Cambridge Education Group and its private equity owner, Bridgepoint, have announced the acquisition of online medical education specialists iheed, in a bid to diversify CEG’s “expertise in the provision of world-class online education”.
Dublin-based iheed designs, develops and delivers online postgraduate qualifications with leading medical universities and postgraduate training bodies such as the University of Warwick and the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland.
“As pioneers of innovative online medical education, the synergies between iheed and CEG are undeniable”
CEG said that the acquisition will also provide “exciting opportunities” for new medical and healthcare programs for its existing partnerships with UK universities.
“As pioneers of innovative online medical education, the synergies between iheed and CEG are undeniable, and this new collaboration brings with it the potential for significant social and economic impact,” said Brendan Webb, co-CEO of Cambridge Education Group.
“Through CEG’s global education experience, and iheed’s medical expertise and pedagogical model, our ambition is to make a rigorous medical education accessible, affordable and effective.”
Webb explained that as an international education provider, CEG has both an opportunity and a responsibility to respond to the demands of a rapidly evolving global workforce.
He said that his organisation was confident that the acquisition of iheed will facilitate the development of “state-of-the-art solutions” for aspiring medical professionals across the world.
“We are delighted with this partnership and investment from CEG who share both our ambition and values,” said Tom O’ Callaghan, CEO of iheed.
“ Together with our university partners we will accelerate the range of transformative online master’s qualifications we deliver to our doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals across the world, allowing them to deliver better care.”
iheed will complement CEG’s online and blended learning division, CEG Digital, which is currently working with seven partner universities in the UK to deliver part-time, online courses to students around the world.
“The acquisition of iheed not only expands CEG’s online education provision but represents an important diversification into medical training,” said Chris Bell, partner at Bridgepoint.
“This in turn will allow CEG to offer additional medical and healthcare programs to its existing UK university partnerships.”
CEG currently offers international students a variety of opportunities to study medical program through its pathways division, ONCAMPUS, which has partnerships with the University of Central Lancashire Medical School, St George’s University, Grenada, University of Nicosia in Cyprus and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.
