Northern Alberta Institute of Technology

The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) is a polytechnic[6] 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.[7] 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).

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 (1962)
Academic affiliations
ACCC, AACTI, CBIE, CUP, Polytechnics Canada
Endowment$51.4 million (2022)[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
6,400 apprenticeships, 2,100 international students (2023)[5]
Location
Edmonton, Alberta
,
Canada
CampusUrban (Main campus)
Other campuses
NewspaperTechlifetoday Magazine
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

Academic 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[8] and Bachelor of Business Administration[9]) were launched in 2007.

NAIT is one of the largest apprenticeship trainers in Canada offering 31 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.[10] NAIT has been a leading polytechnic for more than 50 years. The school marked its 50th anniversary in 2012.[11]

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

The institute has four campuses[12] 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.[13]

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,[14] 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, ice hockey, soccer, curling, and volleyball. NAIT's official team colours are Gold and Royal Blue.[15]

Students' Association
The South Learning Centre on NAIT's Main Campus.

The NAIT Students' Association (NAITSA)[16] 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. Techlifetoday has published exclusively online since November 2018[17] and has earned numerous industry awards.[18]

Organization and Administration

NAIT is organized into four academic schools and one academic department:[19]

  • JR Shaw School of Business
  • School of Health and Life Sciences
  • School of Applied Sciences and Technology
  • School of Skilled Trades (which includes the Department of Culinary Arts and Professional Food Studies)
  • Department of Continuing Education

Notable Alumni

See Also

References
  1. "History - NAIT".
  2. "https://publicdocs.nait.ca/sites/pd/_layouts/15/DocIdRedir.aspx?ID=4NUSZQ57DJN7-208515216-21898#page=31"
  3. "President and CEO - NAIT".
  4. "Vice-President Academic - NAIT".
  5. "Quick Facts - NAIT".
  6. "Polytechnical Institutions". Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  7. NAIT (2013). #NAIT Quick Facts". Retrieved 2013-08-21.
  8. NAIT. Bachelor of Technology
  9. NAIT. Bachelor of Business Administration
  10. NAIT. History milestones
  11. NAIT. 50-year anniversary.
  12. "Our Campuses - NAIT".
  13. "NAIT acquires Blatchford land for campus growth and consolidation - techlifetoday".
  14. Canada, Indigenous and Northern Affairs (May 25, 2021). "Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada". www.canada.ca.
  15. Ookpik Mascot (the Ook) and official colours
  16. "Home Page". NAITSA - We are here for you.
  17. "Techlife ends print run, goes fully digital - techlifetoday".
  18. "NAIT strikes gold with 7 industry awards - techlifetoday".
  19. "Schools & Programs - NAIT".
  20. "Office of the Chief".
  21. "Chief Billy Morin | News, Videos & Articles". Global News.
  22. Media, Odvod (December 6, 2021). "Enoch's Youngest Chief Ever is Bullish About the Future of His Nation". Edify.
  23. Morris Panych at The Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia. .
  24. Alberta Media Personality — Natasha Staniszewski, Edmonton-born Co-Host at TSN SportsCentre. .
  25. Lumsden, Michael (April 30, 2019). "Grande Prairie-Wapiti MLA Travis Toews named Minister of Finance". My Grande Prairie Now. Retrieved September 8, 2019.
  26. "Spotlight: Bol Kong". PowerBasketball.ca. Archived from the original on 2015-06-23. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
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