Speeches & Presentations 2015

Reading Time: 21 min read

A New Paradigm for Open Universities: Keynote delivered at the AAOU 29th Annual Conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 1 December 2015 by Professor Asha Kanwar, President & CEO (co-written with Dr Sanjaya Mishra, Education Specialist, eLearning).


Adding Global Value: Presented at CHOGM Malta 2015 at the Foreign Ministers’ Roundtable on 28 November 2015 by Professor Asha Kanwar, President & CEO


Preventing Child Early and Forced Marriage: Presented at CHOGM Malta 2015 at the Commonwealth Women’s Forum on 24 November 2015 by Professor Asha Kanwar, President & CEO (co-written with Ms Frances Ferreira, Education Specialist).


Women Leaders in Sustainable Development: Presented at CHOGM Malta 2015 at the Commonwealth Women’s Forum on 24 November 2015 by Professor Asha Kanwar, President & CEO (co-written with Dr K. Balasubramanian, Vice President and Ms Rosanne Wong, Gender Equality Manager).


Learning to Empowerment: A Roadmap: Presented at CHOGM Malta 2015 – Group 5, Parallel Workshop, Women’s Forum in Malta by Dr. K. Balasubramanian, Vice President, co-written with Ms. Alexis Carr, Project Assistant. This presentation is based on the studies carried out by COL among the poor farming communities in Uganda and Kenya under its Lifelong Learning for Farmers (L3F) programme.


Skilling a Nation’s Future: Presented at the 14th International Conference on Information (ICI-14), Delta University of Science & Technology (DUST) in Gamasa, Egypt on 7 November 2015 by Professor Asha Kanwar, President & CEO (co-written with Dr K. Balasubramanian, Vice President).


Promoting Learning for Sustainable Development: 10 minute video presentation delivered to the Commonwealth Secretariat, Committee of the Whole (COW) on 20 October 2015 by Professor Asha Kanwar, President & CEO, Commonwealth of Learning.


Advancing Research in Commonwealth Africa: some reflections: Presented at Botswana College of Distance and Open Learning (BOCODOL), 19 October 2015 by Professor Asha Kanwar, President & CEO (co-written with Dr Godson Gatsha, Education Specialist – Higher Education).


Growing Capacities for Sustainable Distance eLearning Provision: Presented at the 26th ICDE World Conference, Sun City, South Africa, 15 October 2015 by Professor Asha Kanwar, President & CEO.


The impact of OER and MOOCs on ODL: an international perspective: Presented at the Centre for Research in Distance Education, Beijing Normal University, China, 10 October 2015 by Professor Asha Kanwar, President & CEO (co-written with Dr Sanjaya Mishra, Education Specialist – eLearning).


The impact of OER and MOOCs on ODL: an international perspective: Keynote Address at the 2015 International Distance Education Development Forum, Peking University, Beijing, China, 10 October 2015 by Professor Asha Kanwar, President & CEO (co-written with Dr Sanjaya Mishra, Education Specialist – eLearning).


Role of Open and Distance Education in Skills Development: Video presentation delivered at the 2nd International Festival of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEMfest) on 29 September 2015 held in Saskatoon, Canada by Professor Asha Kanwar, President & CEO, Commonwealth of Learning.


Commonwealth Executive Masters in Business Administration and Masters in Public Administration Programmes: Presented at the formal launch of the Commonwealth Executive Masters in Business Administration and Masters in Public Administration Programmes at the Open University of Mauritius, 27 September 2015 by Professor Asha Kanwar, President & CEO.


The Commonwealth of Learning: Overview of COL presented to the delegation from the Ministry of Education and Employment, Malta (Mr Joseph Caruana, Permanent Secretary to the Ministry and Dr Alex Grech, Senior Advisor) who visited COL Headquarters on 22 September 2015.


Widening Access to Education in the Commonwealth: what have we learned?: Keynote address presented at the Distance Education Association of Southern Africa (DEASA) Conference on 18 September 2015 held at the Institute of Distance Education, University of Swaziland by Professor Asha Kanwar, President & CEO (co-written with Dr Godson Gatsha, Education Specialist, Higher Education and Dr Sanjaya Mishra, Education Specialist, eLearning), Commonwealth of Learning.


Open Education Resources: What, why, how?: Presented at the Workshop on Advocacy for OER during the Distance Education Association of Southern Africa (DEASA) Conference on 17 September 2015 held at the Institute of Distance Education, University of Swaziland by Professor Asha Kanwar, President & CEO, Commonwealth of Learning.


