In a statement released, WISE CEO Stavros N Yiannouka said that the change is “to allow more time and resources to be devoted to pursuing our global and local research and outreach agenda.”
As part of this effort, WISE has launched a series of local and regional gatherings that will take place between global summits and tentatively named WISE@.
The first two WISE@ events will take place in Tunis on May 26 and in Beijing on November 5. A third gathering will likely follow in Europe in early 2017.
“The next global Summit will take place in Doha in November 2017,” announced the CEO. The precise dates are to be confirmed later.
Yiannouka also announced that following the recent appointment of HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad al-Thani as CEO of QF, WISE is now working directly with her office.
The WISE CEO explained in the statement that Dr Abdulla bin Ali al-Thani has officially stepped down from his role as chairman of WISE after over a decade of distinguished service to QF.
“Dr Abdulla was very much the driving force behind the WISE initiative since its establishment in 2009 under the leadership of HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser,” Yiannouka recalled.
“As chairman, Dr Abdulla guided WISE during its crucial, formative years and is largely responsible for the fact that today WISE is widely recognised as the premier global platform for innovation in education.
“Dr Abdulla greatly expanded the range of programmes and activities that WISE undertakes on a year-round basis; successful programmes such as the WISE Awards, the WISE Prize for Education, and the Learners’ Voice all carry his unique imprint. He remains in contact with the WISE team and we continue to draw on his experience and expertise.”
Yiannouka also added that WISE will support HE Sheikha Hind and her team in ensuring that QF continues to play a significant role in building the future of education in Qatar and around the world.
