Wikipedia

Northern Alberta Institute of Technology

The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) is a public polytechnic[6] and applied sciences institute in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT)
MottoDiscere, Efficere, Praestare (Latin)
Motto in English
"To Learn, To Do, To Succeed"
OperationalMay 27, 1963[1]
TypePublic Institute of Technology
Established1962; 62 years ago (1962)
Academic affiliations
CICan, AACTI, CBIE, CUP, Polytechnics Canada
Endowment$52.6 million (2023)[2]
PresidentLaura Jo Gunter[3]
ProvostPeter Leclaire[4]
Academic staff
2,093 (2023)[5]
Undergraduates16,100 (full-time)
11,700 (part-time) (2023)[5]
Postgraduates1,230
Other students
7,009 apprenticeships, 2,600 international students (2023)[5]
Location
Edmonton, Alberta
,
Canada

53°34′10.50″N 113°30′11.63″W / 53.5695833°N 113.5032306°W / 53.5695833; -113.5032306
CampusUrban (Main campus)
Other campuses
NewspaperTechlifetoday magazine NAIT Nugget
ColoursAthletics: Gold and Royal Blue    
Institute: Royal Blue and Light Blue    
NicknameOoks
Sporting affiliations
CCAA, Alberta Colleges Athletics Conference
MascotSnowy owl, Ookpik
Websitewww.nait.ca

NAIT offers approximately 120 credit programs leading to degrees, applied degrees, diplomas, and certificates. As of 2023, there are approximately 15,700 students enrolled in credit programs, 7,009 apprentices registered in apprenticeship training, 12,100 students enrolled in non-credit courses, and more than 20,000 registrants for customized corporate based training. NAIT also attracts international students from 84 countries.[5] NAIT is similar to an institute of technology or university of applied sciences as termed in other jurisdictions. The campus newspaper, the NAIT Nugget, is a member of the Canadian University Press (CUP).

Academic programs

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The polytechnic confers certificates, diplomas, applied degrees and baccalaureate degrees. NAIT's four-year baccalaureate degrees (Bachelor of Technology in Technology Management and Bachelor of Technology in Construction Management[7] and Bachelor of Business Administration[8]) were launched in 2007.

NAIT is one of the largest apprenticeship trainers in Canada offering 31 registered trades programs.

History

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In 1959, the Alberta provincial government decided to build an Edmonton facility to supplement apprenticeship and vocational training, which was at the time handled by the Provincial Institute of Technology and Art (PITA) in Calgary. The new institution would be named the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) and PITA would be renamed the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT). Construction of the new facility began in January 1962. The first class was enrolled in October, a group of 29 Communication Electrician apprentices. NAIT officially opened on May 27, 1963, with a ceremony led by Premier Ernest Manning. The first graduation ceremony happened in 1965, with a class of 326 graduates. In 1982, the government transferred control to the new Board of Governors, chaired by Allan McCagherty. NAIT has been a leading polytechnic for more than 60 years. The school marked its 50th anniversary in 2012.[1]

Campuses

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The Hewlett-Packard Centre on NAIT's Main Campus.

The institute has four campuses[9] located in Edmonton and Spruce Grove:

  • Main campus at 11762 - 106 Street, Edmonton
  • Patricia campus at 12204 - 149 Street, Edmonton
  • Souch (pronounced “such”) campus at 7110 Gateway Boulevard, Edmonton
  • Spruce Grove campus at 281 Tamarack Drive, Spruce Grove

In February 2019, the Main campus acquired 13.27 ha (32.8 acres) of the former Edmonton City Centre Airport with the option for another 3.23 ha (8.0 acres), as well as the 4.8 ha (12 acres) Westwood Transit Garage to the north. This will enable the closure of the Patricia and Souch campuses, and the construction of a student residence building. The Spruce Grove campus will remain open since its crane and hoisting classes cannot be accommodated at the Main campus.[10]

Mascot

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NAIT's mascot is the Ook. This is a shortened version of ookpik, the Inuktitut word for the snowy owl. NAIT was presented this mascot in 1964 by the federal Department of Northern Affairs and National Resources,[11] now Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. Most of NAIT's sports teams are now called the Ooks as well.

Athletics

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The NAIT Ooks compete in the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association as a member of the Alberta Colleges Athletics Conference. Ooks team sports include badminton, basketball, curling, ice hockey, soccer, and volleyball. NAIT's official team colours are gold and royal blue.[12]

Irwin Strifler was the Athletic Director from 1968 to 1998.[13]

Students' association

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The South Learning Centre on NAIT's Main Campus.

The NAIT Students' Association (NAITSA)[14] is composed entirely of current NAIT students. It is led by a four-person elected Executive Council, and governed by an eighteen-person elected Senate (two representatives from the 9 program groups). NAITSA is responsible for running the Nest Taphouse Grill, The NAIT Nugget (campus newspaper), campus events, the student health and dental plan, U-Pass and various other services aimed at enhancing student life.

Techlifetoday magazine

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Techlifetoday is the polytechnic's official magazine, focusing on people, technology and innovation. It launched in 2007 as techlife, a print magazine. Techlifetoday has published exclusively online since November 2018[15] and has earned numerous industry awards.[16]

Organization and administration

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NAIT's credit programs are organized into seven academic schools and Corporate & Continuing Education.[17] The schools are:[18]

  • JR Shaw School of Business
  • School of Construction and Building Sciences
  • School of Energy and Natural Resources
  • School of Health and Life Sciences
  • School of Manufacturing and Automation
  • School of Media and Information Technology
  • School of Transportation

Notable alumni

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "History". NAIT. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  2. ^ "Northern Alberta Institute of Technology Annual Report 2022/2023". September 27, 2022. p. 21. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
  3. ^ "President and CEO - NAIT". Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  4. ^ "Vice-President Academic - NAIT". Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d "NAIT Quick Facts". NAIT. Retrieved August 21, 2013.
  6. ^ "Polytechnical Institutions". Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  7. ^ "Bachelor of Technology". NAIT. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  8. ^ "Bachelor of Business Administration". NAIT. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  9. ^ "Our Campuses - NAIT". Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  10. ^ "NAIT acquires Blatchford land for campus growth and consolidation". February 6, 2019. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  11. ^ "Honouring the Ook: the Inuit origins of NAIT's Mascot". October 1, 2021. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  12. ^ "NAIT Ooks". Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  13. ^ "Irwin Strifler | Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association". Archived from the original on April 6, 2015. Retrieved April 12, 2015.
  14. ^ "Home Page - We are here for you". NAITSA. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  15. ^ "Techlife ends print run, goes fully digital". November 28, 2018. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  16. ^ "NAIT strikes gold with 7 industry awards". February 15, 2019. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  17. ^ "Corporate & Continuing Education". Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  18. ^ "Schools & Programs". Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  19. ^ "Career Essentials podcast: Defining leadership, with Chief Billy Morin". September 29, 2022. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  20. ^ "Morris Panych at The Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia". Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  21. ^ "Alberta Media Personality — Natasha Staniszewski, Edmonton-born Co-Host at TSN SportsCentre". December 10, 2016. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  22. ^ Lumsden, Michael (April 30, 2019). "Grande Prairie-Wapiti MLA Travis Toews named Minister of Finance". My Grande Prairie Now. Retrieved September 8, 2019.
  23. ^ "Spotlight: Bol Kong". PowerBasketball.ca. Archived from the original on June 23, 2015. Retrieved June 23, 2015.
 
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