Indian Awarded Top Education Prize in Doha

Dubai: An Indian scholar has been awarded the $ 500,000 WISE prize for innovation in the field of education, for his relentless work of providing low cost education to children in Mumbai slums.

Madhav Chavan, a former Chemistry lecturer was awarded at the fourth World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) in the Qatari capital Doha, before more than 1,200 innovators from over 100 countries, including figures from the worlds of social enterprise, business, government, media and education.

"Some 25 years ago I saw that new thinking was needed to improve the lives of the millions of underprivileged in my country. Many individuals and organisations have contributed to what has been achieved, and I share this tribute with them," Chavan said.

After completing a PhD in the USA, Chavan returned to India in 1986 to teach Chemistry at the University of Mumbai.

He was struck by the plight of the city's poor, and he applied his scientific training to create a solution of beautiful simplicity.

Leveraging the power of collaboration, he joined forces with UNICEF and the city government to ensure "every child in school was learning well".

"Madhav Chavan serves as an inspiration to all of us. His story combines the passion of a social entrepreneur with the patience and method of a scientist," WISE Chairman, Abdulla bin Ali Al-Thani said.

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