Photonics News & Events
New Collaboration Between Ciena and Algonquin College Will Empower the Next Generation of Optical Communications Graduates
Tim Audet photographed at his place of work.
OTTAWA, November 2, 2012. Ciena and Algonquin College have marked the start of a new collaboration with the grand unveiling of advanced optical telecommunications equipment which is now installed in Algonquin College’s Ciena Optophotonics Lab.
“Through the Bachelor of Information Technology – Photonics and Laser Technology program, we aim to produce graduates who have hands-on experience with the leading edge technology in fibre optic communications technology,” explains Dr. Wahab Almuhtadi, Research Coordinator & Professor, Faculty of Technology & Trades at Algonquin College. “The optical equipment donated by Ciena will ensure they are receiving practical learning opportunities with technology that is in use in the networks of major telecommunication providers around the world. It also allows for greater collaboration with other educational institutions, laboratories, and advanced research and innovation networks to further their learning.”
The recent launch of the Bachelor of Information Technology – Photonics and Laser Technology program, along with this donation, is significant as the importance of the telecommunications field is growing. Currently, more than one third of the world’s population is online – and growing rapidly – and users expect the network to be fast and always available. To meet these growing demands for bandwidth, technology continues to evolve to provide greater efficiencies across the network for more affordable access to this critical economic tool.
“Technology is changing the world,” says Algonquin College President Kent MacDonald. “It’s changing how we do business. It’s changing how we conduct research. It’s changing how we tell time – just ask a student what time it is and you won’t find them checking their wrist watch but pulling out a mobile device. Their ability to grow, to discover and to innovate is even greater now thanks to Ciena’s donation. It has raised the bar on what is possible and given our students – and our future graduates – what they need to move confidently forward to accomplish their dreams.”
“Ciena is looking forward to this collaboration with Algonquin College and is pleased to provide state-of-the-art equipment that will help prepare graduates of the Bachelor of Information Technology – Photonics and Laser Technology program for high-calibre technology job opportunities both in Ottawa and throughout the world,” adds James Frodsham, Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, Ciena Corporation. “Our Canadian presence has always been focused on research and development and our participation in this initiative is another example of our continued commitment to helping create new high tech jobs, investing in the development of new technology and supporting the local community.”
Ottawa is home to Ciena’s largest research and development center, and is the company’s largest single location worldwide. “Ottawa has the best-educated workforce in North America, so it’s no surprise that technology companies are eager to do business here,” says Ottawa West-Nepean MPP Bob Chiarelli. “Algonquin College and Ciena are driving the agenda and helping to maintain and grow our city’s status as a top technology hub.”
The launch event concluded with a demonstration of the new technology by Claude Brulé, Vice President, Academic at Algonquin College, along with remarks from Dr. Alumuhtadi, Minister Chiarelli, President MacDonald, and Mr. Frodsham. Rodney Wilson, Senior Director of External Research at Ciena, also spoke to provide an overview of the Ciena technology now operational in the Optophotonics Lab. Students from the Bachelor of Information Technology – Photonics and Information Technology program, as well as students from the Wireless/ Mobility Telecommunications Engineering Technician program and representatives from the College’s Applied Research & Innovation department were present for the announcement.
Tim Audet, photonics program graduate update
Tim Audet, Photonics graduate 2009 reports back on his experiences at Algonquin College. “The Photonics course at Algonquin College has provided me with the knowledge base and hands on training required to successfully find a job in the real world. In the college you experience small class sizes, which gives you a lot more opportunity for additional help and training. Through my time at Algonquin I was also given great life experience, through the co-op program, and spent the summer at a high tech optics company called ELCAN. I was able to use key concepts there that I learned in class, and apply them to real world applications. I am now currently working full time at a local company, LightMachinery, in my field of study.”
Posted on Tuesday, March 3rd, 2015
The Business Intelligence System Infrastructure program is featured in the Ottawa Business Journal! Find out more on the following link on page 4 & 5.
Posted on Tuesday, February 10th, 2015
The Computer Systems Technician and Bachelor of Information Technology – Network Technology programs will be incorporating Aruba Networks content into their Wireless Networking courses beginning this fall, following the signing of an agreement with the networking company.
The Aruba Mobility Academy is the world’s first accredited mobility education program designed for universities and colleges. Mobility is one of the fastest-growing networking technologies, with wireless traffic expected to exceed wired traffic by the end of 2015. The Aruba Mobility Academy enables students who want to become Mobility Engineers to build secure, scalable and reliable enterprise-class WLANs. It is taught in a vendor-agnostic fashion while leveraging Aruba Networks products for the hands-on learning labs.
Another great learning opportunity for our students!
Posted on Friday, January 9th, 2015
Canada Apprentice Loan program, introduced in 2014 Federal Budget and long advocated for by Polytechnics Canada, will provide apprentices with an additional form of financial support in the form of interest free loans during their training.
