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2011 Focal Points Regional Meeting Reports
2008 Focal Points Regional Meeting Reports

FOCAL POINTS  

In order to make its relationship with each Commonwealth Member State more systematic and interactive, the Commonwealth of Learning introduced a network of COL Focal Points in 2006. Each Minister of Education was requested to nominate a Focal Point (listed below) who would be COL's primary contact in a particular country.

Learning for Development is the theme of the 2009-12 Plan. COL's role is to help countries use a range of appropriate and available approaches and technologies to foster learning at scale. COL's work covers two sectors of activity: Education and Livelihoods & Health. Dialogue with the Focal Points will ensure that COL initiatives match national priorities. These discussions will help COL to develop Country Action Plans for each country for the next three years.

The COL Focal Points are expected to:

  • Interact with COL staff for all our programmes, giving us the necessary feedback to inform our ongoing interventions and to flag areas where new initiatives and interventions could be considered.
  • Have a co-ordination role among different ministries and institutions in their country, where necessary. The Focal Point would be a single-window contact between COL and a Government.
  • Receive and disseminate information about COL and its activities. COL will provide the Focal Point with copies of all the relevant information and material for dissemination to the appropriate institutions and agencies within the country, and will seek relevant information and feedback on programmes and activities from the Focal Point.
  • Receive advance advice about visits of COL staff to specific countries so that well-planned and adequately prepared interactions occur on all issues of mutual interest.
Focal points and country information 
Antigua & Barbuda

Ms. Peecheeta Spencer
Principal

Antigua State College
P.O. Box 193
St. John's
Antigua & Barbuda
 COL activities in 2006-2009
COL activities in 2003-2006

Country Presentation

 

Australia

Ms. Robyn Leven
Senior Policy Officer, UN & Commonwealth Section, AusAID

Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID)
GPO Box 887
Canberra ACT 2601
Australia

 

Dr. Chris Chung
Director, UN & Commonwealth Section, AusAID

Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID)
GPO Box 887
Canberra ACT 2601
Australia

 Country Report 2006-2009

The Bahamas
 

 

Ms. Michelle Sears 
Education Officer

Ministry of Education 
P.O. Box N4610
Nassau
The Bahamas
 COL activities in 2006-2009
COL activities in 2003-2006

 Country Presentation

Bangladesh

Mr. Md Nazrul Islam Khan
Private Secretary to the Prime Minister

Prime Minister's Office
Govt. of the People's Republic of Bangladesh
Tejgaon, Dhaka.
Bangladesh

 COL activities in 2006-2009
COL activities in 2003-2006

 Country Presentation

 

Barbados

Mr. Laurie King
Senior Education Officer, or

Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development
"The Elsie Payne Complex"
Constitutional Road
St. Michael
Barbados
 COL activities in 2006-2009
COL activities in 2003-2006

 Country Presentation

Belize

 

Mr. Christopher Aird
Chief Education Officer

Ministry of Education
West Block
Belmopan
Belize

 COL activities in 2006-2009
COL activities in 2003-2006 

 Country Presentation

Botswana

Godson Gatsha
Director, SADC-CDE

Private Bag BO 187, Bontleng
Gaborone
Botswana

 COL activities in 2006-2009
COL activities in 2003-2006

Country Presentation
Brunei Darussalam
Flag of Brunei Darussalam

Mr. Adinin MD SALLEH
Acting Executive Secretary

Secretariat of Brunei Darussalam National Accreditation Council
Ministry of Education
Old Airport Road
Berakas
Brunei Darussalam BB3510
 COL activities in 2006-2009
COL activities in 2003-2006

 Country Presentation

 

Cameroon

Professor Ivo Leke Tambo
Secretary General

Ministry of Secondary Education
B.P. 1600
Mineduc-Cab
Yaounde
Cameroon

and

Mr. Daniel Akume Akume
Head of the Computerised System for the Management of Staff and Salaries

