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Latest WISE Book "Learning a Living: Radical Innovation in Education for Work" offers tangible solutions to rebuilding the relationship between education and the world of work.

 DOHA, Qatar, Nov. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — The World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) has launched Learning a Living: Radical Innovation in Education for Work, a 160-page book that explores ways to improve links between education and today’s rapidly changing job markets.

 The publication is based on 15 case studies and personal stories emerging from forward-thinking educational projects around the world that were identified through the WISE community, including winners of the WISE Awards which showcase and promote educational projects that have a transformative effect upon society.

The book focuses on a critical issue: the failure of education systems to equip students adequately for today’s labor market, and consequently to become productive members of their societies.  With the number of college graduates rising, unemployment rates among under-25-year-olds have reached virtually unprecedented levels around the world.  Examples from countries such as the United States, where 1.4 trillion dollars* are spent on education each year, while the youth unemployment rate rises steadily, illustrate the disconnect between education and employment, and reinforce the need to find new ways to bridge the skills gap.

Through statistics, interviews, case studies and photographs, the latest WISE Book highlights the need for innovation in preparing students for work and life in the 21st century.  Learning a Living argues that change is necessary in both education systems and the workplace, but the implications go further and readers are drawn to a suitably important conclusion: Making it easier to acquire skills is no longer enough; today’s students must also acquire entrepreneurial values in order to create the opportunities that will make a real difference for themselves and society.

The authors are a team of innovation specialists: Valerie Hannon, Sarah Gillinson and Leone Shanks. WISE also commissioned photographer Reza Deghati (known as Reza) to create vivid images that bring the case studies to life.

 For more information, as well as photographs, video and commentary from the world tour and the making of the book, please visit: www.wise-qatar.org/content/making-2012-wise-book

The book "Learning a Living: Radical Innovation in Education for Work" is published by Bloomsbury Qatar Foundation Publishing. A paperback edition and an electronic edition of the book will be available internationally (price £24.99) as of January 2013.

Six projects from around the world are awarded for their transformative impact on education and society

DOHA, Qatar, Sept. 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — The World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) announces six groundbreaking projects from around the world as Winners of the 2012 WISE Awards under the theme "Transforming Education".

Now in their fourth year, the WISE Awards identify, showcase and promote innovative educational projects from all sectors and regions of the world in order to inspire change in education.  Winning projects, which are selected for their concrete, positive impact upon society, receive global visibility and a prize of $20,000 (U.S.).  

Hailing from Bangladesh, Cambodia, Chile, Denmark, India and the United States of America, the winning initiatives have been selected for their tangible, positive impact upon society and their innovative approach to solving important global problems.

The diverse projects offer unique solutions to today’s most important challenges, from poverty to climate change. Solutions include unconventional business models to assist low-income families with affordable education, as well as original ways of bringing high-quality education to remote and destitute parts of the world.

This year one of the WISE Awards is for a project that, in addition to "Transforming Education", has best provided innovative financing of primary education. The winning project comes from Bangladesh, where solar-powered floating schools ensure year-round primary education to students in flood-prone areas, even during the height of the monsoon period.  

This emphasis on primary education reflects the support of Qatar Foundation Chairperson Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser for United Nations Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 2 on achieving universal primary education. The WISE focus in 2012 on an innovative financing project is designed to stimulate efforts worldwide to reach MDG 2.

Finalists and Winners of the WISE Awards will participate in the annual WISE Summit taking place November 13 – 15 at the Qatar National Convention Centre in Doha, Qatar, under the theme "Collaborating for Change".

List of the 2012 WISE Awards Winning Education Initiatives:

• Cristo Rey Network Corporate Work Study Program, United States of America
• PSU Educarchile, Chile
• RoboBraille, Denmark
• Satya Bharti School Program, India
• Solar-Powered Floating Schools, Bangladesh (WISE Awards Winner for innovative financing of primary education)
• Transforming Steung Meanchey Through Education, Cambodia

 WISE 2012 will take place in Doha 13-15 November 2012. http://www.wise-qatar.org

To find out more about the WISE Awards, please visit: http://www.wise-qatar.org/awards