Judging Process

Our evaluation process for the Africa Education Medal is meticulously designed to ensure fairness, transparency, and a thorough assessment of all nominees. This multi-stage process ensures that only the most impactful and influential individuals in African education are recognised.

Stage 1

Nomination review

The path to being recognised as a leading figure in African education starts with the nomination. Our team conducts an initial review of all nominations to ensure they align with our criteria. This foundational step is pivotal as it determines the nominees who will proceed to the next stages.

Stage 2

Shortlisting and verification

Nominations that pass the initial review are shortlisted for potential inclusion in the Top 10 list. During this phase, we conduct a detailed verification process, which may involve reaching out to the nominator or nominee for additional evidence supporting their impact, leadership, and advocacy.

Stage 3

Jury evaluation

The Top 10 finalists' evaluation packages are forwarded to our esteemed Jury, comprising prominent leaders dedicated to African education. Any conflicts of interest among the judges are addressed, ensuring an unbiased assessment. The Jury then deliberates and votes to select the winner based on the provided evidence and their holistic understanding of each nominee's contributions.

The Jury

Specialist Advisor, Western Cape Education Department, South Africa

Senior Education Business Leader, Southern Europe, Middle East and Africa (SEMA), HP

Founder & Leader, Umlambo Foundation

Education Programs Manager, Education Affairs Office, Presidential Court, UAE

Head of Africa & Chief Network Officer, Teach For All

Chief Executive Officer, Teach For Nigeria

Winner announcement

The highlight of our process is the announcement of the Africa Education Medal winner. This individual embodies the essence of educational excellence in Africa and stands as a beacon of hope and inspiration for many.

T4 Education holds the discretion to apply various considerations at any stage of the contest to ensure the integrity and credibility of the process.

Ready to make a difference to education in Africa and inspire others to do the same? Join our Communities to stay updated on timelines, benefits, and get better prepared for when you apply.

Brian K Schreuder

Specialist Advisor, Western Cape Education Department, South Africa

Brian Schreuder is currently a Specialist Advisor to the Western Cape Education Department in South Africa and to other entities. He is the former Superintendent General (Head of Department) of the Western Cape Education Department. He retired on 31 March 2021 after 47 years of dedicated service to education.

He is an EdTech, Curriculum and Examinations specialist who was responsible for the WCED e-Vision and the roll-out of e-Learning and e-Teaching in Western Cape schools, driving the Western Cape Government’s eLearning Game Changer. He was also responsible for the creation and rollout of the WCED Transform to Perform Strategy, a systems-wide strategy to improve values in all schools, change mindset for all teachers and growth mindsets amongst all learners.

Brian has served and still serves on various global and national advisory bodies, including The South African Certification Council (SAFCERT), UMALUSI (Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training) and the Interactive Science Foundation which governs the Cape Town Science Centre.

He has been a global judge of EdTech innovation projects and is a judge of the Global Teacher Prize, the Global Student Prize, as well as the newly instituted Global Schools Prize.

His experience includes Physical Science teacher (17 years), School Principal, Superintendent of Education, District, Director: Curriculum, Chief Director: Education Planning, Deputy Director-General: Education Planning and Development and Deputy Director-General: Curriculum and Assessment Management. He is regarded as a specialist schooling, as well as in assessments and national examinations.

His Qualifications:

B.Sc (1973);

S.O.D. Cum Laude (1974);

B.Ed (1977);

M.Ed (1981)

All qualifications obtained at the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa.

Other experiences, etc

  • Co-author of a number of renowned series of Physical Science and General Science textbooks, as well as a best-selling series of Technology textbooks
  • Part-time lecturer in Subject Methodology of Physical Science - University of Stellenbosch (1977 - 1979)
  • Lectured Methodology of Physical Science to teachers during in-service training course - University of Stellenbosch: Institute for Mathematics and Science Education (IMSTUS) (1979 - 1980)
  • Chairman of the Board of the Interactive Science Foundation (ISF) which governs the Cape Town Science Centre in Cape Town.
  • Member of the Western Cape Education Council (2011 – 2014).

