Dr Jako Olivier, Education Specialist: Higher Education at COL, recently visited Pretoria, South Africa, where he engaged with colleagues from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) and Council on Higher Education (CHE) to share insights and explore potential areas of collaboration.
Discussions focused on shared priorities, including micro-credentials, qualifications recognition, quality assurance and digital innovation, as well as opportunities to strengthen skills recognition and create more flexible learning pathways. These exchanges laid a valuable foundation for future partnerships aimed at expanding access to quality education and lifelong learning opportunities.
From tackling sargassum seaweed and coastal resilience to exploring solutions for food security and biodiversity, young innovators across the Caribbean are putting their skills and creativity to work on blue-green challenges facing their communities.
Earlier this week, they presented their robotics prototypes and research to Commonwealth leaders at the #CHOGM2026 Youth Forum in Antigua and Barbuda. Behind these innovations are months of learning and collaboration, reflected in a growing collection of youth-developed resources, including a youth-led journal, pre-recorded presentations from select teams and recordings of webinars led by the research, media and advocacy cohorts.
The showcase was part of COL’s Pan-Caribbean Youth Robotics Innovation Project for Blue-Green Resilience and Prosperity, implemented in partnership with Antigua and Barbuda’s Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, with support from GIZ on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Following a successful #CHOGM2026 in Antigua and Barbuda, Commonwealth leaders now have an opportunity to build on the discussions, partnerships and commitments made to deliver lasting results.
COL’s 12 concrete opportunities for action offer a practical starting point. From transforming learning systems and connecting education with livelihoods to developing digital, green, blue and creative economy skills, harnessing technology responsibly, and advancing climate resilience, gender equality and the priorities of small states, the focus now is on turning shared ambitions into practical action that supports the Commonwealth’s 2.7 billion citizens.
Explore the opportunities for action through COL’s interactive CHOGM microsite and let us know where you plan to make a difference: www.col.org/chogm26
Dr Jako Olivier, Education Specialist: Higher Education at COL, recently visited Pretoria, South Africa, where he engaged with colleagues from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) and Council on Higher Education (CHE) to share insights and explore potential areas of
From tackling sargassum seaweed and coastal resilience to exploring solutions for food security and biodiversity, young Caribbean innovators are putting their skills and creativity to work on blue-green challenges.
Earlier this week, they presented their robotics prototypes and
Following a successful #CHOGM2026 in Antigua and Barbuda, Commonwealth leaders now have an opportunity to build on the discussions, partnerships and commitments made to deliver lasting results.
COL’s 12 concrete opportunities for action offer a practical starting point. From
