Doha - MENA Herald: The World Innovation Summit for Education, the global initiative driving innovation and collaboration in education, and EdTechXGlobal, the organisers of the leading education technology-focused conference EdTechXEurope, have launched the Makers and Shakers of Education Technology Index, the first comprehensive global listing of ground-breaking innovators in Edtech.
The international index celebrates 50 of the most innovative Edtech thought leaders, organised in four geographical regions (Europe, the Americas, MEA, and Asia). The 2016 Index honours these 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 and EdTechXGlobal. The final list of 50 was selected by 15 members of the global advisory committee, comprised 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 advisory committee assessed each proposed name against criteria such as individual vision, disruptive innovation, impact and contribution. The “Makers” were defined as rising stars of education technology, innovating and pushing boundaries for future success; the “Shakers” are considered to be established leaders in their regions, inspiring worldwide Edtech change.
The index included twelve candidates selected from MEA region, out of which three were from the Middle East; Ahmed Alfi (Egypt) was ranked second and classified as “shaker”, while the other two Diana Al-Dajani (Palestine) and Nafez Dakkak (Jordan) were classified as “makers” and were ranked fifth and seventh respectively.
"Through this Index, WISE seeks to support creative individuals who are working hard to achieve positive socio-economic impact through education," said Stavros N. Yiannouka, CEO, WISE.
“The Makers + Shakers in Education Technology is a global index that elevates Education innovators and thought leaders as 21st Century social rock stars. The index rewards talent, creativity, impact and influence in education,” added Benjamin Vedrenne-Cloquet, Co-Founder of EdTechXGlobal.