Macquarie University

Auszeichnungen an der Uni in Sydney

Literacy innovator receives highest honour

A plethora of gifted innovators were recognised last Wednesday at Macquarie University’s 5th annual Innovation Awards.

Significant contributions by Macquarie inventors to the fields of learning and teaching; sustainability; services and research were applauded. Winning initiatives included a monolithic fibre laser system, paperless document distribution system, quantum informatics on a chip and online learning tools for beginners in science.

While all the award categories were hotly contested, the most honourable award recipient of the evening was Director of Macquarie University’s Special Education Centre (MUSEC), Professor Kevin Wheldall. Professor Wheldall was inducted into the Innovators’ Hall of Fame for a lifetime of dedication to literacy, making him the first inductee in three years.

Professor Wheldall and his team have been improving the educational outcomes for children with learning difficulties through an initiative titled ‘Making Up Lost Time in Literacy’ (MULTILIT). The program was developed in 1995 and has been tremendously successful in empowering thousands of Australians with the gift of literacy.

Each of the 2009 Innovation Award winners were presented a unique bronze sculpture and a cash prize.