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 Wednesday, November 27th, 2013
Demand for GIS professionals is high in government, transportation, utilities, emergency management, defense, natural resources and many other fields. Leverage your existing education and discover the advantages of geographic information systems.
Visit us at the GIS Open House on Thursday, November 28th, 2013 from 4:00pm-6:00pm at Algonquin College’s Woodroffe Campus, T-Building, Room T102 to speak with faculty about this exciting program.
For more information on this program you may wish to visit www.algonquincollege.com/gis or connect with Mike Ballard at 613-727-4723 ext.3458
Posted on Tuesday, November 12th, 2013
It’s like all of a sudden, the lights came on – here’s a bold new way to get women into the electrical trades.
A two-year intensive program launched this year by Algonquin College which connects women with degrees with hands-on training and an internship in the electrical industry has received the inaugural top prize for Innovation in the HR Practices/Educational category from the Electricity Human Resources Canada (EHRC).
“The WEET program helps to meet a shortage in the electrical skilled trades industry by creating educational pathways to not only encourage women to seek employment in the electrical trades, but to give them the hands-on skills that they need to succeed,” explains Denyce Diakun, Director, Workforce and Personal Development at Algonquin College. “As the Construction Sector Council noted in their 2010 report, the State of Women in Construction in Canada, efforts to boost the participation of women in construction careers depend on effective career and educational pathways. At Algonquin College, we have connected women seeking a new career opportunity with the chance to try something they would not have considered before, and our economy benefits as a result.”
“This award is presented to an educational institution for its continued commitment to leadership excellence,” according to EHRC’s award criteria. “Above all, they have put in place curriculum dedicated for training that addresses workforce supply needs in the electricity industry.”
22 women enrolled in the first ever offering of the WEET program this year, while the traditional Electrical Engineering Technology three-year program typically attracts fewer than 10 women per year at Algonquin College.
The WEET program was made possible through the support of the Leacross Foundation and Hydro One.
For more information, please contact:
Phil Gaudreau
Communications Officer, Algonquin College
613-220-7796
Email: gaudrep@algonquincollege.com
Posted on Monday, November 4th, 2013
Second-year Mechanical Engineering Technology student Dmitry Klishch has won the very prestigious 2013 IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference (GHTC) Student Poster Competition held October 20th-23rd in San Jose, California. Dmitry’s project included several design concepts he is developing to be included in his Exo Support Leg design. “Currently, because of the huge interest and
impact caused by the project at an early stage of its development, it leads to the creation of a new fully independent supportive device for people with movement restrictions. The very first prototype was powered by a specially designed pneumatic system. However, in the future work, the pneumatic circuit will be replaced by a hydraulic circuit, electric motors or combined system.” stated Dmitry. “The GHTC 2013 was a great experience. It was a lesson that I will remember for a long time, because it made me think – Wow, this new invention is something that people really need! And that there is a world wide application for the final product. This victory is something that just added a valuable sense into the work I have done.”
The GHTC is a voice amplifier and a forum for hot technological, social, and philosophical debates on the world’s urgent human necessities. The annual conference brings together communities and individuals – engineering, science, technology, industry, academe, government agencies, NGOs, charities, funders – interested in applying technology to develop effective solutions for the challenges facing the world’s underserved. The mission of the GHTC is to foster an exchange of information, networking, and cooperation in the humanitarian, focus attention of businesses on emerging
market opportunities and related technology enablers, impact in positive and meaningful ways lives of disadvantaged billions of people around the world and promote science, engineering and technology as key to development of solutions for disadvantaged communities and attract young people to these professional fields
Congratulation to Dmitry for winning this award and proving yet again that Algonquin College’s students can compete amongst the world’s best.
Posted on Friday, October 18th, 2013
This article highlighting the new Instrumentation and Control Technician Apprenticeship program appeared in the Ottawa Citizen on October 2, 2013 – “OTTAWA — Alvin Canlas is being paid to learn new skills that could help him get a better job someday.
The 37-year-old Ottawa man is one of 140 full-time employees enrolled in a new, on-the-job apprenticeship program launched last week by Abbott Point of Care, in partnership with Algonquin College.
The sprawling plant off Moodie Drive makes postage stamp-sized cartridges used in hand-held medical diagnostic devices, which provide doctors and nurses with real-time, lab-quality results in minutes.
“It makes me feel better if I wake up in the morning and I know that I’m going to benefit from this and the company is going to benefit by sending their employees to this training program,” said Canlas, who has worked as a technician at Abbott for a decade.
He works day-shifts through the week, but spends four hours a week in an on-site classroom next to the cafeteria, where students are trained to become instrumentation and control technicians.
Canlas and his classmates, who were invited by the company to apply, will attend classes here for the next three years, and eventually earn Algonquin diplomas and trade certificates that qualify them to work anywhere in Canada……..”
Please click here to visit the Instrumentation and Control Technician Apprenticeship web page
Posted on Wednesday, October 16th, 2013
The Algonquin College School of Advanced Technology, in collaboration with HackingAway.org, has set up a realistic virtual corporate infrastructure to give students a real-life experience. The event, called CyberGonq, is to be held on Sunday, October 27th, from 11:30am to 4pm (+/-).
