On Tuesday June 23rd HP Ireland announced the 2009 Ireland winners of the Innovation in Education Grant Initiative, which rewards universities and secondary schools across EMEA for their innovative teaching and learning projects. This year’s Ireland winners were NUI Galway and Coláiste Iognáid, Galway.

Each institution will receive a mobile technology solution, such as tablet PCs, laptops, printers, access points, and a cash donation. They will also be invited to join a network of educators around the world who are working to design the future of high-tech education.

“Innovation in education is vital to developing the next generation of high-tech innovators and is central to the success of the smart economy in Ireland. I’d like to congratulate both NUI Galway and Coláiste Iognáid on being selected for their enlightening approaches to innovative teaching and learning,” said Martin Murphy, Managing Director, HP Ireland.

Commenting, Dr James J. Browne, President of NUI Galway, said: “Here at NUI Galway, we are committed to the highest quality teaching and learning experience for our students and have strongly integrated this priority into the institutional agenda.”

NUI Galway was selected for its project that plans to implement a SecondLife Maths Support space to deliver one of its courses in its Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and Education degree programme.