In this election, a candidate needed at least 50% of the votes plus one to win. This threshold ensures each winner has broad support while allowing votes beyond that point to be redistributed to voters’ next choices. 

Instructor Representative

Ignacio “Nacho” Despujol Zabala
Nacho brings a deeply experienced user and instructor perspective to the TOC, shaped by more than a decade of hands‑on experience with the Open edX LMS. As MOOC Initiative Coordinator at Universitat Politècnica de València, he oversees one of Europe’s largest Open edX deployments, with 150+ MOOCs and over 5 million enrollments, alongside a local Open edX instance used since 2014.

Having personally created and taught more than 20 MOOCs, Nacho has consistently advocated for improving the instructor and learner experience, especially simplifying platform installation, management, and on‑campus use. He has served in multiple TOC terms, contributing to governance design, platform strategy, and initiatives around AI integration and operational usability.

Nacho also leads a €500,000 EU‑funded multi‑university initiative to extend the Open edX LMS, supporting major platform improvements, including key contributions to Aspects analytics. His continued focus is clear: helping make the Open edX platform the reference LMS for any use, while ensuring the platform remains open, diverse, and community‑driven.

Operators & Users Representative

Omar Al-Ithawi
Omar represents the critical voice of operators and users who deploy, maintain, and scale the Open edX platform in customer environments. Known in the community for his thoughtful engagement and practical perspective, Omar brings hands‑on experience with platform operations, localization, and a strong understanding of how technical decisions impact usability, stability, and long‑term sustainability.

As a TOC community representative, Omar is committed to ensuring that the needs of site operators and everyday platform users are clearly reflected in technical priorities. His perspective helps bridge the gap between strategic platform evolution and the operational realities faced by institutions running the Open edX platform at scale.

Core Contributor Representative

Marco Morales
Marco represents the core contributor community, the developers and technical leaders who build, maintain, and evolve the Open edX platform at its foundation. With a strong background in platform development and Product, Marco brings a contributor‑first mindset focused on code quality, architectural consistency, and long‑term maintainability.

His election ensures that the TOC continues to benefit from deep technical insight grounded in active contribution. Marco is well positioned to advocate for decisions that balance innovation with stability, and to support a healthy, welcoming environment for both new and experienced contributors within the Open edX ecosystem.

Thank You to All Voters

We extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated in the election. Your engagement ensures that the Open edX platform continues to reflect the priorities and values of its global community.

We look forward to the insights and leadership our new representatives will bring to the Technical Oversight Committee and to continuing to build a vibrant, inclusive, and forward-looking Open edX ecosystem.

For questions about the TOC or the election process, feel free to contact us at: oscm@axim.org

The post Announcing the 2026 Open edX® TOC Community Representatives appeared first on Open edX.

That was the mission driving the launch of the Nation-Wide Online School for Ukraine, a platform designed to provide seamless, equitable, and high-quality education to over 500,000 students in grades 5–11 during times of disruption, war, and uncertainty. Backed by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, the Ministry of Digital Transformation, Osvitoria, UIED, and global education donors, this initiative rapidly deployed a robust national learning platform based on the Open edX LMS, one that supports distance and blended learning at massive scale.

Building a Scalable, Inclusive Learning Platfom

Ukraine’s strategy focused on delivering three guarantees:

• Guarantees of access to knowledge for students,
• Guarantees of delivery for teachers,
• And guarantees of resilience for the system as a whole.

To meet these goals, the team needed an LMS that was:
Open-source and adaptable
Scalable to hundreds of thousands of users
Easy for educators to manage without training
Equipped to deliver content in inclusive and mobile-friendly formats

After analyzing technical requirements and future demands, the Open edX LMS emerged as the ideal platform.

Customizing the Open edX LMS for National Scale

The Open edX platform was customized and extended with:

• A Teacher’s Office, allowing instructors to duplicate and tailor master courses
• Role-based access controls for administrators, methodologists, instructors, and learners
• Full integration with mobile and offline access
• Inclusive features like sign language translation and audio descriptions, supported by UNICEF Ukraine

Teachers could easily:

• Invite learners
• Track performance and view grade journals
• Send communications
• Manage discussions, all from a single dashboard

The result? A user-friendly interface requiring no additional training, a crucial factor in fast national rollout.

