Canadian Colleges Partner to Offer Landmark Public-Private Dual Credential

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 8, 2016 / CIBT Education Group Inc. (TSX: MBA; OTCQX International: MBAIF) ("CIBT" or the "Company") reports the following news release was issued by its wholly owned subsidiary, Sprott Shaw College, in conjunction with Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, one of Ontario's leading public colleges.

Vancouver, B.C. and Kitchener, Ontario -- (January 7, 2016) Two of Canada's long-standing educational institutions from opposite sides of the country signed a landmark public-private agreement to offer a dual-credential program.

Sprott Shaw College, one of the largest private colleges in B.C., has partnered with Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, one of Ontario's leading public colleges.

The Curriculum Sharing Agreement will allow students to be enrolled in both colleges simultaneously, and receive a credential from both upon graduation. Course offerings will begin with two business programs which are expected to start as early as this spring.

The designations that students earn through the joint programs will be recognized across Canada and internationally, and equip students with industry-standard skills in fast-growing sectors.

"This is a milestone partnership that brings together top colleges from opposite sides of Canada to offer the small class size and flexible intake dates of a private school with the resources and the opportunities of a public school," says Patrick Dang, president of Sprott Shaw College. "It's going to expand both our program offerings and our students' access to advanced-level studies through credit transfer."

Sprott Shaw will deliver Conestoga-based curriculum in its B.C. classrooms with oversight from Conestoga. The agreement is about more than curriculum, however, providing students with the same quality student experience, from access to library resources and tutorial assistance, to infrastructure supports such as student housing through Sprott Shaw's parent company CIBT.

"We are very pleased to work in partnership with Sprott Shaw to provide more students with access to Conestoga's career-focused programming," said Dr. Barbara Kelly, vice president of academic administration at Conestoga. "This agreement will also provide graduates with access to additional education and employment opportunities in both Ontario and British Columbia, as they apply their skills and knowledge in the pursuit of successful futures."

The partnership builds on an existing relationship between the two colleges, which have partnered in previous years to offer IELTS (International English Language Testing System) exams in Sprott Shaw campuses.

Media contacts:

Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning
Brenda Cassidy
Director, Corporate Communications
519-748-5220 ext. 3336
bcassidy@conestoga.on.ca

Sprott Shaw College
Stephanie Orford
Peak Communicators for Sprott Shaw College
604-689-5559
stephanie@peakco.com

About Sprott Shaw College:

Sprott Shaw provides relevant skills that enable graduates to find meaningful jobs in high-growth industries. Founded in 1903, Sprott Shaw College is one of the oldest colleges in B.C. with 13 campuses in communities including Vancouver, Kelowna and Victoria. The college has survived economic recessions, two World Wars and the Great Depression. With more than 110 years of experience in providing learning with purpose, Sprott Shaw has expanded its courses to offer programs in healthcare, tourism, hospitality, administration and business.

About Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning:

Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning is a leader in polytechnic education and one of Ontario's fastest growing colleges. Established in 1967, Conestoga serves approximately 12,000 full-time students through campuses and training centres across southern Ontario. The college delivers a comprehensive range of career-focused education, training and applied research programs geared to workforce needs in such areas as business, health, community services, engineering, trades, information technology, media and design.

For additional information on the partnership and the initiative please visit http://sprottshaw.com/conestoga/.

About CIBT Education Group:

CIBT Education Group Inc. is an education management company focused on the global education market since 1994. Listed in Canada on the Toronto Stock Exchange and in the U.S. on the OTCQX International, CIBT owns and operates a network of business, technical and language colleges in North America and Asia. CIBT offers cooperative joint programs in 12 countries with campuses, recruitment offices and training centers enrolling over 7,000 students annually. Its education business is operated through Sprott Shaw College (established in 1903), Acsenda School of Management, CIBT School of Business China, and Global Education Alliance Recruitment Centers in China and other overseas countries. Through these subsidiaries, CIBT offers recognized and approved business and management degrees, programs in college preparation, healthcare, hotel management and tourism, English language training, English Teacher Certifications, junior and high school preparation programs for overseas study, and other career/vocational training. CIBT also owns Irix Design Group, a leading design and advertising company based in Vancouver, Canada, Global Education Alliance ("GEA") and Global Education City Holdings Inc. ("GEC"). GEA recruits international students for many elite kindergarten, primary, secondary schools and universities in North America. GEC is an investment holding and management company with a special focus on education related real estate projects in Canada. Visit us online at www.cibt.net and watch our corporate video at http://cibt.net/about

For more information contact:

Toby Chu
Vice-Chairman, President & CEO
CIBT Education Group Inc.
Investor Relations Contact: 1-604-871-9909 extension 318 or | Email: info@cibt.net

SOURCE: CIBT Education Group Inc.