Asia Education Medal, instituted by HP and UK-based T4 Education that empowers teachers and school leaders globally, is a new award given to an outstanding individual who is a changemaker in the field of education. The list of 10 finalists for the inaugural award has been announced.

The UAE’s Nargish Khambatta, Principal and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GEMS Modern Academy, has been named along with two Indians – Ashish Dhawan, Founder and Chairperson of the Central Square Foundation, and Pranav Kothari, CEO of Educational Initiatives (Ei) – besides top achievers from Singapore, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Japan and Malaysia.

The medal will be conferred in October to the winner for demonstrating impact, leadership and advocacy in the field of education. The winner of the Asia Education Medal will also be invited to attend the two-day World Schools Summit scheduled to be held in Dubai on November 23 and 24 this year. The winner gets to nominate a school of their choice to receive membership of T4 Education’s Best School to Work programme, an independent, evidence-based mechanism to certify schools for their culture, and help them transform their working environment to attract and retain the best teachers to tackle learning gaps.

Khambatta’s GEMS Modern Academy was listed in the Top 10 for the World’s Best School Prize for Innovation 2023. The school is known for introducing a number of technological innovations into its curriculum such as the region’s first online report card system, developed entirely by students and teachers. The Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) programme was also launched by the school, where students upwards of Grade 2 carry their own learning devices.

Khambatta, who is the recipient of the GEMS Exceptional Head of School Award, believes that every child should have ample opportunity to discover their self-worth, interests and passion in a secure and happy environment, enabling them to grow into confident young adults with a sound intellectual and moral compass that guides them to their goals.

Mayank Dhingra, Senior Education Business Leader at HP, has congratulated Khambatta, saying “her passion and dedication to transforming education will inspire countless others to follow her footsteps in building a world where quality education is enjoyed by all. The Asia Education Medal brings together all those who are changing the face of Asian education, whose work we must all learn from if the world is to meet the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030”.

Vikas Pota, Founder and CEO of T4 Education, said, “The Asia Education Medal honours changemakers where change is needed most – where learning gaps remain stubbornly persistent and where deep inequalities remain. Asia, and the world, has so much to learn from your [Nargish Khambatta’s] inspirational story and your vital contribution to the next generation.” – editor@nrifocus.com