On behalf of His Majesty King Hamad, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, yesterday attended the award ceremony of the 2025 Unesco King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa Prize for the Use of Information and Communication Technologies in Education.
The award ceremony was held at the University of Bahrain, representing the first occasion the award has taken place outside Unesco’s headquarters in Paris.
The ceremony, organised by Unesco and the Education Ministry, marks the twentieth anniversary of the launch of the award.
HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister affirmed that the King’s far-reaching vision has enhanced the kingdom’s reputation for educational excellence and underlines its support for advancing educational access worldwide.
He emphasised that the King’s steadfast commitment to the Unesco King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa Prize for the Use of ICT in Education has reinforced Bahrain’s leadership in education for more than 20 years.
HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister stressed that the award reflects the King’s visionary commitment to advancing digital education for future generations.
The award highlights the importance of technology in enhancing educational outcomes and driving sustainable development.
HRH Prince Salman underscored that the award, supported by educational institutions, individuals, and non-governmental organisations across the globe, has fostered educational innovation, promoted best practices and contributed to building sustainable and inclusive knowledge societies that respect cultural and linguistic diversity, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister asserted that since the establishment of the educational system over a century ago, Bahrain remains committed to innovation.
HRH Prince Salman emphasised that the kingdom’s historic commitment to investing in its people has positioned Bahrain as a global leader in education and educational innovation.
He noted the kingdom’s close partnership with Unesco demonstrates its continued support for efforts to advance digital education and enhance the effective use of ICT worldwide.
HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister presented the award to the four winning projects:
Al4InclusiveEducation La Scientothèque (Belgium)
Piauí Inteligência Artificial Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul and the Education Department of the State of Piauí (Brazil)
Mahara-Tech Information Technology Institute (Egypt)
Experience Al Raspberry Pi Foundation (UK)
HRH Prince Salman congratulated the winners, wishing them further success.
In his speech during the awards ceremony, Education Minister Dr Mohammed Mubarak Juma extended his gratitude to His Majesty for his continued patronage of the prize.
He also thanked HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister for his attendance and continued support of the kingdom’s education sector.
The minister expressed his pride in Bahrain hosting the award ceremony for the first time since its inception in 2005.
Dr Juma noted that the occasion coincides with the twentieth anniversary of the award’s launch – a pioneering initiative by His Majesty – which was established within the framework of the kingdom’s long-standing and distinguished partnership with Unesco.
Professor Kaśka Porayska-Pomsta, professor of artificial intelligence in education at University College London and chairperson of the international jury of the prize, highlighted the importance of this year’s theme in shaping the future of education.
Prof Porayska-Pomsta noted that the significance of AI rests not only in its technological capabilities, but also in its potential to advance the development of human cognition and empower learners to think, invent and make independent decisions.
He emphasised that the ethical use of AI in education is a human decision, one that supports core values while also providing learners with freedom of choice and access to knowledge.
Unesco Director General Audrey Azoulay expressed her appreciation to the King for his unwavering commitment to advancing education and for his directives to strengthen co-operation with the UN organisation.
Ms Azoulay also extended her gratitude to Bahrain and the Education Ministry for hosting the awards ceremony.
She affirmed that, under initiatives implemented by His Majesty, the kingdom has established itself as a hub for innovation, creativity, knowledge and digital transformation.
Ms Azoulay highlighted the vital role of the prize in supporting Unesco’s mission to leverage technology to ensure worldwide educational access and opportunity.
She concluded by congratulating all the winners and wishing them continued success.
A number of senior officials also attended the awards ceremony.
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