Commonwealth of Learning

How can open and distance learning better support learners with disabilities? Join our upcoming webinar on strengthening disability inclusion for equitable ODL in West Africa to find out.

Featuring a presentation by Dr Adedunni Omowunmi Adegun, Acting Head, Department of Education, Distance Learning Institute, University of Lagos, the session will explore how institutions can develop an Inclusive Learner Support Assessment Framework that responds to the realities of the West African context. Gain a stronger understanding of key regional challenges and practical approaches to improving access, participation and learner success for learners with disabilities.

Register now: https://www.col.org/news/webinar-strengthening-disability-inclusion-for-equitable-odl-in-west-africa/

University of Lagos National Open University of Nigeria - NOUN

Do you work with young people who are ready to turn ideas into solutions?

COL’s Youth Robotics Innovation Challenge is inviting young people across the Caribbean, ages 16–23, to apply and put their creativity and problem-solving skills into action.

Selected participants will join one of seven robotics groups tackling real-world challenges related to blue-green resilience, climate action, food security, oceanography, waste management and community innovation.

With support from mentors and access to robotics kits and learning resources, participants will develop innovative solutions and share their journey with leaders at the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Antigua and Barbuda this November.

Share the opportunity with your students, youth networks and communities. Applications close 11 August 2026!

Today, we join the people of Jamaica in celebrating 64 years of independence!

Jamaica continues to invest in education as a driver of opportunity, resilience and national progress, advancing initiatives across higher education, skills development, agriculture and the wider use of technology-enabled learning.

This work includes strengthening mathematics teaching, improving learning opportunities for disengaged boys, building climate literacy, and expanding pathways to employment through micro-credentials. With COL support, Jamaica is supporting teachers and institutions to create open educational resources, explore teacher-guided uses of AI and develop sustainable business models for technology-enhanced teaching and TVET training.

We celebrate Jamaica’s achievements and look forward to continuing our shared work to make learning more inclusive, relevant and responsive to national priorities.

Ministry of Education & Youth Caribbean Examinations Council Jamaica Teaching Council Page Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) The University of the West Indies, Mona - Western Jamaica Campus Caribbean Maritime University Sam Sharpe Teachers' College University of the Commonwealth Caribbean - UCC The University Council of Jamaica University of Technology, Jamaica

COL is pleased to partner with the National University of Samoa to explore how Frugal AI can support higher education in Samoa and across the Pacific.
Through this partnership, NUS will help adapt and test affordable, sustainable and locally relevant AI solutions that strengthen institutional capacity, protect data sovereignty and support the responsible use of AI in education, research and innovation.

Professor Tuifuisa’a Patila Malua Amosa, Vice Chancellor and President of NUS, said:
“This partnership with the Commonwealth of Learning represents an important step in strengthening Samoa’s digital future. Frugal AI offers a practical and responsible pathway for adopting artificial intelligence in ways that are affordable, sustainable and aligned with our national priorities. Through this collaboration, NUS aims to build local expertise, support innovation and ensure that the benefits of AI can be realised while upholding the principles of ethics, data protection and digital sovereignty.”

𝐍𝐔𝐒 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 - 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔.

National University of Samoa Signs Strategic Frugal AI Collaboration Agreement with the Commonwealth of Learning

Please click on the link below to Read More.
https://nus.edu.ws/nus-press-release-july-2026/

A delegation from the Government of Telangana has concluded a study tour in Vancouver, facilitated by the Commonwealth of Learning (COL), with the signing of a Partnership Agreement between COL and Dr B.R. Ambedkar Open University (BRAOU).

The delegation included Professor Chakrapani Ghanta, Vice Chancellor of BRAOU; Professor Kumar Molugaram, Vice Chancellor of Osmania University; Mr Venkatesh Dhotre, Special Secretary for Higher Education, Government of Telangana; Professor Rabindranath Solomon, Head of the Department of Commerce at BRAOU; and Professor Pallavi Kabde, Head of the Department of Public Administration at BRAOU. Dr Yogita Rana, Principal Secretary for Higher Education, Government of Telangana, participated remotely in the programme.

During discussions at COL, the delegation explored practical approaches to micro-credentials, employability frameworks, the digitalisation of education through shared platforms, and large-scale capacity building for teachers. The programme also included institutional visits to the University of British Columbia to explore learning technology design, Vancouver Community College to examine flexible skills development and credentialling, and Simon Fraser University to discuss international partnerships.

The study tour concluded with the signing of the Partnership Agreement by Professor Chakrapani Ghanta and Professor Peter Scott, President and Chief Executive Officer of COL.

