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The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) is a
applied sciences Applied science is the use of the scientific method and knowledge obtained via conclusions from the method to attain practical goals. It includes a broad range of disciplines such as engineering and medicine. Applied science is often contrasted ...
institute in Edmonton,
Alberta Alberta ( ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada. It is part of Western Canada and is one of the three prairie provinces. Alberta is bordered by British Columbia to the west, Saskatchewan to the east, the Northwest Terri ...
, 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.NAIT (2013).
NAIT Quick Facts
. Retrieved 2013-08-21.
NAIT is similar to an
Institute of technology An institute of technology (also referred to as: technological university, technical university, university of technology, technological educational institute, technical college, polytechnic university or just polytechnic) is an institution of te ...
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).


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 and Bachelor of Business Administration) 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 The Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) is a polytechnic institute in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. SAIT offers more than 110 career programs in technology, trades and business. Established in 1916, it is Calgary's second oldest post-s ...
(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. NAIT has been a leading polytechnic for more than 50 years. The school marked its 50th anniversary in 2012.


Campus

The institute has four campuses 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 Edmonton City Centre Airport (ECCA), also called Blatchford Field as well as Edmonton Municipal Airport, was an airport within the city of Edmonton, in Alberta, Canada. It was bordered by Yellowhead Trail to the north, Kingsway to the south, ...
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.


Mascot

NAIT's mascot is the Ook. This is a shortened version of the
Inuktitut Inuktitut (; , syllabics ; from , "person" + , "like", "in the manner of"), also Eastern Canadian Inuktitut, is one of the principal Inuit languages of Canada. It is spoken in all areas north of the tree line, including parts of the provinces o ...
word for the snowy owl, ookpik. NAIT was presented this mascot in 1964 by the federal Department of Northern Affairs and National Resources, 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 The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) is the governing body for collegiate sports in Alberta, Canada. Founded in 1964, as the Western Inter-College Conference, the ACAC is represented by eighteen schools, including one in Saskatchewan, t ...
. Ooks team sports include
badminton Badminton is a racquet sport played using racquets to hit a shuttlecock across a net. Although it may be played with larger teams, the most common forms of the game are "singles" (with one player per side) and "doubles" (with two players pe ...
,
basketball Basketball is a team sport in which two teams, most commonly of five players each, opposing one another on a rectangular Basketball court, court, compete with the primary objective of #Shooting, shooting a basketball (ball), basketball (appr ...
, ice hockey, soccer, curling, and volleyball. NAIT's official colours are blue and yellow.


Students' Association

The NAIT Students' Association (NAITSA) 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 t
techlifetoday.ca
in 2016. Techlifetoday has published exclusively online since November 2018 and has earned numerous industry awards.


Organization

NAIT is organized into four academic schools and one academic department: * 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

