Cheryl and the president of Nipissing University, Dr. Mike DeGagné, signed a letter of intent on Friday that supports opportunities for indigenous students at Algonquin College and Nipissing. Continue reading Algonquin, Nipissing University sign agreement to support indigenous students
CBC Radio was on campus Monday afternoon to learn about Algonquin College’s ambitious Umbrella Project. Continue reading CBC Radio features AC’s Umbrella Project
Aug. 11, 2016 (Ottawa) — The Algonquin College Board of Governors has directed senior management to take steps for the transfer of responsibility of the Algonquin College Saudi Arabia campus back to Colleges of Excellence.
“After more than a year of negotiation, we were unable to come to an agreement that would have met our financial objectives,” said Algonquin College President Cheryl Jensen. “We have said from the beginning that the Jazan Campus must be financially viable for us to continue operating.”
Algonquin College Saudi Arabia is announcing this decision now to ensure Saudi officials have sufficient time to complete the transfer before students begin the fall term on Sept. 18.
In 2009, Algonquin College was among several educational delegations from around the world that had answered Saudi Arabia’s call for expertise in educational reforms in that country, working with representatives from government and education sectors to raise the profile of vocational learning opportunities.
In 2013, Algonquin College Saudi Arabia was one of many international post-secondary institutions to submit a bid to operate a campus for men and women — it won the right to operate the Jazan campus for men for a five-year term.
Colleges of Excellence is the Saudi authority responsible for establishing relationships with more than a dozen post-secondary institutions from around the world. These international schools have aided the Kingdom’s bid to expand applied training, particularly in the trades, to satisfy the growing need for skilled workers in the desert country.
The Jazan campus, which opened in 2013, is part of a broader international portfolio that is an overall net contributor to Algonquin College.
Algonquin College Saudi Arabia estimates the transfer of operations will cost approximately $4.3 million, which will be funded through existing International and Ancillary contingency reserve funds.
Doug Wotherspoon, Vice-President, International and Strategic Planning, noted the College will not draw on any taxpayer dollars.
“International operations at the College are not funded by the provincial government,” said Wotherspoon. “I think it’s important that taxpayers understand that revenues from other non-funded operations will offset any losses incurred by our Jazan campus.”
There will be no implications for Algonquin College’s employees and operations in Canada.
“Our goal is to work with Colleges of Excellence to ensure a smooth transition,” said Wotherspoon. “We want to provide Colleges of Excellence time to accommodate students’ needs before we fully withdraw from the campus.”
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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 185 programs. Based in the Ottawa Valley, Algonquin College is the largest polytechnic institute in Eastern Ontario.
Jazz Aviation LP is pleased to announce a further commitment to Canada’s future professional pilots with a renewed agreement between the airline’s Jazz Aviation Pathway Program (“Jazz APP”) and Algonquin College’s Aviation Management – General Arts and Science program.
“We’re pleased to continue working together on pilot safety and professionalism with Algonquin College,” said Steve Linthwaite, Vice President, Flight Operations, Jazz. “The Jazz APP scholarships are an important addition and we applaud the hard work demonstrated by this year’s inaugural winners.”
First signed in 2010, the industry-leading agreement between Jazz APP and Algonquin includes collaboration on training and curriculum to promote safety and professionalism, while providing relevant information on industry best practices. The Jazz APP is aimed at establishing a direct career path for qualifying graduates including flight simulator evaluations, student scholarships, and the opportunity for Algonquin’s top-performing Aviation Management graduates to transition to first officer positions at Jazz.
Two awards were recently created to recognize Jazz’s commitment to safety and professionalism:
The Jazz Aviation Pathway Award for Professionalism. Awarded to a full-time student in his or her final year of the Aviation Management program for outstanding contributions to safety, leadership and professionalism. The Award consists of a $3000 scholarship and an opportunity to participate in the Jazz Aviation Pathways Program selection process. The award recipient is selected by the Algonquin program chair or designate in consultation with Jazz to ensure the criteria as outlined are respected. On May 27, 2016, Jazz awarded the inaugural Aviation Pathway Award for Professionalism at Algonquin to Francis Daoust from Ottawa, ON.
