Shahnaz Al-Sadat, Chairperson of LeapEd Services Sdn Bhd, has been recognised as one of the ten finalists for the inaugural Asia Education Medal. Established by T4 Education and HP, this award honours exceptional individuals who have made a significant impact in education through leadership and advocacy.

The Asia Education Medal aims to celebrate those transforming education across Asia. The winner will be invited to the World Schools Summit in Dubai on 23-24 November and will have the opportunity to nominate a school for T4 Education's Best School to Work programme, which supports schools in creating optimal environments to attract and retain top teachers.

Under Shahnaz's leadership, LeapEd has spearheaded transformative programmes in Malaysia, including the Trust Schools Programme, which partners with the government and various foundations to enhance education across diverse settings. LeapEd has impacted over 1,000 public schools and 200,000 students, contributing significantly to national education initiatives such as the Ministry of Education's TS25 programme.

Shahnaz has also co-founded Arise Asia, addressing social disparities through various projects, and is a founding trustee of Teach for Malaysia. Her latest initiative, Sekolah Anak Malaysia (SAM Education), aims to deliver personalised digital learning within Malaysian values.

Tan Sri Azman Haji Mokhtar, Chairman of the MIFC Leadership Council, praised Shahnaz's 30-year career, highlighting her deep commitment to educational equity. HP's Mayank Dhingra commended her dedication to transforming education, aligning with HP's goal to accelerate digital equity globally. Vikas Pota, Founder and CEO of T4 Education, underscored the importance of leaders like Shahnaz in tackling educational challenges.

The winner of the Asia Education Medal will be announced in October, chosen by a jury of prominent figures based on rigorous criteria.