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Algonquin College students have answered the challenge yet again.

Students have raised $66,476 in support of the Spread the Net Student Challenge since 2012, and – as has become an annual tradition – the CBC’s Rick Mercer stopped by to congratulate them on winning the 2016 Spread the Net Student Challenge.

Proceeds raised through the Student Challenge, an annual competition organized by Plan Canada, support the fight against malaria in Africa through the purchase of bed nets. Mercer, relaying his own experience from a trip to Africa, said the bed nets make a huge difference – saving lives and ensuring the communities can grow and flourish. Each net costs about $10 and can protect a family for up to five years.

2015-16 marked the fourth consecutive year the students of Algonquin College have been named the postsecondary Student Challenge champs.

In addition to a rally in the Student Commons, Rick visited a few classes as part of a segment which will air on The Rick Mercer Report season finale on March 29.

See an album of photos from Wednesday’s visit

College education in Ontario will be strengthened by the measures announced today in the 2016 Ontario Budget.

“I applaud the efforts by the government to help ensure more Ontarians have access to a quality postsecondary education,” said Cheryl Jensen, President, Algonquin College. “We believe education is one of the best ways to ensure a better quality of life for your family, and new investments in college-based applied research – as outlined in the budget – is an important boost to innovation within our communities. We also congratulate the province for their continued investment in postsecondary education and training for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit learners.”

The budget helps more low-income students pursue higher learning that leads to a good job without incurring debt. For example, the budget measures will result in free average tuition for every student with a family income of $50,000 or less, starting in the 2017-18 school year.

There are also commitments that students in families with incomes of $83,000 or less will receive non-repayable grants in excess of average tuition, and students in families with family incomes of less than $50,000 will have no provincial student debt. The maximum debt level for higher-income families will be capped at $10,000 annually.

Another budget highlight was an important investment of $20 million over three years for college-based applied research projects. This funding will allow colleges and businesses to work together on real-world research that helps businesses become more innovative and create new jobs.

As well, colleges were pleased with the increased investments for aboriginal education and the commitment to consult on college funding as the sector approaches its 50th anniversary in 2017.

“The budget recognizes that colleges are drivers of their local communities, through education, applied research, and community resources,” added President Jensen. “The province is improving access to a college education through this budget, which is essential in our new innovation economy.”

Samir Al-Rubaiy is a first-year Computer Systems Technician student at Algonquin College, and his goal is to study computer security. Wednesday night, Samir was recognized for security skills of a different kind.

This past December, Samir saved twin toddlers from a fire in his apartment building. The toddlers’ mother, Bernadette, was accidentally locked out of her apartment when one of the children closed the door behind her.

“Bernadette needed help. My children play with her children. I didn’t really think about what I was doing. You just do these things,” Al-Rubaiy told the Ottawa Citizen at the time.

Last night, as part of the second annual Cyber Security Days conference at Algonquin College, Samir was presented with an award by one of the conference’s sponsors Cisco, recognizing his bravery.

“I congratulate Samir for demonstrating true heroism and community service,” said Subir Chadha, Vice President, Ottawa sales for Cisco Canada. “We are all in awe of Samir’s courage during the events that transpired last December”, added Craig Delmage, Senior Manager of Information Security and Data Privacy at Algonquin College, and conference chair. “I am honoured and proud that Samir is determined to join the cyber security profession once he graduates.”

The funds from Cisco’s award will be used to help cover Al-Rubaiy’s education at Algonquin College.

The Ottawa Police Service is honoured to host the 2^nd Annual Polar Plunge for Special Olympics taking place at Algonquin College, 1385 Woodroffe Ave, on Saturday, February 27, 2016 in partnership with the Ontario Law Enforcement Torch Run.

The Polar Plunge takes place in several cities across Canada and raises much-needed funds for the athletes and families of Special Olympics Ontario.

“We are a non-profit organization and we want to continue to support athletes and their families by providing quality sports and training programs,” stated Glenn MacDonell, President and CEO of Special Olympics Ontario.

Athletes range in age from children, youth to adults who have an intellectual disability. Sports and training programs are only possible through funds raised through initiatives like the Polar Plunge.

“These athletes are my heroes, truly,” said Ottawa Police Inspector John McGetrick. “Their perseverance and dedication to their sport, coupled with their enthusiasm and sportsmanship, makes for a really enjoyable team experience for athletes, as well as their families.”

Plunging begins at 9 a.m. on Thursday, February 27. Register online, collect donations, and track your fundraising progress.

About Special Olympics Ontario

Special Olympics Ontario is part of a global movement that unleashes the human spirit through transformative power and joy of sports. We empower people with intellectual disabilities to become accepted and valued members of their communities, which leads to a more respectful and inclusive society for all. Using sports as the catalyst and programming around health and education, Special Olympics is fighting inactivity, injustice and intolerance. Special Olympics encourages sports and fun, bringing people together and breaks down stereotypes about people with intellectual disabilities through a unified sports approach.

For more information, please visit specialolympicsontario.com

Twitter: @soontario

facebook.com/specialolympicsontario

The hats were raining down on Algonquin College employees Wednesday afternoon, as they were informed the College had been once again named a Top Employer in the National Capital Region for the third year running.

At a special event featuring former Ottawa Senators captain Laurie Boschman, employees were surprised with ball caps and the opportunity to celebrate ahead of this morning’s announcement of the College as a Top Employer.

“Algonquin College has a strong reputation for student success, and we take employee success just as seriously,” said Cathy Frederick, Vice President, Human Resources. “We know that investing in our people, and tapping into the pride they have for this institution, is central to our mission of transforming our students’ hopes and dreams into lifelong career success. This award reflects the pride our employees have for this institution and – while I have not yet met everyone, having started at Algonquin College just last fall – I can say AC pride is obvious and easily acquired!”

