Northern Alberta Institute of Technology

Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT)
Motto Discere, Efficere, Praestare
Motto in English
 To Learn, To Do, To Succeed
Type Public
Established 1962
Endowment $45 million
President Dr. Glenn Feltham
Academic staff
 1,200[1]
Undergraduates 10,950 (Full Time)
10,000 (Part Time)
Postgraduates 1,230
Location Edmonton, AB, Canada
53°34′10.50″N 113°30′11.63″W / 53.5695833°N 113.5032306°W / 53.5695833; -113.5032306Coordinates: 53°34′10.50″N 113°30′11.63″W / 53.5695833°N 113.5032306°W / 53.5695833; -113.5032306
Campus Urban Edmonton (main campus)
Other Locations Other locations in Edmonton, Calgary
Colours Teams:blue      & yellow      Institute: Dark blue (Pantone 288) & light blue (Pantone 299)
Sports Ooks
Mascot Ook snowy owl, "ookpik"
Affiliations ACCC, CCAA, AACTI, Alberta Colleges Athletics Conference, CBIE, CUP, Polytechnics Canada
Website www.nait.ca

The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) is a polytechnic[2] and applied sciences institute located 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 140 credit programs leading to applied degrees, diplomas and certificates. There are approximately 8,400 full-time students, 20,500 students in continuing education and part-time studies, 12,300 apprentices anticipated for 2012, and more than 20,000 registrants for customized corporate based training. NAIT also attracts international students from 77 countries.[1] NAIT is similar to an Institute of technology or university of applied sciences as termed in other jurisdictions. The university press, The Nugget, is a member of CUP.

NAIT is a member of the Alberta Rural Development Network.

Programs

The polytechnic confers certificates, diplomas, applied degrees and baccalaureate degrees. NAIT's new four-year baccalaureate degrees (Bachelor of Technology in Technology Management and Bachelor of Technology in Construction Management[3] and Bachelor of Business Administration[4]) were launched in 2007.

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 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.[5] NAIT has been a leading polytechnic for more than 50 years. The school marked its 50th anniversary in 2012.[6]

Campus growth and development

The growth of NAIT is laid out below:[7]

1961

1962

1963 On May 27, Premier Ernest Manning officially opens the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. The new institute has:

1965

1966

1971

1975

1976

1981

1984

1985

1987

1991

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2006

2007

2008

2010

2012

2016

Campus

The Hewlett-Packard Centre on NAIT's Edmonton campus.

The institute has three campuses in Edmonton: Main Campus at 11762 - 106 Street, Patricia Campus at 12204 - 149 Street and Souch Campus at 7110 Gateway Boulevard. The institute also has incubation facilities in St. Albert and, at its Calgary site, offers a selection of part-time and customized corporate training.[9]

On April 10, 2012, The Government of Alberta announced a three-year capital project funding commitment that included $200 million towards the NAIT CAT building.[10]

Mascot and colours

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,[11] now Indian 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, and volleyball. NAIT's official colours are blue and yellow.[12]

Students' Association

The South Learning Centre on NAIT's Edmonton Metro campus.
Edmonton campus of the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
NAIT Activities Centre in Edmonton Alberta

The NAIT Students' Association comprises all NAIT students. It is led by a four-person elected Executive, and governed by an eighteen-person elected Senate (two from each school). NAITSA is responsible for running the Nest Taphouse Grill, The Nugget (campus newspaper), campus events, a student health and dental plan, the U-Pass and various other services aimed at enhancing student life.

Techlife magazine

Techlife is the polytechnic's official magazine, focusing on people, technology and innovation. It is published twice yearly, in spring and fall, with new content added regularly at techlifemag.ca[13]

Organization

NAIT is organized into eight academic schools:

Notable alumni

See also

References

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