The Eleventh Pan-Commonwealth Forum (PCF11) on Open Learning was held in Gaborone, Botswana from 10-12 September 2025 in partnership with the Botswana Ministry of Higher Education as represented by its implementing agency, Botswana Open University. This in-person Forum brought together 400 policy makers, practitioners and thought leaders from 48 countries (44 Commonwealth countries).
Videos from PCF11 can be found on COL’s YouTube channel.
Theme
Innovative Open Education: Fostering Resilient Societies for Sustainable Economic Development
Sub-themes:
- Changing mindsets for inclusive open education
- Gender, technology and innovation in open education
- Skills development through lifelong open education
- Sustaining communities of learning and practice in innovative open education
Presenters
Asa Briggs Lecture
The Changing Landscape of Open and Distance Learning in Africa Through Technology by Professor Elifas Tozo Bisanda, UNESCO Chair and former Vice Chancellor of The Open University of Tanzania.
Keynote Speakers
Innovating from the Inside: Changing Minds about Digital Education in University Practical Work by Professor Timothy D. Drysdale, Chair of Technology Enhanced Science Education and Director of Strategic Digital Education, School of Engineering, The University of Edinburgh.
Designing for Justice: Embracing Open Pedagogies in an Age of Techno-solutionism by Professor Rajiv Jhangiani, Vice Provost, Teaching and Learning at Brock University.
Education as Liberation: Some Thoughts on Technology, Resilience and Change in Open Education by Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin, Vice Chancellor of University of Guyana.
Incarnation of Global and National Development Ideals for Institution of Sustainable Open Education Systems: The Case and Experience of Botswana by Dr Daniel Tau, Founding Vice Chancellor of Botswana Open University.
Honorary Fellows
- Professor Mark Brown
- Professor Ioana Chan Mow
- Dr Evelyn Nonyongo
- Senator the Honourable Professor Prakash Persad
- Honourable Dr Kaviraj Sharma Sukon
Forum Sponsors and Partners
- AT&T Monnakgotla
- Australia Government – Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- BA Isago University
- Boitekanelo College
- Botswana Accountancy College
- Botswana Ministry of Justice and Correctional Services
- Botswana Ministry of Sports and Arts
- BTC
- Btv
- Human Resource Development Council Botswana
- KCA University
- Namibia College of Open Learning
- National University of Nigeria
- RB Radio Botswana
- Sego Events
- The Grand Palm Hotel Casino Convention Resort
- The Open University UK
