Here we are, with the intensity of the first week of term behind us. It has been inspiring to witness the energy and enthusiasm of our College community as we engage in a new academic year.
I have had the opportunity to talk to learners, including many studying with us this fall from their home country around the globe, and I also had a chance to chat with employees, parents and alumni. One week into our Fall term, the special ties that bind Algonquin College together are clear – even though many of us are not able to see each other in person.
On September 8, thousands of students from all three of our campuses took part in AC Day 1 – engaging in a wide variety of virtual workshops, events and orientations. Earlier this month, Pembroke’s Virtual AC Start activities were also a huge success. Continue reading Message from the President – September 15
Algonquin College stands with everyone calling for equity and justice for Indigenous, Black, and Communities of Colour around the world.
The College is united in its desire to stamp out all forms of racism. As Hamlin Grange stated in his compelling and instructional webinar hosted as part of our Inclusion Infusions series, being “not racist” is no longer adequate. We must all be anti-racist.
It is in this same spirit that we support all members of our college community who wish to participate in today’s Scholar Strike to protest systemic violence against Black, Indigenous and People of Colour around the globe. We believe the message fits with the path we have chosen at Algonquin, where last year we became the first college in Ontario to release an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion policy. Continue reading Message from the President – Scholar Strike
Ottawa, ON – September 09, 2020 – Algonquin College has been granted access to the ALIBI Music Library, a professional music and sound effects (SFX) platform. This makes Algonquin the first institution in Canada with access to extensive catalogs used in Hollywood productions and in the TV, streaming, video games and advertising industries.
Through a special educational license, ALIBI becomes the College’s exclusive music library provider, offering students access to music for various curriculum projects involving film, video production, social media, podcasts and video games. The library contains more than 200,000 audio files, including more than 11,000 curated original songs and 6,000 sound effects, created by a global array of professional artists.
Congratulations to the Algonquin Students’ Association on five decades of tireless work on behalf of the student community.
The Students’ Association is a vital advocate for our students – making sure their voices are heard at all our campuses. As their organization has evolved and grown, so have their programs and services – from The Fitness Zone, Starbucks and The Observatory in Ottawa to The Landing in Pembroke to off-campus athletic activities in Perth. The Students’ Association helps ensure our learners have a rich student life filled with engagement opportunities, clubs, athletics, services, events and more. Continue reading Message from the President – Students’ Association 50th Anniversary
Whether you are a new or returning member of our College community, I want to offer a warm welcome as we embark on our Fall term and a new academic year.
A special greeting to those students moving into Residence, and those moving into new homes in Ottawa, Pembroke or Perth. I encourage all of our learners to get involved in online programming: Virtual AC Day 1 activities on September 8 are available to students from all campuses, while additional details on Virtual AC Day 1 in Perth can be found here. Meanwhile, Virtual AC Start Orientation in Pembroke takes place September 3 and 4. These College start-up activities are a great way to get important information about your start of term, and connect with fellow students and your professors. Continue reading Message from the President – September 02
This is my first communiqué in a few weeks and I have a few updates I would like to share.
The start of the Fall term is always a time of great excitement, and this year is no exception in that regard. It is, however, different in many other ways when compared to last fall. Our campuses look a little different, some of our course delivery is different, and when we re-enter the College with our masks – for those who are required to be on campus – we will all look a little different, too.
As much as we are anxious to resume all of the activities we associate with the start of a new academic year and a new term, we know that we must proceed with caution in order to continue to make the health and safety of our College community our number one priority. For this reason, we have made the decision to extend the suspension of all in-person events (celebrations, large gatherings, professional development, etc.) on campus at Algonquin College up to and including Dec. 31, 2020. This deadline may be revised mid-way through the Fall term and we will notify you of any updates as soon as they are available. Continue reading Message from the President – August 25
On behalf of Algonquin College, I want to wish this year’s Virtual Capital Pride Festival every success.
Diversity and inclusiveness are central to the spirit of this dynamic festival – and they are also key strengths of our College community.
For the last two years, Algonquin has participated in Capital Pride’s annual parade. Last summer, in one of my first public events as President, I had the pleasure of marching alongside 80 members of our community behind a rainbow-covered Algonquin College fire truck. While the COVID-19 pandemic has sidelined the downtown parade this year and made virtual events necessary, Algonquin will celebrate this important festival online in a spirit of solidarity – engaged in the wide variety of performances, speakers and panels. Continue reading Algonquin celebrates Virtual Capital Pride 2020
The Fall term has always been a time for change – a time for new beginnings, discovery and innovation, a time for setting new goals and renewed determination . . . a time for coming together as a college community.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, both that spirit of change – and the need for community – are even more profound this year. We are entering a Fall term unlike any other in Algonquin College’s history. It will be a time of unique challenges, but also a time of unique opportunities.
Ottawa, ON., Aug. 20, 2020 – Thanks to a $250,000 donation to The Royal from RBC Foundation, clients at the Youth Services Bureau (YSB) and students at Algonquin College will have improved access to virtual care to support their mental health needs. Transitional youth (ages 16-24) will now be able to meet with a psychiatrist from The Royal to create a customized treatment plan.
He’s only 14, but Aaryan Harshith is already changing the world.
Over the past year, the Sudbury teen has partnered with Algonquin College’s MakerSpace to create what he refers to an AI-Powered Cancer Detection Device. The innovative instrument finds cancer cells in the body without invasive surgery.
As Aaryan puts it: “Essentially, it’s the first hand-held, real-time way for surgeons to streamline the operating process.”
Aaryan talked with Matthew Jerabek, Impact Coordinator in the College Applied Research, Innovation & Entrepreneurship section, about his invention. Explaining its purpose and why at such a young age he decided to help cancer patients, he reveals an awareness of the world that belies his age. Continue reading Teen partners with AC MakerSpace to build cancer detection prototype
He’s only 14, but Aaryan Harshith is already changing the world.