The agreement advances the Memorandum of Understanding signed by COL and BRAOU in Hyderabad in November 2025, identifying specific workstreams for collaboration in digital education, capacity building, micro-credentials and the responsible application of artificial intelligence in higher education.

COL looks forward to working with BRAOU and the Government of Telangana to translate these workstreams into practical initiatives that strengthen institutions, support educators and expand opportunities for learners.

BR Ambedkar Open University - BRAOU Osmania University Information & Public Relations Dept, Telangana University of British Columbia Simon Fraser University VCC - Vancouver Community College Ministry of Education Government of Telangana

How can tertiary education become more open, inclusive and accessible?

Join us on 20 August at 14:30 WAT to hear from Dr Sophia Vivian Adeyeye, FNLA, Head of the Department of Library, Archival and Information Science at Lead City University, Nigeria, as she explores how institutional leadership, supportive policies, national frameworks and collaboration between libraries and academic staff can strengthen the adoption and long-term sustainability of Open Educational Resources. This event is the third webinar in our series on OER Practices in West Africa.

🔗 Learn more and register: https://www.col.org/news/webinar-drivers-of-open-education-in-tertiary-education/

Library, Archival and Information Science, Lead City University Lead City University, Ibadan National Open University of Nigeria - NOUN

How can digital learning make skills development more accessible and responsive to today’s learners?

A visiting delegation from Telangana, India, explored this question during a visit to Vancouver Community College (VCC), where discussions focused on digital skills, micro-credentials, modern apprenticeships, recognition of prior learning and stronger collaboration between education and industry.

Professor Chakrapani Ghanta, Vice Chancellor of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University, and Professor Kumar Molugaram, Vice Chancellor of Osmania University, also experienced VCC’s interactive health simulation technologies, which connect remote and on-campus nursing and health sciences students in real time.

The exchange highlighted the importance of flexible learning pathways for working learners and others balancing personal and professional responsibilities.

Thank you to VCC President and CEO, Ajay Patel; David Wells, Vice President, Academic and Applied Research; Tanis Morgan, Associate Vice President, Academic Innovation; and other members of VCC’s executive team for the valuable exchange.

BR Ambedkar Open University - BRAOU Osmania University Information & Public Relations Dept, Telangana VCC - Vancouver Community College Ministry of Education Col Cemca

Vanuatu marks 46 years of independence today!

In Vanuatu, where geography and climate-related risks can make access to education more difficult, open and flexible learning helps keep learners connected to opportunities. COL’s partnership with Vanuatu has strengthened open learning, improved learner support, and supported teachers and institutions to develop and use open educational resources.

The country is also building the capacity of teachers and TVET practitioners, advancing micro-credentials, creating more employment opportunities for young people, and strengthening digital safety, and data sovereignty to better respond to natural disasters.

COL is proud to continue working with Vanuatu to support education systems that are more resilient, flexible and responsive to learners’ needs. Ministry of Education & Training, Vanuatu

COL was pleased to welcome a delegation from Telangana, India, to our headquarters in Vancouver, Canada. The delegation included Professor Chakrapani Ghanta, Vice Chancellor of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University (BRAOU), and Professor Kumar Molugaram, Vice Chancellor of Osmania University.

Over the next few days, the Vice Chancellors will take part in briefings with COL colleagues on open schooling, teacher education, skills development, micro-credentials, artificial intelligence and other areas of shared interest. Their programme will also include discussions with subject-matter experts at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver Community College and Simon Fraser University.

Technology serves as an important bridge to education across India. This visit will help advance the aims of the MOU signed last year between COL and BRAOU by supporting the development and sharing of open and distance learning knowledge, resources and technologies for sustainable development.

We also thank Dr Yogita Rana for her gracious opening remarks on behalf of the Government of Telangana. We look forward to several days of learning, exchange and collaboration.

BR Ambedkar Open University - BRAOU Osmania University Information & Public Relations Dept, Telangana University of British Columbia Simon Fraser University VCC - Vancouver Community College Col Cemca Ministry of Education

Today, the Maldives celebrates 61 years of independence!

The Maldives has shown strong leadership in education, including in addressing the digital divide, future-proofing education, supporting learners with disabilities and using education to respond to climate challenges.

Together with its education partners, the Maldives is also expanding the use of technology to make learning more accessible and responsive to the diverse needs of learners.

As the country marks this important national milestone, we celebrate our continued partnership in support of learning that is inclusive and resilient.

Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Skills Development National Institute of Education, Maldives Islamic University of Maldives - IUM Villa College