Cambridge and HP appoint top EdTech innovators from South and Southeast Asia to global fellowship

Today, Cambridge and HP announce that 24 education leaders from across Europe 
and Central Asia have joined the HP Cambridge Partnership for Education EdTech 
Fellowship. As Fellows, leaders will work together to put research into practice, share
ideas, and learn from each other to accelerate effective use of technology to improve
education.  

About the HP Cambridge Partnership for Education EdTech Fellowship

Established by HP and Cambridge in 2023, the Fellowship brings together leaders 
responsible for shaping education systems. It is a platform to deepen understanding 
and exchange insights to solve challenges on a large scale. As part of a global 
community, Fellows refine how they approach education technology initiatives in 
their contexts to improve learning for millions of children.
 

At the heart of the Fellowship is a thriving alumni network of education leaders. So 
far, this includes more than 50 Fellows from across sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia,
Southeast Asia and the Gulf regions. Fellows benefit from long-term participation in 
this community, creating opportunities for collaboration, peer learning, and ongoing 
innovation.
 

Complementing the alumni network is an initial study programme for new Fellows. 
This five-month programme is a blend of online learning and a residential week in 
Cambridge, UK, where Fellows intensively hone their tools to drive systemic change.
 

In 2025, for the second consecutive year, the Fellowship was named as a finalist for 
the Bett Award for Transformational Impact. Recognised internationally as a hallmark 
of excellence, the Bett Awards celebrate pioneering solutions that are transforming 
education through technology.

Welcoming education leaders in Europe and Central Asia

From January 2025, the newest cohort of Fellows from across Europe and Central 
Asia will begin their studies together. In April 2025, they will converge in Cambridge, 
UK, where they will collaborate with cross-sector experts to explore some of the
most pressing challenges in providing high-quality education. Harnessing artificial 
intelligence effectively and ethically to improve educational outcomes will be at the 
heart of discussions.
 

The programme will offer a mix of coaching, talks, hands-on projects, and networking 
opportunities. It is designed to equip leaders with insights to develop scalable 
solutions that meet the unique needs of their schools and communities.
 

Across the 14 countries they represent and beyond, the new Fellows' work impacts 
51.3 million teachers and learners. The Fellowship will amplify participating leaders’
efforts, helping them achieve their goals and drive meaningful improvements for their
learners and educators.
 

Dr Albina Tsiatkovska, Director General for International Cooperation, Ministry of 
Education and Science, Ukraine, said: “I’m excited to join this Fellowship because I 
believe in the power of collaboration and shared knowledge to drive meaningful 
change in education. The diverse perspectives and strategies shared within the 
Fellowship will inspire me to think critically and creatively about how we can enhance 
educational access and quality for all Ukrainian children.”
 

Gizzat Baitursynov, Chairman of the Artificial Intelligence and Innovation 
Development Committee, Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations and 
Aerospace Industry, Kazakhstan, said: “In Kazakhstan, we are at a pivotal stage in 
redefining our education system, aiming to leverage AI-driven technologies to 
personalise learning experiences and improve access to quality education for our 
diverse population. The opportunity to collaborate with global leaders, share 
perspectives with peers, and engage in research on cutting-edge EdTech strategies 
is an invaluable chance to enrich my understanding of best practices.”
 

Mayank Dhingra, Global Director – Education Strategy, HP, said: “Our EdTech 
Fellows are making an impact in their local communities through the effective 
implementation of pedagogy and technology to ensure high-quality education 
becomes accessible to more people. We're thrilled to invite leading education 
innovators from Europe and Central Asia into this growing community.”
 

Steve King, Head of Education Reform, Partnership for Education, Cambridge 
University Press & Assessment, said: 

“I’m excited to welcome an outstanding group 
of leaders from across Central Europe, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia to the 
EdTech Fellowship. This cohort reflects the momentum and innovation happening in 
education throughout the region. They are united by a shared vision to provide 
transformative learning for children."

HP Cambridge Partnership for Education EdTech Fellows

The leaders joining the HP Cambridge Partnership for Education EdTech Fellowship 
in January 2025 are: 

Albania

• Enrik Keco, Project Manager for Education, Albanian American 
  Development Foundation (AADF) 

Azerbaijan

• Khayala Fatullayeva, Head of Digital Economy, C4IR Azerbaijan

France

• Jitka Tomkova, Education & Digital Equity Program Manager, HP

Georgia

• Tatia Tatoshvili, Marketing Project Manager, Georgia Innovation and 
  Technology Agency (GITA)

Kazakhstan

• Diana Ryan, Government & Public Policy Lead, Central Asia & Türkiye, HP
• Gizzat Baitursynov, Chairman of the Artificial Intelligence and Innovation 
  Development Committee, Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations and 
  Aerospace Industry, Republic of Kazakhstan
• Nodirbek Nazirkulov, Head of the Department for Digital Asset Industry 
  Development, Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations, and Aerospace 
  Industry, Republic of Kazakhstan
• Dr Yelena Shevchenko, Director of the Foresight Center, National 
  Academy of Sciences, Republic of Kazakhstan 

Kyrgyz Republic

• Mederbek Omurbekov, Chief Expert of the Department of Industry Policy, 
  Head of the Education and Science Block, Presidential Administration of 
  the Kyrgyz Republic

Lithuania

• Vilma Ferrari, Chief Specialist of the Division of Educational Programmes, 
  Ministry of Education, Science and Sport, Republic of Lithuania 

Mongolia

• Temuulen Tuguldur, Principal Data Analytics Manager, Educational 
  Information Technology Center, Ministry of Education, Mongolia 

Romania

• Mr Florian Lixandru, State Secretary, Ministry of Education, Romania

Tajikistan

• Mr Atorud Shodibekzoda, Education Technology Officer, UNICEF 
• Komron Kholov, Director of the Republican Centre of Informational 
  Technology and Communication, Ministry of Education and Science, 
  Republic of Tajikistan 

Türkiye 

• Sümeyye Hatice Eral, Head of Department, Ministry of National Education, 
  Türkiye
• Bilgehan Özbaylanli, Head of Research & Development and EdTech 
  Ecosystem Department, Ministry of National Education, Türkiye 

Ukraine

• Dr Albina Tsiatkovska, Director General for International Cooperation, 
  Ministry of Education and Science, Ukraine
• Anna Sydoruk, CEO, Osvitoria NGO
• Anton Zastavnyi, CEO, The British International School, Ukraine 

 United Kingdom

• Cate Giddens, Education Advisor, Partnership for Education, Cambridge 
  University Press & Assessment
• Kirsty McFaul, Senior Education Officer, Scottish Government
• Fereshta Omar, Programmes & Partnerships, FCDO and Founder, Oxus 
  Academy

Uzbekistan

• Muzaffar Djalalov, Rector of the University, Inha University, Uzbekistan
• Mrs Nargiza Kuchkarova, Lead Specialist, Ministry of Preschool and School Education, Uzbekistan

For more information about the HP Cambridge Partnership for Education EdTech Fellowship, visit edtechfellowship.cambridge.org