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 Friday, June 14th, 2013
BioTech Annecto Ottawa – June event
Harnessing biotechnology to improve food security
Organized in collaboration with Algonquin College
Dr. Julian Northey, founder of Frontier Agri-Science and Siniazo Biotech.
Location: Algonquin College Woodroffe Campus T102 B & C
Date: Tuesday June 18, 2013
Time: 7pm to 9pm
Dr. Northey is one of the founding members and the President and CEO of Frontier Agri-Science Incorporated. He is the sole discoverer of the drought-resistant technology during his Ph.D., and responsible for development
of the genetic technology in relevant crop species. Dr. Northey has worked to build Frontier Agri-Science from concept to current stage and is responsible for negotiating nearly all of the agreements currently in operation and
development within the company. He is also the founder of Siniazo Biotech, a company working on next generation solutions in auto-bioluminescence, alternative biological therapies for livestock infections, and crop agronomy.
Cost: $10 (up to 48h before the event) / $15 regular price / FREE with a yearly
membership. Algonquin College Students please contact An Ngo – an.ngo@biotechannecto.com for more information on registration.
Registration: biotechannecto.com/ottawa
Map of Algonquin College Woodroffe Campus:
https://www.algonquincollege.com/main/yourAlgonquinTab/directions/woodroffeMap.htm
The “T” Building is on College Avenue near the Visitors Parking Lot,
and a short walk from the OC Transpo Baseline Station.
Posted on Thursday, February 14th, 2013
Visit the college on February 26th to learn more about the new Environmental Management and Assessment Graduate Certificate program. Meet us in A212 at 5:30PM for a presentation on the new program, a tour of some of the labs and the ability to meet faculty from the program. Keep reading →
Posted on Wednesday, February 13th, 2013
“Steps to Success”
IEEE Student Professional Awareness Conference (SPAC) is a formal dinner event that aims to bridge the gap between students and their career goals. SPAC offers students and employers a unique opportunity to network with each other in a professional environment along with professionals and academics representing the field of Engineering.
Keep reading →
Posted on Tuesday, February 5th, 2013
Algonquin College in collaboration with the University of Guelph, Kemptville Campus announces a new Motive Power Pre-Apprenticeship 32-Week program. Learn more about this opportunity here. Keep reading →
Posted on Monday, November 19th, 2012
Interested in finding our what our Mechanical Engineering Technology students have been working on this past semester? Please find our latest newsletter here.
Posted on Friday, November 2nd, 2012
President Kent MacDonald presenting Ciena representatives James Frodsham (left) and Rodney Wilson (centre) with a Certificate of Appreciation honouring their donation.
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.
From left to right:
- Laura Stanbra, Vice President, Student Services, Algonquin College
- David Corson, President, Algonquin Students’ Association
- The Honourable Bob Chiarelli, Minister of Transportation and Minister of Infrastructure and Ottawa West-Nepean MPP
- James Frodsham, Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, Ciena
- Rodney Wilson, Senior Director, External Research, Ciena
- Dr. Kent MacDonald, President, Algonquin College
- Brenda Rothwell, Executive Director, Algonquin College Foundation
- Claude Brulé, Senior Vice President, Academic, Algonquin College
- Rick Chiarelli, College Ward Councillor, City of Ottawa
- Dr. Wahab Almuhtadi, Research Coordinator & Professor/Coordinator of Photonics & Laser Technology, Algonquin College
Posted on Friday, November 2nd, 2012
Tim Audet photographed at his place of work.
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.
Keep reading →
Posted on Friday, October 26th, 2012
On November 2 at 10 a.m., Algonquin College will host an event signaling the start of a new collaboration between the College and Ciena Corporation. Algonquin College will also officially receive a donation of optophotonic equipment from Ciena at this event.
Ciena, a global leader in next-generation telecommunications infrastructure, has donated advanced optical telecommunications equipment for use in Algonquin College’s articulated Bachelor of Information Technology – Photonics and Laser Technology Program. This new equipment will upgrade the Algonquin College Optophotonics lab, making it a state-of-the-art facility that will provide hands-on experience to Algonquin College students with telecommunications technology that is not believed to be available in other Canadian post-secondary institutions.
Algonquin College is proud to celebrate this collaboration with Ciena that allows our students to receive training with next-generation telecommunications infrastructure which will further their potential for success after graduation. Ciena is working with a broad cross section of Ontario post-secondary institutions on a variety of advanced technology research projects and is offering this equipment and training to help build the futures of graduates.
Present at the event will be Algonquin College President Kent MacDonald, Ottawa-West Nepean MPP Bob Chiarelli, Minister of Transportation, Minister of Infrastructure, James Frodsham, Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, Ciena, and Rodney Wilson, Senior Director, Ciena as well as members of the Advisory Committee for the Bachelor of Information Technology – Photonics and Laser Technology program and students from the program.
If you’d like to stop by, the official unveiling will be in T102 at 10 a.m. on November 2. Register here.
Posted on Monday, August 27th, 2012
Algonquin College’s Office of Applied Research and Innovation will host its 10.1 Applied Research Day on August 24, 2012. The event will highlight the leading edge Applied Research being done by the College as we showcase our internationally recognized research projects through exciting displays and demonstrations. Applied Research Day is a must for employers looking for talented future employees and collaborators to support their businesses’ growth in the 21st century economy. All faculty, staff d students are and students are invited to attend this event. The event will be free.
Keep reading →
Posted on Wednesday, May 16th, 2012
Congratulations
go out to the six Algonquin College students that walked away with medals at
the Ontario Technological Skills Competition, held April 30-May 2nd,
2012 in Waterloo, Ontario.
Visit the following link to read the full story on our Students’ success.
