Modlin CEO to speak at March 17 Education Innovation Summit

By IT News Africa

Modlin eLearning Solutions, providers of leading-edge education solutions, has been announced as the latest sponsor for the upcoming 2016 Education Innovation Summit.

The Summit , which has been organised by IT News Africa and sponsored by Telkom and Mwabu , will see education and technology executives convene at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Sandton, Johannesburg on the 17th of March 2016 to discuss vital topics surrounding the impact of technology on education.

During the course of the Education Innovation Summit, Modlin CEO – Andrew Davies – will be taking the opportunity to discuss, with fellow panel members, topics surrounding:

· Developing and implementing Education Policy

· Delivering Internet Access and Connectivity

· Collaboration, Ownership, Partnerships and Private Sector Involvement

· Beyond Planning: Towards Systematic Implementation in Institutions and Organisations

· Developing ICT Competence
· The Role of Assistive Technology in Inclusive Education in Africa

Andrew Davies started his career in the United Kingdom where he worked as a Systems Analyst and Architect. He went on to join PriceWaterhouseCoopers (Management Consulting Services) as a strategy consultant. In 2000 he joined Fundamo in its startup phase where he worked as product architect. Fundamo was acquired by Visa in 2011.

In 2005 Andrew was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Global Telecom, a position he held for 5 years. During his tenure at Global Telecom, Andrew developed satellite subsidiary companies in Angola, Congo Brazzaville, DRC, Tanzania and Kenya and originated a VoIP services subsidiary business with a presence in West, Central and Sub-Saharan Africa. This subsidiary was sold to an SGX listed company in 2007.

Before he become CEO of Modlin Education Services, Andrew was the Chief Operating Officer for Mxit, an African mobile social network, where he served since 2012. Prior to that he worked at Teim Ventures, an investment holding company, where he was responsible for managing a portfolio of investments in ICT companies. Andrew has a passion for people, technology, family and the outdoors.

Purpose of the Education Innovation Summit:
At the administrative level, technology can make education systems more efficient by helping teachers and administrators streamline routine tasks and improve assessment and data collection. In the classroom, technology can be a powerful catalyst for pedagogical change, as students use technology to take a more active role in personalising their own education, and teachers take on new roles as facilitators of knowledge rather than knowledge transmitters.

Technology also has the potential to transform education by extending the learning space beyond the four walls of a classroom. Although brick-and-mortar schools will continue to play a leading role in education over the coming decades, technology offers a variety of learning opportunities beyond the physical limits of school.

This summit will focus on cutting-edge technology solutions that have the potential to change the face of education, with particular focus on the application of these solutions within the African context.

The Format:
The format of the summit is interactive with roundtable discussions and case studies from leading academics, CIOs, regulators, NGOs, service providers and EduTech entrepreneurs, all sharing their experiences on what works and what does not.

Key topics to be discussed at the Education Innovation Summit include:

· The Role of Digital Technology in Education

· The MOOC Model: Challenging Traditional Education models

· Developing and implementing Education Policy

· How can technology drive down the cost of university education in Africa?

· Unlocking sustainable finance for education through nontraditional sources

· Best practice: Incorporating innovative tools in teaching and learning

· A vision for the school of tomorrow
· Investing in ICT for Education
· Connecting with the next generation of students through mobile and social media