MUBS Showcases Leadership at 11th Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning in Botswana

Assoc. Prof. Milburga Atcero (right) with other delegates at the (PCF11) in Botswana

Makerere University Business School (MUBS) made a bold mark at the 11th Pan- Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning (PCF11), held from 10 to 12 September 2025 at the Gaborone International Convention Centre and The Grand Palm Resort, Botswana.

Hosted by the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) in partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education and Botswana Open University, the triennial forum brought together educators, policymakers, and institutional leaders from across the Commonwealth to explore how Open and Distance Learning (ODL) can drive inclusive and sustainable development.

Opening the forum, President Duma Gideon Boko of Botswana lauded the country’s peaceful 2024 transition of power and challenged participants to innovate. “Foster innovation in the creative industry and lead the transition from diamond dependence to a knowledge-based economy,” he urged.

Hon. Prince Maele, Minister of Higher Education, reinforced Botswana’s commitment to expanding access to quality education and aligning learning with national and regional development priorities.

MUBS was proudly represented by Assoc. Prof. Milburga Atcero, who presented “Building and Sustaining Resilient Communities of Open Learning Practice: Addressing the Digital Gender Divide through Innovative Technologies.” Her presentation highlighted the power of technology to empower marginalized learners, particularly women, and sparked lively discussions with Vice Chancellors from open universities across the Commonwealth, paving the way for promising academic collaborations.

The forum also featured tours of the Barloworld Equipment Facility; Learning Centre, sessions on digital equity, micro-credentials, climate education, and AI in ODL, and a roundtable of Vice Chancellors discussing entrepreneurship, lifelong learning, and bridging the digital divide. Key recommendations called for cross-sector partnerships, investment in digital infrastructure, and youth engagement in creative and digital economies.

Assoc. Prof. Atcero thanked the MUBS Principal and administration for enabling her participation, noting that the experience reinforces MUBS’ commitment to global engagement, innovation, and academic excellence.

PCF11 highlighted that open education is essential for creating resilient, inclusive, and economically empowered societies, and its insights will guide MUBS’ strategy, regional development efforts, and leadership in African higher education.