The National Capital Region Top Employer competition is organized and judged by Mediacorp. Twenty five employers in the Ottawa area are selected for the honour, based on criteria such as work and social atmosphere, employee communications, training and skills development, and community involvement, among others.

Here were a few reactions from employees:
“Being a part of such a dynamic and entrepreneurial college has been a dream come true for me,” said Chris Doré, part-time professor and entrepreneur-in-residence at the College’s Pembroke campus. “The professionalism and caring that I have seen from my fellow instructors and professors make me proud to be a part of such a wonderful team of educators. The openness of the various Algonquin College program Coordinators, Chairs and Deans are key to the entrepreneurial environment that has allowed me to flourish as a professor and bring value to the students I teach. They have encouraged a “just do it” environment that enables me to provide my students with an educational experience that I hope makes a difference in their lives.”

“My first year working for Algonquin College has been filled with much excitement and I have been astonished by our unique brand of Algonquin pride,” said Amy Desjardins, Executive Director of the Algonquin College Foundation. “It is that pride and that common purpose of transforming hopes and dreams into lifelong career success which makes this College a top employer. At the Foundation, it is a privilege to work with the community to support our students and ensure that our College continues to grow and thrive for future generations.”

“I have been working with Algonquin College for the past four years, starting out as a part-time Professor, then a coordinator, and now the Academic Chair at Perth Campus,” says Gerry Salisbury, Academic Chair at Perth campus. “After 30 years of policing experience, the transition to the education sector has been an amazing journey. The staff and faculty at the college are extremely supportive and I especially enjoy working with our students, who are preparing to be the leaders of our future. At Perth campus, it is very rewarding to work in an environment that is an integral thread of the community and a partner in the success of so many lives. I am so very proud of our students achievements, and our faculty and staff’s dedication and commitment. It is a pleasure and an honour to play a small part to help build the future!

Registration is now open, and tickets are already going fast for this year’s no-charge Cybersecurity Conference at Algonquin College, coming up this February 24 and 25!

Across industry, media, and government, cyber security will be among the hot topics of 2016. What are the challenges facing business and government in 2016, what new technologies are on the horizon to meet those challenges, and what are the job opportunities in cyber security? Join us at the Cyber Security Days 2.0 Conference: Privacy Risks and the Impact on You, a no-charge two-day conference, and find out!

Building on the tremendous success of Cyber Security Day 1.0, this premier National Capital cybersecurity event brings together Algonquin College and its partners from education, high technology, private sector, and the federal government.

Come and learn from Canada’s pre-eminent thought leaders, authors and researchers, brought in from across the country. Share ideas on current topics in cyber security, privacy, youth and cyber, dark actor tactics, as well as the state of cyber security and privacy careers. Visit with global leading cyber security companies, see the latest in cyber security solutions and check out the career opportunities. Sit-in on the new cyber security startup showcase, technical hacking related demonstrations and take your turn at the hacking village.

Visit www.algonquincollege.com/cybersecdays to see the list of speakers and presenters including Greg Young, VP, Gartner; Dave Black, RCMP; Dr. Michael Cheng of CHEO; John Weigelt, National Technology Officer, Microsoft Canada; and many others.

Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson, joined by Cheryl Jensen, President and Chief Executive Officer of Algonquin College, Councillors Cloutier and Fleury, co-chairs of the City’s efforts in Ottawa 2017, and Guy Laflamme, Executive Director of the Ottawa 2017 Bureau, have announced a partnership to create hands-on learning opportunities for students as Ottawa prepares to welcome millions of visitors for Canada’s 150th birthday celebrations. (See photos from the announcement event)

The partnership will seek to create opportunities for students at Algonquin College to participate in the planning, development and delivery of Ottawa 2017 programs that relate to their field of study.

In addition to the partnership, Ottawa 2017 is announcing the creation of the “SuperHost150” program, a unique training tool to help ready tourism industry staff, volunteers and residents to welcome visitors to Ottawa in 2017, which will be developed in collaboration with both Algonquin College and La Cité.

“Our city will be centre stage in 2017, as a record number of Canadians come to their capital to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation,” said Mayor Watson. “Together with our partners at Algonquin College, we’re creating a destination experience that will engage all residents as Ottawa 2017 ambassadors.”

In 2017, Algonquin College will also be celebrating a milestone: its 50th anniversary. In the spirit of the SuperHost150 program and to mark a half century of education excellence, the post-secondary institution will look to welcome visitors to stay in campus residences during peak tourism periods.
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“There’s no better way to jointly celebrate our past than with such a forward-looking partnership,” said Cheryl Jensen. “We’re providing our students with the opportunity to gain experience and skills on real-life projects that will strengthen their college experience. This will benefit the community in 2017 and well beyond, when these students join the Algonquin alumni workforce.”

At today’s announcement, students donned Ottawa 2017 SuperHost150 aprons and welcome signs next to a festive cupcake display.

“We’re thrilled that Algonquin College students will have the opportunity to connect in a creative, meaningful way with Ottawa 2017 celebrations,” said Guy Laflamme. “Their contributions will have a direct impact on the quality of programming and services that people will experience when they visit, and on the memories of our city they will take home with them.”

Additional details regarding the SuperHost150 program and other opportunities will be available next year. The online SuperHost150 tool will be launched in the fall of 2016.

Ottawa 2017 will be announcing many more initiatives in the weeks and months ahead, as we gear up for this once-in-a-lifetime, year-long celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday, right here in the capital.

To stay informed on the latest plans, visit ottawa2017.ca.