The Jazz Aviation Pathway Award for Professionalism and Diversity. Awarded to a full-time student in his or her final year of the Aviation Management program who has self-identified as Aboriginal, a person with a disability, a visible minority, or female; for outstanding contributions to safety, leadership and professionalism. The Award consists of a $3000 scholarship and an opportunity to participate in the Jazz Aviation Pathways Program selection process. The award recipient is selected by the Algonquin program chair or designate in consultation with Jazz to ensure the criteria as outlined are respected. On May 27, 2016, Jazz awarded the inaugural Aviation Pathway Award for Professionalism and Diversity at Algonquin to Laura McAtamney from Ottawa, ON.
“We thank Jazz Aviation for their support of our students through this collaboration, which provides meaningful assistance and encouragement to our students in aviation programs,” said Chris Janzen, Dean, Faculty of Technology and Trades. “Congratulations to both Francis and Laura on their outstanding success – we wish them well in their future careers.”
Since 2007 Jazz has been actively involved in shaping the curriculum and training of Canada’s future professional pilots through active engagement with aviation colleges and universities. In 2015, Jazz rebranded these efforts under the Jazz Aviation Pathways Program banner. To-date, Jazz has announced agreements between the Jazz APP and the following aviation colleges and universities: Algonquin College, Confederation College, Mount Royal University, Sault College, Seneca College and Western University.
Congratulations to Algonquin College professors Amanda Keon, Leann Nicholson, and Bruno Rocha who were all honoured with Capital Educators’ Awards at Thursday night’s EduGala.
The annual event, held here at the College, recognizes “the achievements of outstanding educators and celebrates public education in our community – across the entire spectrum from kindergarten to PhD.”
Professor Keon teaches Communications in the School of Health and Community Studies, Professor Nicholson teaches Technical Communications in the Faculty of Technology and Trades, and Bruno Rocha is a professor in the Mechanical Engineering Technology Program, School of Advanced Technology. All three were lauded for their unique approaches to education at the College.
• Professor Keon believes that “learning is a dynamic and ongoing process” and says she strives to provide students with many opportunities to enhance and demonstrate their learning;
• Prof. Nicholson uses 3D printing, mobile learning, and social media to engage students in her classroom, connecting learners with industry experts via presentation fairs and workshops;
• Prof. Rocha believes “in a fun learning environment,” using examples from his industry experience to “engage, encourage and inspire” students, and to foster a desire for life-long learning that will help them find their path in the world.
Congratulations also go out to four other Algonquin professors — Cheryl Dowell (School of Business), Susan McCaig (School of Health and Community Studies), Bradley Moseley-Williams (School of Media and Design), and Nader Shureih (School of Media and Design) — who were all finalists this year.
Iain Barrie taught and mentored hundreds of students who went through the College, and in doing so shaped not only their careers, but also the Ottawa radio scene. (Facebook)
Alumni of Algonquin College’s Broadcasting — Radio program are mourning the passing of retired instructor Iain Barrie.
Barrie taught and mentored hundreds of students who went through the College, and in doing so shaped not only their careers, but also the Ottawa radio scene.
Barrie died Saturday and many former students have expressed their gratitude for his guidance.
“He was a legend,” said Jeff Mauler, popular co-host of Hot 89.9’s morning program. “He taught me, mentored me, and inspired me.”
Barrie’s influence also extended to airwaves far beyond the capital.
“Iain Barrie’s lessons have reverberated in my mind since I have graduated from Algonquin,” said alumnus Nathan Bernier, an award-winning reporter and host for the NPR station in Austin, Texas. “He motivated us to work hard to achieve our best, and he gave us the tools we needed to do it. Iain forsaw the technological shifts transforming the world of audio entertainment, and he told us how to prepare for them. I will always think of him as my first radio teacher, and will never forget his oft-repeated advice to ‘let your attitude determine your altitude.’ ”
Still other alumni took to social media to express their feelings about Barrie.
Ryan Lindsay, now a host at Ottawa’s New Country 94, touched upon Barrie’s impact in a tweet:
Tonight, my soul feels a little bruised. #IainBarrie was an incredible man, who did everything he did to push you, to succeed. Rest now, BB
— Ryan Lindsay (@THEryanlindsay) May 15, 2016
While Connie Bernardi, program director MAJIC 100 (CJMJ), posted a touching tribute on her Facebook page:
“Iain Barrie was a role model, teacher, a mentor and a cherished friend. He saw something in me all those years ago at Algonquin College that I couldn’t see in myself … He encouraged me and motivated me — even during those times when I wanted to walk away from the radio world,” she wrote. “There will never be enough ‘thank you’s’ for all his guidance, advice and his words of wisdom … not just about work but about life. I will miss him tremendously. My life was immeasurably better with him in it. I am so grateful and blessed that we crossed paths.”
