Celebrating Excellence: Coursera's 2026 Outstanding Achievement Award Winners

As artificial intelligence reshapes organizational learning and operational efficiency, the emphasis on human capabilities and critical thinking has become increasingly vital. This evolution is spotlighted at FWD Virtual 2026, a global conference aimed at leaders from various sectors including education, business, and technology. This marks the inaugural event since Coursera merged with Udemy, merging their strengths to enhance skill-building opportunities for learners worldwide.

The FWD Virtual event is just the beginning; it will kick off a series of regional events throughout the year. During these engagements, leaders will investigate how integrating AI skills with human talent can elevate team performance across industries.

This year, the Outstanding Achievement Awards recognize remarkable contributions made by organizations in harnessing impactful learning solutions. Winners from both global and regional levels demonstrate the potential of well-structured learning programs to catalyze change in businesses, educational institutions, and governmental agencies.

Introducing the 2026 Coursera Award Winners

Learning Excellence Award

This category honors organizations that effectively embed high-quality, industry-relevant education into academic and workforce experiences.

Global Winner: iPeople Inc.

iPeople Inc. has remarkably integrated Coursera across six educational institutions in its network, including esteemed names like Mapúa University. Over 80% of the curriculum at Mapúa now incorporates Coursera's offerings, allowing students to earn a significant portion of their academic credits through online learning. The network has expanded learner access from 15,000 to an impressive 45,000, with more than 170,000 certificates awarded to students.

At National Teachers College, the utilization rate reached 99.4%, producing over 50,000 verified certificates, while also enhancing faculty digital skills. iPeople's approach shows a solid link between academic study, global credentials, and essential future skills.

Regional winners: SRM IST Kattankulathur; Telekom Malaysia; Fondation Marocaine pour la Promotion de l’Enseignement Préscolaire; Ministry of Science and Higher Education (Kazakhstan); Instituto Mexicano del Petróleo

AI Pioneer Award

This award highlights organizations that turn AI learning into innovative applications and measurable business results.

Global Winner: Bausch + Lomb

Bausch + Lomb has made strides in embedding AI capabilities into their core operations through the Bausch + Lomb AI Academy, which leverages Coursera's resources. With more than 200 AI-driven solutions implemented, their colleagues have utilized these skills to dramatically enhance productivity, achieving 94% utilization of Microsoft Copilot tools and saving approximately 30,000 work hours annually.

Bausch + Lomb exemplifies how learning can be closely tied to practical applications, ensuring that innovation resonates throughout their operations.

Regional winners: Walmart Inc.; BMW TechWorks India; Mahidol University; MEF Üniversitesi; UBS; TP México

Maximizing Impact Award

This category recognizes organizations that generate notable benefits for people and organizational performance through learning initiatives.

Global Winner: Ernst & Young

Ernst & Young has transformed its approach to learning with the EY Badges program, which integrates Coursera content to connect academic and applied learning. More than 780,000 badges have been awarded to nearly 400,000 global employees, greatly enhancing their potential for career advancement—those with multiple badges have a 79% higher likelihood of receiving top performance ratings.

This strategic focus on skill acquisition fuels talent retention, with a nine percent increase among top talent—highlighting the program's role in both recruitment and employee growth.

Regional winners: Texas State University; Karmayogi Bharat; FPT; Deutsche Telekom; MTN Group; Grupo Energía Bogotá (GEB)

Engagement Excellence Award

This award honors organizations that sustain learner participation while connecting education to professional and community objectives.

Global Winner: Chandigarh University

Ranked as India’s top private university, Chandigarh University has fully integrated Coursera into its educational model, utilizing a variety of methods such as an ambassador network and personalized learning pathways. As a result, over 23,500 students have engaged in targeted projects in fields like AI and cybersecurity, while faculty members have also enhanced their teaching through curated development opportunities.

This approach not only keeps learners engaged but also fosters a culture of continuous growth by linking Coursera accomplishments to academic pathways and career ambitions.

Regional winners: The University of Southern Mississippi; Myntra Designs Pvt Ltd; Carelon Global Solutions Philippines, Inc.; Qatar University; Schneider Electric; Universidad del Valle de México

Skills Transformation Award

This category acknowledges organizations that adapt learning strategies to meet changing workforce needs.

Global Winner: The Department of Government Enablement – Abu Dhabi

The Abu Dhabi Government is prioritizing digital and AI capabilities within its workforce through Tomouh, its unified learning and capability platform. This initiative encompasses over 70 governmental entities and includes Coursera’s Professional Certificates tailored towards roles in AI, data management, and cybersecurity.

With more than 214 workshops and webinars planned, this effort is designed to improve employee efficacy and productivity, ensuring that the Abu Dhabi workforce is prepared for the demands of the modern technological landscape.

Regional winners: Coast Capital Savings; RV University; AirAsia; WJ Towell; Aptiv; Universidad Nacional Abierta y a Distancia (UNAD)

Appreciation for Our Global Learning Community

Congratulations to all the winners, both global and regional. A heartfelt thank you goes out to the dedicated businesses, universities, and government bodies that prioritize skill development and support learners in their journey toward growth in a dynamic world. To the 300+ million learners on Coursera and Udemy, your engagement and ambition continually inspire innovation in education.

The achievements highlighted through this awards program illustrate the powerful impact of a well-executed learning strategy. Looking ahead, the continuous collaboration amongst educational entities and industries will play a pivotal role in shaping skilled, adaptable workforces ready to meet future challenges.

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