Centro Universitario Ritter dos Reis Joins Laureate International Universities Network

BALTIMORE, Nov.  9, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Centro Universitario Ritter dos Reis (UniRitter), one of the leading institutions of higher education in the southern region of Brazil, has joined the Laureate International Universities network.

UniRitter has two campuses in the Rio Grande do Sul region of Brazil, one in Porto Alegre and one in Canoas. The university offers undergraduate and graduate degrees and is widely recognized for its law, architecture and design programs. UniRitter has a 39-year tradition of providing quality higher education throughout the region and today serves more than 6,000 students.  UniRitter has earned the highest level of evaluation for university centers in the state of Rio Grande do Sul from both the Ministry of Education and Culture and Guia do Estudante.  In 2009, Guia do Estudante ranked UniRitter's law degree program as one of the three best programs offered by a private institution in Brazil.

"We are pleased that UniRitter will now be part of the Laureate International Universities network," said Douglas L. Becker, chairman and chief executive officer of Laureate Education. "The UniRitter tradition of excellence in teaching and providing students with the very best programs makes it a perfect fit for our network, where access to quality higher education is our core mission. UniRitter will enhance our ability to meet the needs of the growing number of students in Brazil who want to pursue a higher education."

"Laureate International Universities network has a profile very similar to UniRitter when it comes to the philosophy of offering quality education," said rector Flavio D'Almeida Reis. "Laureate respects the traditions, culture and characteristics of all the institutions in its network. This consideration was a determining factor for UniRitter in making the decision and taking this important step toward our long-term growth."

About Laureate Education, Inc.

Laureate Education, Inc. is a trusted global leader in providing access to high-quality, innovative institutions of higher education. The Laureate International Universities network includes more than 50 accredited campus-based and online universities. Our more than 600,000 students are part of an academic community that spans 24 countries throughout North America, Latin America, Europe, North Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Laureate universities offer more than 130 undergraduate, master's and doctoral degree programs in fields including architecture, art, business, culinary arts, design, education, engineering, health sciences, hospitality, information technology, law and medicine. President William J. Clinton, 42nd President of the United States, serves as honorary chancellor of the Laureate International Universities network, a role in which he offers advice on social responsibility, youth leadership and increasing access to higher education. For more information, visit www.laureate.net.

SOURCE Laureate Education, Inc.