Hooray for stanford university. The much-respected educational powerhouse is now offering an excellent education to students worldwide who may have never otherwise had the opportunity. How are they doing this? Through online classes, of course.

Some of Stanford University's most diligent students are never in class -- or even in the same time zone.

These foreign students, earning a master's degree in engineering through a program available entirely online, concede that they miss the sports, sunshine and the easy camaraderie of fellow Cardinal.

But they gain an education -- and a competitive edge in the workplace -- not available in their home countries.

"It was my dream to study in the best engineering school in the world," said Bing Ma of Beijing, who is studying economics and finance at Stanford's Department of Management Science and Engineering.

Great news. Let's hope we see more schools follow Stanford's lead.