UNESCO ICT Prize awards digital learning platforms from China and Ireland

The 2022 edition of the UNESCO King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa Prize for the Use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in Education will be awarded to “Smart Education of China”, implemented by the National Center for Educational Technology of China, and “The National Resource Hub”, ran by the National Forum for Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education of Ireland.

The two laureates will each receive US$ 25,000 for their work in making public digital learning platforms and digital content universally accessible, developing digital competencies for all teachers and learners, and promoting universal connectivity in education.

Rolled out in 2020, Smart Education of China is an all-encompassing platform that hosts a wide range of curriculum-aligned learning resources, including 44,000 resources for basic education, covering all grades and subjects; 19,000 resources vocational education; and 27,000 MOOCs for higher education. The platform also includes a rich pool of extra-curricula materials to support learners’ comprehensive learning, on issues such as mental health and well-being, sports, arts, etc. With 13.15 million registered users, the platform played a pivotal role in facilitating large-scale distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the initiative includes digital competency development by providing training to more than 10 million teachers and reaching learners in remote and rural areas, thus contributing to the quality and equity of education in China. 

Established in 2019, the National Resource Hub is a collaborative and inclusive platform that serves as a gateway to open educational resources and practices in higher education. With over 780 high-quality resources, it has reached a global user base of 650,000 individuals from 173 countries. The Hub also features open courses for professional development, completed by over 5,000 higher education institutions staff and a network of 628 trained facilitators in Ireland. The Hub maintains a robust review process and incorporates user feedback to ensure the relevance and quality of its content. It embraces diversity and inclusion by encouraging gender-inclusive content, providing features for learners with additional needs, and offering resources for low-connectivity contexts. The Hub's commitment to openness is transforming the landscape of education and empowering educators and learners alike.

The Award Ceremony will take place on 7 September 2023 during UNESCO’s flagship Digital Learning Week at its Paris headquarters. Discussions during the week will focus on digital learning platforms and the role of artificial intelligence - especially generative AI - to steer the human-centered digital transformation of education.   

An International Jury reviewed 98 nominations submitted by 58 UNESCO Member States and seven NGOs in official relations with UNESCO and recommended the two projects for their achievements in rendering learning content more accessible via digital learning platforms.

The 2022 edition of the Prize, on the theme “The use of public platforms to ensure inclusive access to digital education content”, builds on the conclusions of the Transforming Education Summit. At the summit, participating States reaffirmed that the digital revolution must be harnessed to transform education for everyone’s benefit by making digital resources available to all.

Established in 2005 and supported by the Kingdom of Bahrain, the UNESCO King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa Prize for the Use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in Education rewards every year individuals and organizations that enhance teaching, learning and overall education performance.

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