Initiate Application for the UNESCO-ICHEI Pioneer Award

01 About the Award

The era of digitalization in higher education has commenced. In order to empower a greater number of individuals to progress with the leverage of digital transformation, the International Centre for Higher Education Innovation under the auspices of UNESCO (UNESCO-ICHEI) has established the inaugural "UNESCO-ICHEI Higher Education Digital Pioneer Case Award" in 2023, hereinafter referred to as the "Pioneer Award." Through the utilization of case studies, this initiative aims to project the proactive explorations, innovative experiences, and successful practices of partner institutions within the realm of higher education digitalization onto a global stage.

The Pioneer Award is a philanthropic accolade directed by the International Centre for Higher Education Innovation under the auspices of UNESCO (hereinafter referred as UNESCO-ICHEI), made possible through corporate sponsorship. Convened every three years, each edition of the Pioneer Award focuses on a distinct theme pertaining to the digital transformation of higher education. The primary objective is to inspire and recognize the constructive explorations, innovations, and practical implementations undertaken by partner institutions of the International Institute of Online Education (IIOE) in the domains of pedagogy and administration [1].

02 Background

Over the past two decades, learners, educators, and educational institutions have widely adopted digital technology tools. Globally, the proportion of internet users has risen from 16% in 2005 to 66% in 2022. As of 2021, the number of students participating in massive open online courses (MOOCs) has exceeded 220 million [2].

However, reliable and impartial evidence about the impact of educational technology remains scarce. According to UNESCO's Global Education Monitoring Report 2023, the pace of technological development surpasses the speed at which technology is evaluated. Educational technology products, on average, undergo updates every 36 months, with the majority of evidence coming from the wealthiest nations. In contrast, low- and middle-income countries face equipment shortages and limited internet connectivity, making it more challenging to undertake digital transformations and harness the potential of digital technology in teaching. Moreover, educators in these countries often lack specialized training, resulting in feelings of unreadiness and a lack of confidence in using technology for instruction [3].

Source: IIOE

Why UNESCO-ICHEI Establishes the Pioneer Award?

Amid the ongoing transformation of higher education into the digital realm, it is crucial to assess, research, and reevaluate how educational technology is employed. A thorough understanding is required of how various technologies deeply integrate with teaching methods, how they adapt contextually to specific countries and locales, and how they provide rich empirical references for legislative, policy, and regulatory decisions in higher education. Not all experiences with technology in education are universally applicable, as what works in one environment might not seamlessly transfer to another. As technology matures and becomes more complex, it is essential to draw upon a diverse range of cases and experiences to explore the practicality, collaboration, universality, and innovation brought about by technology's empowerment of education. On the other hand, technology's effectiveness is not solely reliant on its advancement; effective education technology requires teachers. Only through the practical lens of educators and teaching practices can we effectively observe how technology enhances learning outcomes and experiences. This approach helps prevent improper or excessive technology usage and ensures a safe journey for the digitization of higher education.

The Pioneer Award has been established by UNESCO-ICHEI to inspire and encourage the global partners of the International Institute of Online Education (IIOE) to deeply engage and develop within the realm of higher education digitalization. This award also serves as a forefront guide in the form of exemplary cases, focusing on localized practical solutions, and aims to generate a widespread impact to drive the effective utilization of digital technology in universities across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, continuously enhancing the quality and effectiveness of higher education. UNESCO-ICHEI anticipates embarking on a new chapter of higher education digital transformation with its global partners through the UNESCO-ICHEI Higher Education Digital Pioneer Case Award of 2023.

ICHEI empowers IIOE partner universities to use technology and 

promote teachers' digital competency

Slide to check more pictures

03 Award Details

Award Candidates: Projects initiated or led by IIOE global partner institutions (teams or individuals) that have significant influence.

Award Field: Digital transformation practices in higher education: Digital Classroom Teaching, Digital Practical Teaching, Digital Teaching Resource Building and Application, Outstanding Student Digital Learning Support, Digital Teaching Innovation, Digital Governance and Services, Digital Strategy and Transformation Policy, Promoting Regional Educational Equity, etc. A specific theme will be set and announced in advance each year.

2023 Award Theme: "The Reform and Innovation of Blended Learning in Higher Education"

Number of Awards and Rewards: 10 best cases will be selected in each edition. Awards will take the form of honorary and material incentives. Honorary incentives include certificates and monetary incentives award.

Evaluation Mechanism: UNESCO-ICHEI establishes a review committee consisting of UNESCO agency experts, IIOE international advisory experts, IIOE project advisors and experts, as well as renowned experts in the field of digital transformation in higher education. This committee will guide the direction of the awards, formulate evaluation rules and criteria, execute the evaluation process, and confirm the evaluation results.

04 Award Application

Apply independently through the IIOE official website (https://www.iioe.org/) within the application period (recommendation letters from experts are required).

For inquiries and applications related to the Pioneer Award, you can contact the IIOE Secretariat via [e-mail].

• Application materials include: application form, project introduction, implementation plan, achievement display,  recommendation letters signed by two experts in the same field (with a doctoral degree, associate professor/professor title, or equivalent administrative title), etc.

• Language for Award Application: English or French.

• 2023 Award Application Deadline: October 31, 2023

For inquiries and applications related to the Pioneer Award, you can contact the organizing committee at [e-mail].

Source: IIOE

Save the QR code and scan in WeChat to obtain the Pioneer Award application package

Understanding the Meaning of the Pioneer Award Logo

The logo of the Pioneer Award is composed of five petals in different colors, combining elements of education, digitalization, and pioneering spirit.

Among these, the color red represents the iconic tone of United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4, which responds to "ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all."

The five petals are arranged in a rotating pattern, symbolizing the continuous blossoming and flourishing of higher education through digital empowerment. This dynamic and lively representation signifies the Futures of Education, about transformational learning in all its richness and vitality.

IIOE has officially released the regulations and relevant requirements for the Pioneer Award on its official website. To access the details, you can visit the "Activities" section on the official IIOE website. The only official channel for award applications is the IIOE platform. 

The award process adheres to the principles of fairness and impartiality in evaluation, the independence of the evaluation process, and the philanthropic nature of the awards. The IIOE Secretariat will hold the IIOE Global Partners Summit in early December in Shenzhen, China, where the Pioneer Award ceremony will take place. Stay tuned for further updates!

References

[1] https://www.iioe.org/#/microclass/index

[2] https://gem-report-2023.unesco.org/zh/home-2/

[3] UNESCO. (2023). Global education monitoring report, 2023: technology in education: a tool on whose terms? https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000385723

Text｜KPCC、IIOE

Picture｜IIOE

Edit｜KPCC

Proofreading｜KPCC