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NOUN-RETRIDOL bags Global Smart Education Innovation Prize 2025 award

Tuesday, 26-August-2025     The expert in anything was once a beginner.     Tuesday, 26-August-2025

NOUN-RETRIDOL Wins Global Smart Education Innovation Prize 2025 in Beijing



Professor Carlos Alberto Pereira de Oliveira receiving the award on behalf of NOUN/RETRIDOL as Prof. Asha Knawar, former President, COL, and Chair, Professor at the host University (on his right) watches



Professor Carlos Alberto Pereira de Oliveira accepting the prestigious award.



The National Open University of Nigeria - Regional Training Institute for Distance Open Learning (NOUN-RETRIDOL) has been honored with the coveted Global Smart Education Innovation Prize 2025 at a ceremony held in Beijing, China.



The award recognizes NOUN-RETRIDOL's significant contributions and pioneering practices in advancing Open Distance e-Learning (ODeL) throughout the West African sub-region, as demonstrated through a comprehensive application process.



The Global Smart Education Innovation Prize distinguishes excellence across three key areas: Research Innovation, Practice Innovation, and Technology Innovation.



NOUN-RETRIDOL emerged victorious in the Practice Innovation category, a testament to its impactful and practical contributions to smart education. The award specifically acknowledges its leadership in promoting ODeL policy, research, and practical application throughout West Africa.



The prestigious award ceremony took place on August 21, 2025, in Beijing, China, as part of the official Global Smart Education Innovation Prize 2025 event. The event celebrated transformative innovations leveraging technology to enhance education and foster inclusion, quality, and equity on a global scale.



NOUN-RETRIDOL's selection for the award underscores its pivotal role in spearheading the transformation of Open, Distance, and e-Learning (ODeL) across West Africa.



Professor Carlos Alberto Pereira de Oliveira, Director of the Multidisciplinary Institute for Human Development with Technologies (IFHT) at the State University of Rio de Janeiro, and a member of the Advisory Board of the Global Smart Education Network (GSENet), graciously accepted the award on behalf of NOUN-RETRIDOL.



"I was honored to nominate NOUN-RETRIDOL and felt immense pride representing them at the Beijing award ceremony, where I formally accepted the prize," Professor Alberto Pereira de Oliveira shared with NOUN News.



He further stated, "This recognition positions NOUN as a global leader in smart education, particularly within the Global South. It affirms NOUN/RETRIDOL's position as a continental hub for Open and Distance Learning innovation, amplifying Africa's voice in global education dialogues."



"This award not only highlights NOUN's achievements but also underscores RETRIDOL's transformative role in shaping education in Africa. It emphasizes the significance of South-South cooperation, as RETRIDOL's initiatives serve as a model for other regions seeking sustainable and inclusive educational solutions," he added.



"The prize also emphasizes the global relevance of African innovation in education, demonstrating how locally driven solutions can address pressing global challenges in access, equity, and digital transformation. I felt particularly honoured to stand on stage as both Director of IFHT/UERJ and Advisory Board member of GSENet, proudly celebrating this recognition for NOUN/RETRIDOL."



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Professor Carlos Alberto Pereira de Oliveira.



GSENet is a network dedicated to promoting smart learning for all within the framework of SDG4: Quality Education. Its aims include:




  • Collaborating on promoting smart learning for all within the framework of SDG4: Quality Education.

  • Sharing forward-thinking policies and practices to shape the future of education and lifelong learning at the local, national, regional and global levels.

  • Conducting joint open access research, share open educational resources and open-source tools for the common good.

  • Promoting innovation by combining the power of technology with innovative pedagogy and a human-centred approach.

  • Building the capacity of teachers to play a leading role in the tripartite matrix of teacher learner-technology.



RETRIDOL's innovations, including Regional Capacity-building Workshops on Digital Learning, AI in Education, and ODeL Policy, as well as the Development of Online Courses and Micro-credentials to address skills gaps, were key factors in securing the award.



Other notable innovations included the Creation of the West African Journal for Open and Flexible Learning (WAJOFEL), a unique open-access journal dedicated to ODeL research, and Strategic Partnerships with UNESCO, ECOWAS, and COL, anchoring its work in global sustainability frameworks.



The Global Smart Education Innovation Prize is awarded to individuals, institutions, or organizations that have developed and implemented impactful smart education innovations, recognizing both theoretical and practical advancements, including digital solutions, research, and technological advancements in the field.


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