DOHA: TUMO’s AI-powered learning platform was named the top winner of the 2024-2025 WISE Prize for Education as the WISE 12 Summit concluded at Qatar National Convention Centre.
The award, presented by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, recognises visionary individuals and organisations whose work transforms education and learning worldwide.
TUMO, headquartered in Armenia, received the first-place prize of $500,000 for its creative after-school programmes that integrate AI to enhance learning outcomes for teenagers. Pegor Papazian, Chief Development Officer at TUMO, said, “Being honoured with the WISE Prize is deeply meaningful. Over 12 months, the WISE Prize process sharpened our focus, accelerated development and connected us with an invaluable network of peers. Our AI co-learner platform is transforming how young people learn, making education more accessible, adaptive and impactful”.
Second-place winner Iqrali.jo, developed by the Queen Rania Foundation in Jordan, received $300,000 for its parental platform supporting children’s Arabic literacy. CEO Bassem Saad said, “This recognition crowns a meaningful journey of collaboration and shared belief in the power of education. Through Iqrali.jo, parents become active partners in their children’s learning”. Third-place winner Darsel, based in the US, earned $200,000 for AI-driven math tutoring in low-connectivity settings. Founder Abdulhamid Haidar added, “With WISE’s support, we have designed and launched an AI-powered chatbot improving numeracy skills, expected to reach over one million students worldwide”.
The six finalists, including Bonocle (Qatar), Fast Track+ (Nigeria) and AprendoLab (Chile), each received $125,000 and mentorship to refine their solutions.
The projects span literacy acceleration, teacher development, AI integration and accessible learning technologies for marginalised learners, demonstrating global relevance and scalability. The total prize fund for this year’s winners and finalists amounted to $1 million.
The two-day WISE 12 Summit gathered over 1,500 educators, policymakers, innovators and researchers on November 24, 25.
Keynotes, panels and workshops explored emerging educational trends, inclusive learning, AI integration and strategies for equitable access. Attendees engaged in interactive sessions emphasising collaboration and knowledge-sharing, reinforcing WISE’s vision of learning as a global, collective mission.
Stavros Yiannouka, CEO of WISE, said, “Transformative educational change begins with individuals and organisations daring to rethink learning. This year’s winners demonstrate the impact of innovation grounded in evidence, improving learning outcomes at scale”. Preparations for the next WISE Prize cycle will begin early next year, continuing the platform’s mission of advancing scalable, value-driven educational innovation worldwide.
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