The Yidan Prize (/i:dan/) is a prize founded in 2016 by Chen Yidan for "contributions to education research and development". The prize is financed and governed by a HK$2.5 billion (about US$320 million) independent trust.[1][2][3][4] It is a global, inclusive education award which recognizes changemakers who inspire progress in education for a better world, and has been referred to as the largest education prize on earth.[5]
The American physicist Carl Wieman was awarded the prize for his work in STEM education and for his research-based improvements to university teaching and the transformation of how science is taught in major universities. When awarded the prize, Wieman stated:
I am thrilled and honored to have the work of my research group recognized in this way. This prize will accelerate our efforts to improve education for students throughout the world.
This Prize brings a spotlight to the power of our growing movement led by young women who are the experts on what it takes for the most marginalized girls to succeed. Together, we will launch our ambition to support five million girls in school, and it will be game-changing.
The prize for Education Research was awarded to Eric A. Hanushek, the Paul and Jean Hanna Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution of Stanford University, while the prize for Education Development was awarded to Dr. Rukmini Banerji, CEO of Pratham Education Foundation.[15]
The Yidan Prizes consist of a medal, a cash prize of HK$15 million and a project fund of HK$15 million to each of the two winners. It is supported by a US$320 million endowment.[19] Prizes are awarded at the annual Yidan Prize Awards Presentation Ceremony in conjunction with an education conference.[10]
In 2017 the Yidan Prize Foundation released a Worldwide "Educating for the Future" Index[22] (researched by the Economist Intelligence Unit)[23] comparing the education in 35 developed and developing economies (ranking by 16 indicators of education policy, "teaching environment" and "socio-economic environment"),[24] placing New Zealand and Canada in the top two places.[25]
