One of the most prestigious events in Qatar, which reflects the paramount importance the nation gives to education, the WISE Summit 2019, is officially underway in Doha, under the theme "UnLearn ReLearn: What it means to be human." 

Qatar Foundation (QF) Chairperson Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser participated in the opening ceremony of the summit yesterday.

During the ceremony, HH Sheikha Moza presented Larry Rosenstock, CEO, High Tech High, with the 2019 WISE Prize for Education Laureate, before an audience of more than 3,000 participants from 100 countries.

The WISE Prize for Education is the first distinction of its kind to acknowledge an individual for an outstanding contribution to education.

HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser present Larry Rosenstock, CEO, High Tech High, with the 2019 WISE Prize for Education Laureate. pic.twitter.com/9BnuB3MWFn

— Qatar News Agency (@QNAEnglish) November 20, 2019

Mr. Rosenstock is recognized for his lifelong dedication to rethinking K-12 learning and tackling inequality through education. 

HE President of the Republic of Armenia Dr Armen Sarkissian; HE Vice Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani; ministers; first ladies; dignitaries; and global education leaders were also in attendance at the ceremony. 

The WISE Summit 2019, which runs until today, gathers speakers, education specialists, and thought-leaders to participate in more than 150 plenary sessions and debates.

This year's discussions will be centered around the questions: Should schools teach students how to be happy? Will artificial intelligence make teachers obsolete? Can the latest discoveries in neuroscience make our kids smarter? Do students care about what they are learning? Should schools get rid of grading systems? Should students pledge a percentage of their future salary to fund their higher education?

"Education is a very important aspect of our lives. Education is for everybody, and I am hoping to walk out of these doors a little wiser," said HE President of the Republic of Armenia Dr Armen Sarkissian.

"I believe education should have one important function - to find talent," President Sarkissian said.

"Every child is born with some talent, and as educators, your job is to nurture it. Secondly, you must remember that not everyone has the same privileges as you - many are deprived of basic rights such as education. So, never forget to share. And finally, I want to tell the youth to believe in themselves," he said.

HE Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr Mohammed Abdul Wahed Al Hammadi noted that WISE is an important international platform where discussions on innovation in education have been taking place over the last 10 years.

"WISE is gathering an international spotlight among those who take a keen interest in discussing education in a holistic manner, and who see education as a core for human development and a tool for the upliftment of societies."

The session was attended by HE Vice Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al-Thani, HE the First Lady of Paraguay Silvana Lopez Moreira and a number of QF officials #QNA pic.twitter.com/wYrIArXxES

— Qatar News Agency (@QNAEnglish) November 20, 2019

While delivering his acceptance speech for the WISE Prize 2019, Rosenstock said, "I want to thank HH Sheikha Moza and QF not just for recognizing my work but for creating this prize which elevates the work of educating young people globally."

"I have been most fortunate to be surrounded by passionate educators who engage students naturally, develop their skills and help them set their sights higher," he said.

The opening plenary session of WISE 2019 Summit was moderated by Yalda Hakim, Presenter-International Correspondent, BBC World News.

Other speakers at the opening plenary session were Max Tegmark, Co-founder, Future of Life Institute; Nicholas A. Christakis, Professor, Yale University; and Najat Vallaud Belkacem, CEO, Global Affairs, IPSOS; Former Minister of Education, France.

Established 10 years ago, more than $28 million donations and investments raised by startups have been supported by WISE.

During this time, WISE has also served 150 organizations, projects and start-ups, and has represented more than 254 million beneficiaries.

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Cover Image Credit and Source: QNA