Hamdan Bin Rashid Foundation Announces the Winners of the World Giftedness Center Awards 2025
2025-11-27·
11
research papers from 10 countries compete for the International Applied
Research Award
·
7
initiatives from 5 countries shortlisted for the International School
Initiatives Award
·
World
Council for Gifted and Talented Children becomes an official partner of the
World Giftedness Center and its awards
This year’s cycle
witnessed a remarkable expansion in global participation. The Applied Research
Award attracted 11 research papers from 10 countries, while the School
Initiatives Award received 7 initiatives from 5 countries, reflecting the
growing international interest in research, innovation, and excellence in
gifted education.
His Excellency Humaid Mohammed Al Qatami, Chairman of the Board of
Trustees of Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational
Sciences, said: “The World Giftedness Center Awards continue to consolidate
their global standing as a leading platform for scientific research and
educational innovation, and as a key indicator of the rapid international
progress in gifted education. The increasing number of submissions this year
reflects the confidence that researchers and educational institutions have in
the award’s rigorous scientific standards and its role in highlighting
pioneering initiatives that elevate the quality of education and empower gifted
students to realize their full potential.”
His Excellency Al Qatami added that this year’s cycle marks a major
milestone, with the World Council for Gifted and Talented Children (WCGTC)
formally approving a partnership with the Foundation under the World Giftedness
Center and its awards—an important step that enhances the awards’ global
profile and reinforces the trust of leading international specialized
institutions in their impact.
His Excellency Al Qatami continued: “We congratulate all the winners for
their distinguished contributions, and we reaffirm the Foundation’s commitment
to supporting talent and creativity, and to strengthening international
cooperation aimed at building innovative learning environments that meet future
needs and keep pace with scientific and technological advancements.”
His Excellency Dr. Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Executive Director of the
Foundation, noted that the 2025 WGC Awards saw significant growth in
international participation. The International Applied Research Award received
11 submissions from 10 countries representing different regions, compared with
nine submissions in 2024. The award maintained one annual winner, which for
2025 was Jonathan Wai (USA) from the state of Arkansas, for his study published
in Humanities and Social Sciences Communications titled: The most successful
and influential Americans come from a surprisingly narrow range of ‘elite’
educational backgrounds.
The International School Initiatives Award attracted seven initiatives
from five countries, compared to only two initiatives last year. The 2025 award
was granted to Al Mutaqadimah for Smart Learning Schools (Saudi Arabia) for
their initiative titled: TEMpathy: Where Innovation Meets Humanity.
Dr. Al Suwaidi explained, “These results reflect the expanding global
reach of the awards and the rising quality of submissions, underscoring the
increasing international commitment to research and innovation in gifted
education.”
Dr. Al Suwaidi concluded
by emphasizing the Foundation’s ongoing dedication to advancing gifted
education regionally and globally. Through its high-level partnerships and
internationally recognized standards, the World Giftedness Center continues to
serve as a leading platform encouraging researchers and educational
institutions to develop innovative solutions that meet the needs of gifted
learners and support the creation of flexible, future-ready learning
environments. The Foundation remains committed to promoting a culture of
excellence, empowering talent, and contributing to a progressive and
sustainable global education system.
