Crossing borders: African EdTech leaders innovate in Cambridge

A total of 28 edtech leaders, who are the first ever 'HP Cambridge Partnership for Education EdTech Fellows', are participating in an intense and stimulating week of debate and research during their Cambridge residence. The Cambridge week forms part of a seven-month programme involving online study and coaching which began in July 2023. 

The aim of the Cambridge residence is to collaborate and explore ideas, developing skills, increasing commercial decision-making, and connecting with a growing network of global edtech peers. 

The in-person sessions in Cambridge are supported by digital experts and researchers from the Digital Education Futures Initiative (DEFI) at the University of Cambridge, as well as from edtech specialist NGO, OpenDevEd. 

Tapping into the entrepreneurship of Africa 

The Fellows span 13 African countries and include senior government officials working in education and leaders from private and not-for-profit edtech organisations. 

One Fellow in Cambridge is Dr Frances Alimigbe, Assistant Chief Education Officer at the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria. Dr Frances works with more than two million teachers across 36 states, including on teacher selection, standards and policy. Some of the key challenges she plans to focus on during the fellowship are infrastructure, tools and teachers' digital skills and capacity in schools, especially in rural areas. 

Dr Alimigbe stated: "The wealth of contacts and ideas that will be acquired by being a member of the fellowship will form an immense database and viable resources for us to back to. With the fellowship, we form a community of practice where best practices are shared across borders and generate quality research ideas for improving edtech transformation in teaching and learning globally." 

Jane Mann, Managing Director of Cambridge Partnership for Education, part of Cambridge University Press & Assessment, said: "The Fellowship aims to increase the quality and equity of learning through the digital transformation of education systems. Through rich collaboration between edtech specialists across multiple countries and continents, and tapping into the entrepreneurship of Africa, this Fellowship has the potential to significantly impact the lives of millions of children." 

Mayank Dhingra, Senior Education Business Leaders at HP, said: "The next breakthroughs in edtech will come from emerging visionary leaders in unique national contexts. This programme will enable cross-border discussions and development to help overcome barriers, from infrastructure to curriculum content." 

HP and Cambridge Partnership for Education have joined forces on a global programme to transform digital education. A further phase in the Fellowship programme will be launched in September 2023.