News

A Message from the President (April 21, 2022)

Posted on Thursday, April 21st, 2022

Dear Colleagues and Learners,

Earlier this month, I announced that a number of planned changes to our COVID-19 policy would take effect on May 1, if there was not an identified heightened risk to health and safety for employees and learners.

In her most recent update, Ottawa’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Vera Etches, stated that Ottawa continues to see high levels of COVID-19 across the community, with individuals strongly encouraged to wear masks in indoor settings, particularly where physical distancing may be difficult or impossible. Her recommendation is based on wastewater data analysis, per cent positivity rates, outbreaks and hospitalizations during this prevailing sixth pandemic wave.

As a result of this direction from Ottawa Public Health, Algonquin College will maintain its mandatory COVID-19 mask policy after May 1 and until further notice. This means that all those required to attend our campuses must continue to wear a mask.

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Algonquin College launches Artificial Intelligence Software Development program

Posted on Wednesday, April 20th, 2022

OTTAWA (APRIL 20, 2022) – Algonquin College is announcing the launch of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Software Development program, a one-year graduate certificate program with co-op option. Located on the Ottawa Campus, program graduates will be equipped to meet the growing market demand for AI software development expertise.

“We’re thrilled to bring this leading AI program to the learners at Algonquin College. Graduates will have a clear advantage in the artificial intelligence field with an in-depth understanding of ethical considerations within the AI landscape,” said Claude Brulé, Algonquin College President and CEO.

Program courses will explore AI techniques as applied to machine learning, troubleshooting and optimizing AI systems, configuring AI models to perform tasks autonomously, and preparing analytical reports.

“Education in artificial intelligence has traditionally been highly theoretical and employers in the industry have told us they need graduates with more practical skills and knowledge so they can be productive faster,” said Sandra Brancatelli, Academic Chair of Information & Communications Technology at Algonquin College. “We wanted to create a program that utilizes the expertise of our faculty and create pathways for our students to meet the growing needs of our employers.”

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Ontario government approves new three-year degrees at Colleges

Posted on Monday, April 11th, 2022

(OTTAWA, April 11, 2022) – The Ontario government’s announcement today that colleges can develop new three-year degree programs is a historic breakthrough that ensures more students will acquire the professional expertise to succeed in their careers.

“This is tremendous news for students, employers and our community. This decision will provide more options to prospective students and enhance Algonquin’s established reputation in offering degree programs,” said Algonquin CEO and President, Claude Brulé. “This will also enable Algonquin to better meet the needs of regional employers through the development of new degrees in fields such as Public Administration, Information Technology, Game Design and Animation.”

The announcement was made today by Colleges and Universities Minister Jill Dunlop at an event at Conestoga College in Kitchener. The Minister announced colleges can begin developing new three-year degree programs alongside their diploma programs and can expand their range of career-focused four-year degree programs.

“Expanding the degree programs at colleges ensures more students will have access to high-quality, career-focused programs,” Minister Dunlop said. “More students will acquire the expertise and credentials to succeed in today’s job market.”

Currently, most of the programs offered at colleges are diploma programs. Prior to today’s announcement, colleges were only authorized to award degrees to graduates of their career-focused four-year honours degree programs.

The announcement today recognizes the success of the colleges’ degree programs and brings true equity to Ontario’s post-secondary system. It ensures every student whose education fulfils Ontario’s degree-level requirements is awarded a degree upon graduation.

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For more information:

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

A Message from the President (April 11, 2022)

Posted on Monday, April 11th, 2022

April 11, 2022

Dear Colleagues and Learners,

Reading the news and watching the daily disturbing images and videos coming out of Ukraine has been deeply unsettling. It is difficult to comprehend the sheer horror and destruction, and how this once peaceful country has been shattered, with so many lives forever altered or lost.

I know that many in our College Community are impacted by these events, in some cases on a personal level, and there is a strong desire to help. Knowing that we have learners directly impacted by the tragedy in Eastern Europe, we have been working right from the start of the conflict to help those most affected – those who may be struggling financially. In addition, today I am announcing a series of enhanced initiatives to offer further direct support to those learners in need, and also help with the humanitarian crisis:

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Algonquin College Achieves Top Accessibility Rating under the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification TM Program

Posted on Monday, April 11th, 2022

Ottawa, Ontario, April 11, 2022 – Today, Algonquin College announced it has secured a Gold rating for accessibility for two of its buildings and certification for a third, under the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification™ (RHFAC) program.

