Eleventh Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning (PCF11)

The Commonwealth of Learning (COL), in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Skills Development and its implementing agency, Botswana Open University, will host the Eleventh Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning (PCF11) from 10 to 12 September 2025 at the Gaborone International Convention Centre (GICC) at The Grand Palm Resort.

The Forum takes place every three years and is considered one of the world’s leading international conferences on open and distance learning (ODL). The focus of the Forum is to provide an opportunity for the open, online and flexible learning community to meet, share knowledge and experiences, identify important trends and explore applications of open and distance learning in widening access, bridging the digital divide and advancing the social and economic development of communities and countries. The event is significant for practitioners and researchers from developing countries.

To ensure PCF11 is accessible to as many delegates as possible, this will be a hybrid event. This conference will continue to provide the rich in-person experience that delegates have come to expect while also allowing virtual attendees to access a mix of live, on-demand, and interactive content.

Further details about in-person and virtual options, as well as delegate registration information, will be posted later.

Prof. Asha Kanwar

President and Chief Executive Officer
Commonwealth of 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

Learn more about the Commonwealth of Learning

Prof. Peter Scott

President
Athabasca University

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

Learn more about Athabasca University

Innovative Open Education: Fostering Resilient Societies for Sustainable Economic Development

Innovative open models, with creative and collaborative practices derived from distance and now online learning, have the capacity to narrow the gap between those with access and those without while increasing quality and collaboration.

Learn more about the PCF11

Gaborone, Botswana

Gaborone, Botswana’s capital, offers a unique blend of cultural and natural attractions, making it an excellent choice for PCF11. In addition to Botswana Open University, the city is home to higher education institutions like the University of Botswana, Botswana Accountancy College, and the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, fostering a vibrant academic environment. The city’s compact nature ensures that logistics are straightforward, with most hotels, conference centres and key attractions located within a short distance of each other.

Gaborone offers delegates opportunities to experience Botswana’s rich cultural heritage and natural beauty. Its strategic location also provides easy access to nearby wildlife parks, enhancing its appeal. Within the city, the Gaborone Game Reserve offers a glimpse of Botswana’s diverse wildlife, while the nearby Mokolodi Nature Reserve and Khutse Game Reserve provide deeper wildlife experiences.

Image by Christo Ras from Pixabay