As Cyprus marks the anniversary of its independence, we celebrate its contribution to the Commonwealth and its commitment to collaboration in open education.
Through the small states community and the Virtual University for Small States of the Commonwealth (VUSSC), Cyprus brings valuable perspectives to our shared work to expand learning opportunities and strengthen institutions.
We commend the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth for advancing these goals through the Strategic Plan for the Improvement and Upgrading of Higher Education in Cyprus. Its priorities include quality and excellence, stronger links with the labour market, internationalisation, and positioning Cyprus as an international centre for higher education.
For small states, these ambitions highlight the value of working across borders to share expertise, encourage innovation and widen access to education. COL looks forward to building on its partnership with Cyprus through VUSSC and other initiatives to advance more inclusive, innovative and accessible education.
On Nigeria’s Independence Day, the Commonwealth of Learning congratulates the Government and people of Nigeria and celebrates the country’s commitment to education and development. Nigeria hosts COL’s Regional Training and Research Institute for Distance and Open Learning (RETRIDOL) at the National Open University of Nigeria. Through the institute, Nigeria helps share knowledge and expand open and distance learning across West Africa.
Through its Education Sector Renewal Initiative and National EdTech Strategy 2025–2030, Nigeria is building pathways from learning to skills and employment, while expanding digital learning, teacher development and inclusive access. The country is also championing open educational resources, flexible learning and micro-credentials, and equipping teachers and TVET practitioners to use generative AI responsibly.
Today, COL celebrates Nigeria's leadership and its efforts to make learning more accessible, relevant and responsive to diverse learners and the world of work.
Resilience in small states is about more than preparing for climate shocks. It is also about preparing people for what comes next.
Across the Commonwealth, open learning is helping build the skills people need to adapt, create sustainable livelihoods, and participate in emerging blue, green and orange economies.
From farming in Dominica and ocean management in Seychelles to creative education across the Caribbean, our latest story explores how practical learning, workforce development and recognised skills can strengthen resilience and help communities draw on their natural resources, local knowledge, and creativity.
In 2025, Botswana took centre stage in open learning when Gaborone hosted the Eleventh Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning (PCF11). Co-hosted by the Ministry of Higher Education and Botswana Open University, the Forum brought together more
On #InternationalTranslationDay, we celebrate the translators, interpreters and language professionals who help make knowledge accessible across languages and communities.
While translated learning resources can improve access, they also need to reflect local cultures,
