UNESCO-Hamdan Prize Gears Up For 8th Edition To Boost Global Teacher Development

The International Jury of the UNESCO-Hamdan Prize for Teacher Development convened at UNESCO headquarters in Paris over the past two days. The meeting focused on preparations for the launch of the eighth edition of the prize and a review of the latest nominations.

Ali Abdullah Alhaj Al Ali, Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates to UNESCO, reaffirmed the UAE's ongoing support for UNESCO's education programmes. "The UAE considers education to be a cornerstone of sustainable development and social progress. Therefore, we are committed to supporting all initiatives aimed at improving the quality of education around the world," he stated.

Dr. Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Secretary General of Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Distinguished Academic Performance, highlighted the Prize's objectives. "The Prize aims to support, encourage, and enhance the performance and effectiveness of teachers to achieve the goals of education for all. It seeks to recognise teachers who demonstrate excellence in their teaching practices, which contributes to raising the level of education worldwide," he said.

Established in 2008, the UNESCO-Hamdan Prize for Teacher Development supports improving teaching and learning quality in line with Sustainable Development Goal 4 on education, a priority for UNESCO. The Prize is awarded biennially and is supported by the Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Distinguished Academic Performance.

The Prize amounts to $300,000, divided equally among three winners whose projects aim at enhancing teacher performance and effectiveness globally. Winners are selected by an International Jury composed of five distinguished professionals with extensive knowledge and experience in teacher-related issues.

Selection Process

The International Jury is responsible for evaluating nominations and selecting winners based on their contributions to improving educational practices. The jury members are chosen for their expertise and high-level understanding of teacher development issues.

The eighth edition of the UNESCO-Hamdan Prize for Teacher Development promises to continue its mission of recognising and supporting outstanding teaching practices worldwide. The UAE's commitment to this initiative underscores its dedication to fostering global educational progress.

With inputs from WAM