International experiences include:

  • Appointed as a member of the Global Advisory Council of the New York-based The Education Partners, affiliated to GEMS Education. (2014)
  • International Judge in the Microsoft Global Education Forum and participated in the Educational Leaders strand discussions, Barcelona, Spain (2014)
  • Attended the Global Education and Skills Forum (GESF) in Dubai over a number of years. Was part of a Global Launch Panel for The Education Partners Systemic Transformation Programme in Dubai.
  • Attended the Global Education Leaders Programme (GELP) Conference in Durban (April 2015).
  • Invited to do a presentation on the Western Cape eLearning Strategy at the Millennium Foundation Meeting in New York (August 2015).
  • Was invited by the Brookings Institution to be a panellist discussing Leapfrogging Inequality at the ASU GSV Summit in San Diego, California in 2019.
  • He is a Judge in the annual Global Teacher Prize
  • Was invited as a Judge in the “Next Billion” EdTech Start-up Competition in Dubai
  • He is a Judge in the Global Students Prize
  • He is a Judge in the Global Schools Prize.

He turns 70 in March 2022, is married and has two daughters – a Lawyer and a High School Science Teachers. He is a Springbok Scout and an avid sportsman, having played 1st team Rugby, Cricket and Tennis at school. He continued to play league Cricket and Tennis competitively for many years and is a keen Golfer and recreational Gardener.

“The ongoing development and upliftment of Education in Africa is vital for sustained global educational, environmental and economic development. Impactful African Educational leaders at all levels of the education system are vital for this sustainability. In this context, the introduction of an Africa Education Medal is a wonderful initiative that will stimulate and focus the spotlight on impactful African Education Leaders.”

Mayank Dhingra

Senior Education Business Leader, Southern Europe, Middle East and Africa (SEMA), HP

Mayank Dhingra leads the Education Business Vertical for Southern Europe, Middle East and Africa (SEMA) at HP Inc. His role is to provide commercial headship, strategic direction, solution frameworks, social-capital curation and thought leadership to the Education business line.

Mayank works with National Education Ministries to support country level education policy and to evangelize HP’s education proposition. He has spearheaded the regional development of HP’s Remote Learning Program, Smart Classroom Ecosystem, Innovation Labs, Digital Capability Program for Educators, and Pedagogy Consultancy Frameworks for governments and regulators. He was previously with GEMS Education where he headed the Commercial line for a network of 50 Schools in MENASA region. In addition, he sat on the board of two schools. Prior to GEMS he was with the Emirates Group for nearly 15 years in two stints and his last role was Head of Global Technology Partnerships where he led a portfolio of over 450 vendor relations and program managed large scale collaboration projects with tech partners. His preceding role was Head of Customer Experience for dnata (Emirates Group).

Mayank is a sought-after keynote speaker, author and moderator on EdTech subjects.

Mayank is a certified Yoga teacher as well and the founder of a non-profit entity – Yogasmriti. All proceeds from the initiative are directed to charitable causes supporting children in need. Mayank’s philanthropic work has been recognised at regional and international forums.

“HP has been committed to enabling better learning outcomes for 100 million people between 2015-2025. Achieving our bold goal wouldn’t be possible without empowered education leaders and trailblazers who are at the forefront of the rapidly changing education environment. We are very proud to support The Africa Education Medal, which will give those at the heart of education a platform to amplify their voices. I hope it will inspire many others to follow their examples.”

Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka

Founder & Leader, Umlambo Foundation

Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka is former United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women. She was awarded a doctorate in Technology and Education from Warwick University. She has authored several scholarly and other opinion pieces. A Hauser Leader at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Center for Public Leadership. She became a Member of Parliament, Deputy Minister of Department of Trade and Industry, Minister of Minerals and Energy, and finally as Deputy President of South Africa in 2005 to 2008, Dr. Mlambo-Ngcuka worked tirelessly on programmes and policies to reduce inequality. As the head of the UNwomen, she has been a global advocate for women and girls. She established initiatives such as the HeForShe for men and boys to address gender Equality. She also successfully mobilized an historic $40 billion USD for women and girls around the world. She is a founder and leader of Umlambo Foundation which is dedicated to improvement of education and digital literacy training for educators.

