Month: August 2020

Dear Colleagues and Learners,

This is my first communiqué in a few weeks and I have a few updates I would like to share.

The start of the Fall term is always a time of great excitement, and this year is no exception in that regard. It is, however, different in many other ways when compared to last fall. Our campuses look a little different, some of our course delivery is different, and when we re-enter the College with our masks – for those who are required to be on campus – we will all look a little different, too.

As much as we are anxious to resume all of the activities we associate with the start of a new academic year and a new term, we know that we must proceed with caution in order to continue to make the health and safety of our College community our number one priority. For this reason, we have made the decision to extend the suspension of all in-person events (celebrations, large gatherings, professional development, etc.) on campus at Algonquin College up to and including Dec. 31, 2020. This deadline may be revised mid-way through the Fall term and we will notify you of any updates as soon as they are available. Continue reading →

On behalf of Algonquin College, I want to wish this year’s Virtual Capital Pride Festival every success.

Diversity and inclusiveness are central to the spirit of this dynamic festival – and they are also key strengths of our College community.

For the last two years, Algonquin has participated in Capital Pride’s annual parade. Last summer, in one of my first public events as President, I had the pleasure of marching alongside 80 members of our community behind a rainbow-covered Algonquin College fire truck. While the COVID-19 pandemic has sidelined the downtown parade this year and made virtual events necessary, Algonquin will celebrate this important festival online in a spirit of solidarity – engaged in the wide variety of performances, speakers and panels. Continue reading →

Dear Learners,

The Fall term has always been a time for change – a time for new beginnings, discovery and innovation, a time for setting new goals and renewed determination . . . a time for coming together as a college community.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, both that spirit of change – and the need for community – are even more profound this year. We are entering a Fall term unlike any other in Algonquin College’s history. It will be a time of unique challenges, but also a time of unique opportunities.

Our values of Caring, Learning, Integrity and Respect will be more important than ever. Respect and care will mean looking out for one another – and each of us doing our part to keep the community safe. Continue reading →

Ottawa, ON., Aug. 20, 2020 – Thanks to a $250,000 donation to The Royal from RBC Foundation, clients at the Youth Services Bureau (YSB) and students at Algonquin College will have improved access to virtual care to support their mental health needs. Transitional youth (ages 16-24) will now be able to meet with a psychiatrist from The Royal to create a customized treatment plan.

Continue reading →

He’s only 14, but Aaryan Harshith is already changing the world.

Over the past year, the Sudbury teen has partnered with Algonquin College’s MakerSpace to create what he refers to an AI-Powered Cancer Detection Device. The innovative instrument finds cancer cells in the body without invasive surgery.

As Aaryan puts it: “Essentially, it’s the first hand-held, real-time way for surgeons to streamline the operating process.”

Aaryan talked with Matthew Jerabek, Impact Coordinator in the College Applied Research, Innovation & Entrepreneurship section, about his invention. Explaining its purpose and why at such a young age he decided to help cancer patients, he reveals an awareness of the world that belies his age. Continue reading →