EQuest Raises US$120 Million and Welcomes New Board Member

HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, May 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On 19 May 2023 EQuest Education Group announced the successful raising of US$120 million through a combination of debt from creditor, and equity from its existing investor KKR's Global Impact Fund. The proceeds will be utilized for the investment in the Canadian International School (CIS) System in Ho Chi Minh City, and to expand its College & University system, particularly the Broward College Vietnam campuses in Hanoi, Hue, and Ho Chi Minh City.

With a proud 12-year history, the Canadian International School (CIS) System stands as the largest international K-12 school system in Ho Chi Minh City. CIS offers a comprehensive curriculum that includes the International Baccalaureate (IB), Advanced Placement (AP), and Canadian curriculum, along with world-class sport programs. This investment will be utilized to enhance facilities, hire world-class sport coaches, and attract the best teachers to the CIS system.

Ms. Tham My Linh, Managing Director of the CIS system stated: "This substantial investment will position CIS as the most financially robust international school system in Vietnam, ensuring long-term financial stability without compromising on the highest educational standards. This will instill strong confidence in parents seeking a holistic international education for their children".

Broward College, a member of the Florida College System, is ranked multiple times as one of the top 10 public colleges in the US by the prestigious Aspen Institute. EQuest has been offering fully-accredited associate's degrees under the brand Broward Vietnam for more than 10 years. 

The new investment will be used to open multiple Broward Vietnam campuses to offer the 4-year US bachelor's degree programs in Hanoi, Hue, and Ho Chi Minh city.

Students will be able to complete the entire US bachelor's degree in Vietnam at an affordable price of $7,000 per year without the expense of traveling overseas. "This significant investment reinforces our commitment to provide a world-class education at an affordable cost. Now a significantly more number of Vietnamese families and students can experience a true US university education right here in Vietnam" commented David Armstrong, Senior Vice President of EQuest.

EQuest Education Group also announced the appointment of Ms. Dam Bich Thuy, founding President of Fulbright University Vietnam, as an independent board member, effective May 15, 2023.

Ms. Dam Bich Thuy has held numerous senior management positions in finance, banking, and education. Before her presidency at Fulbright University Vietnam, Ms. Thuy used to be the first Vietnamese CEO of ANZ Bank in Vietnam, Representative of the National Australia Bank (NAB) in Vietnam, and General Director of Vietnam International Bank (VIB). She holds a Bachelor's degree from Hanoi University and a Master of Business Administration from Wharton Business School, University of Pennsylvania, USA on a Fulbright scholarship.

Beside serving in her role as an independent Board member, Ms. Thuy will bring to EQuest her many years of experience in building high equality higher education institutions.

"I am honored to be part of this pioneering organization and contribute to its mission of delivering high-quality education in Vietnam. I look forward to collaborating with The Board and leveraging my experience to drive positive change in the education sector," said Ms. Dam Bich Thuy.

With the infusion of additional investment and the appointment of Ms. Dam Bich Thuy as a board member, EQuest has further solidified its strong financial position and unwavering dedication to providing high-quality education with affordable cost in Vietnam.