Leading technology provider, Hewlett Packard, has empowered 36 universities in Europe, Middle East and Africa with cash and technological equipment worth $3-6million, in line with its corporate social responsibility.
The 36 universities were selected among 250 higher institutions in the region that competed under the 2008 HP Technology for Teaching Higher Education Grant.
The beneficiaries in Africa are University of Jos the only one in Nigeria, the University of Makerere , Uganda and University of South Africa .
Mr. Ime Umo, managing director, HP West Africa, while presenting a letter for the grant to Prof Sonni Tyoden, vice chancellor, University of Jos, at the university campus, noted that the grant proposal submitted by the institution to HP for a 2008 HP Technology for Teaching Higher Education Grant has been selected for funding.
The letter read that "out of 36 Universities from Europe, Middle East and Africa that were competing, 15 have been awarded and 3 of them are in Africa . This is a concrete demonstration of HP’s commitment to support Higher Education in Africa and develop access to high-end information technology tools in Universities. The HP Technology for Teaching Higher Education Grant Initiative is a catalyst for education innovation in Africa".
The 2008 HP Technology for Teaching Grant award for higher education includes several elements valued at approximately $100,000 per institution. The equipment include 21 HP Compaq Notebook/Tablet PCs with Microsoft Vista operating system, 21 HP Ultra-slim Expansion Base with DVD drive, 21 HP USB optical travel mouse, One HP executive carrying case, 3 HP iPAQs, one HP Designjet, one HP Designjet Printer Stand, one HP Procurve Wireless Access Point, one HP HP ProCurve Switch 408, one digital projector, and one Mobile Net Education Center.
A $20,000 cash from the grant is also earmarked for the principal investigator to use to support the work of the project and also facilitate attendance at the annual HP Technology for Teaching Worldwide Higher Education Conference in San Diego , USA from 22-24 February 2009.
Umo, represented by Mr. Chukwuma Nwako, enterprise accounts manager, public sector, noted that the grant initiative is designed to improve student success and engage the faculty through the innovative implementation of mobile technology in the classroom.
"Our goal is that the HP Technology for Teaching Initiative supports the development of mobile technology environments that, at their fullest implementation will transform teaching and learning in the higher education environment, create new models of success on campus for integrating technology into the learning environment, engage faculty in adopting and implementing these models in their classrooms, and foster publication, demonstration and presentation opportunities for academic leaders on the application of mobile technology in university learning environments", he said.
According to him, HP Africa is very excited to have the opportunity to partner with Unijos as the institution implements its project and participate in the worldwide HP Technology for Teaching community.
Appreciating the gesture, Prof Tyoden assured HP that the institution would continue to strive for excellence especially in the area of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). He also promised that the grant would be put into best use by the institution.
The 2008 HP Technology for Teaching Grant initiative, marks five years of the company’s commitment to innovative educators who are transforming student achievement through the use of technology in the classroom, while encouraging student interest in careers in technology, engineering, math and science, including environmental science.
Since 2004, HP has contributed a total of nearly $60 million in HP Technology for Teaching grants to more than 1,000 schools in 41 countries worldwide. During the past 20 years, HP has contributed more than $1 billion in cash and equipment to schools, universities, community organizations and other nonprofit organizations around the world.