You can read the full obituary for Iain Barrie in the Ottawa Citizen.
A unique one-year program started this week for 20 pre-apprentices from across Canada.
Over the next year, participants will learn the typical skills expected from a cook pre-apprenticeship, such as food theory, knife skills, classical kitchen language, and practical food preparation – the unique part of the program is how these skills are applied. Participants will receive opportunities to prepare traditional Indigenous meals, with opportunities to cook game meat including beaver and moose.
The Indigenous Cook pre-apprenticeship program is designed to prepare learners with the base of knowledge needed to pursue a Cook apprenticeship or other studies. The program starts with 15 weeks of skills upgrading, followed by 12 weeks of in-school Level 1 apprenticeship training, and finally an eight-week work placement in the Ottawa food services industry.
This pre-apprenticeship offering was developed through a unique partnership led by Wes Wilkinson, Academic Manager for Algonquin College’s School of Hospitality and Tourism. Supporting him to bring it to life with Indigenous content are consultants like Chef Marie-Cecile Nottaway of Wawatay Catering, and instructors like Julie Baily.
“I am pleased to see there is interest in this unique program,” said Wilkinson. “The feedback and response from the Indigenous community – across the country – has been overwhelmingly positive, as a means of reconnecting with their traditions while receiving valuable skills they can bring back to their communities or to the culinary industry. Algonquin College thanks our Indigenous community partners for their support and acknowledges their participation in the development of this program.”
“We are working together with communities to improve outcomes for Indigenous students, and to change the way we relate to and reflect the knowledge systems of first peoples,” said Cheryl Jensen, President. “I want to acknowledge the Provincial Government for recognizing the importance of funding programs such as these. Rethinking both curriculum and program delivery through community engagement is fundamental.”
Joining Algonquin College for today’s launch was Ontario’s Deputy Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, Sheldon Levy to acknowledge his Ministry’s financial support for this program and the example of partnership with Indigenous communities it represents.
For this first part of the program, the pre-apprentices have theory courses on Mondays and Tuesdays and are in the culinary labs on Thursdays and Fridays. See photos from the launch.
Ontario’s Progressive Conservative Leader and MPP Patrick Brown toured Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront campus this afternoon as part of a visit to the Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke riding with local PC MPP John Yakabuski.
Brown and Yakabuski toured the campus between 3 and 4 p.m., and afterwards visited the Pembroke campus’ Employment Services office in downtown Pembroke. Annually, the Employment Services office supports more than 1,000 people who are looking for career information and work opportunities.
“We were pleased to welcome Mr. Brown to our campus and thank him for his interest in our college,” said Cheryl Jensen, President, Algonquin College. “Rural campuses like our Pembroke campus are strong contributors to the local economy and local employment, and we were pleased to see that recognized through this visit.”
“We believe our campus is among the most innovative regional campuses in rural Ontario and we were pleased with the opportunity to showcase our facilities and the programs that we deliver to Ontarians,” said Campus Dean, Karen Davies, following the visit.
The new Pembroke Waterfront campus building was opened in Fall of 2012, expanding student spaces, programming, and services for the Pembroke campus’ close to 1,000 full-time students.
Brown’s visit was part of a weekend stop in Pembroke.
New program to launch at Algonquin College in January with space for 20 apprentices.
Students considering a rewarding career designing, building, and maintaining landscapes will have another opportunity in January 2017.
With input and direction from the horticulture industry, Algonquin College has been approved by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) to offer the Horticulture Technician apprenticeship program, creating 20 new spaces for apprentices in the Ottawa region.
This ‘earn while you learn’ program will complement the College’s existing diploma program to support the growing need for a skilled horticulture workforce in Eastern Ontario. Algonquin College will deliver the 720 hours of in-school training to apprentices which complements their 5,400 hours of on-the-job training. Both the apprenticeship and diploma programs will serve the need of postsecondary graduates and the existing workforce who aspire to gain skills through these recognized programs.
“We are thrilled to offer this new programming opportunity, investing in both our future workforce and in our Green Infrastructure,” said Robyn Heaton, Dean, Faculty of Arts, Media, and Design. “Algonquin College is already a significant educator of horticulture professionals in our region, and we are looking forward to expanding our offerings to meet the needs of students and employers.
