Wolanin was selected from more than 10,000 applicants across 170 countries.
A longlist of 50 candidates that was announced in July included two more students from Poland: Martyna Łuszczek and Marcelina Maciąg.
Born in 2002, Wolanin studies law at the University of Warsaw and canon law at the Stefan Cardinal Wyszyński University in Warsaw.
He has published extensively on students’ rights and duties and presented papers at institutions such as Queen's University Belfast, University of Central Lancashire, University of Durham, University of Portsmouth, and the University of Texas in Austin.
In an interview with Poland's PAP news agency, Wolanin expressed his delight at being included in the top 10 but added modestly: "The names aren't what matters; it's the idea of social activism behind the contest that truly counts."
In 2019, Wolanin launched the Foundation for Student Rights, an organisation that provides legal consultations and responds to students' requests for legal assistance.
The foundation also organises the annual Student Rights Knowledge National Olympiad, an initiative aimed at educating students about their legal rights.
For over a year in the past, Wolanin was actively involved with a centre supporting Ukrainian refugees in Poland.
He frequently serves as an expert on student rights and gives interviews to international media.
If he wins the Global Student Prize, Wolanin plans to use a significant portion of the funds to invest in the education of his peers. His goal is to establish a mentoring programme aimed at educating young leaders and advocates, while also attracting financial sponsors to help the programme expand globally.
The contest, organised by the India-based Varkey Foundation in partnership with Chegg.org from the United States, aims to promote exceptional students who make a meaningful impact on learning, their peers' lives and global society.
The winner will receive a cash prize of USD 100,000.
(mk/gs)
Source: PAP