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2U Completes Acquisition of EdX, Announces New Programs

The merger of 2U and edX announced in June is now complete. Combined, the companies now serve more than 230 partners and offer 3,500-plus online learning opportunities to more than 40 million learners, spanning free courses, executive education, boot camps, and undergraduate and graduate degree programs, according to a news announcement.

2U is the parent company, but is retaining edX as its online learning platform and primary brand for products and services, the company said.

"There is an urgent need across society to make learning affordable, accessible and equitable – for all learners, at every stage of life. Meeting that mission made edX a global brand and a top destination for learners everywhere," explained Christopher Paucek, 2U co-founder and CEO, in a statement. "That's the mission we now advance together, helping higher education institutions and employers build a sustainable future, offering the continuum of high-quality learning experiences people need to enhance their lives and careers, and making all of it possible on one of the world's most comprehensive free-to-degree online learning platforms."

A number of edX leaders will join 2U, including edX Founder and CEO Anant Agarwal, who will become chief open education officer at 2U. Agarwal will also serve on a newly established Technical Oversight Committee for Open edX, which will guide the technical direction and vision for the open source platform and community.

2U also announced a number of new initiatives:

The 2U announcement also reiterated the company's commitment to:

  • Operating edX as a public benefit company;
  • Continuing to offer a free track to audit courses;
  • Protecting the intellectual property rights of faculty and universities;
  • Honoring participating colleges' and universities' standing agreements with edX;
  • Protecting student privacy; and
  • Contributing to the ongoing development of Open edX.

About the Author

Rhea Kelly is editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

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