Longford school students Olachi Alajemba and Margel Tuyogon crowned Tech Champions

The Longford Post Primary Tech Championships 2025 were held in Longford County Council on Tuesday, 2 December.

The competition set a challenge for fifth-year computer science students to apply their study of the subject in the classroom to relevant real-life uses. Students from three schools, Meán Scoil Mhuire Longford, Ballymahon Vocational School and Templemichael College Longford, showcased their technology projects at the awards.

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Among them, Meán Scoil Mhuire students Olachi Alajemba and Margel Tuyogon were crowned Longford Post Primary Tech Champions for 2025.

Their project was commended by the judges who noted that “it went beyond what was expected, showcased exceptional technical ability and was presented with enthusiasm in a confident and engaging presentation.”

The awards are co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the EU Just Transition Fund Programme 2021-2027. Organised and hosted by Longford County Council, the awards are supported by Ericsson Ireland, Microsoft Ireland and Irish Public Bodies (IPB). The overall €1,500 prize fund for the awards was sponsored by IPB, with €250 awarded to both Olachi and Margel with the remaining €1,000 awarded to Meán Scoil Mhuire.

Mr Barry Lowry, Government Chief Information Officer; Dr Mihai Bilauca, Chief Information Officer and Head of Operations at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage; and Mr Sabahat Khan, Assistant Chief Executive and Chief Information Officer at the Local Government Management Agency were also in attendance.

All the special guests took the opportunity to speak directly to the students, offering valuable insights shaped by their extensive experience in public service and technology leadership.

Delivering the keynote address, Mr Lowry praised the students’ ambitions and commended Longford County Council, along with the county’s innovative teachers, for fostering an environment that encourages young people to explore technology and STEM. He highlighted their role in guiding students towards further study at third level and apprenticeships, opening pathways to future careers in these fields.

Other awards were presented at the event and the winners included:

Microsoft Ireland Longford Award: Toha Bello Salami, Washington Mahlangu and Clinton Osayande (Templemichael College Longford)

Innovation Award: Ida Krauskopf, Sara Chamorro Ortega and Lois Wiafe (Templemichael College Longford)

Ericsson Ireland Longford Award: Oleksii Volkov and Mindaugus Nemeikstis (Ballymahon Vocational School)

Longford Primary Teacher Award: Dylan Boxwell and Karol Wilkosz (Ballymahon Vocational School)

Best Presented Project Award: Mia O’ Connor and Rachel Kelly Ward (Meán Scoil Mhuire Longford)

Longford Climate Action Team Award: Destiny Amagwula, Adrian Majdanski and Noah Finegan (Hynes) (Templemichael College Longford)

Longford Senior Management Team Award: Angel Nwagwu, Jodel Kalombo and Ruth Efe (Meán Scoil Mhuire Longford)

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Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council Cathaoirleach, Cllr Garry Murtagh said, “Our local students continue to set a high standard, excelling in their STEM studies and demonstrating remarkable talent and commitment. Each one has a bright future ahead. We extend our sincere thanks to everyone involved, particularly the teachers who support and guide their students every day.”

Deputy Chief Executive of Longford County Council John Brannigan said, “Now in its third year, the Tech Awards highlight the Council’s strong commitment to supporting initiatives that benefit our communities. This programme showcases the great work undertaken by County Longford students who have created technology projects that have real-world relevance and application in County Longford.”

Longford County Council extend special thanks to Ballymahon Vocational School Principal Mick O’Rourke and Computer Science teachers Noel Neary and Owen Catterall; Meán Scoil Mhuire Principal Siobhán Cullen and Computer Science teacher Paddy McLoughlin; and Templemichael College Longford Principal Sorcha Nic Dhonnacha and Computer Science teacher Justin Quinn.

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Thanks is also extended to the team of judges: Microsoft Ireland’s Michael Barret; Ericsson Ireland’s Peter Leacy, Andrew Fenner and Edel McDermot; Harry Rock from St. Patrick’s NS; Beatrice Shanley from St Joseph’s National School Longford; Patricia Sheridan from Moyne Community School, Niall McGarry from Mercy Secondary School Ballymahon and all Council employees who were involved in the awards.