WISE Awards are Building the Future of Education Worldwide

Innovation is increasingly translated as a mindset that demands we use all of our resources differently to solve the problems at hand. New organizations, communities, and tools are reshaping what it means to go to school, get a degree, or participate in the global economy.

Today’s global education systems are not different in this respect—and they often struggle to respond to challenges of poverty, conflict, unemployment, or inequality. Despite often dire conditions, people around the world are innovating, learning, and growing from every experience to find ever-better solutions to challenges at all levels of education in many environments.

The World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) shines a light on this important work— through an international, multi-sectoral platform for creative thinking, debate and purposeful action toward building the future of education worldwide. Established by Qatar Foundation in 2009 under the guidance of its Chairperson, Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, WISE has emerged as a global reference in new approaches to education.

Each year the WISE Awards recognize six cutting-edge projects that successfully address today’s educational challenges and demonstrate a strong positive impact on individuals and communities globally. Since the creation of the WISE Awards in 2009, over 2800 applications have been received from 151 countries around the world, resulting in 42 winning projects. Through this work, they have created an international network of educational excellence.

Could your innovative‬‬ education‬‬ initiative be one of the next 2016 WISE Awards? Consider this your invitation to apply at wise-qatar.org.

Innovators across the globe are asked to submit applications by January 15, 2016 to demonstrate the nature and reach of their initiatives. Winning projects each receive international recognition, as well as $20,000 USD. Both Winners and Finalists are given support and visibility for their work through multiple channels.

For inspiration

In 2015, WISE helped bring these life-changing initiatives to light to serve as inspiration to others.

• Bridge International Academies (Kenya) initiated by Bridge International Academies: Provides affordable, quality education through an Academy- in-a-Box model for the developing world (Reach: Kenya, India, Nigeria, Uganda)

• Videobooks for Deaf Children (Argentina) initiated by Canales Asociación Civil: Promotes reading opportunities for deaf children through a free, online video library (Reach: Argentina)

• Al-Bairaq (Qatar) initiated by the Centre for Advanced Materials, Qatar University: Encourages Qatari high school students to develop a sustained interest in STEM subjects (Reach: Qatar)

• The Educate! Experience (USA) initiated by Educate!: Delivers a practical, impactful and cost effective model of education that encourages entrepreneurship among African youth (Reach: Uganda)

• Nafham (Egypt), initiated by Nafham: Provides K-12 students in five Arabic-speaking countries with free crowd-sourced educational videos covering their national curriculum (Reach: Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Algeria, and Syria)

• The Talking Book Program (USA) initiated by Literacy Bridge: Delivers key messages on sustainable farming methods and health practices to rural communities (Reach: Ghana)

The forms of innovation are limited only by our imagination. For more information on the 2016 WISE Awards check out theWISE Awards 2016 Guidelines. =

This blog is a part of the Getting Smart #SmartPlanet series where we will feature innovations in learning in developing and emerging economies. To contribute, email [email protected] with the subject line “Smart Planet.”

For more check out:

• Diversifying Global Education to Diversify Global Leadership
• Strategies for Engaging Global Learners
• Smart List: 365 Global Innovators, Networks, Resources, and Champions

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