EdTech Conference | 10th Anniversary
November 8-10, 2017 | Kathmandu
Open Learning Exchange (OLE) Nepal hosted an international conference on “Shaping the Future of Learning” on November 8-10, 2017. The three-day event provided a platform for practitioners to share their experiences, lessons and challenges, and hold discussions with other groups, education experts, policymakers, teachers and learners to develop strategies to scale successful initiatives to help shape the future of learning in the world.
The conference was a key part of the 10th anniversary celebration of OLE Nepal, and was organised with the hope that the learnings from the discussions at the event will help all participants to develop strategies and partnerships to make quality education accessible to all children. A number of experts and practitioners traveled to Kathmandu to partake in the conference, and to share their lessons and challenges in providing technology-based solutions in classrooms. They brought rich experiences and knowledge in the field of innovative and effective use of technology in improving education quality and access.
Prithivi Pande (left), chairperson of OLE Nepal, speaking at EdTech Conference, in Kathmandu on Wednesday, November 8, 2017. Photo: THT
At the opening session, Mr. Prithivi Pande — Chairperson of OLE Nepal, delivered the welcome remarks and briefly shared the history of how OLE Nepal started its journey 10 years ago with the Department of Education under the Ministry of Education, and partner organizations, to successfully introduce computers in public schools’ classrooms and transform learning with the help of interactive educational content and innovative technology.
Director General, Department of Education (DoE) — Mr. Baburam Poudel, also shared his views on the long-standing partnership between OLE Nepal and the DoE. He applauded the OLE Nepal’s approach to bring quality education to remote parts of the country.
The Keynote speech of the conference was delivered by Dr. Richard R. Rowe — CEO, OLE International, and Former Associate Dean, Harvard’s Graduate School of Education.
Key Note speech by Dr. Richard Rowe on November 8, 2017.
In his speech titled “The Future of Learning”, Dr. Rowe outlined his vision for the future of learning and the ways that will disrupt the traditional and current education systems. According to Dr. Rowe, “Learning will increasingly be personalized with each person’s learning pathway personally chosen and managed. From the earliest years, teachers will transition from deliverers of information to guides and coaches, empowering learners to take charge of their learning and their lives. Learning will become life-long, never ending for everyone, everywhere and all the time. Learning will be active, focused on values, knowledge and skills with a basic goal of enabling each person to experience personal power, purpose in what they are doing and meaningful connections with others.”
Executive Director of OLE Nepal — Mr. Rabi Karmacharya spoke about the vision of OLE Nepal and its journey in providing access to quality education to reduce the disparity in the education system across Nepal.
 Welcome Remarks by OLE Nepal’s Executive Director, Mr. Rabi Karmacharya. |
 Speech by Chief Guest – Mr. Madhu Prasad Regmi, Secretary of Ministry of Education |
Chief Guest at the opening session, Mr. Madhu Prasad Regmi – Secretary of Ministry of Education spoke about the importance of the Ministry’s partnership with OLE Nepal and the necessity to recognize that the education system needs to prepare our students to be successful in the today’s fast changing global economy in this era of information technology. He also highlighted that the Ministry of Education has been working to promote the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in schools through various initiatives.
Mr. Regmi highlighted that OLE Nepal played an important role in developing the ICT in Education Masterplan that was implemented from 2013 to 2017, which went beyond providing computer infrastructure and internet in schools, and emphasized the importance of localized digital content and human resource development as well as the use of technology to improve education management system. He added that ICT has been recognized as a crosscutting theme, in the new School Sector Development Plan (SSDP) that came into effect last year, in improving the equity, quality, efficiency and governance within our education system.
The three-day conference brought together government representatives, ICT in Education experts, local participants and individuals who have employed technology to improve education quality. Over 125 participants from Nepal and other countries participated in the program, including presenters from the US, Ghana, Rwanda, India and Kenya attended the conference.A combination of project site visits, presentation of case studies, discussions with teachers, supervisors, experts, enthusiasts and policymakers, the conference helped chart out a path to a wider adoption of technology-based learning methodologies in Nepal and elsewhere.
We would like to thank our major sponsors of the event — Nepal Investment Bank Ltd., UN World Food Programme, UNESCO Nepal, CIWEC Foundation, and One Laptop Per Child, for helping us organise this international conference. Presentations of the speakers and additional photos from the event are available in the event website -> http://edtech.olenepal.org/