It will go to "an individual -- or a team of up to six individuals working together -- for an outstanding, world-class contribution to any level or area of education, in any part of the world."
"While other major international prizes celebrate such disciplines as physics, chemistry, economics or peace, there has until now been none for education, which is a prerequisite for achievement in all those areas," said the Qatari emir's wife, Sheikha Moza al-Misnid, who is behind the initiative.
Sheikha Moza is the chair of the Qatar Foundation, which specialises in education and culture, and runs an "Education City" that groups branches of a number of universities, including Georgetown, and also a "Science and Technology Park" in Doha.
Qatar is trying to establish itself as a regional centre of university education and culture.
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