Posted on Wednesday, May 27th, 2020
May 27, 2020
Dear Colleagues and Learners,
We are now well into our eleventh week of isolation and physical distancing, and already two weeks into our Spring term. So much change has taken place in this time, but our College community continues to meet the challenges and find innovative ways to help our learners and care for one another, and for that, I thank you.
Posted on Tuesday, May 26th, 2020
OTTAWA (May 26) – Algonquin College has taken a prominent role in a unique nation-wide pilot project to provide Indigenous youth with trades training while they attend school.
The $1.2-million project, funded by Employment and Social Development Canada, is mandated through Indigenous YouthBuild Canada, a national job-readiness program that brings local communities together with educational institutions, government, and corporate partners to help Indigenous youth acquire job-ready skills while extending their education.
While modelled on an American YouthBuild program that has helped thousands of young people since the 1970s, Indigenous YouthBuild Canada focuses on this country’s Indigenous youth.
Under the program, Algonquin teamed up with two other post-secondary institutions and two Indigenous organizations to provide First Nations, Métis, and Inuit youth with this earn-as-you-learn opportunity.
Posted on Monday, May 25th, 2020
OTTAWA (May 25) – Algonquin College has won a Prix d’Excellence award from the Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education for Best Community Outreach Initiative.
The CCAE recognized the College with a Silver Award for its Introduction to Esthetics for New Canadians Program offered in 2019. It was the third year in a row the CCAE has honoured Algonquin.
The award was presented Friday in an online ceremony after the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the organization’s annual conference.
President Claude Brulé congratulated all those in the School of Hospitality and Tourism involved in the program. “The Esthetics for New Canadians Program was truly an inspiring way to welcome newcomers to Canada. You can take pride in having helped them settle into their new homes.”
Posted on Thursday, May 21st, 2020
OTTAWA (May 21) – Two applied research initiatives at Algonquin College have each received $360,000 from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada’s (NSERC) College and Community Innovation Program.
The innovative projects are: Victim Services and Vicarious Resilience, a collaboration to advance victim service research in Canada; and Mamiwi maadaadizi — “The Start of an Algonquin Journey,” which will examine the best ways to Indigenize the education, services, and spaces at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus.
“I want to thank the Council for recognizing and investing in the dynamic and cutting-edge applied research taking place at Algonquin College,” said Claude Brulé, President and CEO. “Our projects take the College’s values of caring, learning, integrity, and respect out of the classroom and into our communities. From improving public safety to working towards Truth and Reconciliation, our teams are making a difference.” Continue reading
Posted on Wednesday, May 20th, 2020
Dear Colleagues and Learners,
As difficult as it is to think about being in our tenth week of physical distancing, I hope that the warmer weather has provided a chance for you to get outdoors a little bit this past long weekend, and that perhaps it has also given everyone an additional boost of optimism.
Yesterday we marked AC Day 1 with an energetic start to the spring term — so many activities and creative ways to connect with our new learners and welcome them to Algonquin College. Thank you to everyone who helped organize this wonderful experience, and thank you to all our new learners for taking part. I am sure these virtual events will help you settle into your studies, confident with all of the information gained, and in the knowledge that we are here to help you succeed. Continue reading
Posted on Wednesday, May 20th, 2020
OTTAWA (May 19) – Algonquin College was honoured Tuesday with an Award of Excellence from Colleges and Institutes Canada.
Algonquin’s International Education Centre received CICan’s Silver Award for Internationalization Excellence. It is the second CICan award the Centre has received since 2016 when it won Bronze.
While recipients of the 2020 Awards of Excellence could not be recognized in person because the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of CICan’s annual conference, the association created an online showcase to share and celebrate their achievements.
Posted on Thursday, May 14th, 2020
Dear Colleagues and Learners,
As we wind down our ninth week of physical distancing, it is reassuring to see signs of spring and also indications that we are gradually and safely in the process of easing the lockdown. Just this week, select retail stores with a street entrance were able to offer curbside pickups, following the good news that hardware stores and garden centres could also open for business with modified operations to ensure the health and safety of staff and customers.
Here at Algonquin, we are also seeing encouraging signs that life at the College is moving forward, most notably with the beginning of our Spring Term. Our Ottawa Campus will be making history with our first-ever virtual AC Day 1 on May 19. Just as in the past, our learners will be able to get involved in social activities, meet their professors, sign up for orientation, and learn about the many supports we offer to guide them on their academic journey — and everything will be accessible from the comfort and safety of their own homes. You can find more information about our virtual AC Day 1 here. (Note that this programming is only available to our Ottawa Campus students. Our Perth and Pembroke Campuses do not have Level 1 intakes this term and so there are no orientation activities scheduled at those locations.) Continue reading
Posted on Wednesday, May 13th, 2020
Dear Learners:
I have some information I would like to share regarding Algonquin College’s Fall Academic Framework.
To begin with, I am incredibly proud of everything our College community has accomplished together so far during COVID-19 – rapidly adapting our programs, courses, teaching approaches, and learning styles to make remote learning a success. It has not been easy, and I commend everyone for embracing this unprecedented transformation.
That good work will be vital as we look forward. To that end, the following Academic Framework will provide us with the focus and flexibility to develop a detailed fall plan in the coming weeks. Continue reading
Posted on Wednesday, May 6th, 2020
Hacking Health Ottawa has teamed up with CHEO, The Algonquin College MakerSpace, Thistledown Foundation and University of Ottawa medical students to lead the 3D print Maker community in the coordination and the rapid development of protective face shields.
In light of expected COVID-19 related shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE), Maker groups, technology and medical professionals in the National Capital region are collaborating to proactively source materials and develop much needed PPE with a current focus on face shields in particular.
The initiative was driven by calls for support from the City of Ottawa and local hospitals to source PPE equipment.
Posted on Tuesday, May 5th, 2020
Dear Colleagues and Learners:
As we enter into our eighth week of physical distancing, I would like to share a couple of pieces of information that you may find helpful as we continue to plan for the time when we can come together again. I am pleased to announce that applications will open on May 15 for our COVID-19 Emergency Student Fund. This new $1 million fund will help learners who are in the most need of assistance to continue with their studies. On May 13, students will receive a message from Laura Stanbra, Vice President Student Services, that provides more details on how to apply to this fund. If you are a student in immediate financial need, please reach out to Financial Aid and Student Awards at bursaries@algonquincollege.com.
Of course, financial issues are only part of the struggle facing many within the Algonquin College community. Yesterday marked the start of the Canadian Mental Health Association’s Mental Health Week (May 4-10). I recognize that this is a uniquely difficult time for mental health as people deal with stress, anxiety and personal challenges. Employees can find helpful resource information in our Employee Toolkit FAQ and via our Employee Assistance Program. Students can find mental health resources here. Continue reading