From the President and CEO of the Commonwealth of Learning (COL), Professor Peter Scott.

COL pays tribute to Sir Shridath Ramphal, GCMG AC ONZ OE OCC NIIV OM KC FRSA, former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, on his passing.

A visionary leader whose commitment to bridging the North-South divide in social and economic development has left an indelible mark on the world. Recognising the transformative power of education, Sir Shridath championed distance learning as a means to promote inclusion across the Commonwealth. His foresight led to the establishment of COL, which he later described as “a jewel in the crown of the Commonwealth” in his reflections 25 years after its founding. His belief in technology-enabled learning as a catalyst for change has been validated, with millions now engaged in various forms of distance education. The widespread embrace of open and online learning across nations stands as a testament to his vision of greater inclusion. Even in his later years, Sir Shridath remained steadfast in his dedication to COL’s mission, underscoring its exceptional role in his message to the organisation during CHOGM 2022.

On behalf of the Commonwealth of Learning, we extend our sincerest sympathies to Sir Shridath’s family during this difficult time.

Image from, Lord Ru, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons