From conflict and the climate crisis, to global aid cuts, countries around the world are facing significant obstacles to solving the issues they face.
That is the rationale behind the higher education provider WorldQuant University (WQU) using the 10th anniversary of its first academic programmes to launch a fundraising campaign called Horizon 2036: Accelerating Global Impact Together. It aims to expand the opportunity for learning to tens of thousands more people around the globe – so that they can help to find solutions to problems within their local communities.
The not-for-profit education institution was founded to demonstrate that online-education can be delivered globally, tuition-free. Founded in 2015, with programmes launched a year later, it now reaches more than 30,000 in more than 150 countries. It now seeks to reach 100,000 by 2036.
Mackdonald Shiwani is from Kenya. He Completed WQU’s Data Science Lab and Computer Vision Lab while studying engineering. Assignments included applying data skills to projects including air quality in Nairobi, housing in Argentina, earthquake damage in Nepal, and market forecasting on the stock exchange in India. "The programmes encouraged us to tackle real-world projects," he said, adding that he believes WQU is "truly democratising education and empowering us to transform data into impact."
“Ten years ago, our founder, Igor Tulchinsky, set out to prove that exceptional education could be accessible and affordable at a global scale,” said John Endrud, CEO, WorldQuant University. “What began as an ambitious experiment has become a thriving international learning community. WorldQuant University enables learners to earn advanced credentials while remaining in their communities and applying their skills to local challenges.”
“We have built a remarkable community united by the belief that education changes lives,” added Gbemi Disu, Senior Vice President, Global Partner Development, who will lead the Horizon 2036 campaign.
“Everywhere I travel, I meet learners whose careers, families, and communities have been transformed through WorldQuant University, he added. "Horizon 2036 invites those who believe in our mission to help extend that impact to thousands more learners over the next decade.”
