(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Doha: The World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) and EdTechXGlobal have launched the first comprehensive global listing of ground-breaking innovators in education technology.
The ‘Makers and Shakers of Education Technology Index’ celebrates 50 of the most innovative EdTech thought leaders working across Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and North Africa region (Mena). and Asia.
The 2016 Index honours the luminaries who have introduced creative ways of learning through play, construction, or interactive design, using digital technologies and informed by the needs of modern labour markets.
The initial list of ‘Makers and Shakers’ was managed by WISE, an initiative of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), and EdTechXGlobal, the organisers of the leading education technology-focused conference EdTechXEurope.
The final list of 50 was selected by 15 members of a global advisory committee of industry leaders from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Google for Education, IDEO, IBIS Capital, Kaizen Private Equity, Learn Capital, LinkedIn, Times Higher Education, and TES Global.
The panel assessed each proposed name against criteria such as individual vision, disruptive innovation, and impact and contribution to education.
The ‘Makers’ are defined as rising stars of education technology, innovating and pushing boundaries for future success and the ‘Shakers’ are considered established leaders in their regions, inspiring worldwide EdTech change.
Stavros N Yiannouka, CEO, WISE, said: “Through this index, WISE seeks to support creative individuals working hard to achieve positive socio-economic impact through education.”
Benjamin Vedrenne Cloquet, Co-Founder, EdTechXEurope, said: “This is the first index of its kind to recognise success across four geographical regions, but as the EdTech market grows into a global community, we believe it’s important to champion innovators and leaders regardless of location.
“The global EdTech community is working towards the same goal of improving education and making it more accessible through technology,” Cloquet said.
“These thought leaders have demonstrated commitment to achieve this goal,” he added.
The Peninsula