#None #Yidan Prize #Uri Wilensky #Mamadou Ly

Spotlights on Educational Changemakers: The 2025 Yidan Prize

The Yidan Prize Foundation recently revealed the laureates of the 2025 Yidan Prize, celebrating individuals making significant strides in educational reform. This prestigious international award focuses on fostering innovative approaches to education. This year, the award goes to Professor Uri Wilensky, known for his remarkable work in computational thinking, and Mamadou Amadou Ly, recognized for his bilingual education practices.

The Mission of the Yidan Prize

Founded to foster a better world through education, the Yidan Prize Foundation emphasizes the need for transformative ideas that can break existing barriers within the education system. This foundation aims to honor innovative researchers and practitioners who are paving the way for future generations. Dr. Charles Chen Yidan, the founder of the Yidan Prize, underscores the importance of education as a catalyst for development, noting that it empowers individuals and societies to thrive amid changing global conditions.

Professor Uri Wilensky: A Pioneer in Complex Systems

Professor Uri Wilensky, a leader in promoting complex systems literacy, teaches at Northwestern University, where he leads research that delves into agent-based modeling. His contributions help illuminate how various components within a system interconnect to produce outcomes on larger scales, such as climate change impacts, economic fluctuations, and pandemic responses.

Wilensky's creation, NetLogo, an open-source modeling tool, allows users to explore complexity in an accessible way. This tool has been instrumental not just in academic research but also in educational contexts, making complex ideas understandable for students of all ages. As Andreas Schleicher, Head of the Yidan Prize Education Research Judging Panel, noted, Wilensky’s work equips learners with the ability to understand complexities and foster confidence in navigating today's interconnected challenges.

Mamadou Amadou Ly: Championing Multilingual Education

On the other hand, Mamadou Amadou Ly leads Associates in Research and Education for Development (ARED), advocating for bilingual education initiatives that profoundly enhance literacy and educational outcomes. Under his guidance, ARED has successfully implemented models that teach in both national and locally-spoken languages, underscoring the importance of cultural relevance in education. This dual-language approach has gained traction across various regions, influencing educational policies in countries such as Senegal and Mauritania.

Ly's innovative strategy embraces children’s primary languages and integrates these with languages essential for broader academic success, demonstrating remarkable potential in improving educational equity. As Dorothy Gordon, Head of the Yidan Prize Education Development Judging Panel, emphasized, Ly's work paves the way for inclusive, equitable education frameworks that promote bilingualism without compromising cultural identities.

Celebrating Achievements and Future Endeavors

The Yidan Prize Council recognizes the monumental impact of both laureates. Each honoree will receive HK$30 million (approximately US$3.8 million), half of which can be allocated freely to enhance existing projects or initiate new endeavors. This financial backing serves as a catalyst for their future work, ensuring they can reach more learners and continue innovating within the education field.

The 2025 Yidan Prize Awards Ceremony, set for December 6 in Hong Kong, will put the spotlight on these remarkable achievements, while the Yidan Prize Summit on December 5-6 will gather educators and innovators to share insights and foster collaboration. The call for nominations for the 2026 Yidan Prize will open in October 2025, providing opportunities for more changemakers to gain recognition.

In a world filled with challenges in education, the Yidan Prize remains a beacon of hope, illustrating that with the right support and innovative strategies, significant advancements are possible. As we look forward to what the future holds, the contributions of Wilensky and Ly underscore the power of education to transform societies and uplift learners globally.