(2014-06-04) Conde Nast College Partnership

Conde Nast publications will team up with universities to create a set of accredited certificate (Credential) programs and eventually master’s-degree programs (with the colleges and universities, not the magazines, as the "institution.") Condé Nast writers and editors will contribute subject matter expertise and the publisher will provide some financial backing to the partnerships... The institutions and new academic programs (which will include both interactive online content and in-person elements) have not yet been identified, but discussions with universities are under way with the goal of launching the first programs in fall 2015... The initiative is the latest backed by University Ventures, a New York-based fund that since 2012 has sought to drive innovation in traditional higher education not by "disrupting" it from the outside but by encouraging it from within... The Condé Nast project was an intriguing first partnership for Qubed, Pianko says, because of the opportunity to "bring incredibly strong consumer brands into education and connect them with strong university brands to build consumer experiences commensurate with the quality of those brands.".. "picture a business innovation program created with Wired Mag, or having students work with leading designers and architects through a program with Architectural Digest,"... "We think our brands have far-reaching influence, and would like to use that in positive way to educate people." MOOC?