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Kellee Edmonds, ACE, (202) 939-9365
kellee_edmonds@ace.nche.edu

Norma Kent, AACC, (202) 728-0200 ext. 209
nkent@aacc.nche.edu

Two Leading Higher Education Associations to Direct Multi-Million Dollar U.S.–South Africa Partnership

Washington, DC (April 8, 2009)—The American Council on Education (ACE) and the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) today announced a new international partnership aimed at strengthening curriculum and expanding work force development programs at a dozen colleges in South Africa.

Known as the U.S.-South Africa Partnership for Skills Development, the initiative is a three-year, $6.7 million program funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Southern Africa Mission. It will enable ACE, AACC and their partners to strengthen institutional capacity for student services programs and faculty development efforts at South African Further Education and Training (FET) colleges and provide consultative support through partnerships with the private sector and exchange opportunities with U.S. institutions. 
           
This initiative will build on past U.S. and South African government cooperative efforts to strengthen the role of FET colleges to help train and provide employment opportunities for South Africa's underemployed, particularly those under the age of 25.

“We are delighted to have this opportunity help build new bridges between the U.S. and South African higher education communities, and in doing so, help South Africa tap into lessons learned from U.S. community colleges to expand the learning opportunities for disadvantaged youth,” said Madeleine Green, ACE's vice president in the Center for International Initiatives.

“We hope that this collaboration will help the South African FET colleges transform the way education and services are delivered to students and establish new relationships with their communities,” added James McKenney, vice president for economic development and international programs at the American Association of Community Colleges.

U.S. partners include the Bronx Community College (NY), the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System, National Center on Education and the Economy, Springfield Technical Community College (MA) and YouthBuild International. Implementing South African partners include Right to Care, the HIV/AIDS services experts; and Umsobomvu Youth Fund, a youth employment provider. 

During the three-year initiative, the partnership will offer a series of small grants to participating FET colleges to assess and strengthen their institutional operations and services. 

Founded in 1918, ACE (www.acenet.edu) is the major coordinating body for all the nation's higher education institutions, representing more than 1,600 college and university presidents, and more than 200 related associations, nationwide. It seeks to provide leadership and a unifying voice on key higher education issues and influence public policy through advocacy, research, and program initiatives.

The American Association of Community Colleges represents the nation's almost 1,200 regionally accredited community, junior and technical colleges and their more than 11 million students.  Community colleges are the largest and fastest growing sector of higher education, enrolling close to half (46 percent) of all U.S. undergraduates.

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