“This rating is a significant milestone in Algonquin College‘s journey toward accessibility, demonstrating its commitment to removing barriers to further accommodate all learners and employees,” said Claude Brulé, Algonquin College President and CEO. “As we move forward constructing new buildings and retrofitting existing structures, we appreciate the expertise and support from the RHFAC program and aspire to have more of our buildings certified.”

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RE/ACTION: Virtual Applied Research Showcase on April 8

Posted on Wednesday, April 6th, 2022

OTTAWA (April 6, 2022) – The Office of Applied Research, Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Algonquin College is hosting its RE/ACTION: Virtual Applied Research Showcase on Friday, April 8, 2022, from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

At the event, Algonquin College students exhibit forward-looking research and technology projects produced in collaboration with industry, institutional and community partners, providing a glimpse into the future of technology and the current state of innovation. Ranging from robotics to web design, building science to social innovation, and anything in between, the projects students work on are incredibly diverse.

At the showcase, the five most promising projects, selected from over 40 submissions, are presented by their teams to a panel of industry professionals during a live Zoom event. The judges ask the teams questions about their projects before deciding on winners. You’re invited to watch the finalists compete, and browse the entire catalogue of projects.

When: Friday, April 8, 2022, 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Where: Register here

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A Message from the President (April 6, 2022)

Posted on Wednesday, April 6th, 2022

Dear Colleagues and Learners,

I want to provide an update on the College’s requirements for those who are required to attend work or academic activities in person at our Ottawa, Perth, and Pembroke campuses.

The change is based on recent lifting of most provincial restrictions, advice from our public health and government officials as it pertains to high vaccination rates, population immunization and high efficacy of vaccines, as well as feedback from our employees and learners.

Algonquin College will, contingent on current state of the pandemic and corresponding public health considerations, be implementing the following changes to our COVID-19 policies and procedures effective May 01, 2022:

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$234,000 joint grant to Algonquin College and CHEO Research Institute supports post-pandemic research

Posted on Monday, April 4th, 2022

OTTAWA (APRIL 4, 2022) – As announced today by the Canada Research Coordinating Committee, Algonquin College and the CHEO Research Institute have received a $234,492 grant from the Government of Canada’s New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF) to further collaborative research.

Delivered through the Canada Research Coordinating Committee (CRCC) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), funding is provided through the 2021 NFRF Innovative Approaches to Research in the Pandemic Context competition, which supports Canadian-led research in a post-pandemic context.

The joint application, titled Transforming Health Information, Research, and Scholarship through Technology and Teamwork (NFRFR-2021-00176), explores the novel systematic review (SR) methodology developed by the research team. Specifically, the funding will support integration of a hybrid machine learning human screening approach and real-world validation of the online software platform.

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Message from the President – Strike Averted

Posted on Friday, March 18th, 2022

 

Dear Colleagues and Learners,

I am pleased to announce that The College Employer Council and OPSEU/SEFPO have reached an agreement to enter binding interest arbitration, and that the strike that was scheduled to commence at 12:01am on Friday March 18, 2022, is called off. This also includes all work-to-rule activities.

I am grateful to all those who contributed to this resolution. Our entire College community – every employee and learner – has made many sacrifices during the last two years, and we have overcome many obstacles together. The news of this agreement is another example of the commitment we all share for providing quality education for our learners.

Please see the full joint statement from The College Employer Council and OPSEU/SEFPO at this link.

Sincerely,

Claude Brulé

President and CEO

A Message from the President, March 16, 2022

Posted on Wednesday, March 16th, 2022

Dear Colleagues and Learners,

Given recent changes to Provincial guidelines on COVID-19 restrictions, I want to provide an update on the College’s requirements going forward.

  • The College’s active screening requirements at campus entry points will remain in place until at least the end of the Winter term.
  • All those required to attend our campuses in-person must wear a mask until at least the end of the Winter term.
  • Any changes to our policy will be communicated directly with employees and learners.

A reminder, that with consideration for the ongoing health and safety of those required to attend our campuses – and in line with Ontario’s 24 Colleges – Algonquin College is maintaining its vaccine policy until at least the end of 2022 Winter term.

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to the health, safety and wellbeing of our college community, and please stay safe.

Sincerely,

Claude Brulé
President and CEO