The leaders of Centenary University and Ideal Institute of Technology last week announced a first-of-its-kind partnership between the two institutions.

The launch of Centenary University at Ideal Institute of Technology will offer undergraduate programs to South Jersey residents interested in the “innovative work-based college program.”

Students can enroll in one of three undergraduate degree programs: business, computer science and “new media” (communication, radio and television production). Participants will earn and learn at the same time: receiving learning credits from a university and vocational school, as well as income. Ideal Institute is the only career college in the country that pays students to attend, because the program offers work-based learning within a social enterprise.

“This collaboration is a first-of-its-kind initiative in the State of New Jersey and the inaugural partnership between a private university and an adult vocational school,” said Centenary University President Dale Caldwell.

“This is a very unique positioning for Centenary University,” said Ren Parikh, founder and director of Atlantic County-based Ideal Institute of Technology. “I give credit to President Caldwell for his out-of-the-box thinking that no student should be turned down from experiencing college. This partnership provides an opportunity for all those students who think or were told that college is not for them.”

“College is for everyone,” Caldwell stressed. “With this partnership we are making higher education accessible to students who may otherwise not have pursued a degree – and also helping students earn a real income while they complete their studies.”

An inaugural luncheon May 22 at Ideal Institute’s main campus in Pleasantville will celebrate the launch of the program and share more details.

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