WebCT expands e-learning market in China; Company supports growing demand for Web-enhanced and distance learning

SHANGHAI, China--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 17, 2005--WebCT, provider of higher education's most flexible and widely used e-learning solutions, today announced that Chinese universities are rapidly adopting WebCT solutions as their e-learning platforms. Even before appointing a new executive to oversee China operations, the company had signed up more than 25 universities in greater China as customers, including The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, The University of Hong Kong and National Taiwan Normal University.

More than 1,700 colleges and universities worldwide use WebCT products. To continue its expansion in China, WebCT also announced it will establish a formal office in Shanghai and has appointed Shaun Rein as managing director of the country. With a stronger presence in China, WebCT will be well positioned to foster an increasing number of academic exchanges between Chinese universities and institutions from around the world.

"WebCT's enhanced presence in China will help our institution better support escalating enrollments in our mainland outposts and aggressively pursue our offshore education programs," said Fleming Woo, chief computing officer of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. "WebCT solutions are enabling us to flexibly improve teaching, learning, content delivery, application integration and education assessment on an institution-wide scale."

Rein previously served as the principal and chief of research for the venture capital firm Inter-Asia Venture Management, where he was in charge of education and IT investments. He also served as the assistant director of the Centre for East Asian Research at McGill University, where he was responsible for fostering academic relationships with China's top universities. He received his master's degree on China's economy from Harvard University.

"We are delighted Shaun has joined WebCT," said WebCT President and CEO Carol Vallone. "Further expansion in the Asian market is a priority for WebCT in 2005 as students and professors in this region seek out premier e-learning platforms to enhance the quality of higher education. Shaun brings a wealth of Chinese business and education experience to help WebCT solutions drive the e-learning programs of China's top universities."

WebCT works with authorized distributor BEENET, based in Hong Kong. "Educators in Asia are eager to embrace WebCT's flexible and scalable e-learning solutions for their campuses, universities, university systems and distance-learning programs," said Ronald Lee, managing director of BEENET. "WebCT's expanded presence here will ensure they succeed in their e-learning endeavors."

About BEENET

BEENET, a major distributor of WebCT products and services in South East Asia, Hong Kong and Macau, is headquartered in Hong Kong, and has offices in Singapore, Bangkok, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Beijing. For more information, please visit www.bee-net.com.

About WebCT

WebCT is a trusted industry leader that has set international standards for e-learning systems in higher education around the globe. Headquartered in Lynnfield, Mass., with customers in over 70 countries worldwide, WebCT provides highly flexible e-learning solutions that empower institutions across the educational spectrum with the ability to achieve their unique e-learning objectives. Thousands of higher education institutes have standardized on WebCT in order to expand the traditional boundaries of teaching, streamline the cost of education and enhance the student learning experience. For more information, please visit www.webct.com.