Avinash Meetoo

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The Future of Lifelong Learning and TVET during Going Global Africa 2024

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I was in Abuja, Nigeria, from 26 to 28 November 2024 for the Going Global Africa 2024 conference, organised by the British Council of Nigeria in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education of Nigeria.

I participated in a panel on “The Future of Lifelong Learning” with a focus on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). The panel was chaired by Roshan Teeluck, Freelance TVET Consultant, British Council, Mauritius and my other two panelists were Ayanda Makhanya, Programme Lead StartUp Academy, Allan Gray Makers, South-Africa, and
Joshua Valeta, Director of Open Distance and e-Learning, Ministry of Education, Malawi.

Ayanda Makhanya and Joshua Valeta spoke about current initiatives in South Africa and Malawi to promote Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and education in general.

In particular, a new generation of entrepreneurs and startup founders, having been trained in TVET, are contributing to make South Africa more innovative. As these people are skilled, they can readily provide solutions to problems being faced by citizens there.

In Malawi, technology, and especially e-learning, is being used to transform. Technical and Vocational Education and Training. An interesting initiative is the use of electronic devices such as tablets by students but, contrary to many countries, course content which is relevant and updated on a regular basis is being developed.

My own intervention focussed on the Mauritian experience. In particular, I explained that it is important for policy-makers to have a clear vision of what the country needs to be in the next, say, 10 years. From this vision, growth sectors, enablers (such as innovation and technology, including Artificial Intelligence) and potential jobs identified. This can then drive policies in education to create a workforce which can contribute towards this vision.

I explained what emerging technologies might be useful in Africa in the short term and how Deep Learning can be very valuable for the creation of digital assistants for students, teachers, civil servants, those working in the private sector and citizens in general.

Based on my own experience in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Mauritius, I explained how important it is for a country to have a critical mass of technicians as opposed to only having degree holders.

The session was followed by an extensive Q&A where the panelists spoke about digital public goods (based on open-source solutions) as well as career guidance structures to be put in place in a country to create its workforce of tomorrow.

At the end, I mentioned that it is never about hardware or software, but about people(ware). The No 1 asset of Africa, including Mauritius, is its people.

Discussing about leveraging Artificial Intelligence for Good at Charles Telfair Centre

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On Tuesday 10 December 2024, I participated in a panel discussion on “Leveraging AI for Good: Shaping a Responsible Future.” The session explored the opportunities and challenges associated with the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to drive progress and prosperity. Key topics of discussion included ethical alignment, environmental sustainability, and fostering a balanced relationship between humans and machines.

The panel was organised by the Charles Telfair Centre, a think tank hosted by Charles Telfair Education / Curtin Mauritius. I was invited to share my perspectives, insights, and expertise on this multifaceted subject. During my remarks, I emphasised that emerging technologies like AI should be seen as enablers rather than ends in themselves. Achieving national goals begins with a clear vision and, importantly, with the development of “smart citizens.” I suggested that every subsystem within the broader system of Mauritius — including education, the public sector, the private sector (including startups), international organisations, and civil society — must contribute solutions that, when integrated, drive the nation toward its objectives.

Concrete examples of AI’s potential impact include digital assistants to support students, teachers, and individuals in need of reskilling or upskilling amid shifts in job demands. Other possibilities include evidence-based decision-making systems for government and the private sector, as well as repositories of proven open-source solutions aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

I stressed the vital role of the private sector in implementing such solutions, as governments often lack the manpower to execute them fully. This underscores the need for a collaborative approach and the inclusion of end-users through a design-thinking methodology to increase the likelihood of success. I highlighted the importance of sharing information about AI’s capabilities and limitations to decision-makers, as well as the need for ethical oversight and effective regulation to ensure AI serves the best interests of the nation and its citizens.

I extend my thanks to Jérémy Charoux, Executive Director of Curtin Mauritius, and Myriam Blin, Head of the Charles Telfair Centre, for inviting me to be part of this significant conversation. The panel was moderated by Marc Israel, CEO of Aetheis, with insightful contributions from Alex Jenkins, Director of the WA Data Science Innovation Hub supported by Curtin University in Australia; Nadine Viger, General Manager of Eclosia Technology Services; and Marion Rivet, Branch Manager of Baker Lab Mauritius. The panel was followed by a very interesting Q&A session.

Sharing thoughts with teachers on Artificial Intelligence in the Education Sector

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On Monday 2 December 2024, I had the privilege of being invited by the PTA and management of the Abdul Hamid Golam Mohamed Issac State Secondary School to share my thoughts on the topic of “Artificial Intelligence in the Education Sector.” Formerly known as Port Louis SSS and Colline Monneron SSS, this school is located in Port Louis.

During my presentation, I highlighted strategies to achieve a smarter Mauritius by leveraging enablers such as innovation and technology. I discussed the transformative potential of key technologies, including the Internet of Things, Blockchain, Big Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence, on our journey toward the Digital Transformation of Mauritius.

My talk focused on the practical applications of AI in Mauritius. Examples included using AI and robotics to support our aging population, automating tasks across sectors, and developing powerful AI assistants to assist teachers and students. I also underscored the critical need for education and training to equip the next generation with core skills such as leadership, communication, collaboration and time management. I also emphasised how creativity, innovation, critical thinking, problem-solving and having an artistic sense can be pivotal attributes for students in a rapidly evolving world.

I extend my gratitude to the PTA and management of Abdul Hamid Golam Mohamed Issac State Secondary School for this opportunity to have an interactive session with educators. A special thanks to Mrs Bundhoo, the Rector, Mr Ramdhan, the Deputy-Rector, and Mrs Shalinee Prema Gopee-Meetoo for connecting with me.