(Ottawa, January 9, 2015) Hundreds of Algonquin College current and future apprentices could benefit from a new federal loan program, which is now open to Red Seal Trade apprentices.
The Canada Apprentice Loan program, a 10-year program announced in the 2014 federal budget, is designed to assist apprentices in completing their training, and to encourage more Canadians to consider a career in the skilled trades.
The program offers assistance of up to $4,000 to apprentices for a maximum of five periods of technical training. These loans are interest-free for up to six years, provided the apprentice is registered in an approved Red Seal Trade apprenticeship program.
The loans are intended to defray program costs, including educational fees, tools and equipment, living expenses and forgone wages.
“We believe this new program will make apprentices at all postsecondary institutions more successful in their studies,” says Cheryl Jensen, President, Algonquin College. “This program will help alleviate the financial worries faced by apprentices who step away from work to upgrade their skills. We applaud the government for recognizing the importance of supporting those pursuing a hands-on career in the skilled trades at polytechnic institutions like Algonquin College.”
“Canada Apprentice Loans will enable more apprentices to pursue the next level of their technical training at so many training institutions and organizations in Canada,” says Nobina Robinson, Chief Executive Officer of Polytechnics Canada. “These loans, complemented by many other supports the government has opened for trades trainees across Canada, will help to ease the risk faced by apprentices who have to resign from jobs to gain the next level of training and certification in their trade.”
For more information on the Canada Apprentice Loan program, visit www.pca-cal.ca.
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For more information, please contact:
Phil Gaudreau
Communications Officer, Algonquin College
Phone: 613-727-4623 ext 2091
Email: gaudrep@algonquincollege.com
Email preferred
Ken Doyle
Director of Policy, Polytechnics Canada
Phone: 613-688-0690
Email: kdoyle@polytechnicscanada.ca
About Algonquin College – www.algonquincollege.com:
The mission of Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology is to transform hopes and dreams into skills and knowledge, leading to lifelong career success. Algonquin College does this by offering hands-on, digitally connected applied learning in over 185 programs. Based in Canada’s capital, the Ottawa Valley, and Saudi Arabia, Algonquin College is the largest polytechnic institute in Eastern Ontario with 18,000 full-time and 37,000 part-time and online registrants.
About Polytechnics Canada – www.polytechnicscanada.ca
Polytechnics Canada is the voice of leading research-intensive, publicly funded colleges and institutes of technology. We are dedicated to helping colleges and industry create jobs for tomorrow through the innovation and talent of our students and graduates. Last year, Polytechnics Canada’s member institutions provided the technical training for over 40,000 apprentices in over 200 programs. Algonquin College is one of 11 Polytechnics Canada members.
Posted on Wednesday, January 7th, 2015
Ever wondered how long you should let your car warm up before driving in the winter? Watch this clip from CTV News Ottawa featuring Martin Restoule, Program Coordinator for the answer.
http://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/is-driving-a-cold-car-bad-for-the-engine-1.2176052#
Posted on Monday, January 5th, 2015
Aviation Professor/Coordinator, Bruce Dwyer receiving the keys from Shawn McBride
The Aviation Techniques – Aircraft Maintenance program received the donation of a Piper Colt over the Christmas break from Keith Beardsley, a Real Estate Agent from Metcalfe, Ontario.
Both Keith and his wife Bev are former teachers and are proud to be able to help further the education of future Aircraft Maintenance Engineers. Keith and Bev are both Century 21 Agents and live in the Village of Metcalfe Ontario just south of Ottawa. Their Piper Colt has been in the family for the past five years and was kept hangared at the Smith Falls Airport. It was ferried December 30 over to the Canada Aviation and Space Museum at the Rockliffe Airport where it will become a full time training aid for Algonquin College students. The attached picture shows Aviation Professor/Coordinator, Bruce Dwyer receiving the keys from the ferry Pilot Shawn McBride who is also a professor at Algonquin and a member of the Algonquin College Board of Governors. Shawn was familiar with flying this type of aircraft as he owns a Piper Tri-Pacer and gladly volunteered to fly the plane to Rockliffe.
On behalf of Algonquin College and all of our Aircraft Maintenance Students a hearty thank you to Mr. Beardsley for his kind generosity in donating this aircraft.
Posted on Thursday, December 4th, 2014
Opportunities Growing for Algonquin College Students on Windmill Development Group Project
Morning event serves as update for multiple projects underway or starting soon on the former Domtar lands in downtown Ottawa.
(Ottawa, December 4, 2014) It’s not every day students get to contribute to the development and construction of Canada’s most sustainable mixed-use community. But as Windmill Development Group and Algonquin College come together to re-sign the MOU originally signed in March 2014, the opportunities for students are growing and taking shape.
“Hands-on projects with real-world applications give our students the skills, knowledge, and experience they expect from an Algonquin College education,” says Cheryl Jensen, President of Algonquin College. “We are so pleased to be able to connect our students and employees with Windmill Development Group on this ground-breaking project. Years from now, we will be able to look at this environmental showpiece and say, ‘Algonquin College students helped make it happen’.”
