- Talent & Leadership
Inspiring Excellence: Reflections from the 2025 Certiport World Championships
By Dr. Gary Gates, Managing Director, Pearson VUE
Attending the 2025 Certiport Microsoft Office Specialist and Adobe Certified Professional World Championships in the vibrant city of Orlando, Florida, has once again left me inspired, energised, and hopeful for the future. Year after year, this global gathering serves as a powerful testament to the promise and potential of our youth. This July was no exception, as I witnessed firsthand the extraordinary levels of commitment and skill displayed by hundreds of young people from across the world.
The power of early upskilling and lifelong learning
It is genuinely inspiring to see so many young people embracing education and upskilling so early in their lives. Their understanding of the importance of self-development, continual learning, and improvement stands out as a defining characteristic of this generation. Earning industry-recognised certifications at such a formative stage will provide them not only with a significant advantage as they prepare to enter the workforce, but also with essential tools that will benefit them throughout both their professional and personal journeys.
By focusing on self-betterment and continually striving for excellence, these students are building a foundation that will serve them for a lifetime. They recognise that learning is not just a task, but a mindset — one that will help them navigate an ever-changing world with confidence and adaptability.
The best of the best: A truly global achievement
What makes this event truly remarkable is that every student present has already distinguished themselves among their peers on a global scale. Over half a million young people worldwide take on the challenge of earning their certifications in either Adobe Creative Cloud or Microsoft Office just for the chance to compete. After navigating multiple qualifying rounds, only the very best advance to the World Championships.
To anyone who has earned a seat at the World Championships: your achievement is nothing short of extraordinary. Simply being here means you stand among the top performers on the planet, having achieved more than most of your peers might imagine possible at your age. You have demonstrated not just exceptional technical ability, but also determination, discipline, and a willingness to push beyond your comfort zone.
Certiport's 2025 Microsoft Office Specialist World Champions!
From left to right
- Tony Jin, USA - Microsoft Word (Office 2019)
- Tsan Ying Wong, Macao, China - Microsoft PowerPoint® (Office 2019)
- In Iat Li, Macao, China - Microsoft Excel® (Microsoft 365 Apps)
- Eleni Karakasidou, Greece - Microsoft PowerPoint® (Microsoft 365 Apps)
- Maria Abi Khalil, Lebanon - Microsoft Excel® (Office 2019)
- Hai Long Do, Vietnam - Microsoft Word (Microsoft 365 Apps)
Certiport's 2025 Adobe Professional World Champions!
From left to Right
- Hallie Mitchell, United Kingson - 2nd place
- Thiago Mella, Brazil - 1st place
- Valeria Ximena Barreiro Guillen, Ecuador - 3rd place
The self-awareness of tomorrow’s leaders
Each year, I am struck by the remarkable quality of the young people who attend these Championships. One quality that consistently stands out is their self-awareness. These students are not only technically skilled — they are emotionally intelligent. They can recognise and analyse their own feelings, thoughts, and emotions. They understand their strengths and identify areas for growth. They know what motivates them, what values are important, and how to set personal goals.
Many contestants exhibit a growing mastery of metacognition—the invaluable ability to think about their own thinking. This skill allows them to reflect on how they learn, adapt their strategies, and become better problem solvers. It is a trait that will serve them well as they continue to learn and develop in an ever-evolving world.
A real-world challenge: Tough, rewarding, and transformational
Make no mistake: while the World Championships are filled with excitement and camaraderie, they are also extremely demanding and, at times, stressful. This is by design. The tasks set before these young competitors are grounded in real-world scenarios. They work with actual clients and develop campaigns for non-profit partners, experiencing a taste — albeit a more intense one — of what professional life is like.
This real-world focus not only sharpens their technical skills but also builds resilience and adaptability, preparing them for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in their academic and career pursuits.
Growth beyond the competition: A tribe of excellence
One of the joys of attending this event each year is witnessing the transformation that takes place over just four days. On arrival, many participants are understandably nervous, shy, and perhaps even a little overwhelmed. Yet, as the days progress, a sense of belonging emerges.
My colleagues often remark that these students realise they are amongst “their tribe” — like-minded individuals who share their passion, drive, and curiosity. This camaraderie quickly replaces anxiety with excitement and anticipation. By the end of the week, the atmosphere is electric, filled with new friendships, mutual encouragement, and a contagious belief in what is possible.
Shining a light: “Spreadsheet Champions” and the broader impact
A few years ago, we had the pleasure of welcoming a documentary film crew from GoodThing Productions of Australia during the 2023 World Championships. After two years in the making, their film, “Spreadsheet Champions,” has now debuted at various film festivals around the world.
This remarkable documentary does more than just chronicle the competition. It offers a window into the lives, dreams, and challenges of the young people who participate. It shows how the pursuit of education, professional certification, and personal growth equips them not only with technical skills but also with emotional intelligence. I strongly encourage every guardian and educator to watch this film. It highlights the transformative power of learning and the lasting impact it can have on young lives.
The road ahead: Embracing change and cultivating metacognition
We live in an era where technology is reshaping careers at an exponential rate. The skills required today may be different from those needed tomorrow, and lifelong learning is becoming the norm rather than the exception. As such, it is not enough to simply master new tools or platforms. We must also learn how to learn — cultivating our own metacognitive abilities to adapt quickly and effectively to new challenges.
The young people at this year’s World Championships have shown us that this is not only possible but also deeply rewarding. They remind us that learning can be fun, exhilarating, and inspiring. Their energy, creativity, and determination give me tremendous hope for the future.
In closing, I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to every competitor, finalist, and supporter who made the 2025 Certiport World Championships a resounding success. You have all demonstrated what it means to strive for excellence, to embrace growth, and to inspire those around you. The world is watching and I, for one, cannot wait to see all that you will accomplish next.