Empowering Tomorrow’s Learning Professionals: OEB 30 Under 30 Programme

This year’s OEB Conference had the pleasure of hosting a 30 Under 30 Programme. This programme was designed to recognise and celebrate young professionals whose work embodies the spirit of open, sustainable, and inclusive learning. This year’s cohort represents a new wave of change-makers whose fresh, diverse perspectives are challenging the status quo and inspiring learning communities around the world.

Our 30 Under 30 delegates had the opportunity to experience the conference among likeminded learning professionals, invited to speak at a session, and had their own networking activities to expand their network. We extend our congratulations to each and every delegate of the programme, and look forward to what the future holds for their careers in the learning landscape.

We received some wonderful feedback from our 30 Under 30 cohort! Here, we share the words from some of the delegates and insights into their OEB experience. Detailed reports from the delegates will be published in January, providing even deeper reflections on their journey.

Sanderijn Kuijvenhoven | Young Professional, SURF

“ I really enjoyed the 30 Under 30 programme. It was especially nice that we got together before the conference. Such that during the conference we recognised each other, could bond more, and more easily share our work, visions and ideas on online learning.

I hoped to see a more diverse programme throughout the conference, in the sessions as well as in the contents. One example was, one of the keynotes speakers, Payal Arora, shared her work on the inclusive AI lab at Utrecht University. She gave us insight into data by proxy and showed how languages, networks and hobbies can already give a lot of information away about a person.

I mostly delved into AI in education sessions, where one of the big recurring questions was: How do we create more AI literacy, especially within educational institutions and among teachers? The AI Act legislation that will make this mandatory and thus this issue more pressing. It remains an ongoing discussion that was visible throughout many sessions. Touching on the question, how do we educate our teachers on AI and how do we make them show up and interested in this topic? “

Dong Jin Kim | Student, TU Dresden

“ I wanted to listen to different perspectives that I am not aware of. As I am working and studying rather in academic disciplines with AI technology, I tried to listen to what young professionals in the education sector think and say. So I could listen as everyone had colourful opinions based on their own perspectives and experience.

The exchange of ideas and expansion of networks were very quick and efficient. I became close to some colleagues while others remained less known, but 30u30 was just the beginning of our long-term comradeship as we will progress further in our career, job market and professional activities.

I just thought about technology itself while considering education as other expert works that I am far from. However, I was able to match my personal backgrounds with the education philosophy of many other colleagues. Thus, I could realise myself that my expertise and interests can be incorporated with education whenever suitable methods meet appropriate situations.

Therefore, everyone’s experience is unique and valuable. Based on our first meeting at 30u30 2024, we can expand our ideas, projects and philosophy to the world of education and technology. “

Sara Jandel | Young Professional, International AIDS Society

“ My main learning from the conference was that moving forward we need to reflect more on how AI can improve learning, impact and positive outcomes in society, not to focus too much on how AI is changing us and our world. We need to realise that we have agency, that there is power in numbers and that we can control in what direction new technologies and AI will develop. 

Being part of the 30 Under 30 programme was an incredible experience! I met and learnt from some really incredible people that showed great passion about their work and vision for the future of learning. “

Kiki Leijdekkers | Young Professional, Npuls

“ The debate on Thursday about student data was my highlight of the OEB programme. It was not only entertaining — but the debate was a great way to get you thinking on this topic. It is a sensitive subject, but by highlighting the pros and cons it stimulates you to look for the nuance yourselves. 

Inclusivity was a subject that was very much part of the conference, and I am glad it was. The keynote of Payal Arora was a great example of that. The keynote did not only talk about the subject itself, but it also already had some solutions in it.

It also became clear for me that you still see a lot of separate innovations happening in the education sector worldwide. We were talking a lot about innovation, less about transformation and working together on this. In the Netherlands we are working on the digital transformation with all vocational and training schools, universities of applied sciences and research universities in a national programme. It became clear that not a lot of countries have this. 

The 30 Under 30 programme was a great experience. I enjoyed it so much – to meet young people from all over the world and to share our visions. “

Candy Adusei | Student, Stuttgart University

“ I loved the 30 Under 30 programme! Frankly, it was an awesome community. Every delegate was deserving, and their willingness to learn, and sweet kindness was infectious. I have been able to broaden my network, including experts from various sectors. 

I was happy to find out that most of the edtech exhibitors were on board with and making substantial progress towards making sure that quality education reaches all. Accessibility to education is one of the goals we should strive towards, so we don’t leave anyone behind in the wake of technological advancements. I was able to have eye-opening conversations with many of the exhibitors about how they are achieving this. 

As a mother, the Opening Plenary opened my eyes to the state of education in the future amidst the AI revolution. Are our kids going to be smarter, or will they have digital tools that will do all for them, killing the spirit of innovation and the hunger for knowledge? Curiosity encourages research, and this contributes to knowledge on which the world depends. If this curiosity is killed, what direction are we taking? How do we embrace the abilities of AI, while safeguarding the intelligence of posterity? Although I got the opportunity to ask this in the youth forum, I was unable to get sufficient answers to this question, because the responses given centred around “not all AI models are the same”, when the question was more about safeguarding the intellectual future of posterity. 

Finally, I thoroughly enjoyed The Learning Battle, and winning the trophy was icing on the cake. I was the last to take the stage, because it took a while to work that courage. Lovely Inge, and the wonderful attendees who went before me, inspired me to take the step. I was happy that I could finally talk about my experiences as a student, and on such a grand stage! Most importantly, I was delighted that I could inspire educators to look at their students differently, to reconsider the human part of their jobs, and  to nudge them in the right direction. I was greatly honoured. OEB24, to sum up, was a fantastic conference! “

Dan Be Kim | Young Professional, Harvard Graduate School of Education

“ Next year, I’d love to return to OEB to host a series of interactive, hands-on workshops fostering domain-specific AI literacy to leverage a range of different AI applications for a complex task such as lesson planning and project management! “

Thank you all! Words from our OEB 30 Under 30 delegates.