Navitas’ new UK move

EDUCATION services provider Navitas has agreed to set up an international college at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen.

The deal is Navitas’ 29th with a university, its eighth in the UK and its second in Scotland.

It follows a similar agreement with Edinburgh’s Napier University, where Navitas will establish teaching and accommodation facilities under the name Edinburgh International College.

It also follows a series of agreements in the US. Navitas has struck partnership with three universities in the University of Massachusetts system, which educates more than 60,000 students on its five campuses.

The Perth-based company’s first foray into the US education sector, announced earlier this year, was with Western Kentucky University.

Navitas chief executive Rod Jones said the agreement was a continuation of the company’s roll-out out of partnerships with universities in the region.

“The UK is our second largest market for (university) programs and a core focus for Navitas, where we’ve seen strong and sustained growth in enrolments over a number of years, as well as at recent start-up colleges,” he said.

“Robert Gordon is one the premier modern universities in the UK and we’re pleased to announce the establishment of the new international college to assist international students to share in its quality educational services.”

Acting principal and vice-chancellor at Robert Gordon University, John Harper, said the college would complement the university’s existing commitment to supporting international students.

“We currently have students from more than 65 countries among our 14,000 strong student body,” he said.

“Our current approach includes providing international students with visa, immigration and language support.

“We see Navitas’ approach to developing a supportive learning environment for students to transfer to our mainstream courses as a great fit with our modern and innovative philosophy to tertiary education.”

Under the agreement, Navitas will have access to the university’s teaching and other facilities, as well as accommodation and administration facilities at the campus.

The international college at Robert Gordon University is expected to follow the pattern of other Navitas colleges and reach operational break even within 18 months.