- The OpenEdX Conference will take place at the Stellenbosch University in Cape Town, from 2-5 July 2024, marking the first time that the OpenEdX Conference is held on the African soil
- The event is a gathering of individuals and organizations who use the OpenEdX platform, an open-source platform for creating and delivering online courses and learning experiences
- Through the Edu Invest initiative, powered by Wesgro, the agency alongside the Western Cape Department of Education hopes to use the opportunity and platform to drive investment into the education sector and also ignite innovation throughout the region.
The OpenEdX Conference, a global gathering of OpenEdX platform enthusiasts and education technology leaders, is set to make its African debut in the Western Cape from 2-5 July 2024, and for the first time in its history, the conference will be accessible to members of the African digital education technology industry.
Attracting a diverse audience of over 300 attendees worldwide, the 2024 conference aims to facilitate knowledge exchange among global EdTech leaders. Participants will explore innovative applications of the OpenEdX Platform across various business and higher education scenarios, delve into the latest advancements in instructional design, course development, and methods for operating and extending the platform.
Wesgro’s Cape Town and Western Cape Convention Bureau played a pivotal role in securing this event, further solidifying the region’s status as a premier business events destination. This success aligns with the Bureau's efforts, having secured 27 bids in the past year alone, estimated to welcome 20,000 delegates in the coming years.
The economic impact is substantial, with an estimated injection of R393.4 million into the local economy. Beyond direct financial gains, these events are expected to fuel long-term economic growth in related sectors such as transportation, information technology, marketing services, and investment.
Western Cape Minister of Education, David Maynier, commented: “Our department is very interested in how EdTech can expand the reach of our schools, with a lower cost per learner educated. There is also great potential for ed tech solutions to help our learners catch up on missed work and improve their understanding of the curriculum content through revision. So, we are looking forward to seeing what new innovations come to the fore at the OpenEdX Conference next year”.
“Cape Town is rapidly becoming a global hub for online education, with several major players in the industry already planning to open offices in the city by 2024. The Agency, in collaboration with the Western Cape Department of Education recently launched the ground-breaking Edu Invest initiative, which seeks to attract investment into education and establish the Western Cape as an innovation powerhouse," said Wesgro CEO, Wrenelle Stander.
“We look forward to hosting the OpenEdX Conference in 2024, and through our Edu Invest initiative, we hope to position the Western Cape as the premier education and innovation hub on the continent, making it the go-to choice for investments in the education sector,” added Stander.
Click here to learn more about the Edu Invest initiative that was recently launched by Wesgro in collaboration with the Western Cape Minister of Education, David Maynier.