A new call for chairholders of the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) Chairs Programme was recently launched. COL appoints distinguished experts from the Commonwealth as COL Chairs to help advance research, innovation and thought leadership in COL’s fields of competence.
The programme, which started in 2010, facilitates the development of effective open and distance learning (ODL) and technology-enhanced education and training through advocacy, research and capacity-building across the Commonwealth. The programme also strengthens regional cooperation and provides visibility for COL.
During their term of usually three years, chairholders are expected to promote thought leadership in COL’s areas of competence. They should also apply their research and innovation to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4) and support learning for sustainable development within the framework of COL’s Strategic Plan.
Chairholders should be from a Commonwealth country and have a proven track record in conducting research and other innovative activities in one or more of the following areas:
- open and distance learning (ODL)
- open educational resources (OER)
- technology-enabled learning (TEL)
- employability
- authentic assessment
- quality assurance
- lifelong learning for farmers (L3F) or
- gender
Former chairholders include renowned open education experts such as Prof Mohamed Ally, Athabasca University (Canada), Dr Robin Day, Otago Polytechnic (New Zealand), Prof Mpine Makoe, University of South Africa, Prof Tolly S.A. Mbwette, Open University of Tanzania, Prof Rory McGreal, Athabasca University, Prof T.V. Prabhakar, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Prof Vincent Tenebe, National Open University of Nigeria, Prof George Veletsianos, Royal Roads University (Canada), Prof Joel Warrican, Open Campus Barbados, University of the West Indies and Prof Martin Weller, Institute of Educational Technology, The Open University (UK).
COL Chairs are honorary positions hosted by universities within the Commonwealth.
The submission deadline for the next cohort of COL Chairs is 31 January 2023.
More information on the programme and the application form are available here: www.col.org/about/col-chairs
