Eleventh Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning (PCF11 2025)
Innovative Open Education: Fostering Resilient Societies for Sustainable Economic Development
10 to 12 September 2025
The Commonwealth of Learning (COL), in partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education of Botswana and Botswana Open University, extends its sincere appreciation to all who attended and contributed to the Eleventh Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning (PCF11), held in Gaborone, Botswana, from 10 to 12 September 2025.
With over 400 participants from 44 Commonwealth Member States, 12 pre-event workshops, 200 scholarly papers, and 50 poster, panel and workshop sessions, PCF11 brought together educators, researchers, policymakers, innovators, development partners and Ministers – for engaging dialogue and collaboration from across the Commonwealth.
Together, participants explored new pathways for open and distance learning that will help shape a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable future for Commonwealth education.
COL also thanks its hosts, the Ministry of Higher Education of Botswana and Botswana Open University, for their partnership, hospitality, and support for making PCF11 a success.
THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING!
Photos of the Forum
Sep 10 | Day 1 – Opening Ceremony
Sep 10 | Day 1 – Plenary and Sessions
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.
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
