Yidan Prize Conference Series: Europe Convened at Cambridge University
Hong Kong: The Yidan Prize Foundation and Jesus College, the University of Cambridge brought globally renowned speakers to the Yidan Prize Conference Series: Europe on 4 March to discuss how education can be improved to better meet the challenges of tomorrow.
The conference debated what makes a great education, discussed the role of NGOs, assessments, EdTech and data. Findings of the 2018 Worldwide Educating For the Future Index (WEFFI), commissioned by the Yidan Prize Foundation and compiled by the Economist Intelligence Unit for the second consecutive year, were presented. Speakers included:
Dr Charles CHEN Yidan, Founder of the Yidan Prize
Professor Stephen TOOPE, Vice-Chancellor, University of Cambridge
Professor Anant AGARWAL, Yidan Prize for Education Development Laureate 201
Professor Larry HEDGES, Yidan Prize for Education Research Laureate 2018
Professor Sir Leszek BORYSIEWICZ, former Vice-Chancellor, University of Cambridge
Dr Bo Stjerne THOMSEN, LEGO Foundation
Dr David HALPERN, Chief Executive of the Behavioural Insights Team and National What Works Advisor
Nunzio QUACQUARELLI, QS Quacquarelli Symonds
Trisha SURESH, Economist Intelligence Unit
WEFFI is the first comprehensive index that evaluates inputs into education systems rather than outputs, such as test scores. The index has expanded its list of covered economies from 35 to 50, representing nearly 93% of global GDP and 89% of the world’s population. Finland, Switzerland and New Zealand are the top three performers in the index.
WEFFI assesses the 50 economies on dozens of indicators, focusing on the policy environment (30% weight), the teaching environment (50% weight) and the socio-economic environment (20% weight).
Nomination deadline of the Yidan Prize 2019 is 31 March, 2019
Dr. Charles CHEN Yidan, founder of the Yidan Prize said, “Education goes beyond race, religion, economic status or country of origin. I hope the Yidan Prize Conference Series: Europe will help facilitate an actionable way forward towards a brighter, more equitable future for all. By creating WEFFI, we hope to provide a useful benchmark, helping provide data and independent analysis for policymakers and educators around the world.”
Professor Stephen TOOPE, Vice-Chancellor of University of Cambridge said, “The Yidan prize provides us with an opportunity to recognise the power of education in making the world a better place, and to celebrate the role of evidence-based research in supporting that important mission. I am grateful to Jesus College for agreeing to be our hosts, bringing the Yidan conference to Europe for the second successive year. Cambridge has a long and proud history of research into the practice of education — whether through our Faculty of Education’s involvement in projects overseas, or on our own doorstep, working with teachers and schools in Cambridge and the surrounding region.”