Pulling Together as the Commonwealth: Presented at and Chaired the “Pulling Together as the Commonwealth” panel discussion during the 32nd Induction Programme for Commonwealth Diplomats on 10 September 2015 held at Farnham Castle, Surrey, UK by Professor Asha Kanwar, President & CEO, Commonwealth of Learning.


Commonwealth of Learning: Strategies and Programmes: Presented at the 32nd Induction Programme for Commonwealth Diplomats on 10 September 2015 held at Farnham Castle, Surrey, UK by Professor Asha Kanwar, President & CEO, Commonwealth of Learning.


Commonwealth of Learning: Governance & Accreditation: Presented at the 32nd Induction Programme for Commonwealth Diplomats on 10 September 2015 held at Farnham Castle, Surrey, UK by Professor Asha Kanwar, President & CEO, Commonwealth of Learning.


How Technology Developments are Driving Change in Higher Education: Video presentation delivered at the Southern African Regional Universities Association (SARUA) Vice-Chancellor’s Leadership Dialogue, 8 September 2015 in Cape Town, South Africa by Vis Naidoo, Vice-President, Commonwealth of Learning. This presentation focuses on the key technology developments globally and their implications for both the institution and student and notes developments in massive open online courses (MOOCs), open education resources (OER), increased access to devices and other technology applications and will identify emerging trends for institutions and students.


Preparing Teachers for Tomorrow: Public lecture delivered to staff of the School of Education and Staff, Institute of Distance Education, University of Swaziland on 28 July 2015 by Dr. Jessica Aguti, Education Specialist, Teacher Education, Commonwealth of Learning. This presentation highlights three key global predictions that have been made on population growth, technology changes, and status of jobs by 2030 and the implications of these changes on teacher preparations.


What must we do to effectively prepare teachers for tomorrow?: Video presentation delivered at the Distance Education for Teacher Training in Africa (DETA) Conference from Dr. Jessica Aguti, Education Specialist – Teacher Education, held 22-24 July 2015 in Mauritius.


COL in the Commonwealth: Promoting Learning for Sustainable Development: Professor Asha Kanwar, President & CEO, Commonwealth of Learning, welcomes distinguished guests The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Foreign Affairs and The Honourable Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Delta-Richmond East, Minister of National Revenue who gave a special announcement bolstering Canada’s support to girls and women of the Commonwealth. COL Headquarters, Burnaby, Canada.


COL in the Commonwealth: Promoting Learning for Sustainable Development (Ministerial Meeting): Presented at the 19th Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers (CCEM) – Ministerial Meeting. Nassau, The Bahamas, June 2015 by Professor Asha Kanwar, President & CEO, Commonwealth of Learning.


MOOC for Development: Presented at the Roundtable 3: ICT, 19th Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers (19CCEM), Nassau, The Bahamas, 25 June 2015 by Venkataraman Balaji, Director of Technology and Knowledge Management & Professor Asha Kanwar, President & CEO, Commonwealth of Learning.Commonwealth of Learning. This presentation explains why Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) need not be only about Higher Education and can contribute to sustainable development by addressing the three S’s, namely, Skills, Scale and Speed.


COL in the Commonwealth: Promoting Learning for Sustainable Development (Senior Officials Meeting): Presented at the 19th Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers (CCEM) – Senior Officials Meeting. Nassau, The Bahamas, June 2015 by Professor Asha Kanwar, President & CEO, Commonwealth of Learning.


Universal Secondary Education for All: What are the options?: Presented at the 19th Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers (CCEM) Nassau, The Bahamas, June 2015 by Professor Asha Kanwar, President & CEO, Commonwealth of Learning. (Co-written with Ms. Frances Ferreira, Education Specialist – Open Schooling).


The Virtual University for Small States of the Commonwealth: Its journey, evolution and future: Presented at the 19th Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers (CCEM) — Ministerial Pre-conference Meeting, Nassau, The Bahamas, June 2015 by Professor Asha Kanwar, President & CEO, Commonwealth of Learning.


Agricultural Higher Education in the 21st Century: Non-traditional educational models: Presented at the Agricultural Higher Education in the 21st Century: A global challenge in knowledge transfer to meet world demands for food security and sustainability’. Zaragoza, Spain June 2015 by Professor Asha Kanwar, President & CEO, Commonwealth of Learning.


Promoting Learning for Development: Presented at the Commonwealth Secretariat Board of Governor’s Meeting: Presented at the Commonwealth Secretariat Board of Governor’s Meeting London, United Kingdom, May 28, 2015, by Professor Asha Kanwar, President & CEO, Commonwealth of Learning.