Ministry of Higher Education
B.P 1739
Yaounde
Cameroon

 COL activities in 2006-2009
COL activities in 2003-2006

 Country Presentation

Canada
Flag of Canada  

Represented on COL's Board as a major donor

 Country Report 2006-2009

Cyprus

Professor George Papadopoulos

Department of Computer Science
University of Cyprus
75 Kallipoleos Street
P.O. Box 20537, CY1678
Nicosia
Cyprus
 COL activities in 2006-2009
COL activities in 2003-2006

Country Presentation 

Dominica

Senior Administrative Officer (Marcella Powell)

Ministry of Education, Human Resource Development, Sports and Youth Affairs
Government Headquarters
Roseau
Dominica
 COL activities in 2006-2009
COL activities in 2003-2006

 Country Presentation

Fiji Islands

Mr. Aseri Manulevu
Senior Agricultural Officer (International Relations)

Agriculture Department
Ministry of Agriculture
Robinson Complex
Private Mail Bag
Raiwaqa, Suva
Fiji Islands
 COL activities in 2006-2009
COL activities in 2003-2006

The Gambia

Mr. Musa Touray
Acting Director

Ministry for Higher Education, Research, Science & Technology
Future Lec Building
Bertil Herding Highway
Kotu East, KMC
The Gambia, West Africa

BIO
 COL activities in 2006-2009
COL activities in 2003-2006

Country Presentation

Ghana

Professor Jophus Anamuah-Mensah

PO Box AD303
Cape Coast
Ghana
 COL activities in 2006-2009
COL activities in 2003-2006

Country Presentation 

 

Grenada

Mr. Andrew Augustine
Senior Human Resource Development Officer

Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development
Botanical Gardens, Tanteen
St. George's
Grenada

 COL activities in 2006-2009
COL activities in 2003-2006

Country Presentation

Guyana

Ms. Inge Nathoo
Secretary-General

Guyana National Commission for UNESCO
"Dargan House"
90 Robb & Oronoque Streets
Bourda
Georgetown
Guyana

 COL activities in 2006-2009
COL activities in 2003-2006

 Country Presentation

India

Shri Amit Khare
Joint Secretary

Bureau of BP and CR Education Policy, UNESCO, INC & ICC
Ministry of Human Resource Development

 COL activities in 2006-2009
COL activities in 2003-2006

Country Presentation

 

Jamaica

Mr. Philbert Dhyll
Assistant Chief Education Officer (Tertiary)

Ministry of Education
2 National Heroes Circle
Kingston 4
Jamaica
 COL activities in 2006-2009
COL activities in 2003-2006

 Country Presentation

Kenya

Mr. Omido Ongonga

Room Number 816, 8th Floor
Jogoo House "B"
Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (MOHEST)
Harambee Avenue
Nairobi
Kenya
 COL activities in 2006-2009
COL activities in 2003-2006

Country Presentation

Kiribati

 

Ms. Karabi Bate
Acting Director of Education

Ministry of Education
P.O. Box 263
Bikenibeu
Tarawa
Republic of Kiribati
 COL activities in 2006-2009
COL activities in 2003-2006

Country Presentation

 

Lesotho

 

Dr. H.M. Lephoto
Director, IEMS

National University of Lesotho
IDCS, Private Bag A47
Maseru 100
Lesotho


 COL activities in 2006-2009
COL activities in 2003-2006

 Country Presentation

Malawi

Vacant

 COL activities in 2006-2009
COL activities in 2003-2006

 Country Presentation

Malaysia

Professor Dr. Rujhan bin Mustafa
Director-General

Department of Higher Education 
Ministry of Higher Education
 COL activities in 2006-2009
COL activities in 2003-2006

 Country Presentation

 

Maldives

Dr. Ali Fawaz Shareef
Director

Centre for Open Learning
Nikagas Magu
Male'
Maldives

and

Ms. Jameela Ali
Head of External Affairs

Ministry of Education
Ghaazee Building
Ameer Ahmed Magu
Male
Maldives
 COL activities in 2006-2009
COL activities in 2003-2006

 Country Presentation

 

