Educational Directories Unlimited and Institute of International Education Announce a Strategic Alliance to Create Powerhouse Search Engine for International Study

Industry Leaders in International Study and Educational Web Marketing and Technology Combine to Power IIEPassport.org

Chester, PA, May 29, 2001
- Educational Directories Unlimited, Inc. (EDU), the leading provider of online academic recruiting tools, and the non-profit Institute of International Education (IIE), the nation's largest educational and cultural exchange organization, today announced a strategic alliance to manage and market the Institute's interactive resource, IIE Passport: Living and Learning Abroad (http://www.iiepassport.org).

The alliance is designed to meet the growing demand for detailed and comprehensive information about opportunities for international study. According to the Institute's Open Doors 2000 report on international educational exchange, over 500,000 international students are studying in the United States, and over the past four years, the number of U.S. students studying abroad has increased by more than 45% to 129,000. The site's new capabilities are designed to help the Institute reach its goal to double the number of Americans who study abroad within the next decade.

The innovative alliance joins the technical expertise of a thriving provider of on-line directories with the knowledge of a well-established non-profit organization to provide a new level of service to the academic community. The re-launched search engine will provide students with the most comprehensive resource for international study programs, while giving program providers and advertisers one of the best marketing tools available to reach qualified students. The alliance provides important momentum to both organizations in what is becoming a highly competitive market segment.

Under the new alliance, IIE will continue to manage IIEPassport's editorial content, while EDU will update the Web site with semi-annual contact information based on the published guides' information. In addition, EDU will enhance the search engine to include searches that will tie keywords to paid advertisements by colleges and universities as well as implement and manage a marketing plan designed to provide IIEPassport with maximum traffic.

"This alliance is a crucial addition to our value network," said Todd Davis, IIE's Director of its Higher Education Resource Group. "The Institute of International Education intends to enhance and extend its services as the premiere global source of information and resources that enable individuals to access an international education, and with EDU we have a world class partner possessing expertise in marketing and managing online educational directories."

IIE is the world's most experienced global higher education and professional exchange agency. Well known for its administration of the Fulbright Program for the U.S. State Department, IIE also publishes Academic Year Abroad and Short Term Study Abroad, respected annual directories of educational opportunities overseas. The Institute is also the source of authoritative data on international academic mobility, published annually in Open Doors, with support from the U.S. State Department.

IIEPassport.org contains over 5,000 study abroad and learning travel opportunities available worldwide from Argentina to Zambia. Students, parents, advisors, and adult travelers can conduct detailed searches for programs on up to 8 searchable fields, including country of study, world area and city, field of study, organization, and duration, as well as language of instruction and restrictions.

"This agreement is a major validation of our business strengths by IIE, which is held in high esteem within the academic community," says EDU President Mark Shay. "We are excited to be managing the redesign and marketing for the Institute while continuing to deliver quality content that fosters IIE's image." EDU is a market-leading publisher of online directories, including Studyabroad.com, which targets students early in the study abroad search process, complementing IIEPassport's in-depth search capabilities. In addition to Studyabroad.com, EDU is the service provider of Gradschools.com, and the newly launched StudentProspector.com.

The new, improved, IIEPassport search engine and site will be demonstrated at the NAFSA Conference from May 27 to June 1 in Philadelphia, PA at both EDU's booth (number 418) and IIE's booth (number 237). To arrange for advanced interviews or appointments, please contact Tony DeFazio or Renee Rozniatoski at 610-642-8253 or renee@gregoryfca.com.

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