Richard Rogers CLM, of RJ Rogers Landscaping of North Gower, Ont., and Ontario College of Trades Horticulture Technician Trade Board Member, said, “The horticulture technician apprenticeship program has been a tremendous benefit to our company for the past 34 years. It has been a valuable training resource giving us greater ability to retain employees while increasing our firm’s skill level. We would not be where we are today without it.”
“Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades Association is delighted to know that the Horticulture Technician Apprenticeship program will be delivered at Algonquin College. We applaud the MTCU and Algonquin College for their progressive support of the horticulture profession that grows, designs, builds and maintains Green Infrastructure. Green Infrastructure continues to be recognized for its contribution to enhancing lives by providing health, wellness, environmental, social and economic benefits to every community. The continued growth in demand puts pressure on the need for a skilled workforce; the addition of this apprenticeship training program at Algonquin College will support the development of the horticulture profession’s future workforce,” said Sally Harvey CAE, CLM, CLT, Landscape Ontario’s Manager of Education, Labour Development and Eastern Ontario Region.
For more information on Horticulture Technician apprenticeship programs in Ontario, visit www.horticulturetechnician.ca or contact the Landscape Ontario Horticulture Technician Association (LOHTA) apprenticeship team at apprenticeship@landscapeontario.com.
A hard drive containing names and grades of past students in the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) program was stolen from an Algonquin College professor’s car on April 8, 2016. The Ottawa Police Service has been notified of the theft.
This unencrypted hard drive contained the names and grades of approximately 474 students enrolled in the GIS program from 2005 to 2016. This includes students who undertook GIS courses 4204, GIS and 4304. A subset of the students who undertook GIS course 1003 – 43 students in total – also had their phone numbers, personal and college email addresses, and student numbers compromised.
The College is sending detailed letters to the 474 potentially affected students via their College email account and by sending written letters to their last known street address. Concerned individuals can call the toll-free help line set up for this incident at 1-844-853-0326 or by sending an email query to icthelp@algonquincollege.com.
Algonquin College is covering the cost of credit bureau monitoring and identity theft protection for two years for potentially affected students. The College has also notified the Information and Privacy Commissioner (IPC) of Ontario of this matter.
The College is taking the matter seriously, and sincerely regrets that this occurred. The College is reaching out to all affected students whose personal information was compromised, and reminding our staff about the various resources available to keep sensitive College data safe.
How did this happen?
On approximately April 8, 2016, an Algonquin College Professor’s briefcase was stolen from his personal vehicle. The theft was reported to the Ottawa Police Service. In the briefcase was an unencrypted external hard drive that contained student names and course grades from approximately 474 students in the Geographic Information Systems program that attended Algonquin College from 2005-2016.
How long have you known?
We were made aware of this incident shortly after it occurred on April 8, 2016.
Why did it take so long for you to notify?
The incident occurred on approximately April 8, 2016. We sent out information advisories via email and regular mail to all applicants that were impacted within ten (10) business days.
What personal information was involved?
For the majority of affected students, the personal information that was stolen was the following:
The information sent did not include phone number, street address, birth date, social insurance number, personal health information, account user ID or password, banking information or credit card information.
In a small number of cases that applies only to students that took course GIS1003, the information also included student ID number, telephone number, Algonquin College email address, personal email address, and course taken.
Who received my personal information?
The information was stored on an unencrypted hard drive that was stolen out of a professor’s vehicle.
Does this affect course grades?
No. Course grades remain unchanged.
Did the College lose my course results?
No. The College still has your master copy course grades stored in our central system.
Are changes being made to ensure this does not re-occur?
Yes. This was an isolated incident. We take our role in safeguarding personal information very seriously. We are also committed to implementing the necessary remediation steps to minimize the possibility of future incidents of this nature.
Have you had reports of identity theft related to this incident?
No. We have not received any reports of identity theft or other misuse.
I did not receive an email or notification letter. Does this mean my personal information was not affected?
If you are not on our list of approximately 474 students, then this does not affect you.
I know someone who didn’t receive an email or notification letter.
Please have them contact us soonest so we can send them the appropriate information.
Did you call the police?
Yes. The Ottawa Police Service was notified.
Should I be concerned?
We have uncovered no evidence of misuse. However, we advise that the affected take the precautions set out in the letter that was sent to them.