Applications Open for Osinbajo’s Future Perspectives & UNESCO’s Education Innovation Training Program
In a groundbreaking initiative aimed at revolutionizing education in Nigeria, applications have officially opened for the Future Perspectives and UNESCO IESALC’s Innovation to Transform Education Training (ITET) program.
This collaborative effort, between Prof. Yemi Osinbajo’s newly established organization, Future Perspectives, and UNESCO IESALC, is set to select and train 50 young education innovators from Nigeria during a five-day on-site training scheduled for November 2023.
The genesis of this training can be traced back to seven global youth consultations held in 2022, which led to the formation of the Youth Declaration.
This collaborative document, shaped by the voices of half a million young individuals from 170 countries, demanded greater recognition of youth as co-creators of the essential educational transformation needed in today’s world.
Responding to these demands, the United Nations initiated the Global Youth Initiative (GYI), a comprehensive, multi-stakeholder effort focused on ensuring meaningful youth involvement and leadership in education policy-making.
Future Perspectives, in conjunction with UNESCO IESALC, spearheads one of the capacity-building aspects of the Global Youth Initiative (GYI), with a mission to empower marginalized youth and students, enabling them to play pivotal roles in reshaping education within their respective national contexts through ITET.
The ITET program is strategically designed to impart three critical skill sets to its youth participants:
Applied Policy Skills: Youth participants gain insights into the national policy landscape and acquire the ability to engage effectively in educational decision-making processes.
Project Management Skills: Participants develop project management acumen, allowing them to meticulously plan, design, and execute educational initiatives tailored to their specific contexts.
Innovation Skills: Empowering youth to unleash their innovative potential, the program offers training in creative problem-solving, critical thinking, and entrepreneurial approaches to address educational challenges.
Upon completing ITET, all trainees will have received comprehensive training across six skill sets, which include Pluralism Assessment, Evidence-Based Skills, Technical & Methodological Skills, Digital Skills, Project Cycle & Project Planning, and Social & Inter-Cultural Skills.
The training program, spanning five days in Lagos, will encompass lectures, workshops, and hands-on activities across diverse skill sets, all centered on the transformative potential of education. All expenses related to the training will be covered for selected applicants. Prospective participants are required to submit an initiative or existing project focused on EdTech that can revolutionize education in Nigeria/Africa. At the conclusion of the workshop, all participants will pitch their innovations or projects to the ITET Judging Panel, applying the skills acquired during the training. Successful participants will receive certificates of completion.
Program Eligibility and Rewards:
A total of 50 applicants will be chosen for this capacity-building training, drawn from recommendations by key education institutions and stakeholders in Nigeria. To be eligible, candidates must:
Be Nigerian citizens.
Fall within the age bracket of 18 – 35 years.
Submit an idea or initial project related to EdTech Innovation in Education.
Applicants should belong to one of the following categories:
(1) Pre-service or in-service education stakeholders currently enrolled in higher education institutions with education-focused programs.
(2) Interdisciplinary university students or practitioners with a vested interest or projects in education.
(3) Education practitioners at national, provincial, and local levels.
(4) Youth leaders representing major youth organizations in Nigeria, based in higher education.
Upon the completion of the training, ten outstanding participants will qualify for EdTech Incubation to expedite their innovations, with the top five winners receiving financial prizes.
How to Apply:
Interested individuals can visit Future Perspectives’ website at futureperspectives.org to access detailed program information and the Application Form.
The application deadline for the first round is September 20, 2023.
Pre-selected candidates will proceed to the second round, where they will submit a pitch video, photograph, and reference letter.
Important Dates:
*Application Form Deadline (First Round): September 20, 2023
*Announcement of Pre-Selected Candidates: September 29, 2023
*Video Submission (Second Round – Only for Pre-selected Candidates): October 2 – 6, 2023
*Notification of Final Selection: October 20, 2023
*ITET Training: November 20 – 24, 2023
This initiative represents a pivotal moment in the pursuit of educational transformation in Nigeria, offering young innovators the platform and skills they need to drive positive change in the nation’s education sector.