NEWTOWN SQUARE, PENNSYLVANIA, USA – Students pursing a university-level degree in project management or a related field will be eligible for scholarships through the newly established Dr. Harold Kerzner Scholarship Fund. The endowed scholarship fund was created by International Institute for Learning, Inc. (IIL) through the Project Management Institute (PMI) Educational Foundation.

“Sponsorship of scholarships for students studying project management is one of the best investments an organization can make. Through the Dr. Harold Kerzner Scholarship Fund, IIL has donated $1 mil. to further this initiative and we are very thankful for their generosity, as well as for the example that it has set for others,” said Gregory Balestrero, chief executive officer of Project Management Institute (PMI) and chief operating officer of the PMI Education Foundation. “As demand for qualified project management personnel increases worldwide, education is the key. We must have professionals who understand how to apply accepted project management standards to deliver projects on time and within budget on a consistent and predictable basis.”

Beginning in September 2008, the Dr. Harold Kerzner Scholarship Fund sponsored by International Institute for Learning, Inc. will provide four $7,500 (US) scholarships annually to deserving college students. Dr. Kerzner, PhD, MS (engineering) and MBA, is senior executive director for project and program management, IIL,and professor of business administration at Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio, USA. He is an expert in the areas of project management, total quality management, and strategic planning. Dr. Kerzner is the author of a number of best-selling project management textbooks including Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling (now going into its tenth edition).

“The contribution of Dr. Kerzner to both the profession of project management and to the education of project managers around the world is enormous,” said IIL President and Chief Executive Officer E. LaVerne Johnson. “We can think of no better way to honor his work than through the legacy of this endowment. We are delighted to partner with the PMI Education Foundation, knowing that scholarships awarded from the Dr. Harold Kerzner Scholarship Fund will enrich the lives of students of project management for decades to come.”

Information about Dr. Harold Kerzner Scholarship Fund applications and how to support the fund with contributions can be found at www.pmi.org/pmief/scholarships. 

The PMI Educational Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Project Management Institute (PMI), is a not-for-profit, non-political organization that champions project management knowledge and skills for educational and social good. Founded in 1990 by PMI, the PMI Education Foundation provides scholarships, confers awards, sponsors research, prepares and disseminates project management-related educational material and awards financial grants to support project management life skills and humanitarian programs. Visit pmi.org/pmief for more information.

About International Institute for Learning, Inc. (IIL)
International Institute for Learning, Inc. (IIL) is a global leader in comprehensive consulting services and professional training in the areas of Project, Program, and Portfolio Management, PRINCE2™, Business Analysis, Microsoft^® Office Project and Project Server, and Lean Six Sigma. In addition to its many courses, productivity tools, and professional certification pathways, IIL leads the way in customized course development. Its Many Methods of Learning™ enable IIL companies in more than 15 major cities around the world to deliver innovative, effective, and consistent training solutions via a variety of media (classroom, live e-Learning and self-paced learning tools). IIL is IIBA Certified, a PMI^® charter global registered education provider, a Silver Alliance Circle member, and a member of its Corporate Council. For more information and free webinars, visit www.iil.com or call 800-325-1533. Also visit IIL’s PM portal, www.allPM.com.

About PMI
With more than 260,000 members in 170 countries, the Project Management Institute, Inc. (PMI) is the leading membership association for the project management profession and the largest association dedicated to project management in the world. As the leading advocate for the profession, PMI is actively engaged in setting professional standards, providing a professional career path for project managers and maintaining a family of globally-transferable professional credentials: Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM^®), Project Management Professional (PMP^®) and Program Management Professional (PgMP^SM).  Additionally, the Institute provides members with access to the knowledge, skills, educational support and networking opportunities needed to drive business results through project management, program management and portfolio management.  PMI is highly regarded for its extensive research capabilities.  PMI was founded in 1969. Please visit PMI.org for more information.