Introduction to the MIT-Haiti Symposium Presented by Michel DeGraff, MIT Professor of Linguistics, at the MIT-Haiti Symposium, Cambridge, MA, October 21-22, 2010

1. Pi Bon Zouti Pou Nou Rebati
Best Practices for Reconstruction: Technology-enhanced
and open education for Haitian universities (MIT, Oct. 21–22, 2010)
Bonjou tout moun! Byenveni! Mèsi—Good morning, welcome everyone... Mèsi:
1. MIT and Haiti =
2.
3.
4. Linguistics & Philosophy / School of Humanities, Arts & Applied Sciences
5. Professors Kenneth Manning and Dale Joachim
+ Kim Thanos of Thanos Partners
+ Tokay ak ekip li

2. Pi Bon Zouti Pou Nou Rebati
Best Practices for Reconstruction: Technology-enhanced
and open education for Haitian universities (MIT, Oct. 21–22, 2010)
Annou travay rèd—the work ahead:
1. Haiti’s post-earthquake priorities for reconstruction: Action vs. Words
Sa nou bezwen se yon konbit! (“What we need is a konbit!”)
2. MIT’s Motto: Mens et Manus (= Mind & Hand)
3. Mens et Manus et Mundus (= Mind and Hand and the World)
MIT Global Council’s report dated September 29, 2009
4. A mens-et-manus konbit in the Mundus?

3. Pi Bon Zouti Pou Nou Rebati
Best Practices for Reconstruction: Technology-enhanced
and open education for Haitian universities (MIT, Oct. 21–22, 2010)
Mens et Manus et Mundus—MIT Global Council’s report of September 29, 2009:
1. “... a roadmap ... for creating a model community where research,
scholarship, and innovation are profoundly informed by global knowledge
and awareness.”
2. “The frontiers of knowledge and technology now stretch around the globe,
and in this new environment, MIT continues to lead, serving at the cutting
edge of global research and teaching.”
3. “Global education and research at MIT will succeed most by building on the
Institute’s renowned strengths — as a problem-focused, problem-solving
institution of scientific discovery, applied knowledge, and service to
humanity.”
http://web.mit.edu/provost/reports/Global.Council.Report.pdf

4. Pi Bon Zouti Pou Nou Rebati
Best Practices for Reconstruction: Technology-enhanced
and open education for Haitian universities (MIT, Oct. 21–22, 2010)
An MIT-Haiti “konbit”:
1. In Kreyòl, “konbit” refers to a volunteer-based group effort to put all sorts of
resources together to realize a particular project—this is a typical model for
collaboration—especially in Haiti’s rural areas, for farming and building.
2. And the successful konbit is often followed by some sort of celebration—
usually with dancing, food and libations!
3. The chèf-konbit will lead you to the post-konbit party .... stay tuned...
A 21st-century konbit around ICT and Open Education Resources:
“[T]he history of education is a narrative on opening up education ... a key tenet
of open education is that education can be improved by making educational
assets visible and accessible and by harnessing the collective wisdom of a
community of practice and reflection.”
(Toru Iiyoshi & Vijay Kumar, Opening Up
Educationhttp://mitpress.mit.edu/opening_up_education)

5. Pi Bon Zouti Pou Nou Rebati
Best Practices for Reconstruction: Technology-enhanced
and open education for Haitian universities (MIT, Oct. 21–22, 2010)
Haiti in the international 21st-century konbit? The MIT-Haiti approach:
1. Haiti too has a role to play—to both benefit from and contribute to
“community of practice and reflection” around the ICT- and OER-enabled
education
2. “Brain drain” vs. “Brain circulation”?
(Former MIT President Chuck Vest, Open Education for an Open World,
May 25, 2010, LINC Conference, http://mitworld.mit.edu/video/816)
3. “No one’s career will take place in a single country, if they’re at the cutting
edge of science and technology. It’s not an option anymore.”
(Suzanne Berger,
Director MIT International Science and Technology Initiatives)
http://web.mit.edu/provost/reports/Global.Council.Report.pdf

6. Pi Bon Zouti Pou Nou Rebati
Best Practices for Reconstruction: Technology-enhanced
and open education for Haitian universities (MIT, Oct. 21–22, 2010)
Reconstruction Needs of Higher Education in Haiti
MIT assets available
to support global needs
???
Priorities and assets of
academic institutions in Haiti

7. Pi Bon Zouti Pou Nou Rebati
Best Practices for Reconstruction: Technology-enhanced
and open education for Haitian universities (MIT, Oct. 21–22, 2010)
Konbit la kòmanse... Annou travay rèd!
The konbit has started... Let’s get to work!
... until the post-konbit celebration ...