HOBOKEN, N.J., July 29, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pearson (FTSE: PSON.L) announced the winners of the annual Certiport 2026 Adobe Certified Professional World Championship, now in its 13th year. The Adobe Certified Professional World Championship is a global competition where students from around the world showcase professional-level design and creative skills as they compete for the world championship title.

Hosted in Anaheim, CA, this year’s event drew 56 finalists from 27 countries. To secure a place at the World Championship, competitors (ages 13 to 22) earned an Adobe Certified Professional certification in Photoshop, Illustrator, or InDesign and won their respective country competitions.

The global competition provides students with opportunities to apply their technical and creative skills in a real-world scenario, preparing them for careers in a world shaped by artificial intelligence and technological innovation.

The winners:

• First: Lulu Emanuele, USA
• Second: Furtini Baldesin, Brazil
• Third: Muhammad Fawwaz Haiqal Bin Mohd Fuaad, Malaysia
• Fourth: Muhammad Nafiz Asyraaf Bin Mohd Nazrin, Malaysia
• Fifth: Ho Nhat Anh, Vietnam
• Sixth: Francis Joan Guerra de los Angeles, Dominican Republic
• Seventh: Gabriela Castro, Peru
• Eighth: Mounir Al Achi Chbib, Lebanon
• Ninth: Huang Jo Hsuan, Taiwan
• Tenth: Dan Amiel V. Salvador, Philippines
   

Why it matters: “For employers, professional certifications provide a trusted measure of skill level and capability, and these young people are already proving they can deliver. Achieving an Adobe certification early in life gives them an advantage; it shows their dedication and initiative while validating their creative, technical, and problem-solving skills,” said Arthur Valentine, President of Assessment and Qualifications at Pearson. “Pearson is proud to support their progress and recognize the remarkable talent they bring to the design industry. Earning an Adobe certification and excelling in this event can be an important first step toward a promising career.”

The big picture: The Adobe Certified Professional credential is highly valued in the digital media and design industry. According to the Adobe Seeking Creative Candidates: Hiring for the Future report, 75% of hiring managers assert that certifications signal high-quality candidates for creative jobs. It serves as objective, globally recognized proof of software and design capabilities, helping people students align their creative passion and professional hiring requirements. Learn more about the Adobe Certified Professional World Championship here.

Related Pearson News  

• The Certification Imperative: Empowering Young People to Bridge the Skills Gap
• Employers Use IT Certification to Close High Risk Skills Gaps and Gain Competitive Advantage, Pearson Study Finds
• New Pearson and AWS Global research: 53% of Employers Struggle to Find AI-Ready Graduates
   

About Pearson 

At Pearson, our purpose is simple: to help people realize the life they imagine through learning. We believe that every learning opportunity is a chance for a personal breakthrough. That's why our c. 18,000 Pearson employees are committed to creating vibrant and enriching learning experiences designed for real-life impact. We are the world's lifelong learning company, serving customers in nearly 200 countries with digital content, assessments, qualifications, and data. For us, learning isn't just what we do. It's who we are. Visit us at plc.pearson.com.    

Media Contacts  

Greg.Forbes@pearson.com

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at 
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/be820aa8-f440-4a95-87e1-32d3beb4f2ff
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b1a0bc11-514c-4a4f-95cb-5827ca266eb3