The ceremony, which took place in Abu Dhabi during the 2023 QS Reimagine Education conference, recognised the exceptional efforts of educators, institutions and edtech start-ups in preparing learners for the challenges of the future.

“The community of #Reimaginers we have fostered for the past ten years is a testament to the enduring spirit of educational innovation,” said QS president Nunzio Quacquarelli.

“This initiative, co-founded with my colleague and mentor, Jerry Wind of The Wharton School, has evolved into a formidable global movement,” Quacquarelli continued.

“Our awards have cast a spotlight on projects that, with recognition, have secured funding and achieved growth. Each year, the conference sparks new collaborations and uncovers new partnership opportunities.”

Our awards have cast a spotlight on projects that, with recognition, have secured funding and achieved growth

Overall winners in two categories – Education and Edtech – received a $25,000 cash prize for their achievements.

In Education, Purpose Learning with IMPACT Labs at Taylor’s University, Malaysia, was recognised for establishing 13 IMPACT Labs aligned to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals to accelerate sustainability education.

Winner of the overall Edtech award was LabXChange, the collaborative digital platform that aims to give everyone the opportunity to chart a path in science, for free.

Other categories saw Duolingo awarded gold for the Duolingo English Test in the AI category, while Cartedo was joint gold winner of the Best use of Generative AI category for project TedoSim, an AI powered simulation-based learning platform for career readiness, along with Audemic, for its project Gen AI Driven Access to Research for Mainstream Learners.

Meanwhile, IE University said it was “thrilled” to have had seven projects among the finalists, including winning gold in The Power of Partnerships – Europe category and another project awarded bronze globally in the Science of Learning category.

“This recognition serves as a catalyst for us to continue experimenting, innovating, and adding creativity in discovering new ways and new learning models to apply in the higher education landscape” IE said in a statement.