PACFOLD is a virtual center hosted by the University of the South Pacific in partnership with the Commonwealth of Learning to promote flexible and open learning for development in the Pacific region. Its vision is to empower Pacific communities through lifelong learning. PACFOLD's strategic priorities include advocacy, capacity building, policy development, and research related to flexible and open learning. It aims to establish models and support institutions using flexible learning, while strengthening the use of technology and ensuring initiatives are sustainable and inclusive.

1. PACFOLD
Pacific Center for Flexible and
Open Learning for Development

2. University of the South Pacific and Commonwealth of Learning, 2017.
Any part of this document may be reproduced without permission, but with attribution to the University of the
South Pacific, Commonwealth of Learning and the author.
CC-BY-SA (share alike with attribution) http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
If you have any queries about this presentation, please contact:
Matai Tagicaki
Project Officer
PACFOLD
University of the South Pacific
Statham Campus
Laucala, Suva
FIJI.
Email: tagicaki_m@usp.ac.fj

3. What is Pacific Center for Flexile and Open
Learning for Development (PACFOLD)?
• PACFOLD is a virtual Centre hosted by The
University of the South Pacific (USP) in
partnership with Commonwealth of Learning
(COL).
• Establishing the Pacific Center for Open and
Flexible Learning.

4. Strategic Statement
Our Vision
A Centre which empowers Pacific communities through lifelong learning to
live Free and worthwhile lives.
Our Mission
To be a capacity building network of networks to facilitate flexible and open
learning for sustainable development in the Pacific through advocacy,
communication, innovation, and research.

5. Our Values
• Sustainability – ensure all activities meet national and local priorities and
will continue without external funding.
• Empowerment – build capacity and empower people to change their own
lives.
• Innovation – use technology in new ways to achieve development aims.
• Flexibility – promote flexibility to remove barriers to learning.
• Inclusiveness – ensure all citizens have a voice

6. Our Role
• Act as an advocate and emerge as a champion for FOL4D in the region.
• Establish/promote viable models of FOL4D in the region.
• Facilitate the success of FOL4D initiatives, including COL efforts,
through cooperation in capacity building and policy.
• Development & advocacy and networking.
• Research effective practice in FOL4D and share evidence.
• Support institutions and organizations interested in FOL4D.
• Strengthening the use of FOL4D.

7. Key Priority Areas
PRIORITY AREA 1:
Advocacy for Flexible and Open Learning for Development In the Pacific.
PRIORITY AREA 2:
Building capacity in the Pacific for Flexible and Open Learning for
Development.
PRIORITY AREA 3:
Regional and national policy on Open, Distance & Flexible Learning.
PRIORITY AREA 4:
Research in Flexible and Open Learning for Development

11. Theory of Change
Relevant and appropriate skills and knowledge are critical for Pacific
Community citizens as economic participants to underpin economic growth
and sustainable development.
Community leaders and governance need to recognize and acknowledge
changes credited to the integration of ICT in all sectors of our community.
The region needs to pursue a flexible and open approach in education that is
affordable and accessible to all so the Pacific can manage change, thus the
need to collaborate on strategically designed documents that will underpin
positive social and economic change.

12. Regional Collaboration on ODFL
Framework
PACFOLD regional collaboration task 1 is the establishment of a regional
Policy on ODFL. The development has been endorsed by PHES – Sub-
committee and has been made as an agenda for FEDMM.
The purpose of the framework is to standardize ODFL policy amongst Pacific
nations, encourage national policy development and provide globally
recognised legitimacy on ODFL program implementations and practices.
This is an important development we intend to persistently pursue this year.
development.

13. HR Capacity Building
PACFOLD recognizes that need to transform, simplify and streamline engagement
with national stakeholders.
The need to understand respective Governments commitments to the development
of national ODFL through their respective Ministry of Education Strategic
Documents, and work very closely with them in developing ODFL as maybe
reflected in their National Development and Strategic Plans. Capacity building in
ODFL4D for teachers and trainers must also be given priority.
PACFOLD looks at Capacity building in ODFL skills as an immediate area for
development in the Pacific. Addressing this need, USP working in partnership with
COL, have offered Flexible Skills Development course through COL Moodle
platform.

14. The course was designed for teachers and managers from TVET
institutions and Ministries from South Pacific countries who were
nominated to learn about introducing flexible approaches into
programme design and delivery.
In its first offering last year (2016), a total of 82 individuals
registered for the course with the following gender and group
representations, respectively: Males (52), Females (30); Teachers
(39) - 29 M and 10 F, Managers (43) – 23 M and 20 F. We are
looking to offer the same course, free of charge, this year to
include workplace training for industries by way of invitation.

15. Research
There has been quiet a number of research done in the recent past on
ODFL and its practices in the Pacific. Recently the COL Knowledge
Management team shared with PACFOLD a repository of papers presented
in PCF5 (https://wikieducator.org/PCF5/Cross-Cutting_Themes). The
information is still relevant today because of the slow development in ODFL
within the Pacific Region.
Priority area 4 addresses an area that will support sustainability and will
ensure the continuity of developing flexible and open learning for our
Pacific community.

16. Planned Outcomes
Strengthened Pacific region partnership in learning for sustainable development through
ODFL capacity building and policy implementation. The outcomes we are seeking:
-Developed ODFL Regional Framework
-Developed ODFL Regional Quality Assurance Framework – a framework for National Policy
on ODFL and a National template framework
-Expansion of PACFOLD Learn – online platform that discusses Pacific and global issues
relating to flexible and open learning for development.
-Build capacity of practitioners on ODFL in the Pacific – online courses.
-Increase participation in Pacific based research into case studies and stories – Issues
discussed within the community may encourage researches.
-A platform for excellence – Excellence through quality ODFL QA framework

17. PACFOLD Virtual Center
PACFOLD learn
www.pacfoldlearn.org

18. As a young regional body, we are confident
that our strategic objectives will be achieved
given time and support for a cause that is
relevant and important for all Pacific
Community.

19. THANK
YOU