The event costs $20, which covers setup costs + snacks, lunch and drinks for the event.
Students can apply their classroom learning in a real world situation by competing to attack and defend a “live” company infrastructure from cyber security threats of all kinds.
The goals for the students and the College are to:
– Solidify and expand their knowledge by working in a realistic corporate environment.
– Prepare for future employment by developing many practical job skills that can be immediately applied to help their future employers.
– Algonquin College School of Advanced Technology is proud to fulfill their mandate, and help the students have some fun!
– HackingAway.org is pleased to help organize the event, and glad to motivate the students to keep Hacking Away.
To sign up for the event, visit http://hackingaway.org/cybergonq/registration/
NOTE: The CyberGonq event is specifically for Algonquin students, their invited guests, and recent graduates.
If you are interested in other upcoming “open” events aimed at IT Security Professionals, see “Upcoming Events” at HackingAway.org: – http://hackingaway.org/events/cybersnatch/
– Nov 24th, 2013, 11:30am to 4pm
For more information you may also connect with
Patrick Ouellette
Program Coordinator – Computer Systems Technology – Security Programs
Email: ouellep@algonquincollege.com
Posted on Wednesday, October 16th, 2013
Demand for GIS professionals is high in government, transportation, utilities, emergency management, defense, natural resources and many other fields. Leverage your existing education and discover the advantages of geographic information systems.
Visit us at the GIS Open House on Thursday, November 28th, 2013 from 4:00pm-6:00pm at Algonquin College’s Woodroffe Campus, T-Building, Room T102 to speak with faculty about this exciting program.
For more information on this program you may wish to connect with Mike Ballard at 613-727-4723 ext.3458
Posted on Tuesday, August 27th, 2013
On Sat Aug 24, the Webster Memorial Trophy competition concluded with an awards banquet in Winnipeg, MB. Aviation Management student Takashi Hirose had just competed in the week-long competition with 8 other regional finalists in a series of aircraft tests, exercises, and written exams to demonstrate their knowledge and skill. Congratulations to Takashi who was named “Canada’s Top Amateur Pilot”. For more info on the Webster Memorial Trophy competition, click this link.
Posted on Friday, August 23rd, 2013
An app that controls the home of the future is taking home top honours at Applied Research Day 11.1, held today at Algonquin College.
The app, which was designed for iOS (Apple) and Android, was created for Project ECHO, a net zero home created by Team Ontario in the 2013 US Department of Energy Solar Decathlon. Using the app, the team will be able to control Project ECHO’s windows, lights and thermostat, monitor the electrical consumption and output of the home, check the weather specific to the area, and much more.
“Applied Research Day is about celebrating the innovative solutions that our students, professors, and clients are able to create by working together and harnessing their creativity and their skills,” says Dr. Mark Hoddenbagh, Director, Applied Research and Innovation. “The Project ECHO app is another example of an innovative solution that connects our College community with opportunities to tackle real world issues, like the ability to control your home from the palm of your hand.”
The app was built by four Computer Engineering Technology – Computing Science students, and a Graphic Design student. They were coached by a Professor in the Computing Science program. The students also worked closely with Team Ontario to ensure the app would work and meet the team’s needs.
Algonquin College Applied Research Day is organized three times annually at the conclusion of the Spring, Fall, and Winter terms. The event is hosted by the Algonquin College Office of Applied Research and Innovation.
Prizes for Applied Research Day include certificates and a cash award of $100 per team member for 1st place, $50 per team member for 2nd, and $25 per team member for 3rd. Each team also receives a certificate. Judges for Applied Research Day 11.1 included Algonquin College employees, and LiVE 88.5 StartUp Co-Host David Schellenberg.
Posted on Tuesday, August 20th, 2013
Fall Open House
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Visit here to register for this event.
Winter Open House
Saturday, January 14, 2014
March Break Tours
March 10-14, 2013
Spring Open House
Saturday, April 5, 2014
Posted on Wednesday, June 19th, 2013
The Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists (CCTT) invites you to the National
Technology Conference in Winnipeg, Manitoba, September 26-28, 2013.
The National Technology Conference will bring together business leaders,
educators and skilled technicians from across all sectors in order to ensure
that the workforce of the future is ready for the challenges that lie ahead.
More details can be found at cctt.ca or by contacting CCTT at 1-800-891-1140
ext 224 or visiting http://www.cctt.ca/home.asp?lang=1.
EVENT NAME: CCTT National Technology Conference
DATES: September 26-28, 2013
LOCATION: Winnipeg, Manitoba
WEBSITE: http://www.cctt.ca
CONTACT: Issy LeBlond
EMAIL: ileblond@cctt.ca
TEL: 1-800-891-1140 ext 224
As a current student OR graduate of the Computer systems Technician program,
you are eligible to join the CCTT local chapter.
The Computer Systems Technician program at Algonquin college has been
accredited through CCTT / CTAB since June, 2004.
This means the program is not only an Ontario recognized program, but has
achieved National Accreditation.
Membership as a Technician affords you the potential to use/transfer your
credentials outside of Ontario to the rest of Canada.
