Professor Pasi Sahlberg Honoured with 2025 Global Educator Award

The Faculty of Education is thrilled to announce that Professor Pasi Sahlberg has been awarded a 2025 Global Educator Award (GEA) for Esteemed Teacher Educator.

This international award, organised by Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), Malaysia, recognises exceptional educators who have demonstrated outstanding impact and commitment to reforming educational policies and practices around the world.

Professor Sahlberg insights have become central in shaping educational policy discussions across the globe.

“I am honoured to receive this award at a time when global education faces crisis; deepening inequities demand bold, out-of-the-box thinking to secure fairer futures” he said.

Currently serving as a Professor of Educational Leadership at the Faculty of Education, Professor Sahlberg has made extensive contributions to education reform and approaches to improving schools worldwide. Most recently, Professor Sahlberg was a member of the Australian Government's Expert Panel to inform a better and fairer education system in 2023.

Professor Sahlberg is globally recognised for his work on equitable education systems, most notably through his influential book "Finnish Lessons” which won the Grawemeyer Award (U.S.) for Education in 2013.

Over the course of his career, he has also held key leadership roles, including as senior education specialist at the World Bank, lead education specialist at the European Training Foundation, director general at the Finland’s Ministry of Education and Culture (CIMO) and visiting professor of Practice at Harvard University.

Professor Sahlberg’s work continues to promote a future for education that is inclusive and equitable for all students and educators.

Dean of Education, Professor Marek Tesar, congratulated Professor Sahlberg on receiving the 2025 Global Educator Award, stating that “this award is a well-deserved acknowledgment of his dedication towards improving education for all.”