Malta

Mr. George Borg
Director, Student Services Department at the Ministry of Education, Employment and the Family
 COL activities in 2006-2009
COL activities in 2003-2006

 Country Presentation

Mauritius

Mr. Vishnoorow LUXIMON
Acting Director
Ministry of Tertiary Education, Science, Research & Technology
 COL activities in 2006-2009
COL activities in 2003-2006

 Country Presentation

Mozambique

Ms. Zaida Paz Helena Bale
Education Officer

Department of International Cooperation
Directorate of Planning and Cooperation
Ministry of Education and Culture
10th Floor, Av. 24 de Julho 167
Maputo
Mozambique
 COL activities in 2006-2009
COL activities in 2003-2006 

 Country Presentation

Namibia

Mr. Beans U. Ngatjizeko
Director-Adult Education

Ministry of Education
Government Office Park
Luther Street
Windhoek
Namibia
 COL activities in 2006-2009
COL activities in 2003-2006

 Country Presentation

Nauru

Dr. Maria Gaiyabu
Secretary for Education

Ministry of Education
Government Offices
Yaren District
Nauru

 COL activities in 2006-2009
COL activities in 2003-2006

 Country Presentation 1

 Country Presentation 2

 

New Zealand

Ms. Elena Procuta

Development Officer
Multilateral/Regional Team

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Private Bag 18901
Parliament Buildings
Wellington  6160
New Zealand

Also represented on COL's Board as a major donor

 Country Report 2006-2009

 Country Presentation

Nigeria

Mrs. Loveth Ijeoma Chidubem Amaku

Federal Ministry of Education
Bilateral Agreements, Commonwealth & African Affairs
Branch Division
8th Floor
Phase III
Federal Secretariat
Abuja
Nigeria

Also represented on COL's Board as a major donor
 COL activities in 2006-2009
COL activities in 2003-2006

 Country Presentation

Pakistan

Professor Dr. Parveen Munshi
Dean

Faculty of Education
University of Sindh
Elsa Kazi Campus
Hyderabad 76080
Pakistan

 COL activities in 2006-2009
COL activities in 2003-2006

 Country Presentation

Papua New Guinea

Mr. Ouka Lavaki
Senior Assistant Secretary

Ministry of Education
General Education Services
P.O. Box 446
Waigani NCD
Papua New Guinea

 

Mr. Charles Mabia
Assistant Director

Institutional Development Branch
Office of Higher Education
PO Box 5117
Boroko 111, N.C.D.
Papua New Guinea

COL activities in 2006-2009
COL activities in 2003-2006

Country Presentation

Rwanda
Flag of Rwanda

Dr. Erasme Rwanamiza
Director-General of Education

Ministry of Education
PO Box 622 Kigali, Rwanda

 Country Presentation

Samoa

Mrs. Gatoloaifaaana Tilianamua To'omata Afamasaga
Director for the Centre of Professional Studies and Continuing Education

Oloamanu Centre
National University of Samoa
P.O. Box 1622
Apia
Samoa
 COL activities in 2006-2009
COL activities in 2003-2006

 Country Presentation

 

Seychelles

Ms. Marie-Reine Hoareau
Technical Advisor
Technical Cooperation & International Relations

Department of Education and Human Resources
Ministry of Education
Mont Fleuri
Mahe
Seychelles
 COL activities in 2006-2009
COL activities in 2003-2006

 Country Presentation

Sierra Leone

Mrs.  Musu Gorvie
Deputy Director, Higher Education, Science & Technology

Ministry of Education, Science & Technology
New England
Freetown
Sierra Leone
 COL activities in 2006-2009
COL activities in 2003-2006

 Country Presentation

Singapore

Ms. Mandy Cheng
Assistant Director

International Relations and Planning Division
Ministry of Education
1 North Buona Vista Drive
Singapore 128675
 COL activities in 2006-2009
COL activities in 2003-2006

 Country Presentation 1

 Country Presentation 2

Solomon Islands

Mr. Bernard Rapasia
Chief Education Officer (TVET)

Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development
PO Box 628
Honiara
Solomon Islands
 COL activities in 2006-2009
COL activities in 2003-2006

 Country Presentation

South Africa

Ms. Pat Bulling
Director: Information Systems Coordination

The Information Systems Coordination Directorate
Department of Higher Education and Training
Sol Plaatje House
123 Schoeman Street
Pretoria 0001
South Africa

 COL activities in 2006-2009
COL activities in 2003-2006

 Country Presentation

Sri Lanka

Mr. S.U. Wijerathne
Additional Secretary

Policy and Planning Unit
Ministry of Education
"Isurupaya"
Battaramlla
Sri Lanka
 COL activities in 2006-2009
COL activities in 2003-2006

 Country Presentation

St. Kitts & Nevis

Ms. Jacqueline Flemming
Senior Assistant Secretary

Ministry of Education, Youth Affiars, Labour, Social Security and Information Technology
P.O. Box 333
Church Street
Basseterre
St. Kitts & Nevis
 COL activities in 2006-2009
COL activities in 2003-2006

 Country Presentation

St. Lucia

Dr. Rufina Frederick
Permanent Secretary

Ministry of Education & Culture
3rd & 4th Floors, Francis Compton Building
The Waterfront
Castries
St. Lucia
 COL activities in 2006-2009
COL activities in 2003-2006

 Country Presentation

St. Vincent & the Grenadines

Mrs. Susan Dougan
Chief Education Officer

Ministry of Education
Halifax Street
Kingstown
St. Vincent & the Grenadines
 COL activities in 2006-2009
COL activities in 2003-2006

 Country Presentation

Swaziland

Mr. Peterson S. Dlamini
Chief Inspector - Teacher Education

Ministry of Education
PO Box 39
Mbabane
H100
Swaziland
 COL activities in 2006-2009
COL activities in 2003-2006

 Country Presentation

Tanzania

Mrs. Lambertha Mahai
Director

Institute of Adult Education
PO Box 20679
Dar es Salaam
Tanzania

 COL activities in 2006-2009
COL activities in 2003-2006

 Country Presentation

Tonga

Mrs. Peaua Heimuli
Deputy Director (Higher Education)

PO Box 161
Tonga Institute of Higher Education Pahu
Ministry of Education, Women's Affairs & Culture
Nuku'alofa
Tonga
 COL activities in 2006-2009
COL activities in 2003-2006

 Country Presentation

Trinidad &Tobago

Mrs. Lystra Sampson-Ovid
Programme Director, Open & Distance Learning

Ministry of Education
#18 Abercromby Street
Port of Spain
Trinidad &Tobago

and

Ms. Karen Rosemin
Director, Distance Learning Secretariat

Ministry of Science, Technology & Tertiary Education
Corner Agra & Patna Streets
St. James
Port of Spain
Trinidad &Tobago
BIO
 COL activities in 2006-2009
COL activities in 2003-2006 

 Country Presentation

Tuvalu

Ms. Katalina P. Taloka
Director of Education

Ministry of Education & Sports
Government of Tuvalu
Private Mail Bag
Funafuti
Tuvalu
 COL activities in 2006-2009
COL activities in 2003-2006

 Country Presentation

Uganda

Mrs. Elizabeth K.M. Gabona
Director, Higher, Technical, Vocational Education and Training

Ministry of Education and Sports
Embassy House
P.O. Box 7063
Kampala
Uganda
 COL activities in 2006-2009
COL activities in 2003-2006

 Country Presentation

United Kingdom

Represented on COL's Board as a major donor

 Country Report 2006-2009

Vanuatu

Mr. John Niroa

Vanuatu

 COL activities in 2006-2009
COL activities in 2003-2006

 Country Presentation

 

Zambia

Mr. Victor Muyatwa
Director

Directorate of Distance Education
Ministry of Education
Box 50093
Lusaka
Zambia
BIO
 COL activities in 2006-2009
COL activities in 2003-2006

Country Presentation