Speech - Workshop on Emerging Trends in Education:
Technology, Research & Curriculum
09 July 2014
·
MrBijayeMadhou, Director General (MGI& RTI),
·
Director (MGI),
·
Heads of Schools,
·
Heads of Departments
·
The experts from India,
It gives me immense pleasure to be present
of the Opening Ceremony of the workshop on Emerging Trends in Education:
Technology, Research and Curriculum organized by the Language Resource
Centre of the MGI.
I congratulate the MGI for this good initiative,
which aims at capacity building among Academic staff members and Educators in
Asian Languages.
I have been informed that the workshop will mainly
provide insight into new technologies to be used in the field of language
teaching.We all know that digital technology is becoming an important tool to
promote education and that it is particularly vital for the teaching of
languages. It is therefore essential that both teachers and students develop
the skills and competence to use digital tools. Access to open educational
resources is critical for lifelong
learning. We
believe in this government that the
concept of ‘Openness’ in education should be encouraged and people
should have access to knowledge through
the Internet for the benefit of society as a whole. Open access to education is
useful in reducing social inequalities, and expanding access to
education as well as fostering social inclusion of migrants.
I understand that the Language Resource
Centre of Mahatma Gandhi Institute has already started producing multimedia
materials and open education resources in Asian Languages and same have been
showcased in two workshops with the Commonwealth of Learning. Mauritius is one
of the few countries where about 10 languages are taught within the schools and
several others outside the school system. Today more than ever, within the
context of globalized trade , the
importance of Asian languages are being
emphasized. In the tourism sector, in the ICT sector and international trade,
we need more people with ability to speak different languages. The Mahatma
Gandhi Institute should continue to develop
language teaching and share its experience by creating a specialized open education resource
platform for language learning.
I would like to express my gratitude to
the five Indian experts who have agreed to conduct the workshop in order to invest
in the capability of the Academics and Educators at the MGI. Moreover, this
workshop also aims at providing a multi-disciplinary platform where, I
understand, local resource persons are showcasing their experiences in the
field of Curriculum Development, usage of Moodle platform, Distance Education
and Open Learning experiences among others.
I congratulate the MGI for the
organization of such an important workshop in the cross-disciplinary field which
ultimately contribute to the vision of the Ministry and the Government at large
in creating out of Mauritius a Knowledge Hub.
I am pleased also launch the ICT
Handbooks in Asian Languages produced by the LRC.
Thank you and I declare this workshop
open.
