Creation of an Alliance for the Development of the First On-line Master's Program On Management of Global e-Business for the Hispanic Market by FIU, FCE-UBA & Competir.

Business Editors/Education & High Tech Writers

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 23, 2001

The Florida International University (FIU), The University of Buenos Aires' Economic Sciences Faculty of FCE-UBA and Competir entered into a Strategic Alliance to develop the first on-line master's program on management of global e-business. The alliance was formed during the Florida and Argentina Seminar of Business for Technological Companies, held today at the Buenos Aires Sheraton Hotel.

Mr. John Ellis Bush, Governor of the State of Florida, pointed out during the Seminar that "education and training play a key role in the e-government strategy that the New Economy governments should undertake."

The FIU, the FCE, and Competir's common goal is:

-- To provide training and coaching on e-business and the application of new
technologies for professionals and business executives from the region.

-- To work jointly on the e-transformation processes for the region's
organizations.

-- To support the application of new technologies in the economy

This first On-Line Master's Program will be supported by the academic excellence provided by the FIU and the FCE-UBA. Collaboration between the staffs from both universities will allow the development of contents related to the needs of the Latin American market.

Competir will provide the Support Program for e-learning businesses, methodology, education, and technology.

E-learning provides access to high-quality content that caters to the needs of professionals and business executives, while avoiding scheduling or location constraints. The program features on-line, asynchronous learning where participants set the pace of their own training. Some on-site sessions on both universities are also planned.

"This initiative constitutes a response to clear-cut training an coaching needs of our region. It undoubtedly narrows the current digital divide. This enterprise will help the region enter into the new era of knowledge and information," stated Pablo Aristizabal, CEO of Competir.

About FIU

The Florida International University is one of the most dynamic higher-education institutions in America. Since its inception in 1972, it has reached an academic excellence level that other universities have achieved only after more than a century. The University is acknowledged for the level of its staff, its students, and its research activities, which constitute clear proof of its academic excellence.

FIU is an Economic and Social Sciences Research University with a broad offering of postgraduate studies, degree courses and professional programs. Through its 16 colleges and schools, FIU also offers more than 180 Master's Programs and PhD's.

The FIU student body comprises more than 32,000 members. The University meets the educational requirements both of traditional students and the growing number of part-time students. It is ranked among the foremost 100 state and public universities in the U.S. It is a Phi Beta Kappa member, the oldest and most prestigious alumni association in the U.S.

About FCE - UBA

Founded in 1913, this institution has since been engaged in a tireless academic activity aimed at professional education and research projects, always giving priority to scientific knowledge and to all levels of education, guaranteeing free access to higher education for all social strata. The educational offering comprises five degree courses: Actuary, Accounting, Business Administration, Economy, and Information Systems. Fifty thousand students are enrolled in these courses and the academic staff comprises more than three thousand members. This staff is kept up-to-date through a modern training program that makes use of the new technologies. Around 270 researchers, students, professors, and graduates work at the University's Research Institutes (Business Administration, Accounting, Economy, Actuarial Statistics and Mathematics, and Economic History).

About Competir

A leading company in e-learning technology, Competir implements "end-to-end" training, education and coaching solutions for the Hispanic market. It provides customized solutions that involve strategic consultancy services, design of e-learning environments, on-line course building, technological consultancy services and implementation and support of on-line learning for corporate markets, governments, small-to-medium sized businesses, professionals and educational organizations. Its innovative solutions are supported by a powerful platform developed in-house, which provides high levels of interactivity, simulations, content variety, and management of the training process. Its portfolio comprises more than 500 products and more than 100 authors from the leading Universities and Consultancy Firms in Latin America.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Photo of Gov. Jeb Bush and Competir.com available upon request.