UPCEA launches consulting center

The University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA) has recently announced that in response to demand for market research from member universities, it will be launching a Center for Research and Consulting headed by Jim Fong, an education marketer and research professional.

Of the 107 member institutions of the UPCEA, 88 percent expressed that market research was very important to their recruitment opportunities, but only 37 percent expressed satisfaction with the market research already available to them, according to the association's own survey.

With the help of the new research and consulting center, UPCEA says it will offer all its member institutions access to benchmarking studies and marketing surveys. Those who want more detailed data can opt to pay for an upgraded membership. 

"With budgets as tight as they are for many institutions and with so much competition in higher education, having strong information on the adult student and having marketplace information is essential to forming effective strategies, managing scarce resources and identifying opportunities," said Robert Hansen, the chief executive officer (CEO) of UPCEA.

According to its website, the UPCEA has member institutions across the U.S. as well as in Australia, Canada, Egypt, Iceland, Greece, Turkey, Pakistan, Jamaica, Lebanon and a number of other nations.