Going West: Top Education Conference Heads for Côte d’Ivoire
Africa’s leading conference and exhibition on technology-assisted learning and training, eLearning Africa, will head to Côte d’Ivoire next year. Organisers have confirmed that the pan-African conference, which brings together education professionals, technology experts, entrepreneurs and investors for three days of networking, discussions, briefings and debates, will be held in the West African country’s capital city, Abidjan.
Rebecca Stromeyer, the founder of eLearning Africa and CEO of ICWE GmbH, the company which will host the conference in partnership with the Ivorian Government, said:
“I’m delighted that in 2019 eLearning Africa will be returning to West Africa. There is always a lot of competition to win the right to host the event and Côte d’Ivoire put together a very good proposal. The Government was very keen to bring eLearning Africa to Abidjan and Ivorian ministers understand the importance of technology in extending opportunity in education. There are going to be some big changes in education and training in Côte d’Ivoire in the next few years, so it’s an interesting time to be visiting.
“There will be much interest in what’s going on in the country and in its potential as both an investment opportunity and a source of new partnerships. Equally, Côte d’Ivoire’s recent experience and the importance the Government attaches to technology in education will be important points of reference in our discussions.”
The Ivorian Government’s Education Plan makes clear that key priorities are developing the use of ICTs in secondary schools, improving the employability of graduates and developing ICTs more generally.
“Participants in eLearning Africa will have a fascinating opportunity to learn about how digital technologies in education are helping to enable this important West African country to rebuild itself and lay the foundations for sustained economic growth and prosperity. The Government’s focus on ICT in education will quickly feed through into real benefits in employment, investment and economic growth.”
Visitors to Côte d’Ivoire for eLearning Africa will have the opportunity to experience for themselves one of Africa’s most culturally diverse countries. One of the world’s largest cocoa producers, Côte d’Ivoire is also rich in biodiversity and the Comoé National Park in the North East of the country boasts the world’s most biodiverse savannah. The park is home to 135 species of mammals, including 11 primate species.
eLearning Africa 2019 will feature a full programme of discussions, briefings and debates on diverse themes, ranging from the use of ICT in higher education to the provision of 21st century skills for African workers and businesses. The conference will be accompanied by an exhibition, at which producers and providers will demonstrate new products, solutions and courses.
“eLearning Africa always brings together a mix of educators, technology experts, political leaders, planners, investors and entrepreneurs from across the continent,” explains Ms Stromeyer. “It is an extraordinary network of people from all over the world and, during its 14 years of existence, it has made a big contribution to helping education and technology to transform Africa. It’s a place where people learn and exchange ideas. Above all though, it is chance to meet new people, make new contacts and forge new partnerships in one of Africa’s fastest growing sectors.”
Notes
Full details about eLearning Africa 2019, including the conference programme, will be published on the website www.elearning-africa.com.
eLearning Africa will have an information booth at this year's OEB Global event, taking place in Berlin from 5-7 December 2018. OEB participants will be able to find out more about attending eLearning Africa, and about the conference and sponsorship opportunities.
eLearning Africa 2019 is organised by ICWE GmbH, http://www.icwe.net, Leibnizstrasse 32, 10625 Berlin, Germany under the patronage of the Government of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire