DLA Piper has advised Baltimore-based and Nasdaq listed Laureate Education (NASDAQ:LAUR), the world’s largest global network of higher education institutions, on the sale of Laureate’s interest in Stamford International University (Stamford) to China YuHua Education Investment Limited (YuHua) (6169:HK). The net transaction value to Laureate is USD27.87 million.

Stamford is a leading provider of real international education in Thailand, focusing on innovative and interactive learning and delivering superior employability outcomes to its graduates. Stamford has three campuses in Thailand and over 4,000 students.

YuHua is a private school operator in central China and is the largest private education provider of kindergartens and universities, in terms of student numbers. It has one university and 25 K12 schools under the Yuhua brand in nine cities in the Henan province and one university acquired recently in the Hunan province.

DLA Piper Corporate partner Heng Loong Cheong who led the transaction said: "We are very pleased to have advised our key global client Laureate Education on another landmark deal in an increasingly active sector in Asia Pacific. This transaction reflects the strength of the tertiary education system in Thailand, while demonstrating DLA Piper's cross-border M&A experience in leading English law and other international law governed deals in the region."

The DLA Piper core team also consisted of Katherine Chew (Of Counsel, Singapore), Chadaporn Ruangtoowagoon (Of Counsel, Thailand), Michelle Chan (Senior Associate, Hong Kong), Teerin Vanikieti (Senior Associate, Singapore), Patthanawach Nuntawowart (Senior Associate, Thailand), Andhari Sidharta (Associate, Singapore) and Sarita Prukaroon (Associate, Thailand). The team was also supported by Gerard Kneppers (Partner, FPR) and Stefanie Postema (Solicitor, FPR) from DLA Piper's Amsterdam office.