Qatar- WISE a platform for innovative solutions to global challenges

(MENAFN- Gulf Times) It is a matter of immense pride for Qatar that the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE), established a decade ago, has now become a leading global think-tank in education. The far-reaching vision of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, who established WISE as an intellectual platform to effect change and a laboratory of innovation, as well as a global hub for supporting education, has to be lauded. Among the highlights of WISE 2019 were the announcements of the WISE Prize for Education to Larry Rosenstock, CEO and founding principal of High Tech High, a network of American public charter schools in San Diego, California, and Education Above All's (EAA) new strategy to ensure that the number of out-of-school children in select countries reaches zero.
As pointed out by WISE CEO Stavros N Yiannouka, the WISE Prize for Education is the first distinction of its kind to acknowledge an individual for an outstanding contribution to education. The prize aims to raise awareness about the crucial role that education plays in all societies for creating a platform for innovative and practical solutions to alleviate some of the challenges around the world. The work of the 2019 laureate encapsulates the essence of the prize. His decades-long work on education was a force for positive individual and social transformation manifested through impactful work and tangible achievements as a visionary educator, policymaker, thinker, and social entrepreneur.
Rosenstock is recognised for his lifelong dedication to rethinking K-12 learning and tackling inequality through education. He has pioneered the concept of project-based education the idea that students can and must learn crucial academic skills through hands-on projects that integrate multiple disciplines, engage their interest, and have an authentic purpose. His model also reimagines the role of teachers as designers who adapt their curricula and blend a variety of subjects based on the specific needs of each student. A commitment to lifting the status of disadvantaged youth has been the driving force of Rosenstock's professional journey.
EAA's new strategy, announced by chairperson Her Highness Sheikha Moza on the concluding day of WISE 2019, is to be implemented in selected countries, with the aim of ensuring the number of out-of-school children in these countries reaches zero. It is worth recalling that EAA, since its launch at WISE in 2012, embodied the spirit of innovation in developing and implementing its programmes and succeeded in enrolling 10mn children back into school. She noted that despite these milestones, official reports point out that there are still 59mn out-of-school primary-aged children around the world. In reality, that number is much larger. The statistics lag behind the actual numbers and many children go unaccounted for due to inadequate monitoring mechanisms. Most of these children are in hard-to-reach areas.
Sheikha Moza also proposed the concept of portable, multi-functional schools, designed and equipped for refugee children and their families to use for education and community engagement. The prototype was made to be affordable, adaptable to different weather conditions, and easy to compact for transporting from one location to another. They were designed by the late renowned architect Zaha Hadid. According to Qatar News Agency, Sheika Moza officially unveiled the prototype classroom during her tour of the WISE Majlis. EAA and Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy have partnered to fund the construction of these structures which will be used during the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar and then redistributed to EAA projects in many countries. In short, the legacy of WISE is getting grander with each edition.

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