Nomination process for the 2012 WISE Prize closed March 31, 2012.

Established by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, the WISE Prize for Education recognizes an individual or team of up to six people for an outstanding, world-class contribution to education. 

The WISE Prize is enhancing the status of education by giving it similar prestige to other areas for which major international awards exist such as science, literature, peace and economics. 

The Laureate receives an award of $500,000 (US) and a gold medal.

“It is our aim that this Prize should raise global awareness of the crucial role of education in all societies, and create a platform for innovative and practical solutions that might help alleviate some of the challenges which education faces around the world.” Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation

The inaugural WISE Prize for Education was awarded on November 1, 2011 by His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, to Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, Founder and Chairman of BRAC, before the world media and 1,200 leaders and educational experts assembled at the third WISE Summit held in Doha, Qatar. Sir Fazle Hasan Abed was selected as the first Laureate to receive this prestigious Prize in recognition of his remarkable contribution to education. Find out more about his life and achievements here.

The nomination process for the 2012 WISE Prize was open until March 31, 2012. Nominations were invited from individuals and institutions with a demonstrable commitment to education, such as universities, schools, colleges, teachers’ organizations, research facilities, international organizations, governments, the media and private corporations.

Following evaluation by the WISE Prize Committee and the WISE Prize Jury, the 2012 Laureate's name will be announced at the next WISE Summit, to be held in Doha, Qatar, November 13 – 15, 2012. 

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> Download the 2012 WISE Prize brochure: online version – print version