WISE Awards Recognise Projects for Innovative Solutions to Urgent Education Challenges
The World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE), a leading international initiative for innovation and collaboration in education, has named six winning projects of the 2017 WISE Awards, designed to recognise and promote innovative education initiatives around the world.
2017 WISE Awards winners
42 (France/US) – A free computer programming training programme open to anyone 18-30 years old. The programme focuses on peer-to-peer learning and learning through group projects.
Lights to Learn (Spain/Latin America) – A programme led by the Organisation of Ibero-American States for Education Science and Culture to provide electricity and support quality education and community development in rural and marginalised regions of Latin America. It does so through the installation of photovoltaic systems, internet, IT equipment, teacher training, and community development.
PhET Interactive Simulations (US/global) – An engaging education solution that promotes science and math literacy through interactive simulations. It is founded by Nobel Laureate Carl Wieman and housed at the University of Colorado Boulder.
The Learner Guide Program (Tanzania/UK) – A mentorship programme led by Camfed Tanzania to support education and employment opportunities for young women in rural areas.
The Speed School project (US/global) – An intensive, child-centred programme run by the Luminos Fund to enable out-of-school children to catch up to their grade level at government schools.
Ubongo Edutainment (Tanzania) – A Dar-es-Salaam-based initiative that provides fun learning to millions of children in Africa through animated educational content across multiple platforms including TV, SMS, and smartphones.
WISE CEO Stavros N Yiannouka said that the six WISE Awards winners reflect the wide range of potential to advance education regardless of social or geographical context.
The six winners were selected from a group of 15 finalists by a panel of expert judges. To be selected, the winning projects were required to show success and innovation, demonstrate a transformative impact on individuals, communities, and society. They must be financially stable, have a clear development plan, and be scalable and replicable. The judging process, as well as on-site due diligence, was overseen by independent education consultants from Parthenon-EY.
The six WISE Awards winning projects, as well as the runners-up, will be celebrated at the 8th World Innovation Summit for Education, to be held from 14-16 November 2017, in Doha. The application process for the 2018 WISE Awards will also be launched during the event.
In addition to publicity and networking opportunities, each winning project will receive US $20,000 in cash.
Visit the WISE website for more information.