On April 17th, 2023, Qatar Foundation announced the 12 finalists of the 2023 WISE Awards, an annual event that  recognizes and promotes successful and innovative projects aimed at addressing global education challenges.  The awards honor initiatives  that demonstrate excellence in education and innovative thinking, and have a positive impact on society. The program seeks to support initiatives that tackle a wide range of educational challenges, such as improving access to education, promoting diversity and inclusion, supporting teacher development, and using technology to enhance learning.

The 12 finalists were selected by the WISE Awards pre-jury  based on their innovative character, positive contribution to education, and potential for scalability and adaptability. Among the finalists is the “Tekwill in Every School” program, which is a national education project aimed at equipping every student with future-ready skills.

“Tekwill in Every School” is the most revolutionary educational project in the Republic of Moldova.” Over 50,000 students across Moldova, including those residing in remote areas, are studying the “Tekwill in Every School” program’s eight e-courses as part of their school curriculum. Beginning as early as seventh grade, these young learners gain practical knowledge and skills in future-focused fields such as coding, software development, AI, creative industries, social-emotional skills, and entrepreneurship. Currently, the program has reached 333 schools which represent 60% of all high schools in Moldova.

“The work acknowledged by the WISE Awards is important in spotlighting new possibilities offered by innovation in education, with each of the 12 2023 finalists demonstrating new and proven solutions to key education challenges within their communities and beyond,” said Stavros N. Yiannouka, CEO of WISE – an initiative of Qatar Foundation (QF).

“The recognition of “Tekwill in Every School” as a finalist in the prestigious WISE Awards is a significant achievement for the project and the Republic of Moldova. The WISE Awards celebrate innovative educational projects from around the world that  positively impact society. Out of over 500 submissions, being named a finalist is already a testament to the team’s hard work, dedication, and innovation . This recognition highlights the project’s commitment to providing equitable access to digital skills training for every student in the country, and to promoting the development of essential digital skills for success in the 21st century.” said Tatiana Alexeev, Project Manager of Tekwill in Every School Project

Six winners will be announced in September, and they will be celebrated at the upcoming summit in Doha, taking place from November 28-29. In addition to publicity and networking opportunities, each winning project will receive $20,000 (US).

WISE was established by Qatar Foundation in 2009 under the leadership of its Chairperson, Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser. WISE is an international, multi- sectoral platform for creative, evidence-based thinking, debate, and purposeful action in education. Through the biennial summit, collaborative research and a range of ongoing programs, WISE is a global reference in new approaches to education.

Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF) is a non- profit organization that supports Qatar on its journey to becoming a diversified and sustainable economy. QF strives to serve the people of Qatar and beyond by providing specialized programs across its innovation-focused ecosystem of education, research and development, and community development.

The “Tekwill in Every School” project is implemented under the Tekwill umbrella, in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Research, with the support of external development partners Sweden, the European Union Delegation to the Republic of Moldova, and UNDP Moldova. The program was also made possible with the generous support of the American people.

For more information about the WISE Awards and this year’s finalists, visit wise-qatar.org