Ireland’s Leading Provider of Online Teacher Education Joins ISTE+ASCD’s Alliance for Innovation to Advance Digital Learning Excellence

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Hibernia College, Ireland’s largest provider of teacher education, today announced it has joined the Alliance for Innovation in Teacher Education, becoming the first European institution to join the international partnership. As an Alliance member the college commits to prepare its 2,500 teacher education students with practical technology skills essential for modern classrooms.
The Alliance brings together ISTE+ASCD and leading higher education organizations including AACTE, AAQEP, CAEP, ETS, and SITE to transform how universities prepare educators for digitally enhanced learning environments.
Dr. Mary Kelly, Academic Dean of Hibernia College, said, “Joining the ISTE+ASCD Alliance for Innovation in Teacher Education reflects Hibernia College’s ongoing commitment to excellence in teacher education. By embedding the ISTE standards throughout our programmes, we will ensure future teachers are prepared to create meaningful and engaging learning experiences for all students.”
Hibernia College will embed the ISTE Standards throughout its Professional Master of Education program and develop professional credentials that allow teacher candidates to demonstrate product in the effective use of technology for learning. The college’s 600 adjunct faculty – all practicing teachers – will also gain access to professional development opportunities through the Alliance.
“Knowing how to use technology to support student learning is an essential skill for any teacher to excel,” said Richard Culatta, CEO of ISTE+ASCD. “We are thrilled that Hibernia College is committed to embedding tech skills into their program so that all of their teacher candidates will be prepared to hit the ground running.”
By signing the pledge, Hibernia College joins over 140 institutions committed to preparing teachers to thrive in digital learning environments, use technology to pursue ongoing professional learning, and use the ISTE Standards to accelerate transformative learning. It will empower all faculty to continuously strengthen their expertise in educational technology and foster collaboration with school leaders to define and advance shared digital teaching competencies.
About ISTE+ASCD
In 2023, ISTE and ASCD merged to create a unified organization dedicated to ensuring every student has an amazing learning experience every day. Today, ISTE+ASCD is the largest innovation-focused education non-profit worldwide, serving over a million educators in every US state and over 100 countries around the world. ISTE+ASCD offers inspiring events, professional certifications, dynamic member communities, and innovative thought leadership to help educators create transformational learning experiences.
About Hibernia College
Founded in 2000, Hibernia College pioneered flexible online education in Ireland and now serves as the country's largest provider of teacher education. Over 25 years, the institution has graduated more than 16,000 students who have completed over 12.5 million online learning hours through its award-winning blended learning model. Today, 2,500 students are enrolled in Hibernia's teacher education programs, including its flagship Professional Master's of Education, supported by 600 adjunct faculty who bring current classroom expertise to their teaching. With proprietary recording studios and sophisticated synchronous and asynchronous learning platforms, Hibernia College continues to lead Ireland's evolution toward technology-enhanced education.