PeopleSoft To Power Army’s Online University

PeopleSoft (Nasdaq: PSFT), which specializes in e-business applications, Wednesday says its Student Administration software will be used to help power PricewaterhouseCoopers‘ online learning portal solution recently selected by the US Army.

Under the agreement, Pleasanton, Calif.-based PeopleSoft will provide soldiers with convenient and easy access to higher education degrees and advanced training certifications.

“This project is a great opportunity to work in conjunction with our contacts within education and government while helping to provide unprecedented distance learning opportunities to America’s soldiers,” says Ron Sullivan, general manager and vice president for federal at PeopleSoft.

PricewaterhouseCoopers signed the deal with the U.S. Army in December 2000 to host the Army University Access Online Program. The Internet-based platform lets U.S. enlisted soldiers to use an education Web portal to take distance learning courses and earn certificates, associate’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees, and master’s degrees while they continue to serve.

The Army estimates some 12,000 to 15,000 soldiers will participate in the program in 2001 – the program’s first year of operation – and that as many as 80,000 soldiers will participate in the program by its fifth year.

Soldier-students who enroll in the program will be issued laptop computers and provided Internet access at no cost, provided they complete three courses.

The automated software platform, provided by PeopleSoft, will serve as the administrative backbone for student records and course registration for the Army University Access Online (AUAO) portal.

Designed specifically for the Internet, the software coordinates all aspects of student administration – from recruitment through admissions, student services, financial aid, fund-raising, grant-writing and alumni relations.

PeopleSoft says its consulting service will also work closely with PricewaterhouseCoopers to build a distance learning solution that uses the best technologies of both companies.