News

Algonquin College Announces Audrey Lawrence AC Online Bursary

Posted on Monday, May 3rd, 2021

Algonquin College is announcing the introduction of the Audrey Lawrence AC Online Bursary which will be awarded to full-time and part-time online learners in financial need.

The new bursary one of the first of its kind in Ontario is being established thanks to a generous gift of more than $15,000 from Algonquin Board of Governors’ member, Audrey Lawrence, and comes as the College celebrates the first anniversary of its highly successful AC Online campus.

The Audrey Lawrence AC Online Bursary will represent five separate bursaries. Two $6,000 bursaries will benefit full-time learners, with one preferably directed toward an Indigenous student. Three $1,000 bursaries will also be awarded to part-time students. Bursary application opens in the fall. Continue reading

Algonquin College Serves Up a New Degree Offering: Bachelor of Culinary Arts & Food Science Program to Launch Fall 2022

Posted on Monday, May 3rd, 2021

For students hungry for a career in hospitality, culinary, food services or food science, Algonquin College is offering a new degree program to feed their souls.

“The Bachelor of Culinary Arts and Food Science (Honours) degree, a first for Ontario, will complement our offerings from the School of Hospitality and Tourism,” said Claude Brulé, President and CEO of Algonquin College. “Our programs provide our learners with the right mix of industry knowledge and real-world experience and our graduates have gone on to work in some of the most prominent restaurants and hotels and culinary organizations in the city across Canada and around the world.” Continue reading

Message from the Senior Vice President, Academic – April 28

Posted on Wednesday, April 28th, 2021

Dear Colleagues and Learners,

The start of a new term is always exciting! Welcome to all of our new students beginning studies at Algonquin College. Welcome also to our new employees joining the team for the first time. It is my sincere hope that each of you will find your experience fulfilling.

We also mark the continuation of many programs, including apprenticeship training. I thank everyone whose work or studies have required them to come to our campuses in these difficult times. I want to recognize the professionalism and commitment of those who continue to attend campuses to participate in required, hands-on academic instruction. I also want to recognize that these times have been difficult for those who have been learning and working remotely. We have each experienced our own unique challenges. Your efforts have enabled the College to continue to help our students gain the knowledge and skills they will need to be successful in their chosen fields. Continue reading

Sarah Gauen, AC’s Diversity and Inclusion Specialist, Honoured with CICan Award

Posted on Tuesday, April 27th, 2021

Sarah Gauen, Algonquin College’s Diversity and Inclusion Specialist, has received a prestigious award from Colleges and Institutes Canada.

CICan announced Monday that Gauen had been selected as the Silver recipient of the Leadership Excellence Award for Non-Managerial Staff.

Along with other award recipients, Gauen was honoured at CICan’s 2021 annual conference running from April 26 to 28. The conference is being staged virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic. CICan is the national and international voice of Canada’s publicly supported colleges, institutes of technology, cégeps, polytechnics and universities with a college mandate. Its Awards of Excellence honour best practices and leadership in these institutions. Continue reading

EXFO partners with Algonquin College

Posted on Wednesday, April 21st, 2021

OTTAWA, April 21, 2021 — EXFO Inc. (NASDAQ: EXFO, TSX: EXF), the communications industry’s test, monitoring and analytics experts, and Ottawa’s Algonquin College, the largest polytechnic institute in Eastern Ontario, today announced their collaboration for the college’s Optical Systems and Sensors (OSS) program. EXFO will support the program’s upgrade of its Optophotonics Lab by donating advanced testing technology equipment (100G), in the form of FTB portable test modules.

“These testing equipment will enhance students’ work in the program’s state-of-the-art Optophotonics Lab and will give them invaluable hands-on, practical experience in operating and managing 200 Gb/s optical transport networks and optical switches in the Lab.” said Dr. Wahab Almuhtadi, Professor and Coordinator of Optical Systems and Sensors Program, an Algonquin College-Carleton University bachelor’s degree joint program. Continue reading

Algonquin College Receives $25,000 Grant from Bell Let’s Talk Fund

Posted on Tuesday, April 20th, 2021

Thanks to $25,000 in funding announced this week through Bell Let’s Talk, Algonquin College will be conducting an audit to assess its current mental health support services and the mental health needs of students.

“Algonquin is extremely thankful for Bell’s contribution – it will help strengthen mental health supports and services to our learners, at a time of heightened need,” said Laura Stanbra, Algonquin’s Vice President, Student Services.

The funding comes as part of $3 million in Bell Let’s Talk grants awarded to 123 Canadian colleges and universities to support them in the initial implementation of the National Standard of Canada for Mental Health and Well-Being for Post-Secondary Students. The Standard has been established by the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) in partnership with the Canadian Standards Association. Continue reading

Federal Budget Supports Students, Young People and Applied Research

Posted on Monday, April 19th, 2021

The federal budget released Monday, A Recovery Plan for Jobs, Growth and Resilience, outlines several investments related to the post-secondary education sector, including $5.7 billion over the next five years to help young people pursue and complete their education, ease student loan debt and create new job placement opportunities.

“We are pleased to see that the federal government has recognized the impact of the pandemic on young people and students, and is putting forth measures to address their financial challenges – including support for student assistance, child care, youth employment and skills training,” said Claude Brulé, Algonquin College President and CEO. “New investment in applied research at polytechnics, colleges and institutes will also create great opportunities for our learners.” Continue reading

Message from the President – April 19

Posted on Monday, April 19th, 2021

Dear Colleagues and Learners:

The Province has extended its existing stay-at-home order and Ontario’s state of emergency to a total of six weeks (April 8 to May 19) – while adding enhanced public health measures and travel restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Our campuses will continue to operate as they have, in very limited ways, under these updated restrictions. These new restrictions will not require us to modify our present academic delivery model (the current state of restrictions on our campuses’ services are available here.) But it is crucial that attendance on our campuses is absolutely limited to only those students participating in hands-on instruction – indoor or outdoor – and those employees specifically authorized to attend campus in support of these activities. Continue reading

Volunteer Week at AC – Stepping Up for Kids in Need

Posted on Monday, April 19th, 2021

Making change happens one step at a time. To take that step, you need a good pair of shoes, and that’s where William Bourgault comes in.

Last summer, Bourgault, a 21-year-old Police Foundations student was looking to donate shoes he had outgrown. He knew of Dress for Success and The Snowsuit Fund but realized there wasn’t a place where you could donate shoes. Footwear 4 Kids was born.

Today, Footwear 4 Kids operates out of space provided by the Caldwell Family Centre. They have 13 volunteers, four family support workers, and one family advisor. The program is run and managed by Bourgault. Four of the volunteers are students from the Police Foundation program at Algonquin College. They provide footwear to children, youth, and families in need including newcomers to Canada, those fleeing domestic violence/abuse, those experiencing homelessness, and those facing unforeseen circumstances such as job loss, house fire, etc.  Continue reading

Message from the Senior Vice President, Academic – April 13

Posted on Tuesday, April 13th, 2021

The Spring season has arrived in Eastern Ontario. With the changes in weather and our part of the world coming out of the Big Sleep of winter, also comes the end of the Winter 2021 term. This is the last week of classes for most programs.

The Winter 2021 term is ending in a period of increased COVID restrictions in Ontario. The Provincial Government has issued a Stay-at-Home order that began on Thursday, April 8 and will be in effect until at least Wednesday, May 5. In that respect, the Winter term will end the same way it began, under a Province-wide lockdown. I echo President Claude Brulé’s sentiments to say thank you for your continued strength, patience and flexibility as we continue to move forward and make progress together. Continue reading