Yidan Prize announces inaugural laureates in China's Hong Ko

HONG KONG, Sept.19 (Xinhua) -- The Yidan Prize Foundation, dedicated to creating a better world through education, on Tuesday unveiled its inaugural laureates in China's Hong Kong.

The laureates are Professor Carol S. Dweck of Stanford University and Vicky Colbert, founder and director of the educational project "New School". Each will receive 30 million Hong Kong dollars (about 3.87 million U.S. dollars) in recognition of their distinguished contributions to education.

The Yidan Prize was founded in 2006 by Chen Yidan, one of the founders of China's tech giant Tencent. The prize has two categories, education research and education development. It has an independent judging committee led by Chairman Dr Koichiro Matsuura, former director-general of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization(UNESCO).

The inaugural Yidan Prize ceremony will be held in Hong Kong in December.

Carol S. Dweck, who won the education research laureate, is known for her groundbreaking research on the concept of "growth mindset." The theory has become an influential concept in encouraging children to realize their full potential.

Vicky Colbert, who won the education development prize, is founder and director of the Colombian organization "New School". Her project uses a transformative "learner-centered" model to integrate the curriculum, teacher training, community involvement and school administration in a coherent and cost-effective way.