Experience 
Engagement

In an ever changing, complex world and business landscape, how do Executive Education professionals enable business leaders to prepare, transform and thrive? “Sensemaking", a term introduced by Karl Weick, refers to how we structure the unknown so as to be able to act in it. Sensemaking involves coming up with a plausible understanding—a map—of a shifting world; testing this map with others through data collection, action, and conversation; and then refining, or abandoning, the map depending on how credible it is. Sensemaking enables leaders to have a better grasp of what is going on in their environments, thus facilitating other leadership activities such as visioning, relating, and inventing.”

According to the Oxford dictionary, an ecosystem is defined as a complex network or an interconnected system. For a learning and development ecosystem to function, it needs to take into consideration the people, including the employees, facilitators, and trainers, company culture, training content, learning technology, approach and strategy, outcomes, as well as program governance. All of these components interact in complex ways to shape learning, both formal and informal. As the work environment shifts into permanent remote and hybrid settings, effective learning and development ecosystems are critical to developing people, especially when diversity and personalization are paramount. 

In partnership with iiAfrica’s innovative blended learning model, STEM students across Africa are gaining access to top lecturers across the world. Models like this are changing the narrative of training and matching STEM talents in a cost-effective way, bringing beneficial skills to the economic transformation of the countries on the continent.

In this panel discussion, we will discuss, with both instructors and learners, the impact that technology is bringing to the classroom in Africa and how STEM institutions in particular can leverage the opportunity to transform their learning spaces.