As the College and Windmill work together to transform 37 acres of land into a world-class, sustainable waterfront community near the Chaudière Bridge overlooking Parliament Hill, students from Architectural Technology, Green Architecture, Horticultural Industries, Water and Waste Water Technician, and Applied Museum Studies (just to name a few) will have a variety of projects to contribute.
“This is one of the most important projects in our City’s history, and Algonquin College and its students are honoured to be part of it,” says Richard Briginshaw, program coordinator of the Green Architecture program at Algonquin College, and Co-Chair of the Algonquin College on the Isles committee. “We strongly believe our students will play a critical role in the development of Windmill’s vision.”
Architectural Technology students have completed their site analysis and have begun preliminary design work for 10 sustainable building design projects culminating as their third year project. Environmental Management and Assessment students will be sampling and conducting their own soil and ground water research, while also analyzing past reports. Finally, Applied Museum Studies students will be completing an integrated framework and an integrated master plan of the site. Some of the upcoming opportunities for student involvement include the development of multimedia materials, the restoration of stonework, and market research.
For more information on the AC on the Isles Project and the partnership between Algonquin College and Windmill, please visit www.algonquincollege.com/isles.
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For more information, please contact:
Phil Gaudreau
Communications Officer, Algonquin College
Phone: 613-727-4623 ext 2091
Email: gaudrep@algonquincollege.com
Email preferred
Posted on Friday, November 21st, 2014
Dmitry Klishch, a second-year Mechanical Engineering Technology student had a great idea – watch this video to find out what it was…..https://youtu.be/0gP5cqg4-dw
Posted on Thursday, November 20th, 2014
Founders from left to right: Wahab Almuhtadi, Algonquin College; Jim Ghadbane, CANARIE; Tim McLaughlin, Allstream; Robert Keates, Telus; Dennis Weiss, EWA; Janet Walden, NSERC; Ritch Dusome, CENGN; Michael McCallen, JDSU; Chris Bachalo, Juniper Networks; Bruce Lazenby, Invest Ottawa; David Ritonja, Alcatel-Lucent; Germain Lamonde, EXFO; Sam Bucci, Alcatel-Lucent; Kimberly Matheson, Carleton University; Robert Keys, BTI Systems.
(Ottawa, November 10, 2014) At the launch of the headquarters for the Centre of Excellence in Next Generation Networks (CENGN), Algonquin College was announced as one of the founding members of CENGN. Algonquin College has been involved as a key player in establishing CENGN for the past two years – from the concept and proposal preparation, to winning the bid, and now to CENGN’s launch.
“Algonquin College is proud to be a founding member of CENGN,” says Claude Brulé, Vice President Academic, Algonquin College. “This innovative centre will create additional hands-on learning and research opportunities for our students, and new opportunities for research and collaboration between the College and industry.”
CENGN is a consortium of industry, academia and research institutes dedicated to accelerating the commercialization of next generation communications solutions. CENGN will help bridge the gap between research and commercialization – a key component to building successful startup companies. CENGN members are collaborating to lower the barrier to entry for small and medium companies and researchers.
CENGN is an Ottawa-based not-for-profit that aims to ensure Canada maintains its position as a world leader in next generation network technologies. It has acquired $11.7 million over five years in federal government funding and will be receiving contributions from industry (cash & in-kind contribution) and from the academia (in-kind contribution) with a total of $54.7 million.
The College is a CENGN academic partner and will conduct collaborative research with industry in next generation communications. The Ciena Optophotonics lab at Algonquin College will be connected to CENGN’s testbed with the aim of accelerating research to commercialization.
“CENGN will establish Canada as a global leader in the commercialization of the technologies that will underpin the next generation of converged global communication networks,” says Professor Dr. Wahab Almuhtadi, Algonquin College representative at CENGN. “The College will make a difference in conducting applied research and providing high qualified faculty and students who will help industry from conducting research to commercialization.”
Posted on Friday, October 24th, 2014
Visit our Fall Open House Event – November 6, 2014
Posted on Friday, October 24th, 2014
Visit our Fall Open House on November 6th from 9 am until 1 pm and again from 6 pm until 8 pm. For more information on this event please follow our Open House Link.
Posted on Tuesday, October 21st, 2014
Mechanical Engineering Technology student Dmitry Klishch came in second place in the IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference held October 10-13th in Silicon Valley. Among the 27 research papers submitted in the annual conference. Dmitry, a second-year Mechanical Engineering Technology student was bested only by a Master’s level student from Yale University. “It was good exposure for all of us internationally and I received very good and positive feedback on my project after my second presentation to the general conference audience. It was tremendously beneficial to be able to meet the world leading engineers in humanitarian projects and hear their positive feedback on my project. I want to thank you all again and hope that these events will be carried on in the future. I am proud and honored to have had been part of this.” stated Dmitry. Well done Dmitry congratulations on your world-leading performance.
