Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Town, Ghana has charged changemakers in Nigeria and across the continent of Africa to step forward for the Africa Education Medal 2023.
Founded by T4 Education and HP in collaboration with Microsoft, the Africa Education Medal is Africa’s most prestigious education accolade.
Professor Phakeng gave the keynote speech at the Transforming Education in Africa Summit which was held this week where she urged people who are transforming African education to apply and be part of the African Education Medal 2023.
Professor Phakeng, the winner of last year’s inaugural Africa Education Medal, founded by T4 Education and HP in collaboration with Microsoft added, “It was the greatest honour to be recognised for my life’s passion. Winning the Africa Education Medal 2022 gave me a global platform to advocate for that work and I hope it has inspired others across our continent to further the cause of African education.
“If it is your passion, if you want to see an Africa in which every child’s potential is fulfilled, and you are working every day to make that vision a reality, then I urge you to step forward for the Africa Education Medal 2023,” Professor Phakeng said.
Ertug Ayik, Managing Director Middle East and Africa at HP, said:“A good education empowers not just individuals, but entire communities. Being accessible to everyone, education can skill the next generation so that children can develop and grow in a world being transformed by technology.”
A statement from the award organisers describes the Africa Education Medal as Africa’s most prestigious education accolade that is bestowed on an outstanding individual who has demonstrated impact, leadership, and advocacy in the field of education.
Besides, the Africa Education Medal recognises the tireless work of those who are transforming education across the continent to celebrate the stories of those who have lit the spark of change so others will be inspired to take up the torch.
It added that the initiative was founded to recognise the work of changemakers who are transforming African education and inspiring others to follow their footsteps, with a view to bringing lasting change in African education.
“In the decades leading up to the pandemic, Africa had been making great strides in boosting school enrolment. To protect and expand upon these vital gains in the wake of COVID, teachers, NGOs, politicians, tech entrepreneurs, and figures from the public and private sectors will need to work together to build a future where every child in Africa can achieve the quality education that is their birthright.
The organisers added that two Nigerians; Folawe Omikunle, Chief Executive Officer of Teach For Nigeria, and Jide Martin, the Founder and CEO of Comic Republic were finalists for the Africa Education Medal 2022 and organizers hope more Nigerians will apply for the medal in 2023.
The summit brought together educators, NGOs, politicians, tech entrepreneurs, and leading figures in African education to discuss how education can be harnessed to unlock Africa’s potential.
The Top 10 finalists for the Africa Education Medal will be announced in May and the winner will be announced in July. Nominees will be assessed by a Jury comprising prominent individuals based on rigorous criteria.
Nominations and applications that will close on April 13th, 2023 can be made online at http://www.africaeducationmedal.org/
