Gaiane Simonian, a trailblazer in the EdTech space, has redefined how online academic competitions can scale nationally while staying inclusive and impactful. As the former Head of Olympiads and Special Projects at Uchi.ru, one of Eastern Europe’s top EdTech platforms, she led the creation of monthly online Olympiads that reached over 12 million users—turning what used to be niche academic contests into major digital learning events.
Her strategy blended pedagogical insight with engaging product design. Gaiane’s contests became monthly staples in Russian classrooms, drawing up to 5 million participants at their peak. Timed with school calendars and often backed by federal bodies, these competitions covered themes like financial literacy and road safety—making them more than just extracurricular activities.
Under her leadership, Uchi.ru’s Olympiad platform became a national growth engine and earned accolades like the “Best Social Project of Russia” and the BRICSMath award. She was also a semi-finalist at the Global EdTech Startup Awards and actively supports female economists through scholarship programs.
What made her model effective was its accessibility. Inspired by her own experience missing out on national events due to geography, Gaiane designed her contests to be inclusive of students across all locations and learning abilities. Her teams added features like audio task versions, simplified layouts, and color-blind-friendly visuals to ensure every child had a fair chance to participate.
Beyond participation, the Olympiads offered real educational value. Teachers received post-contest reports identifying each student’s strengths and learning gaps, making it easier to tailor classroom instruction.
The contests also built long-term engagement. With elements like collectible diplomas, festive launch events, and mascot characters like “Grisha the Dinosaur,” students eagerly awaited each new edition. These additions weren’t just for fun—they fostered loyalty and transformed learning into a memorable, joyful experience.
In an industry competing for attention, Gaiane Simonian’s approach stands out not for its size, but for its sustainability and stickiness. By making learning exciting, insightful, and accessible, she turned online competitions into a national EdTech engine—offering a blueprint that global EdTech leaders would do well to study.
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Source: Ceoworld.Biz
