100 Million Learners

Quick Hits

• The Najafi 100 Million Learners Global Initiative launched in 2022.
• Its goal is to expand access to high-quality global business and leadership education at no cost to the learner.
• The initiative has reached learners in more than 190 countries.
• Learning is available in more than 40 languages.
• Some learning pathways can connect eligible learners to academic credit and future Thunderbird degree opportunities.

What It Is

• 100 Million Learners is a global education initiative led by Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University.
• It provides online learning in global entrepreneurship, business, innovation, and leadership.
• Courses are designed to be flexible, online, and accessible to learners around the world.

The Goal

• The initiative launched with a goal of providing world-class education to 100 million learners at no cost to the learner.
• It is designed to expand access to practical knowledge that can support careers, entrepreneurship, economic mobility, and community impact.

Global Reach

• Learners have participated from more than 190 countries.
• Content is available in more than 40 languages.
• The initiative is designed for global scale and for learners with widely different backgrounds and levels of prior education.

Learning Pathways

• 100 Million Learners offers multiple levels and formats of learning.
• Foundational options provide accessible entry points into entrepreneurship and business concepts.
• More advanced pathways offer deeper study in leadership and management topics.
• Digital badges and certificates of completion are available for some pathways.

Academic Opportunities

• Some eligible learners can pursue academic-credit options connected to Intermediate and Advanced coursework.
• Certain pathways may connect into eligible Thunderbird degree programs.
• Academic credit, admissions eligibility, and additional fees are separate from the no-cost learning access and depend on the specific pathway.

Why It Matters

• The initiative combines Thunderbird’s global education experience with digital delivery at very large scale.
• It aims to reach people who may not otherwise have access to high-quality business and leadership education.