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.
Registration fees are now available. Further details about in-person and virtual options and how to register will be will be available in early 2025.
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.
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
10 October 2024
Call for abstracts and proposals
30 January 2025
Last date for submission of abstracts and proposals
01 March 2025
Notification of abstract/proposal approval
15 April 2025
Last date for full paper submission
01 May 2025
Notification for full paper submission
10 September 2025
PCF11 commences