(MENAFN- The Peninsula) The sixth World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) once again reinforced the dedication by Qatar Foundation to encourage innovation in education, particularly among young people. The annual event, which recently concluded, tackled a number of education issues on a global level. Through a series of unique programmes that address key areas in education, WISE has grown in stature to help prepare students to become leaders within their communities.
An initiative of Qatar Foundation under the leadership of its Chairperson
H H Sheikha Moza bin Nasser, WISE has demonstrated over the past few years how it has played a pivotal role in bringing together global thought leaders and educational practitioners with one aim of creating a better education environment for all.
In recent years, WISE has established itself as a global reference in new approaches to education through a series of on-going initiatives, including the Learners' Voice Programme. Launched in 2010, it is designed to equip young people aged 18 to 25 with the relevant soft skills, tools, and know-how to address global education issues. In addition, it provides students with opportunities to explore barriers to education, and create innovative, yet realistic and achievable, solutions.
This year, 34 young men and women were chosen from hundreds of promising applicants to take part in the 2014-2015 Learners' Voice Programme.
"Throughout the year, the programme hosted multiple interactive sessions and workshops on leadership, entrepreneurship, and creativity," said Qatari participant Sarah M Kamal Al Emadi, a graduate of Qatar University. "The programme helped us tackle our own personal issues, which enabled us to move forward with our concepts."
Sarah's project, 'Duende,' uses art to reintegrate children born during the conflict of war in Uganda, into society.
An integral part of the year-long Learners' Voice Program is bringing together people from different backgrounds and cultures to tackle a universal issue, an element which proved popular among all the participants.
"The Learners' Voice Programme has been a life-changing experience," said Khalid Al Saegh, a Qatari student at Texas A&M University at Qatar. His locally-targeted project, 'iSTEAM,' aims to bring 3D printers to the classroom.
Pakistani born Ahwaz Akhtar is a student at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service in Qatar. His group's project, 'Orenda,' is designed to help people who have been displaced from their homes due to natural disasters or war, specifically Afghans in Islamabad.
Now in its fifth year, the Learners' Voice community comprises of over 100 Learners. The students are from diverse backgrounds and disciplines, from around the world.
This year, the summit also served as the official launch of the WISE Accelerator, a tailor-made mentorship programme to support high potential, scalable projects that address education challenges through innovative technology.
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