The General Secretariat of the Khalifa Award for Education highlighted the achievements of international laureates in a statement distributed this week. The Khalifa International Award for Early Learning drives global progress in childhood development through its recognition of pioneering work in research and practical programmes. Four winners were selected for the 19th cycle across two categories, the Emirates News Agency reported.
In the best research and studies category, Dr. Abu Syeid Mohammed Parves Shonchoy from Florida International University in the United States earned recognition for his paper on scaling early childhood development via existing public infrastructure in resource-limited settings. Dr. Florencia Clara Lopez Boo of New York University was honoured for her study guiding large-scale quality improvements in early childhood interventions across low- and middle-income countries, according to the award secretariat. Their contributions build on evidence that targeted early investments produce measurable gains in learning outcomes and equity.
The best programmes, curricula, methodologies and teaching methods category saw Rebecca Sayre Mojgani from ECD Measure in the United States honoured for the Brief Early Childhood Quality Inventory Together in Practice tool. Susan Place Everhart of Sabre Education in the United Kingdom received the award for efforts to enhance early education delivery in underserved communities, the organisers stated. These programmes emphasise practical tools that support educators and improve developmental tracking in varied environments.
UNESCO’s Global Report on early childhood care and education indicated that almost 60 percent of children in low-income countries lack access to early care and learning opportunities. World Bank data places gross enrolment rates in early childhood education below 50 percent across numerous developing economies. The award spotlights scalable solutions capable of addressing such disparities, a secretariat assessment found.
Humaid Al Houti, secretary-general of the Khalifa Award for Education, stressed the UAE leadership’s role in advancing the sector in line with the vision of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The support from figures including President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has elevated educational initiatives both locally and internationally, Al Houti noted in the WAM release. The award itself forms part of the Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundations.
Previous cycles of the award have recognised projects from Cambodia, Morocco and South Africa, expanding its influence since the programme began. Applications for the 2027 cycle are scheduled to open in July 2026 with submissions due by December, according to the official award timeline. A rigorous review process involving experts ensures only high-impact work receives recognition.
The 19th cycle honoured a total of 40 winners across all categories, with 11 from the Arab world and several at the international level, the Khalifa Award secretariat figures show. Such recognition promotes the adoption of evidence-based practices that strengthen foundational learning worldwide.
