HP SA has announced the 2009 recipients of its Innovation in Education grant initiative.
At a function in Pretoria yesterday, HP, together with the Department of Education and the Department of Science and Technology, said it had selected six local educational institutions to receive mobile technology and cash to assist them in their education and innovation projects.
Minister of Science and Technology, Naledi Pandor, said government would be pursuing ways of increasing access to technology and linking it with excellence in education.
"It is our intention to grow success in mathematics and science at schools, to increase competence and access to ICT so that young people and schools become competent beneficiaries," she said. "It is a particular pleasure to recognise and endorse initiatives that help accomplish these objectives."
The six South African winners were included in 50 winners from the European region under which the local market falls. Acting MD of HP SA, Gois Fouche, says the award is vital to developing the next generation of hi-tech innovators.
"These institutions we are honouring are leaders - not just in SA, but globally - and we should all be incredibly proud of their achievements. It is important to note that their proposals are all about using technology to reach more people in a sustainable way. We don't have enough educators in this country to teach people one-on-one, but we can use technology in innovative ways."
The winners are:
* Bokamoso Science and Technology Education Centre, Polokwane;
* Esayidi FET Public College, Port Shepstone;
* Mnambithi FET College, Ladysmith;
* Osizweni Education and Development Centre, Secunda;
* The University of Fort Hare, for its Academic Support for Science, Engineering and Technology project;
* The University of the Western Cape, for undergraduate research and training in computer science.
As part of the grant, the winners will get to attend to the HP Innovation in Education worldwide summit, held in San Francisco, in February 2010, where they can share ideas and best practices with other winners from around the world.
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