University of Maryland University College was awarded a contract extension to continue offering classes to military communities in the Pacific Command.

The $180 million contract, initially one year but renewable up to six years, was granted by the Department of Defense, according to a Friday news release. UMUC has provided college courses in the Pacific since 1956.

The university serves communities in Japan, South Korea, Okinawa, Guam, Australia, Singapore and Thailand.

The release said more than one million troops have taken courses with the university, which works in more than 20 countries, including Europe and the Middle East.

"UMUC is now serving its third generation of servicemembers in Asia and around the world, and we are pleased and proud to continue our legacy of providing quality higher education programs to our nation’s troops, no matter where they are called to serve," Susan C. Aldridge, the UMUC president, is quoted as saying in the release.

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