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. 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.
The winners include 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.