Press Release Joint Press Conference by the African

PRESS RELEASE

JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE BY THE AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION AND THE ETHIOPIAN MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGYON THE 10TH EDITION OF THE eLEARNING AFRICA CONFERENCE

Addis Ababa, 12 May 2015: In the countdown to the 10th edition of the eLearning Africa Conference scheduled to take place in Addis Ababa from May 20 – 22 2015, the African Union Commission and the Ethiopian Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MCIT) have convened a joint press conference to brief local

and international media about the level of preparations for the event. The press conference, which took place at the MCIT main office in Addis Ababa, was also meant to highlight the significance of the eLearning Africa conference and how it contributes to the development of ICTs and ICT education in Africa.

The AUC Commissioner for Human Resources Science and Technology H.E Dr. Martial De-Paul Ikounga, was represented at the press conference by the Acting Director of HRST Dr. Mahama Ouedraogo. Dr. Ouedraogo told the gathering of Ethiopian government officials and journalists that the AUC is proud to co-host the 10th edition of the eLearning Africa Conference, which is a vital avenue to promote the development of ICTs in Africa. He noted that being the largest gathering on ICT in the continent, the Conference will facilitate networking, debate and idea sharing among ICT professionals, and deliberate on the future of ICT in Africa. He extended appreciation to the Ethiopian government and ICWE for collaborating with the Commission in organizing this year’s edition, and pledged the Commission’s technical preparedness to host the grand event at its headquarters. Dr. Ouedraogo underscored the AUC’s mandate to foster Africa’s skills revolution including in ICT education, particularly within the context of Agenda 2063.

The State Minister at the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology of Ethiopia, His Excellency Mr. Getachew Negash said his ministry is excited to host the eLearning Africa Conference in Addis Ababa, alongside the African Union Commission and ICWE. He described the Conference as Africa’s largest and most comprehensive capacity development event for the integration of ICT education and training, with

particular focus on seeking ways to use ICT in enhancing knowledge, skills and expertise relevant to the future. Mr. Getachew, said as the host country, Ethiopia is undertaking all necessary preparations for the successful conduct of the event, and cited the ongoing joint and collaborative efforts by his Ministry and the AUC in planning for the Conference. eLearning Africa is the continent’s largest and most influential conference on technology-assisted learning and training. Every year, it brings together over 1,500 people from nearly 100 countries, providing a unique forum for dialogue, networking and the exchange of ideas. The Conference also hosts a high-level ministerial roundtable, which provides an opportunity for African education and ICT Ministers to meet leading global experts and discuss new opportunities and initiatives in the field of technology and learning.

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Interview requests should be addressed to the following contacts:

Adiatou Fatty, PAU Communication Officer, Department of Human Resources, Science and Technology, Tel: +251912661953, E-mail: [email protected]

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