Doha, Qatar, 1 October 2016 - The World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE), a leading international forum dedicated for encouraging and recognizing inspiring personalities in field of education around the world has announced six winning projects for 2016 WISE Awards. Since inception of WISE Awards in 2009, WISE has identified and promoted some of the most innovative and effective practices in tackling urgent global education challenges.

Each year, recipients of the WISE Awards join a network of other successful and pioneering projects through which they gain global visibility. It is also an opportunity for them to collaborate through various platforms, such as WISE Communications, WISE Publications and the WISE Summit. Projects also receive US$20,000 at the WISE Summit.

Independent education consultants from Parthenon-EY assess the applicants and a jury comprising international education experts then evaluates 15 shortlisted projects that aim to build a network of change-makers and inspire others around the world.

Dr Abdulaziz Al-Horr, CEO of Qatar Finance and Business Academy, a member of the 10 members selection jury told that "The 2016 WISE Awards embody the notion of 'education as empowerment’,” he said that “Each of the winning projects can be seen as a tool to overcome some of the world’s biggest education challenges. They are reaching out to refugees, supporting struggling students and they are changing lives through vocational training. We are confident that this recognition will support these projects in promoting new ideas and practices, and in building a better future for all."

Ashwin Assomull, Managing Director, Parthenon-EY said “This is the fourth year that Parthenon-EY has worked with WISE and it is always a fascinating project. Our team conducts the on-the-ground due diligence assessment of finalists based on WISE’s metrics of impact, innovation, and capacity for growth. We develop detailed reports for the WISE jury, who make the decision.”

Stavros N. Yiannouka, CEO, WISE, said: “We are happy to introduce these projects to a wider audience through the WISE Awards. We are confident that they are strong models that will inspire others to help build a more secure and prosperous future for individuals and societies everywhere through education.”