Message from Honorary Patron 

It gives me great pleasure to extend my warm greetings to all participants of the International Conference on Education, Technology and Policy 2027 (ICETP27), organised by the University of Mauritius through the COL/UNESCO Chair in Inclusive Education Technologies, in collaboration with the Mauritius Institute of Education through the UNESCO Chair in Higher Education, with the support of UNESCO and the Commonwealth of Learning.

The theme of the conference, Learning Innovation and Teaching Practice in the Age of AI is both timely and profoundly significant. We are living through a period of unprecedented technological transformation in which artificial intelligence, digital systems, and global connectivity are reshaping education, work, research, and society itself. Yet, as institutions embrace innovation and AI-driven transformation, we must ensure that human agency, ethical responsibility, social resilience, and inclusivity remain at the centre of educational change. Education today can no longer be viewed as confined to a single phase of life. In an era marked by rapid technological disruption, longer careers, and lifelong learning, educational institutions must increasingly become dynamic ecosystems that support continuous learning, creativity, adaptability, and human development across generations. Lifelong learning and longevity will increasingly become key pillars of future education strategies as societies adapt to longer working lives, continuous professional reinvention, and the growing need for learning across the entire lifespan which is also increasing. The future of higher education will depend not only on technological advancement, but also on our capacity to preserve the human values that sustain democratic societies and meaningful learning communities. The conference themes reflect many of the defining questions of our time: the transformation of learning systems, the evolving role of educators, the future of assessment and trust, the relationship between learning and work, and the need for sustainable, open, and inclusive educational ecosystems. These discussions are essential if we are to prepare learners not merely for employment, but for thoughtful citizenship, ethical leadership, and responsible participation in an increasingly complex world.

Rabindranath Tagore once observed that the main object of teaching is not to give explanations, but to knock at the doors of the mind. That vision remains profoundly relevant today. As we navigate the age of AI, education must continue to cultivate curiosity, wisdom, creativity, and humanity.

I congratulate the Organisers on this important initiative and wish ICETP27 every success.

Prof Dr Indur FAGOONEE
Former Vice Chancellor, University of Mauritius
H.E. UN Commissioner CLCS
UNESCO Expert