Results: From 35,000 to 500,000+ Students

What started with just 35,000 registered learners grew to over 500,000 active users, covering 18.5% of all Ukrainian pupils in grades 5–11. The platform delivered:

• Nationwide learning continuity during school closures
• Open access for learners in occupied territories or abroad
• Resilience and transparency across regions
• Full alignment with Ukraine’s national education standards

Platform Modules and Features

LMS

• Course catalogue, registration, glossary, email modules
• Journal of assessments, bookmarks, admin panel

Studio

• Course creation and editing
• Media uploads, textbook management, certificate generation

Mobile App

• Access to materials and communication for learners on the go

Preview Mode

• Instructor preview for quality assurance before publishing

A Blueprint for Digital Education Resilience

The Ukrainian case is a standout example of how open technologies, expert collaboration, and a shared vision for equitable access can create impact, even under the most difficult conditions.

As the world looks to future-proof education, Ukraine’s Open edX–based model offers a blueprint for resilience, scalability, and inclusion.

Learn More

Explore the full case study below, or contact Raccoon Gang, the Open edX implementation Partner, to learn how the Open edX LMS can support digital education in your country or institution.

The post Empowering a Nation: How Ukraine Scaled a National Online School with the Open edX® Platform appeared first on Open edX.

Presenters will share: best practices and strategies for implementing Open edX platform-based solutions, data and security trends, hands-on exercises that showcase the full range of Open edX platform capabilities, technological advancements, as well as the integration of emerging technologies, such as AI and LLMs. 

The Call for Speakers is open now until March 6th, 2026 for 30-minute presentation slots. However, if you submit your presentation proposal by January 15th, 2026, you will earn the benefit of having early feedback related to your presentation content, in order to optimize your presentation submission.

Please submit your presentation proposal here for review

Important Note: All speakers are expected to register for participation in Eventbrite. If you require financial support for event tickets please contact the Open edX Community Manager, Eden Huthmacher at ehuthmacher@axim.org.

The post Presenting at the Open edX Conference 2026 – Call for Speakers! appeared first on Open edX.

The Challenge

NASA’s ambitious goal was clear: empower 20,000 scientists with open science skills through a comprehensive online curriculum. But the requirements were complex:

• Strict sequential progression through modules
• Support for both full and fast-track learning paths
• Robust analytics to track learner progress
• Digital credentials to recognize achievement
• Launch timeline of just 3 months

The Solution: The Open edX Platform at the Core

NASA partnered with Raccoon Gang to build Open Science 101 on a branded Open edX platform. The solution combined:

• Five interactive modules (25 lessons total) built in Articulate Rise 360 and integrated via SCORM
• Guided progression with sequential unlocking to ensure learners master concepts before advancing
• RG Analytics integration for real-time tracking and data-driven insights
• Credly digital badges tied to assessment outcomes for shareable credentials
• Rich interactivity including quizzes, drag-and-drop activities, and multimedia content

The Impact

The result? A scalable, measurable online learning experience that:

• Equips researchers with critical open science skills
• Fosters transparency and collaboration across the scientific community
• Provides NASA with actionable data to continuously improve the program
• Offers learners recognized credentials that validate their expertise

As Olha Turutova, Head of Instructional Design at Raccoon Gang, notes: “We launched on schedule and can scale without a rebuild”—a testament to the power of choosing the right platform and partners.

Key Takeaway

By combining Rise 360 content authoring with Open edX platform’s robust delivery infrastructure, NASA created a learning program that’s not just informative—it’s transformative and ready to scale.

Want to dive deeper? Read the full case study to learn about the technical challenges, solutions, and lessons learned from this groundbreaking project below.

The post How NASA Scaled Open Science Education to 20,000 Researchers with the Open edX Platform appeared first on Open edX.

This election will determine three community representatives who will bring diverse voices and perspectives to the TOC, guiding the technical direction of Open edX for the years ahead.

How to Vote

If you’re a registered voter, you can begin voting now using the link below:

Click here to vote

Voting will remain open until November 30th, 2025 (11:59 PM UTC). Make sure to submit your vote before the deadline!

