine technology, entrepreneurship, and education to improve the world via economic wealth creation and prosperity sharing. IC2 Institute works with public and private sectors in the U.S. and abroad to foster technology-based, regional economic development and job creation. The Institute has active strategic alliances with leading academic institutions in 25 nations. More than 30 delegations from around the world visit IC2 Institute annually and more than 50 international scholars have served in residence at the Institute.