Hungry Minds.com Aligns With Prominent Universities to Launch Revolutionary Learning Portal

Business Wire, Oct 12, 1999

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 12, 1999--

Hungry Minds.com Adds Thousands of University Courses to Massive

Online Learning Marketplace

Hungry Minds.com(TM), the revolutionary online learning portal, today announced that it formed strategic partnerships with five esteemed universities, all of which offer extensive online training and degree programs.

The Hungry Minds.com roster of universities now includes Jones International University (JIU), Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), University of Phoenix (UOP) and Western Governors University (WGU). With the addition of these five partnerships, Hungry Minds.com will guide students to a diverse selection of online university resources as well as help students evaluate courses that best meet their lifelong learning needs.

"Building strong relationships with the leading online universities will make Hungry Minds.com the one-stop marketplace for business and academic online courses and resources," said Gary Millrood, vice president of Business Development. "Partnering with this group of reputable brands will encourage students to return to Hungry Minds.com for all of their future learning needs."

Hungry Minds.com will promote thousands of quality, university-level courses within its Web site, such as nursing, marketing and computer science. Each partner will also bring listings of multiple undergraduate and graduate degree programs to Hungry Minds.com. Partner offerings include: -0-

     --   Jones International University: The Business Communication
          curriculum is dedicated to career-enhancing skills. Students
          may decide to pursue an advanced degree, a certificate of
          specialization or simply "brush up" with a course or two.

     --   Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute: Rensselaer offers a broad
          array of graduate programs at a distance in engineering,
          management, computer science and technical communication. A
          growing number of courses in the area of information
          technology are offered through video streaming on the Web.
          Students may use this video-on-demand format to pursue seven
          IT-related master's degrees and nine certificates.

     --   RIT: A number of RIT's distinctive, high-tech,
          career-oriented programs are available online in the
          institution's 11-week format. Currently, students anywhere
          in the world can choose from seven full graduate degrees,
          three full undergraduate degrees, 16 certificates and 200
          courses. One of the first universities in the country to
          offer distance learning courses, RIT is a recognized
          national leader in computer-based instruction.

     --   University of Phoenix: University of Phoenix offers
          undergraduate, graduate and doctorate programs specifically
          designed for working professionals at 70 campuses across the
          United States and via the Internet through their online
          campus. The online format provides a group-based learning
          environment with student interaction and faculty support
          similar to the traditional campus-based classroom.

     --   Western Governors University: WGU offers competency-based
          programs in four areas of study that offer students the
          opportunity to earn a degree or certificate based on their
          demonstrated skills and knowledge essential for mastery of a
          particular field. WGU's master's degree in learning and
          technology, associate of arts degree and associate of
          applied science degrees in network administration and
          electronic manufacturing technology provide students with a
          way to utilize their life and work experience to earn a
          college degree. In addition, WGU offers over 700 distance
          education courses from over 40 universities and colleges.

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"Offering competency-based degree programs has placed WGU at the forefront of this new wave of interactive learning," said Bob Mendenhall, president of Western Governors University. "We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with Hungry Minds.com because we feel this partnership will serve to further strengthen our position in this market."

"Hungry Minds.com is unsurpassed for its ability to help students find the best educational opportunities on the Web," said Brian Mueller, regional vice president of University of Phoenix Online. "As the nation's leading accredited online university, we are proud to be a part of the Hungry Minds.com portal."

About Jones International University

Established in 1993 and launched in 1995, Jones International University(TM) (JIU(TM)): The University of the Web(TM) is the world's first university created -- from inception -- specifically for the Internet. This March, history was made when JIU became the first, 100-percent, online university to be fully accredited by a nationally recognized regional accrediting agency, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Higher Education (NCA). For more information, visit the Jones International University Web site at http://www.jonesinternational.edu.