The
Namibian College of Open Learning (NAMCOL) will participate in the 11th
Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning (PCF11) from September 10 to 12, 2025,
in Gaborone, Botswana. The forum is a collaborative effort between the
Commonwealth of Learning (COL) and the Ministry of Higher Education in
Botswana, with the Botswana Open University (BOU) as the host agency.
The
theme for this year’s forum is “Innovative Open Education: Fostering
Resilient Societies for Sustainable Economic Development.” The event
serves as a platform for global researchers and practitioners to discuss how
open and distance learning can enhance educational access, reduce the digital
divide, and contribute to the social and economic progress of communities and
nations.
A
team of 15 members from NAMCOL will attend the event. The delegation is being
led by Dr Ngepathimo Kadhila, the Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Albert
Kulobone, an Executive Management Committee member, who will be part of the
pre-conference activities. The NAMCOL team plans to contribute to the forum’s
programme by giving research presentations.
The
Forum will bring together researchers and practitioners from around the globe
to explore applications of open and distance learning in widening educational
access, bridging the digital divide, and advancing the social and economic
development of communities and nations.