Doha, Qatar – The 2024-2025 WISE Prize for Education has been awarded to three global initiatives focused on innovative learning solutions. Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, presented the awards at the conclusion of the WISE 12 Summit, recognizing organizations that are significantly impacting education worldwide. The prize, established by Qatar Foundation’s WISE initiative, honors visionary projects delivering lasting change for learners and communities.
This year’s winners – TUMO, Iqrali.jo, and Darsel – were selected from a shortlist of six finalists and will collectively receive $1 million in funding. The awards highlight a new structure for the WISE Prize, expanding its support to include all finalists and fostering a collaborative ecosystem for educational innovation. The summit, held November 24-25 at the Qatar National Convention Centre, showcased these projects and their potential for global impact.
The 2024-2025 WISE Prize Winners and Their Innovations
TUMO, based in Armenia, received the largest share of the prize fund at $500,000. The organization’s focus is reimagining after-school creative learning experiences, particularly in technology and digital arts. Iqrali.jo, a Jordanian parental platform designed to enhance children’s Arabic literacy development, was awarded $300,000. Finally, Darsel, a US-based initiative, secured $200,000 for its AI-driven math tutoring system designed for areas with limited internet connectivity.
TUMO: Revolutionizing Creative Learning
Pegor Papazian, Chief Development Officer at TUMO, emphasized the importance of innovation in addressing global learning challenges. He stated that the WISE Prize will amplify their impact and facilitate the development of their AI co-learner platform, aiming to make education more accessible and effective. The platform utilizes artificial intelligence to personalize learning and empower students.
Iqrali.jo: Empowering Parents in Literacy Development
Bassem Saad, CEO of the Queen Rania Foundation, which developed Iqrali.jo, expressed pride in the recognition. He highlighted the platform’s ability to engage parents as active partners in their children’s learning journey, aligning with Qatar Foundation’s commitment to expanding educational opportunities. The initiative aims to improve Arabic literacy rates by providing resources and support to families.
Darsel: AI-Powered Math Tutoring for Underserved Communities
Abdulhamid Haidar, Founder and CEO of Darsel, noted the incredible support received through the WISE Prize program. This support enabled the design, development, and evaluation of their AI-powered chatbot, which focuses on improving numeracy skills. Research suggests Darsel is a cost-effective intervention, and the organization anticipates reaching over one million students before the next WISE Summit.
Additionally, the expanded WISE Prize model awarded $125,000 to each of the three remaining finalists to develop a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) addressing critical education needs. These finalists include Bonocle, a Qatari innovation creating a Braille entertainment and learning platform; Fast Track+, a Nigerian organization supporting refugee learners; and AprendoLab, a Chilean initiative developing AI-powered professional development for teachers. This broadened approach demonstrates WISE’s commitment to supporting a wider range of educational solutions.
Stavros N. Yiannouka, CEO of WISE, underscored that transformative educational change originates from individuals and organizations willing to challenge conventional learning methods. He noted that the winning solutions are grounded in evidence and dedicated to improving learning outcomes on a large scale. The focus on scalability and impact is a key differentiator for the WISE Prize.
Niamh Whelan, Program Lead at WISE, described the prize as a collaborative journey. WISE works closely with all finalists to translate ideas into practical, real-world models that promote inclusive and equitable education. This mentorship and guidance are integral to the program’s success.
Looking ahead, preparations for the next cycle of the WISE Prize for Education are expected to begin in early 2026. Details regarding timelines and the application process will be released in the coming months. Observers will be watching to see how the expanded model continues to foster innovation and support the development of impactful educational programs globally, and whether the focus on AI and accessibility will continue to be prominent themes.
