Prize

UNESCO-King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa Prize for the Use of Information and Communication Technologies in Education

Closed for applications

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In today’s rapidly changing and interconnected societies, technologies have a great potential to enhance teaching, learning and expand access to quality education.

According to the International Telecommunication Union about 95% of the global population live in regions with at least a basic 2G mobile-cellular network. It means that almost anyone with a connected device can benefit from education programmes based on technology solutions.

Established in 2005 with the support of the Kingdom of Bahrain, the UNESCO-King Hamdan bin Isa Al-Khalifa Prize for the Use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in Education rewards individuals and organisations that are implementing outstanding projects and promoting the creative use of technologies to enhance learning, teaching and overall educational performance in the digital age.

In line with the aims of SDG 4 on Education, the Prize seeks to honour innovative approaches to leveraging new technologies to expand educational and lifelong learning opportunities for all.

The Prize has a specific theme each year and an international Jury selects the two best projects. Each prize winner receives US$25,000, a medal and a diploma during a ceremony at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris.

Previous winners include Can’t Wait to Learn, an offline game application which enables children affected by armed conflict to learn interactively, developed by War Child Holland, and ThingLink, an innovative and affordable digital tool, which helps to foster learning experiences for all, including learners with disabilities or limited ability for expression.

KEY INFO

Make sure you read the important information below before you apply for this prize. You must apply through the UK National Commission for UNESCO. Expressions of interest are welcome.

STATUS

Closed for applications

UKNC DEADLINE

8 December 2020

UNESCO DEADLINE

8 January 2021

WHO CAN APPLY

Individuals, organisations

ORIGIN

Supported by the Kingdom of Bahrain

ESTABLISHED

2005

RENEWAL DATE

2020

AWARD

2 winners awarded US$25,000 each, a medal and a diploma

ROTATION

Annual

NEXT CALL DUE

2022

💌 Apply Today

Quote

‘While the Global Education Coalition supports both online and offline solutions, aiming towards connectivity for all is an important imperative, especially when our data shows that 43% of the world’s households do not have access to the internet.’

UNESCO Director-General, Audrey Azoulay

Quote

Read more about the Prize on UNESCO’s main site. Meet the Jury and past winners.

Meet the Jury
2019
??‍⚖️ #TheJury

Meet Mr Ibrahima Guimba-Saidou, Professor Riyad Y Hamzah, Dr Inge Molenaar, Dr Hyo-Jeong So, Mr Werner Westermann, the 2019 members of the jury.

Letrus, Winner 2019
BRAZIL
? #Laureate

Letrus is a Brazilian education technology start-up that has developed a programme for automated feedback on students’ writing. It aims to reduce functional illiteracy in the Portuguese language by improving practice opportunities for secondary school students and teachers.

Change Dyslexia, Winner 2019
SPAIN
? #Laureate

Change Dyslexia is a Spanish social company that has developed a screening tool to detect dyslexia in Spanish speakers all over the world. It also provides game-based exercises for learners with dyslexia to overcome writing and reading difficulties.