E-learning set to support global renaissance, sustainable future

E-learning Africa (eLA) 2012 will take place on May 23-25 in Cotonou, Benin, and will feature 12 pre-conference workshops, about 60 sessions and over 300 speakers from Africa and beyond. eLA is the largest gathering of e-learning and information communication technology (ICT) supported education and training professionals in Africa, enabling participants to develop multinational and cross-industry contacts and partnerships and enhance their knowledge, expertise and abilities.

Registration and other details can be enquired from Tanzania Global Learning Agency (TaGLA) at the Institute of Finance Management (IFM) in Dar es Salaam. Speaking about the agency’s role in the forthcoming continental conference recently, TaGLA Interim Executive Director Charles Senkondo said TaGLA would play a key role in the eLA board, sponsoring the conference through the Association of African Learning Centre (AADLC) including script review, linking videoconference sessions and exhibitions.

The conference is a must for anyone involved in ICT for development, education and training in Africa and also for those, who want to find out more about this ever-evolving field.

Focusing on e-learning and sustainability, this year’s conference will explore creative ways in which e-learning can support development and help build a sustainable future. The eLA 2012 call for papers saw an overwhelming response with over 380 proposals received from 70 countries.

Last year, a total of 1, 702 education and training practitioners, experts, researchers, newcomers and providers from 90 countries gathered during the three-day conference at the Mlimani City Conference Centre in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, which saw 83 per cent of the participants from African countries.

The eLA 2011 conference featured the work of 322 speakers and chairpersons from 57 countries, addressing all forms of technology-enhanced learning and including a rich mix of themes, topics and a variety of session formats.

Participants from Europe comprised 11 per cent, the US 4 per cent and Asia 2 per cent. Sectoral representation was as follows: academic (education) 41 per cent, the public sector (government/international organisations) 29 per cent, corporate (business) 21 per cent and civil society (associations/NGOs) 9 percent.

Previous event locations and the number of participants show the following pattern: the eLA 2010 hosted by Zambia attracted 1, 778 participants, 2009 Senegal: 1,350 participants, 2008 Ghana: 1,502 participants, 2007 Kenya: 1,406 participants and 2006 Ethiopia: 832 participants. For the past six years, Zambia has so far hosted the largest number of participants followed by Tanzania last year.

“TaGLA will provide an opportunity to connect Tanzanians through videoconferences to selected sessions, inspire Tanzanians to access available conference materials online and engage them through the social media like Facebook, Twitter and TaGLA’s website during and after the conference.  It will also showcase during the AADLC and a special presentation during the eLA conference,” explained Senkondo.

This year’s keynote and debate speakers include Max Ahouêkê, Minister for Communication and Information and Communication Technologies, Benin, Dorcas Muthoni, Chief Executive Officer/Founder of OpenWorld Ltd, Kenya, and Theophilus Mlaki, Consultant, ICT for Development (ICT4D), Tanzania.