WEST LAFAYETTE, IND. (WLFI)—A Purdue affiliated company aimed at offering an affordable alternative to textbooks for college campuses is expanding. College students often dread the start of the semester because of the expenses that come with it.
Brady Kalb said, "The average student pays $1,200 a year in text book expenses."
That's where Skyepack Incorporated has stepped in. At an average of $35 per course the Purdue affiliated company is offering affordable learning in electronic form.
"So they can access on the web or on their mobile devices anytime, anywhere," said Kalb.
Kalb realized six years ago that students needed another cost-effective way to pay for textbooks. Instead of lugging around physical textbooks, he made what was simply a common sense investment.
"The more convenient the access is," said Kalb. "The more likely they are to spend time with that material and really learn it the way that they should be."
But Skyepack doesn't stop at convenience.
"We work with everything from graduate level engineering courses to entry level science courses," said Kalb. "Humanities courses, art courses, music, things like that."
Eric Elming said the new platforms present tangible results for students.
"Videos and quizzes right after you read something so that engagement and that new wave of materials," said Elming. "It's fascinating to be a part of that."
Skyepack's platform expands beyond United States borders. Where international students have different needs. Kris Skaff deals with some of the overseas work that Skyepack is involved in.
"The biggest need that they seem to have is that the students don't have first day access to their course materials and we know that we can help in that regard with them," said Skaff.
In the end, "Our goal really is to help as many students as we can and help as many faculty members as we can," said Kalb.
Skyepack plans to offer up to 51 new employee positions by 2022.
