A Fair Start for Every Learner: How WISE and QF Are Advancing Equity in Education

This year’s WISE 12 Summit in Doha will explore how human values and equity can guide education through an era of technological transformation.

Doha, Qatar, 12 November 2025: As Qatar Foundation’s global education initiative WISE prepares to welcome global leaders, educators, and innovators to the latest edition of its biennial summit, attention turns to one of education’s most urgent priorities: ensuring equity and access for all learners.

Under the theme ‘Humanity.io: Human Values at the Heart of Education’, WISE 12 – to be held on 24 and 25 November at Qatar National Convention Centre – will explore how education systems can stay adaptable, accessible, and deeply human in an age shaped by artificial intelligence and rapid innovation. Discussions will focus on how empathy, equity, and human dignity can anchor the future of learning.

Achieving equity at scale requires collaboration across sectors, and WISE places this principle at the center of its work. “With government partners, we work directly to bridge research and practice,” said Aurelio de Amaral, Director of Programs at WISE.

“Our Testbed initiative, for example, creates a community of practice between QF and government schools, helping local schools benchmark international best practices and build localized frameworks for evaluating educational solutions that work in their specific contexts.”

The WISE summit serves as a global platform for education collaboration, bringing together leaders, policymakers, and innovators to exchange ideas and evidence-based research     that can be adapted across diverse contexts. Since its inception, WISE has convened more than 15,000 participants from over 150 countries, creating a space to address equity challenges and share solutions that deliver real-world impact.

Through international partnerships, WISE also acts as a catalyst for organizations that view education as a driver of social and economic progress – amplifying reach, advancing agendas, and deepening collective impact. WISE builds partnerships that connect policy and practice through innovation. “Our research agenda emphasizes action-oriented studies that inform real-world practice and support decision-making. At the heart of our work is the commitment to scaling solutions that advance inclusion across contexts” said Selma Talha-Jebril, Director of Research and Policy at WISE. 

According to Aurelio de Amaral, this year’s six WISE Prize for Education finalists  demonstrate how innovation can make education more inclusive for learners from different socioeconomic, cultural, and ability backgrounds. Iqrali.jo highlights the power of parental engagement in supporting learners from lower-income families, while Darsel uses AI to personalize numeracy learning.

Meanwhile, Fast Track+ applies technology to improve education in refugee camps, and Tumo Path combines creativity with digital learning to engage youth. Bonocle showcases how tailored technology can transform education for visually impaired students, while AprendoLab focuses on teacher training aligned with local curricula.

Amaral added that inclusivity is embedded across WISE’s work. “We consistently prioritize geographical representation, language diversity, and participation from socio-economic backgrounds that are often underrepresented,” he said.

“Working with partners who represent different beneficiary groups isn’t a checkbox – it’s central to our mission. Our team itself is diverse, multilingual, and spans multiple worldviews, which means inclusivity is part of our DNA.”

Dr. Lolwa A. Al-Naemi, Director of Strategy and Partnerships in QF’s Higher Education division, highlighted that providing equitable access to quality education has been a cornerstone of QF’s mission since the establishment of Education City. “Through our financial aid model, we ensure that students who meet the admission criteria of our partner universities can pursue their education regardless of financial background,” she said.

QF offers a wide range of financial aid services – including grants, scholarships, loans, and merit-based awards – supporting more than 300 students from over 120 nationalities. Beyond financial aid, QF extends access through initiatives such as hosting the American University of Afghanistan, which has enabled 197 Afghan students, including 125 women, to continue their studies.

“Impact is measured not only by access but by long-term outcomes – particularly in talent development, employability, and societal contribution,” Dr. Al-Naemi explained. “We maintain continuous engagement with our alumni network to ensure that the impact of our programs extends well beyond the years spent at university.”

Admissions policies at QF’s seven partner universities and Hamad Bin Khalifa University further reflect this commitment. “Our universities uphold a needs-blind admissions policy, ensuring selection is based purely on academic merit and potential,” she said. “Inclusivity and accessibility are central, with tailored support for students of all abilities.”

Dr. Al-Naemi also points out equity is also built into the learning experience itself. “Our classrooms bring together students from diverse national, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds, enabling a rich exchange of perspectives,” she said. “We provide comprehensive support services, including well-being programs, academic advising, and mentorship, ensuring every student can thrive and realize their full potential.”

Through initiatives such as the WISE Testbed, the WISE Prize for Education, and its global convenings, WISE continues to develop and scale solutions that make education more inclusive, equitable, and responsive to learners worldwide. At WISE 12, these efforts will take center stage as the global education community gathers in Doha to explore how human values can guide innovation, policy, and practice for learners everywhere.