In 2025, Botswana took centre stage in open learning when Gaborone hosted the Eleventh Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning (PCF11). Co-hosted by the Ministry of Higher Education and Botswana Open University, the Forum brought together more than 400 participants from 44 Commonwealth countries to explore new pathways for open and distance learning and a more inclusive, resilient and sustainable future.
The resulting Gaborone Statement, endorsed by Education Ministers at PCF11, set out seven collective actions for the Commonwealth, spanning inclusive and digital learning, skills for work, and stronger education systems.
Today, COL celebrates Botswana's leadership and its growing contribution to making education more open, flexible and responsive, at home and across the Commonwealth.
On #InternationalTranslationDay, we celebrate the translators, interpreters and language professionals who help make knowledge accessible across languages and communities.
While translated learning resources can improve access, they also need to reflect local cultures, contexts, knowledge and lived experiences to be truly relevant.
COL’s new Knowledge Series publication, Localisation of Open Educational Resources: Considerations for Educators and Educational Institutions, by Professor Lynne Bowker and Dr Jako Olivier, explores how OER can be adapted to become more meaningful and inclusive.
The Commonwealth of Learning is inviting Expressions of Interest to co-host the Twelfth Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning (PCF12) in 2028.
Held every three years, PCF convenes ministers, education leaders, researchers and practitioners to exchange evidence and experience, strengthen partnerships, and advance policy and practice in open, distance, flexible and technology-enabled learning.
Open to proposals from Commonwealth countries, small states and institutional hosts, including expressions submitted through consortia, co-hosting offers an opportunity to showcase innovation, expand international networks, and help shape conversations on the future of education and skills.
The deadline to submit your Expressions of Interest is 30 November 2026. Learn more: www.col.org/news/pcf12-eoi/
In 2025, Botswana took centre stage in open learning when Gaborone hosted the Eleventh Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning (PCF11). Co-hosted by the Ministry of Higher Education and Botswana Open University, the Forum brought together more
On #InternationalTranslationDay, we celebrate the translators, interpreters and language professionals who help make knowledge accessible across languages and communities.
While translated learning resources can improve access, they also need to reflect local cultures,
Research on women’s access to STEM education points to progress. But are those gains translating into equal opportunities to build careers and lead?
COL’s Women in STEM initiative (WiSE) is examining the gaps behind this question, bringing together researchers, policymakers and civil society to develop solutions that expand opportunities for women across STEM education, employment and leadership.
At a recent workshop in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, stakeholders from Brunei, India, Malaysia, Pakistan, The Gambia and Uganda discussed barriers, shared lessons on more inclusive policy and practice, and identified practical actions to help more women participate, progress and lead in STEM.
Rwanda’s higher education and teacher training institutions are taking important steps towards the responsible and effective use of artificial intelligence (AI). Through a collaboration between the Commonwealth of Learning (COL), the Higher Education Council (HEC) and the University of Rwanda (UR), representatives from nine higher education and teacher training institutions have come together in Kigali, Rwanda, for a three-day session to develop and strengthen institutional AI policies and guidelines.
The initiative aims to establish a coherent, future-ready framework that enables institutions to harness AI to improve the quality of education, foster innovation and promote ethical practices. The policies are being developed in alignment with national guidance from HEC as well as regional frameworks from the Inter-University Council for East Africa.
Opening the event, Dr Olivier Habimana, Head of the Department of Digitalisation and Research at HEC, highlighted the importance of clear AI policies and other institutional measures to support the effective integration of AI in education. In his welcoming remarks, Professor Florien Nsanganwimana, Principal of the College of Education at the University of Rwanda, emphasised the critical role of teachers in preparing learners for an AI-enabled future, noting the importance of AI literacy and ethics in supporting students.
This activity forms part of COL’s broader work in AI for Teacher Education work across Sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean. It reflects our commitment to promoting shared learning, locally relevant and collaborative solutions, open educational resources, and the responsible and sustainable integration of AI across education systems.
“Our task is not simply to put AI tools in teachers’ hands, but to strengthen their agency to decide when, why and how AI can improve teaching and learning,” says Dr Betty Ogange, Education Specialist: Teacher Education at the Commonwealth of Learning.
As AI becomes an increasingly integral part of education, responsible integration must begin with teacher education and professional development. This means embedding AI literacy, ethics, critical thinking and inclusive practices into teacher education policies, curricula and assessment.
Our latest story looks at how South Africa is translating AI literacy into practical action across teacher education. Read more at the news link in our bio. #ArtificialIntelligence #TeacherEducation #AILiteracy #Teachers #InclusiveEducation #SouthAfrica @highereduza @universityofpretoria @university_of_cape_town
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