Bangalore : The process to select the winner of the 2013 WISE Prize for Education has begun. Now in its third year, the Prize is the first major global recognition of an individual or team of up to six people for an outstanding contribution to education. It is the premier distinction in the field, with a status similar to that of other international prizes in areas such as literature, peace and economics.

Nominations are sought from all sectors ­ private, public and voluntary – and from around the world. Those nominated should have demonstrated an inspiring and visionary approach and a proven track record of achievement in the field of education.

Submissions must be made through the WISE website www.wise-qatar.org/nominate-wise-prize-2013 by 11:59 pm (GMT) on April 30, 2013.  Valid nominations will be reviewed by an international committee of education experts and the final selection will be made by a high-level Jury of distinguished individuals chaired by Dr. Abdulla bin Ali Al-Thani, Chairman of WISE.

The winner will be announced before an international and multi-sectoral audience at the fifth World Innovation Summit for Education, taking place October 29 ­ 31, 2013, in Doha, Qatar. The Laureate will receive a prize of $500,000 (US) and a gold medal.

Commenting on the opening of the nomination period, WISE Chairman Dr. Abdulla bin Ali Al-Thani said: “WISE was launched by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, to improve the lives of individuals and communities through education. By recognizing outstanding contributions we are creating role models and ambassadors who can inspire us all to further achievement. We invite nominations of exceptional people – individuals or teams – from India who might be worthy winners of the 2013 WISE Prize for Education.”

The 2012 WISE Prize for Education Laureate is Dr. Madhav Chavan, a former chemistry teacher who devised a simple but innovative formula based on partnership to spread education, literacy and numeracy at minimal cost. The NGO of which he is co-founder and CEO, Pratham, started in the slums of Mumbai and is now the largest non-governmental provider of basic literacy and numeracy for underprivileged children in India.  Millions of children benefit from these programs each year.

The inaugural Laureate of the WISE Prize for Education in 2011, Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, is the founder of BRAC, one of the largest non-governmental providers of education in the world, whose diverse programs have benefited millions of people in 10 countries across three continents.