April 07, 2005 — The University of Southern California Viterbi School of
Engineering’s Distance Education Network (DEN) today announced an
agreement with QUALCOMM Incorporated to open DEN’s wide range of
graduate engineering and continuing education programs to non-U.S.
based employees of the cell phone and communication giant.
“This is a major step not just for QUALCOMM and USC, but for
internet-based distance learning,” said Viterbi School Dean C.L. Max
Nikias. “QUALCOMM students all over the world will receive the
same quality education experience as their colleagues in San Diego — or
students on the USC campus, for that matter.”
“Since 1997, QUALCOMM engineers in the U.S. have been able to earn
advanced degrees in engineering, and obtain continuing engineering
education from USC online,” said Tamar Elkeles, vice president of
Learning for QUALCOMM. “We are thrilled to bring this opportunity
to QUALCOMM engineers worldwide. Being the first technology
company to offer USC’s DEN program internationally is very exciting.”
QUALCOMM, which pioneered Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) digital
wireless technology and is a world leader in the field, employs more
than 8,000 people in 41 offices in Europe, Asia, Australia and the
Americas.
(see locations on map below). The first USC students will likely be
employees in India and South Korea.
Nikias said the arrangement furthers the vision of USC’s latest
strategic plan, adopted for the university’s impending 125th
anniversary, which includes an explicit call to “create a significant
global presence that will increase international visibility, reach, and
impact of our research, scholarship, art, education, and service.”
DEN offers 26 Master of Science degrees entirely online, including many
in the Viterbi School’s strong digital communications and computer
science programs. “We believe our educational interface is one of
the best in lifelong engineering e-learning,” said DEN’s Executive
Director Kelly Goulis. ”All students need is a reliable,
high-speed Internet connection and a scanner or fax to submit their
homework assignments,” Goulis said.
About QUALCOMM
QUALCOMM Incorporated
(http://www.qualcomm.com)
is a leader in developing and delivering innovative digital wireless
communications products and services based on the Company‚s CDMA
digital technology. Headquartered in San Diego, Calif., QUALCOMM
is included in the S&P 500 Index and is a 2004 FORTUNE 500® company
traded on The NASDAQ Stock Market® under the ticker symbol QCOM.
Contact: Patty Goodwin.
About DEN
Established in 1972, USC Viterbi School of Engineering’s Distance
Education Network (DEN) remains a pioneer in the field, utilizing the
advanced e-learning technology to provide a seamless experience for its
students. The Viterbi School is ranked the #3 graduate
engineering school among private schools, seventh overall in the nation
by U.S. News & World Report 2005. DEN currently offers 26 Master of
Science degrees and 3 graduate certificates in a variety of engineering
disciplines, including Computer Engineering, Computer Science,
Electrical Engineering, Engineering Management, and Product Development
Engineering. Please visit
http://den.usc.edu or contact
info@den.usc.edu for more information.
World Reach: QUALCOMM offices (blue) and San Diego headquarters (red).
