ICT in Education Prize
International jury of the ICT in Education Prize
The International Jury consists of five independent members who are recognized figures in the field of ICTs in education selected also with a view to equitable geographical distribution and gender equality. They have been appointed by the Director-General for a period of two years.
At their annual meeting, they assess the submitted applications and recommend two prize-winners to the Director-General.
Ms Hyo-Jeong So (Republic of Korea)
Dr. Hyo-Jeong So is an associate professor in the Department of Educational Technology, Ewha Womans University in Korea. Previously, she was with Pohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH), Korea and National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. She received her Ph.D. degree from Instructional Systems Technology, Indiana University, 2005. She is currently the executive member of the Asia-Pacific Society for Computers in Education (APSCE). Her main research interests include mobile learning, computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL), and informal learning. Dr. So has conducted several research projects on emerging technologies in education funded by Microsoft, Korean National Research Foundation, and IDRC, Canada. She has published several research papers in the international journals and working paper series with UNESCO.
Mr Riyad Y. Hamzah (Bahrain)
Prof. Riyad Y. Hamzah is the President of the University of Bahrain since 2016. Previously, he has been Secretary-General of the Higher Education Council (2011-2016). During his tenure at the Arabian Gulf University, he occupied numerous leading positions, including Director General of Finance and Administration (1986-1994), Dean of the College of Applied Sciences (1990-1994), Director of Projects for the building of the new campus in Sakhir (1986-1988), and Vice President of the Arabian Gulf University (1994-2005). He currently serves on the International Advisory Committee for the Journal of the Council of Arab Universities for Applied Research, and he has served as Editor-in-Chief of the Arab Gulf Journal of Scientific Research. He currently sits on the board of several international scientific and educational journals and is a member of the Third World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) based in Trieste, Italy. Prof. Hamzah earned his PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Houston, Texas in 1984. Holder of several national awards, he is also author of a number of scientific publications in the field of microbiology, biochemistry and molecular biological aspects of biodegradation of toxicants and pollutants by microorganisms.
Mr Ibrahima Guimba-Saidou (Niger)
Mr Ibrahima Guimba-Saidou is the Minister Special Advisor to the President of the Republic of the Niger and CEO of the National Agency for the Information Society (ANSI). Joined the government of Niger in 2016 as High Commissioner in charge of ICT, he leads Niger’s transformation into a digital and knowledge based society, as well as the development and implementation of relevant strategies. Previously, Mr Guimba-Saidou was the Senior Vice-President Commercial-Africa of SES (a world leading commerce satellite operator) & General Manager of SES Astra Africa (Pty) Ltd. With over 20 years of professional experience in the telecommunications industries worldwide, Mr Guimba-Saidou serves as the Niger representative on the Steering Committee of the Smart Africa Alliance. He is also a board member of Niger Telecom, a board member of the CIPMEN (National ICT incubator), and a board member of the African Development University (ADU). Mr Guimba-Saidou holds a Master’s Degree in International management, as well as an MBA from the University of Maryland. He has completed Executive programs with the Wharton Business School (Aresty Institute) and The Centre of Creative Leadership.
