As difficult as it is to think about being in our tenth week of physical distancing, I hope that the warmer weather has provided a chance for you to get outdoors a little bit this past long weekend, and that perhaps it has also given everyone an additional boost of optimism.
Yesterday we marked AC Day 1 with an energetic start to the spring term — so many activities and creative ways to connect with our new learners and welcome them to Algonquin College. Thank you to everyone who helped organize this wonderful experience, and thank you to all our new learners for taking part. I am sure these virtual events will help you settle into your studies, confident with all of the information gained, and in the knowledge that we are here to help you succeed. Continue reading Message from the President – May 20
OTTAWA (May 19) – Algonquin College was honoured Tuesday with an Award of Excellence from Colleges and Institutes Canada.
Algonquin’s International Education Centre received CICan’s Silver Award for Internationalization Excellence. It is the second CICan award the Centre has received since 2016 when it won Bronze.
While recipients of the 2020 Awards of Excellence could not be recognized in person because the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of CICan’s annual conference, the association created an online showcase to share and celebrate their achievements.
As we wind down our ninth week of physical distancing, it is reassuring to see signs of spring and also indications that we are gradually and safely in the process of easing the lockdown. Just this week, select retail stores with a street entrance were able to offer curbside pickups, following the good news that hardware stores and garden centres could also open for business with modified operations to ensure the health and safety of staff and customers.
Here at Algonquin, we are also seeing encouraging signs that life at the College is moving forward, most notably with the beginning of our Spring Term. Our Ottawa Campus will be making history with our first-ever virtual AC Day 1 on May 19. Just as in the past, our learners will be able to get involved in social activities, meet their professors, sign up for orientation, and learn about the many supports we offer to guide them on their academic journey — and everything will be accessible from the comfort and safety of their own homes. You can find more information about our virtual AC Day 1 here. (Note that this programming is only available to our Ottawa Campus students. Our Perth and Pembroke Campuses do not have Level 1 intakes this term and so there are no orientation activities scheduled at those locations.)Continue reading Message from the President – May 14
I have some information I would like to share regarding Algonquin College’s Fall Academic Framework.
To begin with, I am incredibly proud of everything our College community has accomplished together so far during COVID-19 – rapidly adapting our programs, courses, teaching approaches, and learning styles to make remote learning a success. It has not been easy, and I commend everyone for embracing this unprecedented transformation.
That good work will be vital as we look forward. To that end, the following Academic Framework will provide us with the focus and flexibility to develop a detailed fall plan in the coming weeks. Continue reading Coronavirus Update – Fall Term
Hacking Health Ottawa has teamed up with CHEO, The Algonquin College MakerSpace, Thistledown Foundation and University of Ottawa medical students to lead the 3D print Maker community in the coordination and the rapid development of protective face shields.
In light of expected COVID-19 related shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE), Maker groups, technology and medical professionals in the National Capital region are collaborating to proactively source materials and develop much needed PPE with a current focus on face shields in particular.
The initiative was driven by calls for support from the City of Ottawa and local hospitals to source PPE equipment.
As we enter into our eighth week of physical distancing, I would like to share a couple of pieces of information that you may find helpful as we continue to plan for the time when we can come together again. I am pleased to announce that applications will open on May 15 for our COVID-19 Emergency Student Fund. This new $1 million fund will help learners who are in the most need of assistance to continue with their studies. On May 13, students will receive a message from Laura Stanbra, Vice President Student Services, that provides more details on how to apply to this fund. If you are a student in immediate financial need, please reach out to Financial Aid and Student Awards at bursaries@algonquincollege.com.
Of course, financial issues are only part of the struggle facing many within the Algonquin College community. Yesterday marked the start of the Canadian Mental Health Association’s Mental Health Week (May 4-10). I recognize that this is a uniquely difficult time for mental health as people deal with stress, anxiety and personal challenges. Employees can find helpful resource information in our Employee Toolkit FAQ and via our Employee Assistance Program. Students can find mental health resources here. Continue reading Message from the President – May 05
Algonquin College has been named one of the top animation schools in the world in rankings recently published by Animation Career Review.
Algonquin ranks sixth in the world and fourth in Canada in the category of Top Animation Training Programs, according to the website. This is the second-straight year the College has cracked the Top 10 in the international rankings – climbing four spots from 10th in 2019.
I would like to acknowledge that today is the National Day of Mourning in Canada. On this day, we remember workers who have lost their lives, been injured or become ill due to work-related incidents — our flags have been lowered to honour these individuals. We also pay tribute to their families, whose lives have been changed forever. I know I speak on behalf of our Algonquin College Executive and Leadership Teams when I say that we believe every employee has the right to a safe workplace, and that we should all take a moment today to reflect on what this day means. Continue reading Message from the President – April 28
OTTAWA (April 27, 2020) — Out of the isolation of COVID-19, a group of recent Algonquin College graduates have come together and organized the first-ever virtual international music conference.
Featuring big name panelists and performers from across the industry, the Online Music Conference 2020 is set to run free over Facebook Live for the next two days (April 28 and 29). https://www.facebook.com/OnlineMusicConference/
Adam Gontier of Three Days Grace, Rob Lanni of Coalition Music, Joel Baskin of the Feldman Agency, and artists Morgan James, Joanna Connor and Destroy Boys are only a small sample of the guests lined up for the two-day event.
The conference lineup boasts a variety of topics. The first day features a Women in Music, Artists, and Manager/Agent panels. The second day includes Producer, Artists and Live Production panels. Both days will feature a live performance session from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., which will showcase local and international artists.
For more information on the conference check https://www.musicconference.ca/ or go to https://www.facebook.com/OnlineMusicConference/
Chris Lackner
Communications Officer
Algonquin College
Office: 613-727-4723 ext. 2091
Mobile: 613-220-3479
lacknec@algonquincollege.com
About Algonquin College:
The mission of Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology is to transform hopes and dreams into lifelong success. Algonquin College, an Ontario public sector community college, does this by offering hands-on, digitally connected, experiential learning in more than 185 programs. Based in the Ottawa Valley, Algonquin College is the largest polytechnic institute in Eastern Ontario.
While I am mindful not to add too many messages to your inbox, I have some very important updates that I’d like to share with you, and I did not want to delay until next week to do so.
As expected, we have had some very good news from our Prime Minister, who on Wednesday announced $9 billion in emergency support for young Canadians and permanent residents. This includes a new emergency student benefit and investments to create more jobs for students. This is going to be a great help to many of our learners and we are pleased that eligible students at our College will receive $1,250 a month from May to August. Students who are taking care of someone else or who have a disability will receive $1,750 monthly. You can read more about these initiatives here.Continue reading Message from the President – April 24
Dear Colleagues and Learners,