December 8, 2024, the award ceremony of the Yidan Prize, the world's largest single education award, was grandly held in Hong Kong. Professor Zhang Minxuan from our institute (6th from the left in the second row), as a member of the Jury Panel, was invited to attend the ceremony.
The 2024 Yidan Prize for Education Research was awarded to Professor Wolfgang Lutz. Mr. Andreas Schleicher, Chair of the Yidan Prize for Education Research Jury, commented: As a world-leading demographer, his research not only reveals the profound impact of demographic changes on the future but also insightfully articulates the pivotal role education plays in this process. Professor Lutz’s research emphasizes how education-driven improvements in human capital contribute to global sustainable development, expanding the research horizons of demography and education. He has also generously made his research data open-source, providing important scientific basis for formulating policies on the allocation of scarce public resources.
Paul Chan Mo-po, Chief Secretary for Administration of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, with 2024 Yidan Prize for Education Research laureate Professor Wolfgang Lutz
The 2024 Yidan Prize for Education Development was awarded to three representatives of the Can’t Wait to Learn project by the War Child Alliance: Professor Mark Jordans, Marwa Zahr, and Luke Stannard. Ms. Dorothy K Gordon, Chair of the Yidan Prize for Education Development Jury, stated: Through innovative and collaborative approaches, this project demonstrates how education technology, when precisely designed and implemented to meet the actual needs of the most vulnerable groups, can effectively provide quality and equitable learning opportunities for the most marginalized children. Currently, the project has benefited over 200,000 conflict-affected children in 8 countries, helping them gain much-needed educational support and setting an example for enhancing educational equity and quality.
Paul Chan Mo-po, Chief Secretary for Administration of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, with the 2024 Yidan Prize for Education Development winning team representatives from the War Child Alliance: Professor Mark Jordans (1st from left), Marwa Zahr (2nd from right), and Luke Stannard (1st from right)
Paul Chan Mo-po, Chief Secretary for Administration of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, attended the ceremony, formally presented the awards to the laureates, and witnessed this glorious moment together with government officials, consuls general of various countries in Hong Kong, and international leaders in education, public policy, and philanthropy. John Lee Ka-chiu, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, congratulated the four laureates online.
John Lee Ka-chiu, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, congratulates the 2024 Yidan Prize laureates
Mr. Chen Yidan, founder of the Yidan Prize, extended sincere congratulations to the four laureates. He said: The world is changing rapidly, and education must transform to keep pace with the times. The Yidan Prize was born in this ever-evolving world. There is no set theme for Yidan Prize nominations; we provide laureates with flexibly usable project funds, connect educational networks, leverage community strengths, and gather diverse ideas. In a word, driven by our vision, the Yidan Prize both adapts to changes and seeks innovation.
Chen Yidan, founder of the Yidan Prize, delivers a welcome speech at the 2024 Yidan Prize Award Ceremony
To date, the Yidan Prize Foundation has awarded a total of HK$480 million, recognizing the outstanding achievements of laureates and supporting their educational projects in over 50 countries and regions, helping global education development reach new heights.
Group photo of all 2024 Yidan Prize laureates
