The Commonwealth of Learning

Presentations and discussions on developments, trends and issues in open learning in all sectors of the Commonwealth.

• Regional issues: chaired by: Dr. Abdul W. Khan, Vice Chancellor, Indira Gandhi National Open University, India.
• Sectoral issues chaired by Ros Morpeth, Director, National Extension College, UK.

Dinner hosted by the Minister of Education, Brunei Darussalam

Tuesday, March 2, The Forum

Formal opening

Inaugural address:
H.E. Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Commonwealth Secretary-General

Keynote address: Empowerment through Education and Technology

Parallel sessions

Dinner hosted by Universiti Brunei Darussalam

Wednesday, March 3, The Forum

Plenary session: Affordable Technology for People in Developing Countries

Parallel sessions

Optional activities:

• COL-convened meeting of the presidents/representatives of the Commonwealth’s open and distance education associations
• Round table involving contributors to, and persons interested in, the COL virtual university study
• Meetings of special interest groups
• Visits to educational institutions and places of interest
• Visit to Jerudong Park Playground, hosted by Universiti Brunei Darussalam

Thursday, March 4, The Forum

Keynote address: Empowerment through Knowledge in developing countries

Plenary sessions:

• Open Learning for the Isolated and the Marginalised
• Open Schooling
• Open Learning and Non-Formal Adult and Community Education
• Open Corporate and Industrial Training
• Open Learning in Universities and Colleges

Open discussions

Parallel sessions

Official launch of the first volume of the COL/Routledge World Review of Distance Education series

Dinner hosted by COL/presentation of the COL Excellence in Distance Education Programme awards

Friday, March 5, The Forum

Plenary session: How the Information Age will Change our Lives

Parallel sessions

Open forum

Closing address: Open Learning – Looking Ahead
Dato’ Professor Gajaraj Dhanarajan, The Commonwealth of Learning