Tenth Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning

Dear friends and colleagues,

The Tenth Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning (PCF10) comes at a time when distance and online learning have been embraced globally. In earlier editions of PCF, advocacy for open and distance learning was a major focus. This time we will discuss how open learning can be a key feature for fast tracking the transformation of education for the future. The future must be based on the principles of equity, inclusion and environmental conservation where the role of ODL will be more important than ever before.

Innovative approaches will be required to build the resilience of education systems. And innovations relate not just to technology but to developing appropriate models, methods, policies and processes.  During the pandemic both policy makers and practitioners responded to the crisis with a sense of urgency and developed solutions appropriate to their contexts. PCF10 provides a platform for diverse constituencies to come together and share their experiences and insights. This is also an opportunity to network and forge collaborations for building back better.

The Commonwealth of Learning is proud to partner with Athabasca University, Canada’s online university to bring PCF10 for the first time to Canada, which is also the home of COL. These are uncertain times but our colleagues both at COL and AU are working hard to ensure that the PCF experience will be enriching and memorable for each participant. Let me extend a personal invitation to each one of you in the Commonwealth and beyond. It is time for us to meet in person in the midst of the Canadian Rockies!

Sincerely,

Professor Asha Kanwar
President and CEO
Commonwealth of Learning

Hello friends and colleagues,

It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the 10^th Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning, PCF10, in beautiful Calgary, Canada. Athabasca University, Canada’s open and online university, is proud to be co-hosting this incredible event alongside the Commonwealth of Learning, both in-person and virtually.

There has never been a better or more important time to come together to discuss open education around the world – the need for incorporating accessible and innovative technologies, for fostering equity and inclusion for all, and for supporting sustainability and resilience in education systems.

I look forward to enthusiastic examinations of these and many other topics over the course of our three days together, and to forging new relationships with peers from across the Commonwealth and beyond. I wish all of you an enjoyable and enlightening experience at PCF10!

Regards,

Professor Peter Scott, PhD, FRSN
President
Athabasca University