Inaugural "Globalization of Higher Education" Conference to Assemble Governors, World Economic Leaders, Noted Academics

DALLAS, Feb. 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Former Governors Jeb Bush and Jim Hunt will host the first-of-its-kind conference on "The Globalization of Higher Education" on March 24 and 25, 2014 in Dallas (www.globalizationofhighereducation.com).

The event, presented by Academic Partnerships (www.academicpartnerships.com) and Queens' College, University of Cambridge, will bring hundreds of university leaders from around the world together with thought leaders from academia, government, and international organizations. Speakers at the two-day conference include the world's foremost experts on globalization and higher education (speakers list follows). 

Hillary Rodham Clinton, Former Secretary of State and Former U.S. Senator from New York, will deliver the keynote address on March 24.

"Expanding the reach of American higher education to serve millions of students around the world is an imperative if we hope to improve standards of living, stimulate economic growth, and achieve sustainability for our universities," said Former Governor Bush. "We are excited to bring together thought leaders who understand this need and the potential of U.S. universities to secure their future—and flourish in it—by meeting the demand for higher education here at home and far afield."

Former Governor Jim Hunt said, "This first-of-its-kind event provides us with an opportunity to collectively consider the emerging circumstances that will soon change how post-secondary institutions view the world. We will also consider the ways we can dramatically expand access to higher education—and the opportunities that result from it—for the benefit of both the institutions themselves and citizens everywhere."

About Academic Partnerships 
Academic Partnerships (AP) assists universities in converting their traditional degree programs and certificates into an online format, recruits qualified students, and supports enrolled students through graduation. Serving public and private not-for-profit universities in the United States and top international institutions, AP is guided by the principle that the opportunities presented through distance learning make higher education more accessible and achievable for students in the United States and around the world. The company was founded by social entrepreneur Randy Best, an 18-year veteran of developing innovative learning solutions to improve education. For more information, please visit www.academicpartnerships.com.

Conference Speakers

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Former Secretary of State and Former U.S. Senator from New York

Martin Bean
Vice Chancellor of The Open University

Jeb Bush
Former Governor of Florida

Dr. Clayton Christensen
Harvard Business School professor and eminent expert on disruptive innovation

Sir John Daniel
Former CEO of the Commonwealth of Learning and world-renowned expert in distance learning

Arne Duncan
U.S. Secretary of Education

Lord Eatwell
President of Queens' College, University of Cambridge

Thomas Friedman
Bestselling author and New York Times columnist

Jim Hunt
Former Governor of North Carolina

Scott Jaschik
Founder and Editor of Inside Higher Ed

Grace Naledi Mandisa Pandor
Minister of Home Affairs of the Republic of South Africa

Alvaro Uribe
Former President of Colombia

Stamenka Uvalic-Trumbic
Consultant to UNESCO and the U.S. Council for Higher Education Accreditation

John Wilton
Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance, University of California at Berkeley

Dr. Fareed Zakaria
CNN Host and TIME magazine editor-at-large

Robert Zoellick
Former President of the World Bank

Contacts:
Jaquelyn M. Scharnick, Academic Partnerships
+1.866.939.6323
[email protected]

Chris Wailes, Pierpont Communications
+1.713.627.2223
[email protected]

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLnM2mkrqYs
Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140219/MM66397-INFO

SOURCE Academic Partnerships