BIDDEFORD — The Next Generation Learning Challenges initiative, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, has selected University of New England as one of nine institutions nationwide to participate in the 2014 Breakthrough Models Incubator in Washington, D.C. July 22-25. 

The NGLC initiative supports and recognizes leadership in pioneering approaches to education. The 2014 cohort will focus on innovative competency-based education, or CBE, models that reward students for the skills they acquire, rather than the time they spend in class, according to UNE.

“Accelerating trends in technology and globalization demand a bold, new approach to education in the 21st century,” said UNE President Dr. Danielle Ripich in a statement. “UNE has never done ”˜business as usual.’ We are an innovative disruptor in higher education, and our students and faculty are fully engaged in new models of learning. We are honored to be selected to this prestigious Gates-funded initiative to take our models to the next level.”

UNE joins Antioch University, Austin Community College, Central Wyoming College, Empire State College ”“ SUNY, Excelsior College, Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, Paul Smith’s College and University of Maryland University College in the 2014 NGLC cohort.