ICDE Prizes of Excellence 2025 awarded at the 30th ICDE World Conference in New Zealand
During the 30th ICDE World Conference in Wellington, New Zealand, the ICDE Prizes of Excellence for 2025 were awarded to individuals and institutions for outstanding contributions and achievements in inclusive education.
Nominations are made by ICDE individual and institutional members, and the evaluation of the nominations are carried out by an independent international jury. The jury consists of 3 members appointed by the ICDE Board, all being active contributors in the field of inclusive education. The selections are based on merit alone and according to the nomination procedures and prize categories.
The jury members for the 2025 Prizes of Excellence are:
- Kathryn Johnson, Athabasca University, Canada (Chair)
- Albert Sangrá Morer, Open University of Catalunya, Spain
- Maria Soledad Ramirez-Montoya, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Mexico
The ICDE Prizes of Excellence for 2025 were awarded to the following institutions and individuals:
Institutional Prize: The University of Inland Norway (INN)
The ICDE Prize of Excellence Institutional Prize is awarded to an institution, an association or a network of institutions for very significant achievements or contributions to the international community of inclusive, scalable and sustainable education during the past five years.
A distinguished member of ICDE since the 1990s, the University of Inland Norway (INN) has consistently demonstrated leadership in Open, Flexible, and Distance Learning (OFDL) through initiatives that extend beyond institutional boundaries.
INN’s commitment to excellence is evident in its international collaborations and active participation in the governance of ICDE and other organisations within the field. Since 2019, its Centre for Lifelong Learning (CLL) has organized the ICDE Lillehammer Lifelong Learning Conference, establishing an important global platform for hundreds of delegates from more than 80 countries.
Through sustained dedication, strategic leadership, and substantive contributions, INN exemplifies excellence in promoting the development of OFDL globally, fostering spaces for collaboration while advancing impactful initiatives that benefit the community worldwide.
Read the full laudation text here.
Individual Prize: Josep Duart and Olufemi Peters
The ICDE Prize of Excellence Individual Prize honours exceptional leadership and impact in open and distance education at national, regional, or global levels over the past five years. This year, the ICDE Prizes of Excellence Jury chose to award two individuals with this distinguished recognition.
Professor Josep Duart has made significant contributions to the advancement of open, distance, and digital learning through his leadership at EDEN Distance Learning Europe, the foremost network in the region focused on digital education innovation.
With nearly three decades of expertise in digital learning, Professor Duart’s longstanding role at UOC (Universitat Oberta de Catalunya) is particularly noteworthy. He has demonstrated exemplary leadership, serving as Vice President for Postgraduate Studies and Lifelong Learning, as well as Director of International Relations and Research Strategy.
Professor Olufemi Peters, Vice-Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), has played a pivotal role in advancing Open, Flexible, and Distance Learning throughout his career, and his leadership is characterised by a commitment to both technological progress and equitable human development.
A central element of his legacy is his dedication to equity; he has expanded geographic access to education through the creation of rural centres and broadening mobile learning opportunities. Furthermore, he actively promotes diversity, particularly by supporting increased female representation in leadership positions.
Read the laudation text for both Josep Duart and Olufemi Peters here.
Lifelong Contribution to the Field: Mark Brown and Morten Flate Paulsen
The ICDE Prize for Lifelong Contribution to the field awards significant achievements and contributions both to the OFDL field and to the wider international community. This year the ICDE Prizes of Excellence Jury decided to award two individuals this special prize.
Professor Mark Brown has built a distinguished career spanning four decades that has significantly shaped the field of Open, Flexible, and Distance Learning (OFDL) worldwide. His professional journey exemplifies both leadership and continuous innovation.
Professor Brown’s unwavering commitment to excellence and policy advocacy is evident through his service in various editorial and board positions at leading academic journals, and in his roles in ICDE and EDEN. His practical work spans projects implemented across New Zealand, Australia, USA, Europe, and Asia.
Professor Brown’s enduring impact is found not only in technological and policy advancements but also in strengthening an informed, global community dedicated to lifelong, accessible, and flexible learning.
Professor Morten Flate Paulsen is a true pioneer whose four-decade career has shaped the infrastructure and pedagogy of distance education. His contribution is not only extensive, but fundamental to the history of open, flexible, and distance learning.
Professor Paulsen’s service to the international OFDL community is noteworthy. He has held numerous roles within ICDE, and has also contributed regionally, serving on essential boards in Norway and holding the position of President of EDEN.
A distinguishing aspect of his academic legacy is his meticulous documentation of the field’s history. Professor Paulsen’s enduring impact lies in his advancement of systems, scholarship, and educational communities.
Read the laudation text for both Mark Brown and Morten Flate Paulsen here.