A next-generation university
We're committed to helping people across the world realize their academic, professional, and personal goals.
Our aim
Nexford is where global citizens learn the skills they need, at the moment they need them most. We help people move forward in their careers – and their lives. We're a Public Benefit Corporation based in Washington DC. Yes, we're for profit, but we prioritize public benefit over profit. Every time.
The world is changing
Isn’t it time that the university experience evolved to fit a changing world?
85% of jobs that will exist in 2030 haven’t yet been invented.
Source: Dell Technologies
70% of professionals work remotely at least one day a week, while 53% work remotely for at least half of the week.
Source: IWG
74% of HR managers invest more in training new graduates now than five years ago.
Source: Gallup
Tackling the big issues
Too many students around the world don't have access to the education they deserve. Many pay a high price and leave university unprepared for the global workplace.
Some 91% of students say they want to go to university to get a job.
Just 33% of faculty members say preparing students for work is a priority.
Nexford University: where it all began
2017: Defining the need
Two entrepreneurs had a vision to change higher education. In thinking about how to bridge the gap between employer and learner needs, they spent months speaking with learners from all walks of life. From high-school students in the Philippines and Nigeria to Uber drivers in the US balancing gig jobs with college studies.
Creating a vision
Entrepreneurial duo Fadl Al Tarzi and Mohamed Rayes invested in their idea and hired some of the world's leading consultancy firms such as IPSOS, Huron and Cooley to create a plan. Investors bought into the Nexford vision, and so did an experienced, global team of full-time faculty and experts including employees from Ivy League schools. Having experienced the status quo, they were driven by a desire for change.
2018–2019: Making it happen
Together, the team built Nexford University from scratch. The university's curriculum design begins with an understanding of the desired competencies as defined by the employers, industry data, faculty, and advisory boards. Nexford’s approach is called “backward design.” By using backward design, Nexford creates learning outcomes that explicitly align the curriculum with the skillsets needed to meet growing demand. In other words, people have the best chance of success from day one.
Opportunity regardless of physical location
Traditional higher education is exclusive, serving the top one to two percent of the world’s population. Why should a person’s physical location shut the door to economic opportunity? New possibilities have opened doors to the world, from growth in gig economies, virtual workforces and liquid borders, to increased mobile usage and internet connectivity.
We’re helping people everywhere to reskill and prepare for brighter futures. By enabling learners to succeed in a global workplace regardless of their physical location, we plan to transform millions who live in emerging economies. Empowered by a Nexford education, a talented marketing analyst in Indonesia can prepare to work for a bluechip company in Texas or Dubai – remotely. Anything is possible.
Born different. Our story
Most traditional universities are unaffordable, are not teaching what employers are looking for, and are no longer fit for purpose. Born from this problem Fadl Al Tarzi and Mohamed Rayes co-founded Nexford University. The entrepreneurial duo shared a vision to create a mission driven tech-enabled university that would provide learners across the world with the skills they need to advance in their careers regardless of physical location, gender, race or socio-economic class.
We’re a tech-powered university platform. Learners – and their future success – are our core.
Affordable, credible, flexible. Aligned to global workplace needs. We offer a powerful way of learning through technology to enable greater economic mobility.
We’ve thrown out what doesn’t work. We’re giving learners everywhere new opportunities to move forward.
