News United States Air Force
 Colleges, universities to provide higher-level education in Pacific theaterPublished June 2, 2015
                        
                        By Headquarters Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs
                **JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii  (AFNS) -- --**
                The Defense Department awarded contracts to four colleges and universities to provide in-resident college and graduate programs at overseas military installations across U.S. Pacific Command to include mainland Japan, Okinawa, South Korea and Guam.Universities will provide education programs for military and family members and DOD civilians for the next seven years, beginning Aug. 1.After a competitive acquisition process, new contracts were awarded to those schools that offered the best value to the government. Contracts were awarded to the following colleges and universities:University of Maryland University College -- high school completion (GED), academic skills, undergraduate degree programs, Master of Business Administration/Management (graduate) programs and National Testing Center services; Central Texas College --  vocational-technical (Vo-Tech) programs; Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University  -- aviation programs (undergraduate and graduate); and Troy University -- international relations (graduate program)."The contracts awarded to each of the schools are for two years, with five additional option years," said Laura Dean, the Headquarters Pacific Air Forces chief of education. "Education opportunities are a top reason service members join the military and a top reason why they stay, so it is important they have the opportunity to pursue their education goals even while they are assigned overseas. The contracted schools will provide valued services to our overseas population."Although the government requested proposals for the undergraduate and graduate teacher education programs, no university was awarded the contract for these services based on the terms and conditions of the solicitation. In addition, because University of Phoenix did not submit a proposal during the acquisition process, it will discontinue services in the Asia-Pacific region by July 31."Education services officers are working closely with the University of Phoenix officials to ensure current students are advised about degree completion options," Dean said. "All parties are committed to make the transition in a professional manner and ensure all students are afforded personal attention and support. All students have the opportunity to continue to pursue their degrees either online with the university or transfer their credits to another school."While undergraduate and Vo-Tech programs will be offered at 32 locations throughout the PACOM area of responsibility, graduate programs are only offered at a few locations.International relations graduate programs will be offered at the following locations: Osan Air Base, Yongsan Garrison and Camp Humphreys, South Korea; and Kadena AB and Misawa AB, Japan.MBA/graduate management program will be offered at the following locations:  Osan AB, Yongsan Garrison and Camp Humphreys, South Korea; Kadena AB; Yokota AB, Camp Zama, and Yokosuka Naval Station, Japan; and Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.In-resident undergraduate and graduate aviation programs will be offered for the first time on PACOM installations at two locations: Camp Humphreys and Kadena AB. ERAU could begin providing classes as soon as fall 2015.educational opportunities 



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