Resource Development International (RDI – http://www.rdi.co.uk ), the world’s largest independent provider of UK university distance learning qualifications, is teaching the Russians a thing or two… literally!

RDI has linked up with the Modern University for Humanities (MUH) in Moscow and is using its ‘virtual university online’ to deliver an MBA validated by the University of Wales to some of MUH’s 170,000 students, who are spread throughout 700 teaching centres in Russia.

The distance learning MBA in the Russian language is underpinned by RDI’s exclusive “ilearn” system. Combining an online university, online campus and classroom in one, ilearn helps students share knowledge, enjoy the learning experience and progress though their studies with access to programme co-ordinators and fellow students – round the clock, from any location. To support the Russian language MBA, the University of Wales has established a dual language Board of Studies which approves and validates assignments and exams. The University of Wales already uses this dual assessment system for its Welsh/English and Spanish programmes.

Students based in Russia study online using ilearn and with support from Russian speaking tutors. RDI provides all course materials, assessments and exams required for the MBA and ensures that all the stringent quality requirements are fulfilled. Meanwhile, University of Wales provides the additional quality assurance and validation services.

Dr Philip Hallam, CEO of RDI, comments: “We believe our cooperation with MUH is the first such linkage with the education sector in Russia and illustrates the country’s thirst for education. We forecast that 500 students per year will enrol on the course by 2011. This confirms UK education’s place as world leading and backs up RDI’s role as the largest private provider of UK university education in the world. Our relationship with MUH will bring more than £2m p.a. worth of foreign earnings into the UK.”

As well as its MBAs, RDI offers distance learning courses at MSc, BA (Hons), Diploma and Advanced Certificate level.