Commonwealth of Learning Opens |
The Commonwealth of Learning, a new mechanism for cooperation in distance education set up by the 48 countries of the Commonwealth, was inaugurated at Vancouver, Canada on November 14, 1988 with the reading of a message from H.M. The Queen by Secretary-General Shridath (Sonny) Ramphal. The ceremony marked the end of the first meeting of the Board of Governors of the new body. Its key decision was the appointment of Dr. James Maraj as President of the Commonwealth of Learning.
Dr. Maraj combines a remarkable Commonwealth background with impressive credentials in international development and distance education. Born in Trinidad and educated at the University of Birmingham, he has worked at both the University of the West Indies and, as Vice-Chancellor, at the University of the South Pacific. From 1973–1975 Dr. Maraj was Commonwealth Assistant Secretary-General, and he has also served with the World Bank. Most recently he was head of the Fiji Prime Minister's Office until, after the second coup d'état in that country, he moved to Australia. Dr. Maraj took up his appointment with the Commonwealth of Learning on January 1, 1989.
The purpose of the Commonwealth of Learning is to strengthen the capacity of member countries to develop the human resources required for their economic and social development. Special emphasis is placed on helping distance education institutions become more effective. Early priorities are to facilitate staff training, provide consultancy expertise to countries planning to make greater use of distance education, and encourage the exchange of personnel between institutions within each region. Later activities may include sponsoring the cooperative development of learning materials for use in several countries. The focus is on all forms of adult education that lend themselves to distance education and that have a beneficial developmental impact in terms of the priorities of the country or countries concerned.
The headquarters of the Commonwealth of Learning will be in Vancouver, Canada (300–800 Hornby St., Vancouver, V6Z 2C5, Tel. (604) 660-4675, Fax (604) 660-2340, Telex 04507508 COMLEARN). Located there will be the president, the director of administration, and a small staff of professionals expert in the areas of educational communications technology, materials development, and planning and evaluation. Each area will have responsibility for responding to the training and consultancy needs of member countries and their institutions.
Over time, the Commonwealth of Learning may add units in various regions of the world. The information bank at the International Centre of Distance Learning at the UK Open University is being made available to the new body, thanks to a special grant from the British government.
Two unique features of the Commonwealth of Learning make it, in the Queen's words, a "new and significant element in the fabric of the Commonwealth." It is the first Commonwealth agency to have its headquarters outside London, and it is the first time that developing countries have made substantial donations, in convertible currency, to a multilateral project. After Canada, which has contributed $US 15 million over the first five years, the largest donations available to the agency are from Brunei Darussalam ($US 7.5 million), Nigeria ($US 4 million), and India ($US 2.5 million). Each of these three countries hopes to benefit directly from the mission of the Commonwealth of Learning. As well, Australia has earmarked $US 2.5 million for activities in Asia and the Pacific region. Other contributors include Cyprus, Malta, and New Zealand. Given the number of small states in the Commonwealth, their needs for distance education will be of special concern to the agency. In all, some $US 35 million has been promised for activities of the Commonwealth of Learning over its first five years.
Policy and priorities will be set by a Board of Governors made up of government representatives and individuals. The founding board has 17 members as follows:
The next meetings of the Board are scheduled for Delhi, India, on March 20/ 21, 1989 and Vancouver, Canada on November 20/21, 1989.