The Commonwealth of Learning empowers people through learning that leads to economic growth, social inclusion and environmental conservation.
The Commonwealth of Learning (COL) is pleased to announce the release of…
By Dr Jyotsna Jha Director Skills, Commonwealth of Learning “For ALL women and…
On 5 March 2025, New Zealand’s Wellington National Library hosted the National…
Zanzibar signs MOU with COL to boost youth skills and employment.
The Commonwealth of Learning (COL) @COL4D and the Zanzibar Economic Empowerment Agency (ZEEA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at an event recently held at the Zanzibar Presidential Delivery Bureau offices. The MOU paves the way for implementing the Pathways to Prosperity Project in Zanzibar, Tanzania. The project will run for two years, from July 2025 to June 2027, with the primary goal of establishing a resilient youth empowerment system in Zanzibar.
By signing this MOU, targeted activities will be launched to create pathways towards employment and prosperity, directly addressing youth unemployment, skills gaps, and labour shortages. These initiatives will particularly focus on the digital, blue, green, and orange economies. Open Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) approaches will be integrated into both formal and informal skills training programmes to strengthen TVET systems, build workforce resilience, and align closely with national development priorities and labour market demands.
Professor Peter Scott @peter_scott, President and CEO of COL, was among the distinguished attendees who joined the event virtually. In his remarks, Professor Scott said that the event coincides with Commonwealth Day, which aspires to the shared values, cultures, unity, diversity, and histories of the Commonwealth’s 56 member states, including the United Republic of Tanzania. He added that ‘this day is significant as it fosters international cooperation and collaboration among our member states, promoting sustainable development’.
The event demonstrated the collective effort of various stakeholders in Zanzibar’s development and educational sectors. The Zanzibar government, represented by Mr Khamis Said, Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training, played a significant role and highlighted Zanzibar’s education transformation and the focus on skill development from pre-primary to tertiary education. Professor Mohammed Hafidh, CEO of the Zanzibar Presidential Delivery Bureau (ZPDB), Juma Burhan, Executive Director of ZEEA, and Dr Ibrahim Kabole, Social Service Team Leader at ZPDB, were also in attendance. Representatives from academic institutions, including Vice Chancellors and the labour sector, were also present.
Mr Robert Okinda, Adviser for Skills at COL, also attended the event virtually and commented, “The MOU will be the anchor for implementing projects to create pathways to employment prosperity using Open vocational and technical training initiatives in Zanzibar, Tanzania”. He further emphasised that ZEEA will lead in developing and implementing these initiatives across its affiliated institutions, working collaboratively with social solidarity groups and various ministries, departments and agencies.
The gathering also included representatives from the Zanzibar Vocational Training Authority, Heads of Institutions affiliated with ZEEA, and ZEEA staff, underscoring the event’s significance in Zanzibar’s educational and vocational training landscape.
#COL4D #Zanzibar #YouthEmpowerment #SkillsDevelopment #EmploymentOpportunities #EducationForAll #CapacityBuilding #VocationalTraining #WorkforceDevelopment #SustainableGrowth #CommonwealthDay #GlobalEducation
Image caption:
Juma Burhan, Executive Director of ZEEA (seated), signing the MOU between ZEEA and COL. Professor Mohammed Hafidh, CEO of the Zanzibar Presidential Delivery Bureau (standing on the left) and Mr Khamis Said, Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training (standing to the right).
Empowering Youth, Building Futures in the Pacific.
From August 2024 to January 2025, the Tekelea Training Centre (TTC) – with support from the Commonwealth of Learning’s @COL4D Pacific Partnership in Youth Skills and Leadership Training project and funding from New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade @MFATNZ – equipped 54 young people with practical skills in poultry farming, outboard motor maintenance, leadership, and entrepreneurship in the Solomon Islands.
Using the culturally resonant "Tok Stori" method, training blended traditional storytelling with digital tools like Google Classroom, WhatsApp, and Zoom – making learning accessible and impactful. The result? New poultry farms, skilled tradespeople, and empowered young leaders shaping their communities.
TTC is expanding its efforts to support youth by enhancing technology access, providing transportation assistance, and upgrading facilities. These initiatives aim to reach and empower even more young individuals. The upcoming graduation ceremony will recognize the achievements of these emerging leaders as they take bold steps toward sustainable futures.
TTC is now gearing up for Cohort 2 with a goal of 100+ trainees, expanded tech access, and upgraded facilities. The journey continues toward stronger skills, sustainable livelihoods, and brighter futures.
#COL4D #MFATNZ #SolomonIslands #YouthEmpowerment #SkillsForLife #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #SustainableFutures #PacificInnovation
Connections latest issue out now!
The Commonwealth of Learning (COL) @COL4D is pleased to announce the release of the March 2025 issue of its magazine, Connections.
Under the theme ‘Collaboration is the key’, this edition is filled with the outcomes that arise from powerful synergies as highlighted at the end of last year in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) Communique, in which leaders enjoined all Nations and agencies to ensure we work harder together. In this issue, we reflect on the journey so far and indicate a way forward together.
Key highlights:
COL at CHOGM 2024: Charting an open, digital path to a resilient Commonwealth.
Registration for the Eleventh Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning (PCF11) is open!
Plus…
TOP 5 TIPS for effective collaboration.
FOCUS: VUSSC in the Caribbean. A collective voice for progress.
OUR COMMONWEALTH: Building a future-ready higher education system in Mauritius with technology-enabled learning.
TECHTRENDS: Technologies and registries for digital micro-credentials.
Explore these stories and much more in this issue of Connections.
Download your free copy here: colpublications.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/newsletters/2025_Connections_Vol30_No1.pdf
#COL4D #PCF11 #CHOGM2025 #EducationForAll #OnlineLearning #EdTech #LifelongLearning #DistanceEducation #DigitalEducation #OpenLearning #FutureOfEducation #GlobalLearning
http://x.com/i/article/1899972195356729347
Empowering Youth, Building Futures in the Pacific
From August 2024 to January 2025, the Tekelea Training Centre (TTC) – with support from the Commonwealth of Learning’s @COL4D Pacific Partnership in Youth Skills and Leadership Training project and funding from New Zealand’s…
http://x.com/i/article/1899861179302023168
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