The Higher Education Inquirer continues to investigate Ambow Education, the parent company of NewSchool of Architecture & Design (NSAD) and HybriU. HEI has followed Ambow for almost three years, as one of its two US colleges, Bay State College, closed and a second one, NSAD in San Diego has faced financial peril and now faces legal problems, including a possible eviction. We also have watched several questionable events happen with shares of Ambow (AMBO) trading on the New York Stock Exchange. But our greatest concern is that Ambow still has strong ties to the People's Republic of China, and that its proximity to the Pacific Fleet and its expertise in educational surveillance could pose as a potential threat to US security. As the company fails we believe it could become even more vulnerable to PRC interests. We urge any potential customers or strategic partners to do their due diligence before engaging in business with Ambow Education, NSAD, or HybriU.
I really appreciate the hard work of HIE: it is crucial that students had the most up-to-date information about higher education. Your concerns may have been valid in 2022, but currently this post is based on outdated information.
ReplyDeleteNSAD is doing well and it is financially stable. WASC removed any warning or probation in 2024 and the school moved to more modern facilities in the heart of Downtown San Diego in the Spring. The academic faculty and programs are first rate, and enrollment is picking up. HybridU platform is up and running, and its net revenues reached $1.2 million in the first half of 2025, compared with no net revenues in the first half of 2024.(https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ambow-education-announces-second-quarter-101300327.html)
In 2022 Ambow education was sold to Clover Wealth Limited. Due to the Purchase Agreement, Ambow have agreed to sell all of the equity interests in the Ambow China to Clover Wealth Limited. The US headquarter is in Cupertino., CA. (https://www.emis.com/php/company-profile/CN/Ambow_Education_Holding_Ltd__Ambow_Education_Holding_Ltd__en_14786238.html). They are considered a US Based company.
They also established 2 partnerships with the University of Colorado and The University of the West for their HybridU platform.
Also, in August 2025, Ambow reported a positive net revenue for the first half of 2025, due to in part to increased adoption of HybridU (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ambow-education-announces-second-quarter-101300327.html).
Honestly, I don't see any evidence of "strong ties with China", any more than Tik Tok does, nor any evidence of "education surveillance" and your post does not offer any. In the future, I would recommend you verify the info you post and do your own research.
Keep up the good work of helping students.