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Canada

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COL has been based in Vancouver, Canada, since being established in 1987 when the Canadian government offered to host the organisation in British Columbia. Canada is a major contributor to COL’s budget and a strong supporter of COL’s activities. As a major donor, Canada has a seat on COL’s Board of Governors. Canada is rich in resources for COL, and Canadian institutions often cooperate with COL to host visitors from the developing world and share experiences and expertise.

The Tenth Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning (PCF10), co-hosted with Athabasca University was held in Calgary, Canada, from 14 to 16 September 2022.

Partners

Partnerships are fundamental to COL’s work. Strategic partnerships allow COL to broaden its reach and engage at global, regional and national levels, while implementation partners support COL’s work in communities and institutions across Commonwealth Member States. Partners include multilateral organisations, regional bodies, national governments, government agencies, foundations, civil society organisations, public and private (not-for-profit) institutions and the private sector. COL partnerships assist in improving and extending teaching and learning services to people in the developing Commonwealth.

In Canada, COL’s partners include:

  • Global Affairs Canada
  • Athabasca University
  • Lakehead University
  • Royal Roads University
  • University of British Columbia

Key Contacts

Board of Governors

Ms Emi Furuya
Director General, International Organizations
Global Affairs Canada

Notable Mention

D. Dominique A.M.X. Abrioux​, COL Honorary Fellow

Professor Mohamed Ally, COL Chair (Centre for Distance Education, Athabasca University)

Mr Gerry Armstrong, former member of COL Board of Governors

Dr Tony Bates​, COL Honorary Fellow

The Honourable Iona Campagnolo, O.C., former member of COL Board of Governors

Ms Denise Chong, former member of COL Board of Governors

Ms Robin Ciceri, former member of COL Board of Governors

The late Dr Glenn Crombie, former member of COL Board of Governors

Sir John Daniel, O.C., COL Honorary Fellow, former COL President & CEO and member of COL’s Founding Board of Governors

Ms Janet L. Ecker, ICD.D, former member of COL Board of Governors

Dr Glen M. Farrell, COL Honorary Fellow

Mr Michael Gort, former member of COL Board of Governors

Mr Don Hamilton, member of COL’s Founding Board of Governors

Mr Shell Harvey, former member of COL Board of Governors

Mr Maxim Jacques Jean-Louis, COL Honorary Fellow

Mr Arif Lalani, former member of COL Board of Governors

Dr H. Ian Macdonald, O.C., COL Honorary Fellow and former Chair, COL Board of Governors

Dr Rory McGreal, former COL Chair (Athabasca University)

The late Dr Lewis Perinbam, O.C., former Chair, COL Board of Governors

Ms Tina Sartoretto, former member of COL Board of Governors

Professor George Veletsianos, COL Chair (School of Education and Technology, Royal Roads University)

Ms Jodi White, former member of COL Board of Governors

More Information

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