Launch of Pearson Institute of Higher Education

The Midrand Graduate Institute (MGI) was relaunched as the Pearson Institute of Higher Education (PIHE) on 27 July.

It was a night of glitz and glam as blue, green and white dominated the event which was held at the institution in Midrand. Pearson acquired MGI in 2013 and has been working with them behind the scenes.

The top leadership of Pearson South Africa attended the launch and delivered keynote addresses to about 1 000 guests who attended the event, with the majority being students. On the evening there was music and gifts of warm blue Pearson Institute blankets and scarves with coffee, cappuccino and alcohol-free cocktails being served.

The event kicked off with a speech from Mark Cunnington, the executive director of Direct Delivery at Pearson, who highlighted the global recognition of the brand and partnerships with King’s College in London, Monash University in Australia and other international learning institutions in the UK and USA which benefit the students of PIHE.

PIHE’s Employability Centre, based on the premises and headed by Candice Naicker, was also relaunched during the event. Naicker delivered an encouraging speech about the work of the centre and said that the centre will offer students the chance to pitch their ideas to the industry, receive assistance on socio-economic issues, as well as be trained and prepared for employment.

In closing, the chief financial officer of Pearson, Mike Ogden said, “The Pearson Institute will make education accessible to all their students by offering funding to disadvantaged third- and fourth-year students.”

The PIHE funding will be repaid by the beneficiaries when they start working.

The launch ended with a cutting of the ribbon to seal the official launch of the Pearson Institute of Higher Education.