Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) is a polytechnic[3] and applied sciences institute in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. NAIT provides careers programs in applied research, technical training, applied education, and learning designed to meet the demands of Alberta's technical and knowledge-based industries. NAIT offers approximately 120 credit programs leading to degrees, applied degrees, diplomas, and certificates. As of 2018, there are approximately 16,000 students in credit programs 12,000 apprentices registered in apprenticeship training, 14,500 students enrolled in non-credit courses, and more than 20,000 registrants for customized corporate based training. NAIT also attracts international students from 94 countries.[2] 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).
![]() NAIT Logo | |
Motto | Discere, Efficere, Praestare |
---|---|
Motto in English | To Learn, To Do, To Succeed |
Type | Public |
Established | 1962 |
Endowment | $45 million |
President | Laura Jo Gunter[1] |
Academic staff | 1,200[2] |
Undergraduates | 10,950 (Full Time) 10,000 (Part Time) |
Postgraduates | 1,230 |
Location | , , |
Campus | Urban Edmonton (main campus) |
Other Locations | Other locations in Spruce Grove |
Colours | Teams:blue & yellow Institute: Dark blue (Pantone 288) & light blue (Pantone 299) |
Affiliations | ACCC, CCAA, AACTI, Alberta Colleges Athletics Conference, CBIE, CUP, Polytechnics Canada |
Sports | Ooks |
Mascot | Ook snowy owl, "ookpik" |
Website | www |
Programs
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[4] and Bachelor of Business Administration[5]) were launched in 2007.
NAIT is one of the largest apprenticeship trainers in Canada offering 34 registered trades programs.
History
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 (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.[6] NAIT has been a leading polytechnic for more than 50 years. The school marked its 50th anniversary in 2012.[7]
Campus
![](../I/HP_Centre_Edmonton_Alberta_Canada_01A.jpg.webp)
The institute has four campuses[8] located in Edmonton and Spruce Grove:
- Main campus at 11762 - 106 Street, Edmonton
- Patricia campus at 12204 - 149 Street, Edmonton
- Souch campus at 7110 Gateway Boulevard, Edmonton
- Spruce Grove campus at 281 Tamarack Drive, Spruce Grove.
In February 2019, the Main campus acquired 13.27 hectares of the former Edmonton City Centre Airport with the option for another 3.23 hectares, as well as the 4.8 hectare 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.[9]
Mascot
NAIT's mascot is the Ook. This is a shortened version of the Inuktitut word for the snowy owl, ookpik. NAIT was presented this mascot in 1964 by the federal Department of Northern Affairs and National Resources,[10] now Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. Most of NAIT's sports teams are now called the Ooks as well.
Athletics
The NAIT Ooks compete in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference. Ooks team sports include badminton, basketball, hockey, soccer, curling and volleyball. NAIT's official colours are blue and yellow.[11]
Students' Association
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The NAIT Students' Association (NAITSA)[12] 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
Techlifetoday is the polytechnic's official magazine, focusing on people, technology and innovation. It launched in 2007 as techlife, a print magazine, which later expanded to techlifetoday.ca in 2016. Techlifetoday has published exclusively online since November 2018[13] and has earned numerous industry awards.[14]
Organization
NAIT is organized into four academic schools and three academic departments:[15]
- JR Shaw School of Business
- School of Health and Life Sciences
- School of Applied Sciences and Technology
- School of Skilled Trades
- Department of Culinary Arts and Professional Food Studies
- Department of Continuing Education
- Department of Corporate and International Training
Notable alumni
- Robert Barefoot, (Chemical Research Technology), chemist, author, lecturer
