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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DENVER, Colo. (August 12, 2003)– Jones International™, Ltd. announced today that it is donating the Global Alliance for Transnational Education® (GATE®) to the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA). GATE is a Jones International subsidiary founded in 1995 by Glenn R. Jones to address issues relating to quality assurance in transnational education.

“The USDLA is the source on distance education,” said Jones. “With the explosive growth of distance—and more specifically, online—education, the need for oversight has accelerated. We are transferring the ownership of GATE to the USDLA because it is a quality organization that has demonstrated the commitment and has the infrastructure to forward GATE’s mission.”

When GATE was formed, there were no organizations of its kind addressing the unique issues related to cross-border education, such as standards for its consistency. Annual GATE conferences brought together an international alliance of business, higher education and government leaders to share best practices for furthering the globalization of all education.

Today, the GATE accreditation process and principles for transnational education have become measures of quality assurance for institutions of higher education operating across national borders. Quality assurance, networking and multinational organizations worldwide have adopted GATE's mission of promoting access to quality education around the globe.

“Technology and globalization are increasingly making education an international commodity, but one without the standards necessary to ensure its quality,” said Dr. John Flores, Executive Director of the USDLA. “The USDLA is very pleased to carry on the work Jones began with the founding of GATE. On a domestic and international basis, USDLA will ensure that the highest standards of excellence for distance learning are available. As our mission states: ‘USDLA serves the needs of the distance learning community by providing advocacy, information, networking and opportunity.’”

GATE has granted accreditation to such educational institutions as Monash University in Melbourne, Australia; Tomsk Polytechnic University in Tomsk, Russia; and Universidad Regiomontana in Monterrey, Mexico. Once GATE has become part of the USDLA, Jones International University® (JIU™)—the first fully online, accredited university, with students in 70 countries—will be seeking GATE accreditation, which Glenn Jones calls a “sterling” credential. (JIU received its U.S. accreditation in 1999 from the Higher Learning Commission, a member of the North Central Association.)

“The time is right for this key element in the democratization of education to come under the guardianship of an association as large and influential as the USDLA,” said Jones. “It’s mission is consistent with the original goals of GATE.”

About GATE®
Founded in 1995, Global Alliance for Transnational Education®, Ltd. is an alliance of businesses, educators, quality-assurance agencies, governments, and intergovernmental organizations that nurtures and sustains communication among education and training leaders worldwide. The organization’s objectives are to develop and promulgate principles of good practice and accrediting quality transnational education programs; explore issues facing educational institutions in a global marketplace; provide a forum for corporations, governmental and intergovernmental entities, and educational associations and institutions to discuss education and training issues; access global information about educational systems and trends in technology-driven education; and ensure that transnational education standards keep pace with technological change. GATE is a subsidiary of Jones International™, Ltd. GATE’s international headquarters are at 9697 E. Mineral Ave., Englewood, Colo., 80112, U.S.A. Telephone: 303.784.8368. Website: www.edugate.org. E-mail: gate@edugate.org.

About USDLA®
The United States Distance Learning Association is a 501(c) 3 non-profit association formed in 1987 and located in Boston, Massachusetts. USDLA promotes the development and application of distance learning for education and training and served the needs of the distance learning community by providing advocacy, information, networking and opportunity. Distance learning and training constituencies served include prek-12 education, higher and continuing education, home schooling as well as business, corporate, military, government and telehealth markets. The USDLA trademarked logo is the recognized worldwide symbol of dedicated professionals committed to the distance learning industry. USDLA is also a leading source of information and policy for distance learning that focuses on all legislation impacting distance learning. Since 1993 USDLA has continued to establish state chapters in all fifty states as well as special interest groups throughout the world. For more information about USDLA visit the organization’s website at www.usdla.org or call 800.275.5162.