E-learning Association, NOUN to hold Conference on Digital Education

The Open, Distance, and e-Learning Association of Nigeria (ODeLAN), in collaboration with the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), is set to organize the third edition of the ODeLAN International Conference in Nigeria to strengthen the digital space in the education sector.

The three-day annual event with the theme: ‘Adaptive pedagogies for the future of education: Connecting learners, Technologies and Communities’ will be held from the 14th to 16th of May 2025 at the NOUN Conference Centre in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city.

Expected participants among others include students, academics, researchers, and industry experts from the digital space community.

Professor Christine Ofulue, a programmes Coordinator with the National Open University of Nigeria, at a virtual pre-conference Press briefing, said the event aims to provide a platform for stakeholders to share knowledge, experiences, and innovations in open, distance, and e-learning.

According to her, there was an urgent need for innovative and responsive approaches to teaching and learning in the face of rapid technological advancements and shifting societal demands, hence the choice of the theme of the event.

“It is to strengthen the field of Open and Distance Learning, ODL using adaptive technologies,” she said

She said the conference in its third series has been expanded to include participants from primary and secondary education sectors for effective delivery of education curriculum at all levels using technology for both learners and teachers.

“The conference will not only focus on the development of technologies but also on how teaching methods and learning contexts are designed to be effective,” she added.

Professor Ofulue said the event will be hybrid as the over 300 expected participants from Nigeria, Africa, and other parts of the world can join virtually or be present in person, adding that registration is ongoing with a discount for early birds, urging people to log in to https://odelan2025.nou.edu.ng for details.

She said there will also be an exhibition at the conference for companies to showcase wares related to e-learning and other modern methods of teaching.

The Professor of linguistics said there will be paper presentations, panel discussions, and workshops, focusing on emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities in open, distance, and e-learning as well as opportunities for networking, collaboration, and knowledge sharing among participants.

“One of the workshops is being organized by the Commonwealth of Learning, and it will attract regional participation, particularly from West Africa.

“It promises to contribute to shaping the future of education, not just in Nigeria but in Africa. It stands as a critical platform for exploring sustainable open-distance learning models. And it also offers a unique opportunity for stakeholders to contribute to the evolution of adaptive technology-enhanced learning practices, which are crucial for preparing our students for the 21st-century workplace and future challenges.”

The University Don enumerated Keynote speakers at the event to include the President of the Commonwealth of Learning, Professor Peter Scott; Dean, of the Faculty of Education and Social Sciences, University of Oldenburg, Germany, Prof. Olaf Zawacki-Richter; Executive Dean of College of Education, University of South Africa (UNISA), Prof. Mpine Makoe; and Vice-Chancellor, Miva Open University, Abuja, Prof. Tayo Arulogun, among others.

The first and second series of the international conference were held at Babcock University, and Ahmadu Bello University respectively in Nigeria.