- Gil Cardinal, filmmaker
- Nolan Crouse, (Chemical Technology, Master of Business Administration), Mayor, City of St. Albert
- Patrick LaForge (Marketing '74), Edmonton Oilers Past President and CEO
- Jarred Land, Red Digital Cinema Camera Company President
- Kevin Martin, Winter Olympic gold medalist curler
- Ian McClelland (Photographic Technology '65), founder, Colorfast Corporation, former MP for Edmonton Southwest and former MLA for Edmonton Rutherford
- Bryan Mudryk, TSN SportsCentre anchor
- Doug Pruden (Architectural Technology '82), push up World Record holder holds 9 records
- Vince Steen, Northwest Territories MLA
- Corbin Tomaszeski (Culinary Arts '92), chef on Food Network's Restaurant Makeover
- Bruce Woloshyn, (Radio and Television Arts '84), Visual Effects Supervisor
- Percy Wickman (Finance '69), former Edmonton alderman, and former MLA of Edmonton-Whitemud
- Olivia Cheng (Canadian actress) (Radio and Television Arts), Canadian Actress
- Dave Quest (Business Administration '85), Politician, Strathcona-Sherwood Park MLA
- Morris Panych (Radio and Television Arts), Canadian Actor and Director[16]
- Cathy King (Radio and Television Arts), Gold Medalist curler
- Dave Pettitt (Broadcasting), Canadian Actor and Voice-over Artist
- Barb Higgins (Business Administration and Radio and Television Arts), Television News Anchor and Journalist
- Natasha Staniszewski (Radio and Television Arts '55), Sports Reporter and Anchor[17]
- Travis Toews (Unknown), Canadian Politician, Accountant, Rancher, Business Owner, Minister of Finance of Alberta and President of the Treasury Board.[18]
- Bob McLeod (politician) (Administrative Management), Politician, Northwest Territories MLA and 12th Premier of the Northwest Territories
- Richard Newman (broadcaster) (Radio and Television Arts), Broadcaster and Writer
- Bol Kong (Radio and Television Arts), Professional Basketball Player with National Basketball League of Canada (NBL) and NBA Draft. Named All-Canadian at NAIT.[19]
- Pierre Lueders (Unknown), Canadian Olympic Athlete, and bobsleigh World Cup Champion, and Head Coach
- David Dorward (Unknown), Politician, Edmonton-Gold Bar MLA and Business Owner
- George Rogers (Alberta politician) (Business Administration with Accounting '80), Politician, Leduc-Beaumont MLA, City Mayor, Businessman
- Bob Peterson (photographer) (Photography '65), Photographer
- Holger Petersen (Unknown), Businessman, Music Records Producer and Radio Broadcaster
See also
- Education in Alberta
- List of universities and colleges in Alberta
- Canadian Colleges Athletic Association
- Canadian Interuniversity Sport
- Canadian government scientific research organizations
- Canadian university scientific research organizations
- Canadian industrial research and development organizations
References
- https://www.nait.ca/nait/about/corporate-structure/meet-the-executive-team/president-and-ceo
- NAIT (2013). #NAIT Quick Facts". Retrieved 2013-08-21.
- "Polytechnical Institutions". Retrieved 10 November 2015.
- NAIT. Bachelor of Technology
- NAIT. Bachelor of Business Administration
- NAIT. History milestones
- NAIT. 50-year anniversary.
- Campus Locations
- NAIT acquires Blatchford land for campus growth and consolidation
- Individuals Responsible for Indian and Northern Affairs in Canada, 1755 to 2006
- Ookpik Mascot (the Ook) and official colours
- NAIT Students' Association (NAITSA)
- https://www.techlifetoday.ca/articles/2018/techlife-ends-print-run-goes-fully-digital
- https://www.techlifetoday.ca/articles/2019/nait-strikes-gold-with-7-industry-awards
- Departments
- Morris Panych at The Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia. .
- Alberta Media Personality — Natasha Staniszewski, Edmonton-born Co-Host at TSN SportsCentre. .
- Lumsden, Michael (April 30, 2019). "Grande Prairie-Wapiti MLA Travis Toews named Minister of Finance". My Grande Prairie Now. Retrieved September 8, 2019.
- "Spotlight: Bol Kong". PowerBasketball.ca. Archived from the original on 2015-06-23. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
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