The Minister of Science and Technology, Mrs Naledi Pandor, MP, is one of five prominent international figures selected to serve on a panel to identify the winner of the world’s first international prize for education – the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) Prize for Education.
Announced last year, at the end of the second World Innovation Summit for Education in Dohar, Qatar, by the Chairperson of the Qatar Foundation, Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, the WISE Prize for Education will reward an individual or a team for an outstanding, world-class contribution to education.
The recipient's work should have had a major, lasting impact at any level of education and should demonstrate an inspiring and visionary approach.
The first recipient, who will be announced at the next WISE Summit in Doha in November 2011, will be awarded a gold medal and US$500 000.
Regarding her appointment to the panel, Minister Pandor said, "I am extremely honoured to have been chosen to serve on a panel of such esteemed individuals. I think it is recognition of South Africa as a global player in many fields, and of our efforts to provide quality and accessible education for all."
Other jury members are Dr James H Billington, Librarian of Congress, United States America (USA); Professor Jeffrey D Sachs, Director of the Earth Institute, Columbia University, USA; Mrs Fatma Rafiq Zakaria, Chairman of the Maulana Azad Educational Trust, India; His Excellency Sheikh Abdulla bin Ali Al-Thani, PhD, Chairman of WISE, Qatar Foundation (Chairman of the Jury).
Enquiries:
Lunga Ngqengelele
Tel: 012 843 6802
Cell: 082 566 0446
E-mail: lunga.ngqengelele@dst.gov.za