Universal Access to Quality Content: The Role of Open Education Resources (OER): Presented at the International Conference on ICT and Post-2015 Education Qingdao, China, May 24, 2015 by Professor Asha Kanwar, President & CEO, Commonwealth of Learning.


Innovating Through Technology: Presented at the World Education Forum 2015 Incheon, Republic of Korea on 20 May 2015 by Professor Asha Kanwar, President & CEO, Commonwealth of Learning.


Gender Equality & Youth in the Commonwealth: Video message presented to the National Student Commonwealth Forum (14 May 2015) in Ottawa, Canada by Professor Asha Kanwar, President & CEO, Commonwealth of Learning.


The Commonwealth of Learning: Presented to the Study Tour of Pakistani Vice Chancellors (27 April 2015) by Professor Asha Kanwar, President & CEO, Commonwealth of Learning.


Gender Impact Assessment: This brief presentation prepared by Ms Rosanna Wong, Gender Equality Manager, Commonwealth of Learning, provides an introduction to gender impact assessment. It provides details about its origin; its definition; its purpose; when it should be carried out; the process it entails; its benefits and limitations (24 April 2015).


Collaborating across borders: Presented at the Open Education Global 2015 Conference in Banff, Canada, 21-25 April 2015 by Leigh-Anne Perryman, The Open University, UK and John Lesperance, Education Specialist, Virtual University for Small States of the Commonwealth (VUSSC), Commonwealth of Learning.This presentation discusses Open Educational Resources (OER) use and open educational practices within the VUSSC.


OER for Development (OER4D): Presented at the Open Education Global Conference 2015 in Banff, Canada (22 April 2015) by Professor Asha Kanwar, President & CEO, Commonwealth of Learning.


The Impact of Online and Distance Learning on Higher Education and Training: Video presentation delivered at the 2nd International Conference on Quality in Higher Education and Training in Trinidad and Tobago (15-17 April 2015) by Professor Asha Kanwar, President & CEO, Commonwealth of Learning.


COL in the Pacific: Promoting Learning for Development: Presented at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia, 30 March 2015 by Professor Asha Kanwar, President & CEO, Commonwealth of Learning.


Learner support – Reflections on paradigms, models and pedagogical approaches for 21st Century learners in Higher Education: Fifth lecture of the The Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL) Distinguished Lecture Series, organized by the International Academic Relations Division (IRD) in collaboration with the Center for Educational Technology and Media (CETMe) on 27 March 2015 by Dr Godson Gatsha (co-written with Michelle Gruda), Commonwealth of Learning.


Open Education Resources (OER): What, Why, How?: Presented at an OER Workshop, Papua New Guinea, 26 March 2015 by Professor Asha Kanwar, President & CEO, Commonwealth of Learning.


OER 2012: Paris and After: Inaugural address at CEMBA/MPA Meeting of Partners organised in collaboration with the Open University of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka, 23 March 2015 by Professor Asha Kanwar, President & CEO (co-written with Mr. Ricky Cheng and Dr. Sanjaya Mishra), Commonwealth of Learning.


Message from the President of COL for International Women’s Day: Video message by Professor Asha Kanwar, President & CEO, Commonwealth of Learning.


Can Mobile Learning empower women and girls?: Presented at the Research Seminar during UNESCO Mobile Learning Week in Paris, France (27 February 2015) by Professor Asha Kanwar, President & CEO (co-written with Ms. Alexis Carr and Dr. K. Balasubramanian), Commonwealth of Learning.


Reaching the Unreached: Delivering OER in off-grid, off-line situations: Presented at Mobile Learning Week 2015, UNESCO (24 February 2015) held in Paris, France by Dr. Venkataraman Balaji (co-written with Mr. Ricky Cheng and Ms. Michelle Gruda), Commonwealth of Learning.


Remarks: Canada House Reception: Remarks given at a reception hosted by HE Gordon Campbell, Canada House, London, UK, 23 February 2015 by Professor Asha Kanwar, President & CEO, Commonwealth of Learning.


Advancing Research in Commonwealth Africa: Some Reflections: Presented at the Commonwealth Tertiary Education Facility (CTEF), Malaysia, 12 February 2015 by Professor Asha Kanwar, President & CEO (co-written with Dr. Godson Gatsha, Mr. John Lesperance, and Dr. Sanjaya Mishra), Commonwealth of Learning.

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