Keynote Speakers

Professor Peter Scott

Professor Peter Scott is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Commonwealth of Learning (COL).

 His career reflects a deep commitment to open and distance learning, characterised by innovative leadership in various academic and administrative roles. He commenced his career in academia as a researcher and lecturer at the University of Sheffield, UK. His expertise in open learning innovation was further honed during a 20-year tenure at The Open University, UK, where he directed The Knowledge Media Institute, specialising in Artificial Intelligence and Education. In 2015, Professor Scott joined the University of Technology Sydney in Australia as Pro Vice-Chancellor, after which he became the President of Athabasca University, Canada in 2022.

Across all his roles, he has been a pioneering force in educational change, focusing on new modes of learning and teaching, particularly in the digital realm. His work has significantly contributed to the global transformation of education through technology.

Samuel Amponsah

Samuel Amponsah, a Professor in Open and Distance Learning and inclusive online education, boasts of a diverse educational career across different countries. Holding a Doctoral degree in Curriculum Studies from the University of South Africa, he brings extensive academic knowledge. Internationally, he holds positions as an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of South Africa and a Visiting Lecturer in the UK at Birmingham Christian College. Currently heading the Distance Education Department at the University of Ghana, he has played key roles in national and international projects, garnering sponsorships from prestigious institutions. He is recognised as a GCRF and BECH-Africa-Andrew W. Mellon fellow. Samuel served as a Post-doc fellow at the American University in Cairo and also serves as a Visiting Fellow to Liverpool John Moores University. Samuel’s contributions transcend academia as reflected in numerous international conference presentations and publications. He is the Editor-in-Chief of the Multidisciplinary Journal of Distance Education Studies and has served as a Special Guest Editor for several recognised journals.

Professor Mpine Makoe

Prof Mpine Makoe is the Executive Dean of the College of Education and an NRF-rated research professor in Open Distance eLearning (ODeL) at the University of South Africa. She holds a PhD and MSc in Educational Technology from the Open University, UK, an MA in Journalism from the University of Michigan, and a BA in Communication and English from Hope College.

She was a Commonwealth of Learning (COL) chair in Open Education Practices/Resources and is currently a board member of the International Council for Distance Education (ICDE) serving as its OER ambassador and is also a founding member of the Global Doctoral Consortium. Prof Makoe is actively involved in open and distance education associations nationally and internationally and has held leadership positions in the African Council for Distance Education (ACDE), Distance Education Association of Southern Africa (DEASA) and the National Association of Distance Education and Open Learning in South Africa (NADEOSA). She is also a founding member of the University Futures Network.

A respected scholar, Prof Makoe has delivered keynote addresses at numerous international conferences, published extensively in ODeL-related fields, and supervised doctoral students. She has contributed to UNESCO’s Futures of Higher Education and facilitated ODeL strategies and policies for universities across Africa.

Prof Makoe has worked on several commissioned research projects for organisations like the Commonwealth of Learning and the British Council. She currently serves as a council member for the Botswana Open University, further cementing her role as a leader in open and distance education in Africa.

Professor Oladiran Tayo Arulogun

Prof. Oladiran Tayo Arulogun is a distinguished expert in higher education digital transformation, currently serving as the vice-chancellor of Miva Open University, Nigeria. He holds a PhD in Computer Science from LAUTECH, Ogbomoso, and completed postdoctoral studies at Hasso-Plattner Institute, Germany, along with specialised certificates in open and distance learning from the University of London.

Throughout his career, Prof. Arulogun has held significant academic and administrative leadership positions, including Director of LAUTECH ICT Centre and Open Distance Learning Centre and Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Academic Affairs at Kampala International University (KIU), Uganda. His expertise in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) is recognised by Nigeria’s National Universities Commission, where he serves as an ODL expert.

His notable accomplishments include leading the LAUTECH ODL Project Management Team, which secured NUC licencing and increased LODLC enrolment from 600 to over 7,000 students. As the horizontal lead for the NUFFIC-DISH eLearning project, he managed a €2.1 million initiative supporting peace and food security in the Horn of Africa. At KIU, he worked to improve the university’s ranking to become the best private university in East Africa by 2021.

Prof. Arulogun also serves as a consultant for the Commonwealth of Learning, specializing in ODL policy formulation, authentic assessment methodologies, and Open Educational Resources implementation. His mentorship has contributed to successful ventures like Cowry Card, which revolutionised public transportation payment systems in Lagos. He is promoting Miva Open University’s use of cutting-edge technology to increase enrolment and improve its educational offerings. 

Fwanshishak Daniel

Fwanshishak Daniel is an Education Specialist and Head of English Programmes at the British Council, Nigeria, dedicated to transforming education through English language education and digital innovation.

Daniel leads in promoting strategic partnerships and solutions for English language teaching, quality teacher training and inclusive digital learning for education, workforce readiness in shaping a future where no learner is left behind.

Pikawi Iliya Dauda

Pikawi Iliya Dauda is a consultant with the British Council and Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria (PLANE).
A Continuous Professional Development (CPD) specialist, Dauda specialises in training of Pre- and in- service educators.

He currently teaches English and Linguistics in Kaduna State College of Education Gidan Waya and the Kaduna State University.