Distance learning returns to its roots

University of London to host Pan-Commonwealth Forum in July

Distance learning is an inspirational tool helping to improve people’s lives, health and social justice across the 53 member nations of the Commonwealth and elsewhere. It is, therefore, fitting that, in the 150th anniversary  of it establishing the world’s first distance learning degrees, the University of London is to host a major international conference on the subject, the Fifth Pan-Commonwealth Forum (PCF5) .

PCF5, jointly organised by the Commonwealth of Learning  and the University of London, is an international conference which will explore the contribution of open and distance learning to international development goals, by opening up access to learning at every level.

The theme for this year’s conference is ‘Access to Learning for Development’. It has a focus on the part that innovative approaches to education can play in achieving international development goals. This theme is broken down into four main areas of focus: children and young people; health; livelihoods; and governance, conflict and social justice.

More than 300 papers have been submitted to the Forum. Panel presentations and discussions will deal with a wide array of topics including: helping those afflicted by conflict in Northern Uganda, providing access to agricultural information for women farmers, raising HIV Aids awareness in Papua New Guinea, training paramedical technicians in India and the role of distance education for prisoners in Europe and Africa.

Keynote speakers at the four-day event include: The Rt Hon Professor Apolo Nsibambi, Prime Minister of Uganda; Mr Nicholas Burnett, Assistant Director-General for Education at UNESCO; Mr Kamalesh Sharma, Commonwealth Secretary-General; and Mr Zamal Uddin Biswas, Grameen Bank, Bangladesh.

Sir Graeme Davies, Vice-Chancellor of the University of London, comments: ‘The University of London is very honoured to have been chosen by the Commonwealth of Learning to host this prestigious event.

‘In 1858 the University of London became the first University in the world to offer distance learning degrees. Today distance learning touches, and helps improve, the lives of many millions across the globe. It is therefore fitting that such a universal subject should, in our 150th anniversary, be returning to its roots.

‘Among the 600 delegates who will be coming to PCF5 to help advance this most worthwhile of causes will be many from the Universities across the globe that were either founded by or inspired by the ideals of the University of London. If distance learning has a spiritual home then the University of London, founded on the principle of providing education for all, irrespective of race, creed or political belief, is it.’

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For further information contact:
Andy Williamson
Head of Communications
University of London
Tel: +44 (0)20 7862 8020; Email: andy.williamson@london.ac.uk 

Notes for editors:

• Full details of the Forum are available at: www.pcf5.london.ac.uk
• The Pan-Commonwealth Forum, held every two years, is the leading international conference on learning and development. PCF5 takes place 13–17 July 2008 at the Institute of Education, University of London.
• There will be more than 600 delegates from across the Commonwealth representing higher education institutions, government, non-government organisations, charities and private companies.
• This is the first time the Forum has been held in Europe. The University of London was chosen as host as its External System, the prototype of distance learning, is celebrating its 150th anniversary. 
• In 1858 the University of London became the first University in the world to offer distance learning degrees. Today the External System is a unique global network of 41,000 students in 180 countries, on more than 100 study programmers ranging from social sciences to law to health. Famous former students include Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi and five Nobel Prize Winners. 
• A stand-alone meeting of Vice-Chancellors, Rectors and Principals will be held on Sunday 13 July 2008, directly preceding PCF5. This constituency, with a shared interest in international development, will make a key contribution to the agenda of UNESCO’s World Conference on Higher Education in Paris in 2009.
• The University of London, established in 1836, is a federation of 19 distinct Colleges, 10 institutes of advanced study and a range of central services.
• The Commonwealth of Learning (COL), based in Vancouver, Canada, is an intergovernmental organisation created by the Commonwealth Heads of Government to encourage the development and sharing of open learning/distance education knowledge, resources and technologies. COL is helping developing nations improve access to quality education and training. COL’s Excellence in Distance Education Awards are presented at the Forum. 
• The Commonwealth, headquartered in London, is an association of 53 independent states, containing 2 billion citizens, which consult and co-operate in the common interests of their peoples and in the promotion of international understanding and world peace.