Wissal Al-Ali

Syrian refugee-turned-tech-entrepreneur providing education to displaced communities through digital platforms

Wissal Al-Ali is the founder of EdTech for Refugees, a nonprofit organization that delivers STEM education to displaced children through mobile apps and online courses. Fleeing Syria's civil war at age 15, she witnessed firsthand the educational crisis facing refugees and developed a solution using technology. Her platform has reached over 50,000 students across 12 countries since its 2018 launch.

Al-Ali's adaptive learning software adjusts content to individual student needs while operating offline - critical in regions with poor internet access. The platform's Arabic-language courses cover robotics, coding, and digital literacy, preparing students for future job markets. Partnering with UNHCR and Google.org, EdTech for Refugees has established 150 learning centers in refugee camps.

Her work earned recognition as a Global Changemaker by Ashoka and a TED Fellow in 2022. Al-Ali advocates for policy changes to integrate refugee education into national systems, testifying before the European Parliament in 2021. Explore her initiatives at EdTech4Refugees.org and read interviews in NPR.