Laura Bashraheel Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — In an attempt to promote better education for children and create better knowledge, a new initiative has been launched through a collaboration between the public and the private sectors. This collaboration has resulted in the creation of Ihsan Education Award 2013 with its basic aim to promote among children the importance of education and knowledge with special emphasis on advanced technology wherein information is accessible anywhere, anytime. The award is managed and promoted by four parties, Aram Co. (represented by Ahmed Al-Shugairi) as a media sponsor and owner of the award, Naba Education Co. as a financial sponsor and a strategic partner, Ministry of Education as an honorary sponsor (represented in the International Education Fair & Conference in Riyadh), and TaM Development LLC, as a manager and executer of the award. The award is presented through social media to the interested teachers, developers, sponsors, experts, or any individual believing in the welfare of education in the country. The goal of this award is to shed light on creative ideas and projects that can inspire education workers to transform the education process from traditional teaching, to fun, practical and interactive learning that children get attached to. TaM is aiming at attracting 50 projects and at least 500 ideas that can help children explore themselves and their talents. “We will give our award to the best three ideas and best three projects. Financial support to the winners' projects is up to SR350,000, in addition to recognition from the Saudi Minister of Education and support from a business incubator," said Madiha Khayat, TaM's project manager. Ihsan Education Award is the synergy that comes from collaboration between the Ministry of Education and the private sector (Aram, Naba and TaM), which aims to create more quality projects and ideas that address the society's needs in order to grow and become more eager to adopt positive changes. Announcement of the contest and accepting applicants will be through the website tamhub.com and the nomination committee will filter applications for top 10 projects. In addition, voting will be through people votes on the website, together with a committee of judges on the top three projects. The website allows tweeting and posting new ideas as a way to encourage people to share their opinions on education in the Kingdom. The judging panel includes Hayat Sindi, leading scientist and founder of i2institute for imagination and ingenuity; Ahmed Al-Shugairi, Maysara Taher, a family counselor; Nayef Al-Roumi, Undersecretary of Planning and Development at the Ministry of Education; Naif Al-Mutawea, Founder of Tashkeel Media Group; Jamal Al-Dabal, new education technology expert; and Abdul Rahman Tarabzouni, head of Emerging Arabia at Google Inc. So far there are 24 projects varying from smartphones applications, interactive classroom ideas to complementary after-school programs, youth activities, etc. Names of the best projects will be revealed in Riyadh during the five days starting Feb. 18. The winning projects will be getting investment for their project from VERSO Education Incubator. A booth will also be provided at the IEFE to present projects in front of visitors and investors from 20 countries around the world.