Who Can Vote?

As a reminder, the election includes three representative categories, each with specific voter eligibility:

• Operators & Core Community Representative – voted on by active Core Contributors
• Instructor Representative – voted on by individuals producing or running active courses on the Open edX platform
• User/Learner Representative – voted on by anyone using the Open edX platform in any capacity

If you registered before November 3rd, you’re eligible to vote now.
(Core Contributors are automatically pre-registered.)

Election Timeline

• Voting Opens: November 13th, 2025
• Voting Closes: November 30th, 2025
• Results Announced: December 2025

Why Your Vote Matters

The TOC plays a vital role in shaping the Open edX platform’s technical strategy, setting standards, and ensuring that the platform continues to serve a vibrant, diverse global community. Your participation ensures that the committee reflects the real-world needs and values of our users, instructors, and operators.

Make your voice heard and vote today and help guide the future of the Open edX Project!

Questions? Contact oscm@axim.org

The post Voting Is Now Open for the Open edX TOC Community Representatives! appeared first on Open edX.

The conference will take place May 19 through May 22, 2026, at the prestigious Little America Hotel. This collaboration with WGU, our Mission Aligned Partner, creates an exceptional opportunity for attendees to experience firsthand the transformative impact of competency-based education at scale in the very city where WGU has revolutionized higher education.

Event Highlights

The 2026 Open edX Conference will showcase:

Cutting-Edge Educational Innovation

• Skills-forward, learner-first education models at scale
• AI-powered personalized learning experiences
• Advanced data analytics for student success
• Next-generation assessment and instructional design methodologies

Real-World Success Stories

• Learn from WGU’s groundbreaking transformation of higher education
• Discover how institutions customize and use the Open edX platform at scale
• Explore proven strategies for career-focused national upskilling and education

Technical Excellence

• Latest Open edX platform developments and extensions
• Scalable architecture solutions for massive student populations
• Integration strategies for cutting-edge technologies
• Community-driven innovation highlights

Registration & Participation

Registration Details: Register for the conference AND your hotel room at Little America. Stay tuned for ticket categories including student rates, non-profit options, and corporate packages.

Call for Proposals: Will open in December 2025 – share your innovations, case studies, and breakthrough implementations with the global Open edX community.

Sponsorship Opportunities: Now Available! Contact us at oscm@axim.org to learn more. 

Travel & Accommodation

Salt Lake City International Airport offers convenient access with direct flights from major cities worldwide. 

Visa Information: International attendees should check visa requirements for travel to the United States well in advance.

Save the Date

Mark your calendars for May 19-22, 2026. Together with WGU, we will explore how the Open edX platform is reshaping the future of education. This conference represents a milestone in educational innovation, bringing together the global Open edX community with proven leaders in competency-based education. Don’t miss this opportunity to shape the future of learning!

The post Join Us for the Open edX Conference 2026! appeared first on Open edX.

Our 2025 Distinguished Contributors remind us that open source is never just about code — it’s about community.

What Does It Mean to Be a Distinguished Contributor?

Being recognized as a Distinguished Contributor in the Open edX community isn’t about one big moment. It’s about the consistent, long-term work that helps the ecosystem grow and evolve:

• Sharing knowledge
• Supporting newcomers and fostering inclusion
• Building tools that empower others
• Keeping the open-source spirit alive

Together, these contributions shape the future of open learning for everyone.

Congratulations to Our 2025 Distinguished Contributors

We’re deeply grateful to this year’s honorees for their dedication, leadership, and care in advancing the Open edX mission.

Distinguished Engineers
Xavier Antoviaque | Braden MacDonald | Omar Al-Ithawi

Distinguished Innovator
Régis Behmo

Distinguished Advocates
Stefania Trabucchi | Marco Morales

Mission-Aligned Leader
Thomas Staubitz (German UDS)

Rising Star
Grace Zawadi

The post Open edX Distinguished Contributors appeared first on Open edX.

The post Next-Gen Credentialing & Modern Payment Solutions appeared first on Open edX.

We’re thrilled to announce a compelling panel session at the Educause Annual Conference 2025 that showcases how the Open edX platform is the strategic foundation for these diverse and scalable initiatives.

