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UAE: New $50,000 Global Student Prize now open for applications

Dubai - Submissions are also being accepted for this year's Global Teacher Prize.

Calling all extraordinary students around the world: The new Global Student Prize worth $50,000 (Dh183,650) is now open for applications.

Launched by the Varkey Foundation in partnership with Chegg.org, the prize is open to students who have been making a real impact on learning, their peers and beyond. They must be at least 16 years old and enrolled in an academic institution or training and skills programme. Part-time students, as well as those enrolled in online courses, are also eligible.

The Global Student Prize is a sister award to the foundation’s Global Teacher Prize. And, together, they will tell inspirational stories from both sides.

The prizes aim to highlight the great work teachers do in preparing young people for the future and the promise that the brightest minds show on their learning journey.

Ranjitsinh Disale, winner of the US$1-million Global Teacher Prize in 2020, in partnership with Unesco, on Tuesday urged UAE teachers and students to apply for the award.

“Heroic Emirati teachers have gone above and beyond, especially during the pandemic, to keep young people learning. Like much of the world, the UAE has been turned upside down by Covid, and it is ultimately teachers and students that will play leading roles in the nation’s rebuilding and recovery. We must recognise their inspirational work in every corner of the UAE, if we are to build a better tomorrow,” said Disale, an Indian village teacher.

Chegg.org is a supporter of the Global Teacher Prize and has partnered with the Varkey Foundation to create the new Global Student Prize.

Lila Thomas, head of Chegg.org, said: “Students throughout the world during the pandemic have shown great strength, focus and determination to keep learning and keep fighting for their future. They deserve huge praise and recognition for never giving up.

“These students will now be charged with helping to solve some of the greatest challenges in history. The Global Student Prize has been launched to shine a light on their stories and listen to their voices. After all, it is their dreams, their insights, and their creativity that will help to build the future.”

Sunny Varkey, who founded both the Global Teacher Prize and the Global Student Prize, said: “Both these prizes have been launched to highlight the importance of education in tackling the great challenges ahead — from climate change to growing inequality to global pandemics.

“With world leaders preoccupied with the vital task of bringing this terrible pandemic to an end, I urge them to never forget that it is only by prioritising education that we can safeguard all our tomorrows. Education is the key to facing the future with confidence.”

Selection process

Applicants for the Global Teacher Prize and the Global Student Prize can both apply at www.globalteacherprize.org. The deadline for submissions is April 30, 2021.

Teachers applying for the Global Teacher Prize will be assessed on teaching practices; how they innovate to address local challenges; achieve demonstrable learning outcomes; impact the community beyond the classroom; help children become global citizens; improve the teaching profession; and gain recognition from external bodies.

Students applying for the Global Student Prize will be assessed on their academic achievement; impact on their peers; how they make a difference in their community and beyond; how they overcome the odds to achieve goals; how they demonstrate creativity and innovation; and how they operate as global citizens.

For both prizes, applications will be trimmed down to the the top 50 and then to the top 10 finalists. Winners from the top 10 will be announced at a live ceremony later this year.

nandini@khaleejtimes.com