BLURB: The index aims to create a new framework for measuring global education systems while identifying pathways for improvement, innovation and human flourishing
DOHA: The World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) Education Index, a new global framework designed to redefine how education systems worldwide are measured, evaluated and improved, was formally introduced at the WISE 12 Summit in Doha, with Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, attending a high-level Expert Consultation Workshop marking its unveiling. Developed by Qatar Foundation’s global education initiative WISE, the Index aims to transform traditional approaches to evaluating national education performance by shifting focus from narrow, outcome-based rankings to a holistic assessment of how systems evolve, adapt and enable human flourishing over time. It seeks to provide governments and policymakers with a more meaningful tool to understand not only what education systems achieve, but also how they improve, innovate and respond to change. The workshop brought together leading researchers, economists and policymakers from around the world to scrutinise and refine the framework ahead of its pilot phase. Also in attendance were Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, and Lolwah bint Rashid bin Mohammed Al Khater, Minister of Education and Higher Education. Addressing a crucial gap in global education measurement, the Index responds to the limitations of existing indicators that focus largely on access, literacy and employability while failing to capture the full continuum of learning — from early childhood conditions to lifelong wellbeing, workforce readiness and societal contribution. Unlike traditional metrics often tied to economic status, the WISE Education Index recognises that education systems begin from varied starting points. It adopts a process-oriented and multidimensional approach, evaluating systems through interconnected lenses of inputs, processes and outcomes, while highlighting the pathways that drive sustainable improvement and equity.
“The WISE Index has the potential to become a powerful tool for policymakers if it remains aligned with national priorities, practical in use and faithful to the true purpose of education,” said Nofe Al Suwaidi, Secretary General of the National Commission for Education, Culture and Science at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education. “It can help us understand where we stand, where we must go, and how to build systems that nurture learning, equity and human values.” “This Index introduces a new lens for a new era - one that measures education systems not by narrow outputs but by the full continuum that enables human flourishing and future readiness,” said Selma Talha-Jebril, Director of Policy and Research at WISE. By challenging the long-standing notion of being ‘data-rich but information-poor’, the Index is designed to support more evidence-driven and equitable education reform globally. It reflects Qatar Foundation’s commitment to advancing education at national, regional and international levels while promoting innovation readiness, social integration and inclusive growth. Following a global Request for Proposals, SUMMA - a leading education research and innovation laboratory for Latin America and the Caribbean - was selected as WISE’s research and statistical partner after a rigorous evaluation by an international panel including experts from Stanford University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Insights from the consultation will inform a 2026-27 pilot study, during which WISE and SUMMA will collect and analyse data across a diverse group of countries to test the Index’s domains, dimensions and indicators. This process will culminate in the inaugural publication of the WISE Education Index in late 2027, setting a new global benchmark for assessing what truly defines effective, equitable and future-ready education. WISE 12 featured powerful debates, global research launches, and high-level collaborative workshops addressing some of the most urgent challenges and opportunities in education, from AI readiness and digital well-being to culturally rooted learning and quantum innovation. Leaders from governments, academia, civil society, and technology convened in Doha, with the summit once again reinforcing WISE - a global initiative of Qatar Foundation - as the world’s leading platform for shaping the future of education. The event concluded successfully, marking another milestone in global education dialogue.
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