Prometric Canada Testing Services has announced its acquisition of Paragon Testing Enterprises, a subsidiary of the University of British Columbia, after signing a share purchase agreement on April 7.
“The addition of Paragon to the Prometric family represents a significant opportunity to leverage our secure, reliable global assessment solutions including in-centre and online remote capabilities, our innovative technologies, and our global presence to increase accessibility to the CELPIP and CAEL CE examinations for people around the world,” said Roy Simrell, president and CEO of Prometric Canada’s parent company Prometric LLC.
“Paragon has a well-earned reputation for expertise in test research and construction, as well as customer service excellence. These qualities are aligned with Prometric’s own corporate culture, values, and strategic focus. We look forward to achieving high levels of growth in collaboration with the Paragon team.”
Paragon Testing Enterprises, which was incorporated in 2009 “to commercialise UBC’s English language proficiency tests”, is currently Canada’s largest provider of high-stakes English proficiency tests, including offering testing for Canadian permanent residence and study at post-secondary institutions. Its tests are currently administered at 60 centres in Canada and 15 additional locations around the world, including in China, Singapore and India, as well as online.
“This agreement further enhances UBC’s track record of creating research-based spinoff companies”
“This agreement further enhances UBC’s track record of creating research-based spinoff companies that generate national and global impacts,” said J.P. Heale, managing director University-Industry Liaison Office at UBC.
“The acquisition of Paragon will allow Prometric to further its worldwide reputation as the provider of the most secure and reliable testing network. They are the ideal partner to take Paragon to the next level, especially into international testing.”
President and CEO of Paragon Donald Wehrung added that “with Prometric’s global scale, resources, and experience” the company believes they can “move faster, reach farther, and aim higher as we compete to expand our English language proficiency tests internationally”.
