Global education provider Navitas is set to acquire California-based creative media college Ex’pression for US$13 million.
The deal will be completed through the company’s creative media education subsidiary, SAE Institute Group. With campuses near San Francisco and San Jose, the move will double SAE’s locations in the state.
“Australia is one of SAE’s largest markets but California has more post-secondary students and a higher GDP than Australia”
“Australia is one of SAE’s largest markets but California has more post-secondary students and a higher GDP than Australia, therefore presenting some very interesting growth opportunities,” said Navitas chief executive Rod Jones.
Ex’pression was founded in 1998 in San Francisco and currently enrols some 550 students. It offers Bachelors degrees in animation and visual effects, digital filmmaking, game art & design, interactive audio, motion graphic design and sounds arts.
Established in 1976 in Australia, SAE first expanded to the US in 1999. It was acquired by Navitas in 2011 for up to AUS$289 million and currently has 53 campuses in 27 countries including seven in the US.
Jones added that the acquisition of Ex’pression will help SEA’s gain accreditation to expand course offerings in California as well as other states in the US.
The Perth-based company was also recently listed 25th on the Forbes ranking of the 100 Most Innovative Growth Companies 2014. Navitas is categorised as a business services company and is the highest placed on the list.
