Month: April 2024

Algonquin College student receives CICan gold award for Indigenous advocacy

Posted on Tuesday, April 30th, 2024

CALGARY (April 30, 2024) —Algonquin College Social Service Worker student Stephania Smith has received gold in the Leadership Excellence Award for Students category at Colleges and Institutes Canada’s (CICan) 2024 Awards of Excellence.

These awards serve to recognize the excellence found in Canada’s colleges, highlighting important contributions to Canadian economic, social and cultural development.

Smith’s contributions during her time at Algonquin College have included remarkable volunteer, community and advocacy work. Notably, she created the Indigenous Student Committee for First Nations, Inuit and Métis students at the Pembroke Campus.

Continue reading

$120,000 donation expands cutting-edge computer assisted design education at Algonquin College

Posted on Monday, April 22nd, 2024

OTTAWA — April 23, 2024 – Algonquin College is delighted to announce a $120,000 donation from the Canerector Foundation to help establish a second Computer Assisted Design (CAD) Lab at the College, addressing the growing demand for digital expertise in the local construction industry.

The new CAD Lab provides more students with hands-on experience in 3D modeling, enabling them to test designs, calculate construction costs, and plan the efficient use of materials using industry leading technology. With the increasing importance of digital skills in the industry, the demand for specialized labs like the CAD Lab has surged, which resulted in the current lab operating at full capacity.

“We are extremely grateful for the Canerector Foundation’s generous contribution,” said Claude Brulé, President and CEO of Algonquin College. “This donation will have a significant impact on the education and future of our students, addressing the urgent demand for skilled professionals in the construction industry. It is a testament to the Canerector Foundation’s commitment to advancing education and supporting our community.”

In recognition of their support, Amanda Hawkins, Director of the Canerector Foundation said, “We are thrilled to support exposing students to practical, hands-on technology that will prepare them to excel in their careers.”

This is the second significant investment from the Canerector Foundation to Algonquin College. In 2022 the Foundation made a $400,000 gift to establish The Canerector Foundation Scholarship in the Skilled Trades.

By supporting the CAD Lab, the Canerector Foundation is not only investing in the education of Canerector Foundation Scholars, but in all skilled trades students, enabling the college to produce a higher number of graduates who possess the unique competencies required by the industry.

This continued collaboration between Algonquin College and the Canerector Foundation will have a profound and lasting impact on the skilled trades, further strengthening Canada’s economic landscape.

-30-

About Algonquin College 

The mission of Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology is to transform hopes and dreams into lifelong success. Algonquin College, an Ontario public sector community college, does this by offering hands-on, digitally connected, experiential learning in more than 250 programs. Algonquin College is the largest polytechnic institute in Eastern Ontario, with campuses in Ottawa, Perth, Pembroke and AC Online.

About the Canerector Foundation

The Canerector Foundation is a registered, non-profit Canadian charitable organization founded by the Hawkins family, owners of Canerector Inc. — a group of over 50 companies that design and manufacture industrial products across a wide range of industries. Since its formal establishment in October 2019, the Canerector Foundation has donated over $10 million to Canadian-based charities that support communities across the country and around the world. To date, the foundation has focused on supporting skilled trades education, healthcare (particularly Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes), housing and at-risk youth.

For media inquiries:

Megan Fraser 
Communications Officer 
Algonquin College
fraserm2@algonquincollege.com
613-302-0138

Empowering the future: Hazel Smart-Patterson establishes scholarship to inspire women in STEM at Algonquin College. 

Posted on Monday, April 15th, 2024

OTTAWA — April 15, 2024 – Hazel Smart-Patterson, a distinguished alumna of Algonquin College, is paving the way for women pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) programs with the establishment of the Hazel Smart-Patterson Scholarship. 

With a visionary pledge of $100,000, Hazel Smart-Patterson aims to ease financial constraints and ignite the ambitions of female students entering their third or fourth year of full-time STEM studies at Algonquin College. 

Continue reading

Schulich Foundation Extends Groundbreaking Support for Algonquin College Skilled Trades Education

Posted on Monday, April 8th, 2024

OTTAWA — Apr. 8, 2024 – The Schulich Foundation and Algonquin College are thrilled to announce the continuation of their transformative partnership with the Schulich Builders scholarship program. Building upon the success of the inaugural year, this collaboration will further empower students pursuing careers in the skilled trades across 12 esteemed Ontario Colleges, including Algonquin College.

Continue reading

Algonquin College and CAE engage pathways in innovation, learning and Indigenous skills development through strategic MOU

Posted on Thursday, April 4th, 2024

CAE and Algonquin College executives and employees gather for a group photo following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

CAE and Algonquin College executives and employees gather for a group photo following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

Algonquin College is proud to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with CAE, a global leader in training for the civil aviation and defence and security markets. This landmark agreement marks a significant milestone in the collaboration between academia and industry, aimed at advancing workforce development, skills training, and innovation across multiple sectors, as well as supporting skills development for Indigenous Peoples.

Continue reading

Algonquin College Brings Anishinabe Language to Ottawa Campus Streets

Posted on Tuesday, April 2nd, 2024

For Immediate Release

Ottawa, ON, April 2, 2024 — Today, as part of its continuing commitment to Reconciliation and as part of its indigenization strategy, Algonquin College honoured the Indigenous language of the region by naming four private streets on the Ottawa campus with Anishinabe names.

“Our Indigenous Pathways Project demonstrates our ongoing commitment to preserving Indigenous culture and heritage through the installation of interior signage, murals, and wayfinding signs,” said Claude Brulé, President and CEO, Algonquin College. “With the introduction of exterior street signs, our college embraces and celebrates the first language of this territory, fostering familiarity with Anishinàbe language, history, and culture throughout our Ottawa campus.” Continue reading

Algonquin College becomes the first Canadian college to sign Health Canada’s food guide-friendly pledge

Posted on Monday, April 1st, 2024

OTTAWA (April 1, 2024) – Algonquin College has become the first college to sign Health Canada’s food guide-friendly pledge, committing to taking meaningful steps to maintain, and enhance, a healthy food environment on campus.

We are very proud to be the first college in Canada to make this commitment,” said Duane McNair, Vice President, Finance and Administration, Algonquin College. “This pledge not only highlights our excellent food options on campus, but also demonstrates our dedication to continue to make healthy eating more and more accessible.”

The food guide-friendly program is a voluntary initiative designed to help publicly-funded institutions create healthier food environments, which ultimately leads people to make more healthy eating choices.

“Health Canada’s pledge recognizes our existing efforts in making fruits and vegetables readily available and encouraging healthy eating behaviours in the Marketplace Food Court,” said Emma Kaye, Wellness and Sustainability Coordinator, Registered Dietitian.

“But our work is never done. Part of the pledge is committing to nutrition on campus by looking for ways to improve by putting more emphasis on promoting healthier choices and increasing availability of these options.”

The Marketplace Food Court is Algonquin College’s first food service location to be recognized as food guide-friendly. Other self-operated Food Service locations on the Ottawa Campus will be working towards the same recognition in the upcoming terms.

-30-

For more information

David Hall Manager, Marketing and Communications
Campus Services
Algonquin College
david.hall@algonquincollege.com

Media contact

Bruce Hickey
Communications Manager
Algonquin College
hickeyb@algonquincollege.com
613-513-9935

About Algonquin College 

The mission of Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology is to transform hopes and dreams into lifelong success. Algonquin College, an Ontario public sector community college, does this by offering hands-on, digitally connected, experiential learning in more than 200 programs. Algonquin College is the largest polytechnic institute in Eastern Ontario, with campuses in Ottawa, Perth, Pembroke and AC Online.