Educause 2025 Panel Spotlight: Upskilling with Open Source

Join us to learn how two leading institutions, with wildly different missions, leverage the same open source platform, the Open edX LMS, to meet the critical demand for skills-forward learning.

Session Details

• Working Title: From Beekeeping to Quantum Computing: Launching an Upskilling Program with Open Source Technology
• When: Thursday, October 30, 2025 | 8:30AM–9:15AM CT | Meeting Room 101 E, Level 1
• Where: Educause, Nashville, TN
• Track: Future of Work: Professional Development and Skills Enhancement

The Power of Open Source for Workforce Development

This 45-minute panel will explore the strategic benefits of using open source infrastructure to launch and sustain non-credit, revenue-generating education programs. By using the Open edX LMS, organizations can maintain absolute institutional autonomy and brand identity while building solutions that are both scalable and market-responsive.

We’ll be diving deep into two fascinating real-world case studies:

1. Penn State Extension: Discover how they use the Open edX platform to deliver community and industry-based workforce development across areas like agriculture, food safety, and business operations. This is a model for using digital learning to strengthen local economies and support lifelong learning for a broad, community-focused audience.
2. MIT xPRO: Learn about their approach to preparing professionals for the cutting edge of technology. MIT xPRO utilizes the Open edX LMS to provide advanced training in high-demand fields such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing, equipping learners with cutting-edge technical and leadership skills.

Meet the Panelists

The session features a group of experts who are driving innovation in both product and pedagogy:

• Jenna Makowski (Lead Product Manager at Axim Collaborative)
• Rebecca Rumbel (Assistant Director of Digital Education – Non-Credit, Penn State Extension)
• Dr. Indi Marie Williams (Instructional Designer and Technology Manager, MIT xPRO)
• Moderator: Edward Zarecor (Vice President of Engineering at Axim Collaborative))

Key Takeaways: Your Blueprint for the Future of Work

Attending this session is an investment in your institution’s strategic vision. You will walk away with actionable insights to:

• Evaluate the Strategic ROI: Understand the cost-effectiveness and scalability advantages of open source for creating and distributing microcredentials and professional training.
• Analyze Implementation Models: Contrast the strategies of Penn State Extension’s broad community reach and MIT xPRO’s focus on deep technical upskilling.
• Drive Institutional Autonomy: Learn how platforms like the Open edX LMS give you control over your data, your brand, and your product roadmap—essential for long-term sustainability and agility.
• Leverage Stackable Credentials: Gain insight into building flexible, modular training programs that meet evolving industry demands and expand educational impact.

If you are tasked with developing new revenue streams, closing critical skills gaps, or simply need an education platform that can truly do it all—from beekeeping fundamentals to the complexities of quantum computing—this session is a must-attend.

We look forward to connecting with you in Nashville! Stop by booth 1905 to meet the Open edX team

The post From Beekeeping to Quantum Computing: How the Open edX LMS Powers the Future of Work at Any Scale appeared first on Open edX.

We’re excited to announce a powerful panel session at the Educause Annual Conference in Nashville that will tackle this crucial topic head-on, using the Open edX platform and Western Governors University (WGU) as a premier case study for success.

Panel Spotlight: A Case Study for Open Source as a Strategic Imperative for Higher Education

Join us to learn how actively engaging with open source communities allows universities to leverage collective intelligence, re-balance control over product roadmaps, and ultimately place higher education in the EdTech innovation driver’s seat.

Session Details:

• What: A Case Study for Open Source as a Strategic Imperative for Higher Education
• When: Thursday, October 30, 2025 | 9:45 AM–10:30 AM CT
• Where: Educause 2025, Nashville, TN

Meet the Experts:

This dynamic 45-minute panel brings together leaders who are not just users of open source, but active contributors shaping its future:

• Ed Zarecor (VP Engineering, Axim Collaborative)
• Mike Hassett (WGU)
• Josh Baron (Apereo Foundation)
• Stephanie Lieggi (Executive Director of OSPO, Executive Director of CROSS, UC Santa Cruz)

We look forward to seeing you at Educause 2025!

The post Open Source is Not Just Technology: It’s a Strategic Imperative for Higher Ed appeared first on Open edX.