#Hong Kong #Yidan Prize #Uri Wilensky #Mamadou Ly

The Yidan Prize 2025: Honoring Pioneers in Education

On September 29, 2025, the Yidan Prize Foundation announced the prestigious winners of the Yidan Prize 2025, a global initiative aimed at creating a better world through education. This year, the foundation recognized Professor Uri Wilensky and Mamadou Amadou Ly for their significant contributions in promoting complex systems understanding and multilingual education, respectively.

A Call for Change in Education

In a world where educational engagement often falters, the Yidan Prize aims to illuminate innovative ideas and transformative practices. The winners join a community of distinguished researchers and educators dedicated to creating impactful educational solutions and fostering a brighter future.

Charles Chen Yidan, the founder of the Yidan Prize, emphasized the vital role of education in unlocking potential. He remarked, “Education empowers individuals and societies with essential skills to learn, adapt, and thrive in a rapidly changing world.” The Yidan Prize symbolizes a commitment to advancing educational opportunities and outcomes globally.

Meet the Laureates

Uri Wilensky: Bridging Disciplines through Computational Modeling

Uri Wilensky, who serves as a professor at Northwestern University, has been awarded the Yidan Prize 2025 for Education Research. His groundbreaking work in agent-based modeling (ABM) has paved the way for better understanding complex systems across various fields—including climate change and economic instability.

His free, open-source software, NetLogo, serves as a versatile tool for learners of all ages, allowing them to visualize how individual interactions within a system lead to broader societal phenomena. Through this universal language, both young children and scholars can grasp intricate concepts in engaging and accessible ways. This innovative approach not only elevates educational practices but also fosters a greater understanding of the interconnections within our world.

“Andreas Schleicher, the chairman of the Yidan Prize jury for education research, remarked on Uri’s remarkable contributions, stating: ‘His work facilitates students’ understanding of complex non-linear systems, empowering them to navigate an interconnected world.’”

Mamadou Amadou Ly: Advocating for Multilingual Education

The Yidan Prize for Education Development has been awarded to Mamadou Amadou Ly, executive director of the Associates for Research and Education for Development (ARED). His initiatives have focused on developing bilingual education frameworks that significantly enhance literacy, numeracy, and core skills among children in West and Central Africa.

Mamadou's model is built on the principle of teaching in languages familiar to children while incorporating the official language they encounter in school, demonstrating a transformative path for bilingual education in the region. His community-centered, culturally relevant approach has influenced educational policy in multiple countries, including Senegal and Mauritania.

In the words of Dorothy Gordon, chair of the jury for the Yidan Prize for Education Development: ‘Mamadou Amadou Ly’s visionary work in multilingual education ensures that learners can navigate their identities while receiving quality education.’

Looking Ahead

Both laureates will be honored at the Yidan Prize 2025 award ceremony on December 6, 2025, in Hong Kong, during the annual summit focused on the future of education. The Yidan Prize continues to expand its reach, promoting progressive research and practices in education worldwide.

With a staggering total of HKD 540 million (approximately USD 69.2 million) being awarded since its inception, the Yidan Prize solidifies its commitment to impactful educational reform and innovation. The winners will each receive a project fund of HKD 15 million (USD 3.8 million), supporting their vital work in education.

As we celebrate the achievements of these remarkable individuals, it is clear that their contributions will inspire future generations, reinforcing the idea that education is indeed a powerful catalyst for change in our increasingly complex world.