Adigao Alvin Wenia, a Biology student at the University of Ghana, has been named to the top 50 shortlist for the Chegg.org Global Student Prize 2025, an annual $100,000 award to be given to one exceptional student who has made a significant impact on learning, the lives of their peers and on society beyond.
Adigao was selected from nearly 11,000 nominations and applications from 148 countries.
Chegg.org partnered with the Varkey Foundation to launch a sister award to the Global Teacher Prize in 2021. Now in its fifth year, the Global Student Prize serves as a powerful platform to recognise outstanding students who are reshaping our world for the better.
Alvin, a final-year student at the University of Ghana, is leading transformative change in climate action, education, and youth empowerment. After earning admission to 13 international universities with partial scholarships – but being unable to attend due to financial barriers – he turned disappointment into purpose, founding The Child with Big Dreams, a youth-led initiative that has empowered over 3,500 underserved students with mentorship, leadership training, and climate education.
He also spearheads Creative Communities, an arts-based environmental project turning plastic waste into expressive, educational pieces. The initiative not only raises awareness about plastic pollution but also helps young people reclaim their voices through creativity.
His environmental leadership includes restoring over 2 hectares of degraded land and planting 4,000+ mangroves in Ada, Ghana. As Ghana’s youngest climate negotiator at COP29, he contributed to key negotiations and launched the world’s first Children’s Climate COP, spotlighting youth in policymaking.
While balancing three jobs and full-time studies, he continues to inspire peers through mentorship, activism, and academic collaboration. His mission: to prove that where you come from shouldn’t limit where you can go.
Through innovation, resilience, and community-building, he is shaping a future where no child’s dream is out of reach.
Ghanaian students have a history of excellence when it comes to the Chegg.org Global Student Prize. In 2023, Kezia Sanie, a law student at Ghana School of Law, Accra, was a top 10 finalist.
Nathan Schultz, President and CEO of Chegg, Inc., said:
“I want to extend a huge congratulations to Adigao. At Chegg, we’re proud to support and celebrate the changemakers who aren’t just imagining a better world – they’re building it. From environmental and social justice to education, health, and youth empowerment, this year’s Global Student Prize finalists are tackling the world’s most pressing challenges with courage and innovation.”
Sunny Varkey, Founder of the Varkey Foundation, said:
“Congratulations, Adigao. Your story is a powerful reminder that education is a catalyst for solving global challenges. At a time when the world is changing rapidly, investing in education has never been more vital. It’s how we prepare the next generation to lead with purpose, think boldly, and shape a better future.”
Applications and nominations for this year’s Global Student Prize opened on Wednesday 19 February and closed on Sunday 27 April 2025. Students are being assessed on their academic achievement, impact on their peers, how they make a difference in their communities and beyond, overcome odds to achieve, demonstrate creativity and innovation, and operate as global citizens. The prize is open to all students who are at least 16 years old and enrolled in an academic institution or skills programme. Part-time students as well as students enrolled in online courses are also eligible for the prize.
Last year’s winner was 18-year-old Ángela Elena Olazarán Laureano, who helped create Ixtlilton, an AI-powered virtual medical assistant that can diagnose 21 diseases based on a series of questions. Designed with local medics during COVID-19, Ixtlilton helps people living in remote areas or far from medical centers determine if they need medical care. Ángela accepted her award in New York during UN General Assembly week.
The top 10 finalists of the Global Student Prize are expected to be announced in August this year. The winner, expected to be announced later in the year, will be chosen from the top 10 finalists by the Global Student Prize Academy, made up of prominent individuals.
If students were nominated, the person nominating them was asked to write a brief description online explaining why. The student being nominated was then sent an email inviting them to apply for the prize. Applicants were able to apply in English, Mandarin, Arabic, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Russian. To join the conversation online follow @cheggdotorg.