“Africa’s great changemakers recognise that education is the key to our future. From the classrooms to the corridors of power, from the libraries to the laboratories, they are working every day to ensure we deliver a brighter tomorrow for our continent’s children. I call on these inspirational leaders from South Africa and across Africa to step forward and apply for the Africa Education Medal so their stories can inspire thousands more.”

Vikas Pota

Founder & CEO, T4 Education

Vikas Pota is the Founder and CEO of T4 Education, a digital media platform he established as a response to the challenges posed by the pandemic to education globally. T4 is building the world’s largest community of teachers and schools and is providing opportunities for educators to network, collaborate, share best practices, and support each other’s efforts to improve learning. T4 works to amplify teachers’ voices because the world in which every child receives a good education will only be built by listening to those at the heart of education. Vikas was previously CEO of a philanthropic foundation, has been recognised as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum and as one of London’s 1,000 most influential persons. Vikas was recently named European regional honouree for the 2022 YPO Global Impact Award.

“Quality education will help African countries grow and prosper. And it will help Africa produce the public leaders of tomorrow who will go on to grapple with the continent’s greatest challenges from inequality, to climate change, food insecurity and disease. The Africa Education Medal recognises those who are working every day to make that vision a reality.”

Vongai Nyahunzvi

Head of Africa & Chief Network Officer, Teach For All

Vongai Nyahunzvi is Head of Africa and Chief Network Officer at Teach For All, a global network of independent organizations working to develop collective leadership to ensure all children can fulfill their potential. Vongai has held senior leadership positions across the corporate, government, and not-for-profit sectors for more than 20 years. She is known for her entrepreneurial approach and her passion for helping senior leaders think clearly, strategically, and practically.

Vongai has an extensive track record of building strong relationships, trust, and engagement at all levels. Prior to her current role, she was the Head of the Africa Region at Teach For All, where she oversaw the support and engagement with network partners in the region as well as the launch of new organizations in Africa. For eight years, Vongai ran her own leadership and organizational development practice,  supporting senior leaders in organizations, including chief executives, heads of UN agencies, and managing directors, across four continents and multiple sectors. She has also held senior director-level positions in organizations including BT Global and Royal Holloway University in the United Kingdom.

Vongai is recognized as a thought leader on leadership development and has authored two books on the topic,  Leading From Within — Shifting Perspectives on Leadership (2015) and Leadership Syndromes — Identifying the Self-sabotaging Behaviour Patterns that Can Derail Your Effectiveness as a Leader (2016). In 2016, she launched a monthly roundtable for CEOs across sectors to discuss leadership challenges at the C-suite level. She also founded the UK-based Europe Leadership Awards, which brought together senior leaders from around the world.

In addition to her role at Teach For All, Vongai sits on a number of Boards where she provides strategic input. Born and raised in a patriarchal society, she is passionate about ensuring that girls around the world can thrive. She is a proud mother of three boys and lives in Corby, United Kingdom.

“Africa has the world’s youngest and fastest growing population. By investing in the continent’s burgeoning next generation, we will see it flourish. The Africa Education Medal is a fantastic new initiative that will honour those who recognise the crucial role education has to play in building a better future for Africa.”

Folawe Omikunle

Chief Executive Officer, Teach For Nigeria

Folawe Omikunle is the Chief Executive Officer of Teach For Nigeria, whose inspirational work has revolutionised the education non-profit sector in Nigeria. Her organisation works to tackle educational inequities by recruiting Nigeria’s brightest and most outstanding future leaders from a wide range of disciplines to teach in Nigeria’s most underserved schools in low-income communities through a highly selective, two-year Fellowship. She was selected as a Top 10 finalist for the inaugural Africa Education Medal 2022.

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