Fifth Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning
Excellence in Distance Education Awards - Part 1
Institute of Education
University of London
London, UK
Monday, July 14, 2008
Honorary Fellows of COL Ceremony
By Prof. Asha Kanwar
Commonwealth of Learning
Honourable Ministers
High Commissioners
Representatives of International Agencies
Heads of Institutions and Organisations
Sir John Daniel, President and CEO of the Commonwealth of Learning
Sir Graeme Davies, Vice-Chancellor of the University of London and Co-Chair of the Forum and his formidable team who have made PCF5 possible
Colleagues, and Friends
A very warm welcome to this exciting afternoon of accolades, awards and celebration. Our first tribute goes to you, our fellow distance educators, who have travelled long distances to be here in Ye Olde Merry England. If the poet Robert Browning was here, he would certainly modify his own words to say 'Oh to be in England now that summer is here' - and we cant be on English soil without invoking William Wordsworth with a slight adaptation, 'Bliss was it in that dawn to be alive, but to be at PCF5 was very heaven'! Thank you for bringing with you the colours, smells and sounds of the Commonwealth and for making this PCF potentially yet another outstanding colourful and multi-cultural event!
During past PCF's, we presented all the Excellence in Distance Education Awards on the same evening. This time, however, we will do this in two parts. Today is Part I, in which we present the Honorary Fellows of the Commonwealth of Learning awards.
The designation of Honorary Fellow of the Commonwealth of Learning recognises outstanding individual contributions to distance education in such areas as leadership and service, published works (including courseware), lectures and presentations, national or international presence and mentorship. Consideration is normally limited to citizens of Commonwealth countries and these designations are for life.
This year, COL is conferring Honorary Fellowships on eight distinguished men and women who have made outstanding contributions in the field of distance education.
During the past four Pan-Commonwealth Forums, COL had honoured 31 outstanding individuals from the Commonwealth. We are fortunate to have some of them with us this at this conference: Lord Asa Briggs, HE Burchell Whiteman, Professor Ram Takwale, Janet Jenkins, Professor Ian MacDonald. and HE Professor Michael Omolewa. And who knows that in this assembly, unbeknownst to them, we also have many Honorary COL Fellows of the future!
The COL Honorary Fellows not only represent the diversity of the Commonwealth, but have themselves become our common wealth. We salute them for their contributions to the cause of non-sectarian and non-parochial education in their countries, and for promoting respect and understanding across the Commonwealth. Because of them, the cause of distance education is all the stronger.
Please note that the awards are made in alphabetical order, and I will call on my colleagues to present the citations.
Let me invite Dr. Willie Clarke-Okah to announce the first Fellow.
Professor Anuwar Ali, Malaysia
Thank you Willie
The Open University of Malaysia has blossomed and flowered under Tan Sri's leadership and become a model for many emerging institutions. He has led the drive to internationalise his institution and is a champion of south-south collaboration. As Mark Twain once said: "Really great people make you feel that you, too, can become great." So there's hope for all of us.
With that, I now invite Dr. Krishna Alluri to announce the second award.
Professor Uma Coomaraswamy, Sri Lanka
Thank you Krishna ji.
Uma ji shows us that a woman of substance never retires but continues to bring 'sweetness and light' where otherwise there may have been darkness and despair. There is a beautiful Buddhist saying, well-known in her country that goes:
'Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened'. So more power and light to you Professor Coomaraswamy
Let me now invite Mr Paul West to present the next Fellow.
Professor Brenda Gourley, South Africa
Thank you Paul.
Professor Gourley is an outstanding leader and a role model for many women leaders around the Commonwealth. Nelson Mandela may have had her in mind when he said, 'It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory, when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership'.
I will now request my colleague Dr. Tanyss Munro to announce the fourth Fellow.
Dr. Myra Harrison, New Zealand
Thank you Tanyss.
Dr. Harrison has chosen to make the world her oyster with her work in Africa and now in New Zealand. She believes with Kofi Annan that 'Education is a human right with immense power to transform. On its foundation rest the cornerstones of freedom, democracy and sustainable human development." Her life and work are a dedication to this ideal.
May I ask Mr Ian Pringle to announce the next award?
Professor Abdul Khan, India
Thank you Ian.
As my former VC, I remember Professor Khan's strong emphasis on organisational discipline and individual excellence. Always at the centre of his vision was the student, often located in remote and difficult circumstances. He had a favourite Urdu couplet which I would like to share with you:
Abhi Mitee nahin tareekiyan zamane ki
Naye Chiraag jalao ki roshni kum hai
Which when translated means
"The Darkness of the ages has not yet gone,
Let us light new lamps as the light around us is dim."
I now ask Frances Ferreira to come and present the next Fellow.
Mr. M.C. Pant, Chairman, India
Thank you Frances.
Professor Pant is actually very young but you can understand that running a school of nearly 1.5 million students can very quickly turn black hair into silver! He believes with the poet C.S. Lewis that 'the task of the modern educator is not to cut down jungles but to irrigate deserts'. So he continues to irrigate the deserts of illiteracy and unemployment.
May I request Dr. Wayne Mackintosh to present the next Award?
Professor Barney Pityana, South Africa
Thank you Wayne.
Professor Pityana is a renowned champion of human rights and would certainly agree with Desmund Tutu who said and I quote, 'If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality'. Prof Pityana has always been one to take a stand and be counted.
And last but not least, I ask Mr. Joshua Mallet to present the final Fellow.
Mrs. Esi Sutherland-Addy, Ghana
Thank you Joshua
Indira Gandhi, the feisty Indian prime minister recalled that 'My grandfather once told me that there were two kinds of people: those who do the work and those who take the credit. He told me to try to be in the first group; there was much less competition.' Esi Sutherland clearly belongs to the first category and has shown us that hard work, commitment and dedication can certainly change the world. Congratulations 'auhema kwanchirefo Esie' which means 'Queen Mentor and Guide'.
Now, I will hand you over to Sir John.
