The three-day eLearning Africa networking event that took place in Cairo, Egypt this May was a success.
With GBSN being proud partner at this event, we were glad to know that over 1,045 delegates attended the event. There was 204 conference speakers, who gave presentations exploring latest innovations, best-practice examples and issues regarding technology and education. These presentations were designed to engage the audience thus stimulating interaction between participants.
It was interesting how the event was divided into four sessions. It was a good way of organizing the event. The first session was the opening session, which reviewed the range of initiatives being planned or currently undertaken by both the African Union and individual countries. The second session was the first panel discussion that discussed how technology is affecting our culture of learning and working. The third session was the second panel discussion that focused on how governments can collaborate with other stakeholders in order to facilitate innovation and encourage investment.The fourth session was the closing panel. It encouraged everyone to exchange ideas on best practice examples of successfully implemented innovation and education policies in their own countries.
During the fourth session, a plenary debate occurred; the room was packed full of learning enthusiasts that came together to listen to four education experts on the motion: “This House believes inclusivity is more important for Africa’s future than tradition.”
Moreover, some keynote speakers that caught our attention were:
Elham Mahmood Ahmed Ibrahim, African Union Commissioner of Infrastructure and Energy
Dr. Ibrahim is responsible to lead the infrastructure and energy department to realize its mandate to enhance regional and continental efforts for accelerated integrated infrastructure development and effective sustainable development of energy resources, and to carry out its core functions.
Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji, Founder and CEO of RISE NETWORKS
Akerele-Ogunsiji is the founder/CEO of RISE NETWORKS, a Leading Social Enterprise in Africa, with a deliberate interest in technology and its relevance to youth and education development across Africa.
Moses Oketch, Professor of International; Education Policy and Development at UCL
Oketch is a professor of International Education Policy and Development. His research focuses on the connection between the theory of human capital and implementation of policies.
Thierry Zomahoun, President and CEO, African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS)
Thierry is a global development expert with a successful 22 year track record in educational and scientific programs administration, not-for-profit business startups, and growth and microenterprise development in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean.
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