*
Robert Barefoot Coral calcium is a salt of calcium derived from fossilized coral reefs (primarily from limestone and coastal deposits). It has been promoted as an alternative, but unsubstantiated, treatment or cure for a number of health conditions. Health claim ...
, (Chemical Research Technology), chemist, author, lecturer *
Gil Cardinal Gilbert Joseph "Gil" Cardinal (July 19, 1950 – November 21, 2015) was a Canadian filmmaker of Métis descent. Born in Edmonton in 1950, and placed in a foster home at the age of two, Cardinal only discovered his Métis roots while making his doc ...
, filmmaker *
Nolan Crouse Nolan Crouse is the former Mayor of St. Albert, Alberta, Canada and a former candidate for the leadership of the Alberta Liberal Party. Background Crouse was born in Viking, Alberta and attended Irma High School in nearby Irma. He received a ...
, (Chemical Technology, Master of Business Administration), Former Mayor, City of St. Albert, 2007–2017 *
Patrick LaForge Patrick LaForge (born November 19, 1952) is the former president and CEO of the Edmonton Oilers. He was born in Lac La Biche and raised in Edmonton. LaForge was the cousin of Bill LaForge, the former coach of the Vancouver Canucks. LaForge is a d ...
(Marketing '74), Edmonton Oilers Past President and CEO * Jarred Land, Red Digital Cinema Camera Company President * Kevin Martin,
Winter Olympic The Winter Olympic Games (french: link=no, Jeux olympiques d'hiver) is a major international multi-sport event held once every four years for sports practiced on snow and ice. The first Winter Olympic Games, the 1924 Winter Olympics, were he ...
gold medalist curler * Ian McClelland (Photographic Technology '65), founder, Colorfast Corporation, former MP for
Edmonton Southwest Edmonton Southwest was a federal electoral district in Alberta, Canada, that was represented in the House of Commons of Canada from 1988 to 2003. Demographics Geography It was located in the city of Edmonton in the province of Alberta. Histor ...
and former MLA for
Edmonton Rutherford Edmonton-Rutherford is a provincial electoral district in Alberta, Canada. The district is mandated to return a single member to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta using the first past the post method of voting. The district was created in the ...
* Bryan Mudryk, TSN SportsCentre anchor *
Doug Pruden Doug Pruden of Canada holds or held nine world records in push ups, and holds thirteen Canadian records in push ups. History Doug Pruden grew up in Northern Alberta. In his late teens he adopted general fitness as his favourite way to stay in s ...
(Architectural Technology '82), push up
World Record A world record is usually the best global and most important performance that is ever recorded and officially verified in a specific skill, sport, or other kind of activity. The book ''Guinness World Records'' and other world records organization ...
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 Percy Dwight Wickman (June 10, 1941 – July 3, 2004) was a Canadian politician and well-known activist for people with disabilities. He was born in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Wickman served as an alderman on Edmonton City Council from 1977 to 1986 ...
(Finance '69), former Edmonton alderman, and former MLA of Edmonton-Whitemud * Olivia Cheng (Radio and Television Arts), Canadian Actress * Dave Quest (Business Administration '85), Politician, Strathcona-Sherwood Park MLA *
William (Billy) Morin William Morin IV (Cree: *Nahtokitopi*: "Rides a Sacred Horse"; born 1987 or 1988) known as Billy Morin is a Canadian Cree First Nations leader and the elected Chief of Enoch Cree Nation since August 2015. He has built partnerships among Indigenous ...
, Indigenous leader,
Enoch Cree Nation The Enoch Cree Nation #440 ( cr, script=Cans, ᒪᐢᑫᑯᓯᐦᐠ, ) is a First Nations band government in Alberta, Canada. Members of the Nation are of Cree ancestry and speak the Plains Cree dialect of the Cree language group. The band is ...
Chief, *
Morris Panych Morris Stephen Panych (born 30 June 1952) is a Canadian playwright, director and actor. Early life Panych was born in Calgary, Alberta and grew up in Edmonton, Alberta. He studied at Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, and the Universit ...
(Radio and Television Arts), Canadian Actor and Director *
Cathy King Cathy King (born September 3, 1959), formerly Cathy Borst (Cathy's married name was Borst - when she divorced she went back to her maiden name of King) is a Canadian curler from St. Albert, Alberta. She is a former Canadian champion skip and w ...
(Radio and Television Arts), Gold Medalist curler *
Dave Pettitt Dave Pettitthttp://davepettitt.com is a Canadian actor who has performed in commercials, television and voice-overs. Career Since 1995 he has voiced roles for over ten television series and at least five video games.Database (undated)."Film ...
(Broadcasting), Canadian Actor and Voice-over Artist *
Barb Higgins Barbara Joan Higgins (born September 21, 1962) is best known in Southern Alberta for her 21 year career as senior anchor, writer and producer of the 6 o'clock news for CTV Calgary. As a journalist and documentarian, Higgins brought a critical ey ...
(Business Administration and Radio and Television Arts), Television News Anchor and Journalist *
Natasha Staniszewski Natasha Staniszewski (born May 25, 1978) is a Canadian sports reporter and media host for the Calgary Flames and Calgary Stampeders. She is a former anchor on SportsCentre, TSN's flagship news and information show. Broadcasting career Stani ...
(Radio and Television Arts '55), Sports Reporter and Anchor * Travis Toews (Unknown), Canadian Politician, Accountant, Rancher, Business Owner, Minister of Finance of Alberta and
President of the Treasury Board The president of the Treasury Board () is a minister of the Crown in the Canadian Cabinet. The president is the chair of the Treasury Board of Canada (a committee of Cabinet in the Privy Council) and is the minister responsible for the Treasury B ...
. * Bob McLeod (Administrative Management), Politician, Northwest Territories MLA and 12th
Premier of the Northwest Territories The premier of the Northwest Territories is the first minister and head of government for the Canadian territory of the Northwest Territories. The premier is the territory's head of government, although the powers of the office are considerably l ...
* Richard Newman (Radio and Television Arts), Broadcaster and Writer * Bol Kong (Radio and Television Arts), Professional Basketball Player with
National Basketball League of Canada The National Basketball League of Canada (NBL Canada; french: Ligue nationale de basketball du Canada) is a Canadian professional men's minor league basketball organization. The NBL Canada was founded in 2011, when three existing Premier Basket ...
(NBL) and NBA Draft. Named All-Canadian at NAIT. *
Pierre Lueders Pierre Fritz Lueders (born 26 September 1970) is a Canadian Olympic, world and World Cup champion bobsledder who competed from 1990 to 2010. He piloted both two-man and four-man bobsleigh, retiring after the 2010 Winter Olympics. He was named to ...
(Unknown), Canadian Olympic Athlete, and bobsleigh World Cup Champion, and Head Coach * David Dorward (Unknown), Politician,
Edmonton-Gold Bar Edmonton-Gold Bar is a provincial electoral district, in Alberta, Canada. The district is one of 87 in the province mandated to return a single member to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta using the first past the post method of voting. The ...
MLA and Business Owner * George Rogers (Business Administration with Accounting '80), Politician, Leduc-Beaumont MLA, City Mayor, Businessman * Bob Peterson (Photography '65), Photographer *
Holger Petersen Holger Petersen, (born 23 November 1949) is a Canadian businessman, record producer and radio broadcaster. He founded the independent roots music record label Stony Plain Records in 1975 with partner Alvin Jahns.  The label was sold to True Nor ...
(Unknown), Businessman, Music Records Producer and Radio Broadcaster


See also

*
Education in Alberta Education in Alberta is provided mainly through funding from the provincial government. The earliest form of formal education in Alberta is usually preschool which is not mandatory and is then followed by the partially-mandatory kindergarten ...
*
List of universities and colleges in Alberta This is a list of colleges in Alberta. Post-secondary education in the Canadian province of Alberta is regulated by the Ministry of Advanced Education. Alberta has the following tertiary education institutions: Publicly funded colleges Al ...
*
Canadian Colleges Athletic Association The Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) is the national governing body for organized sports at the collegiate level in Canada. Its name in French is l'Association canadienne du sport collégial (ACSC). National championships CCAA m ...
*
Canadian Interuniversity Sport U Sports (stylized as U SPORTS) is the national sport governing body of university sport in Canada, comprising the majority of degree-granting universities in the country. Its equivalent body for organized sports at colleges in Canada is the Can ...
*
Canadian government scientific research organizations Expenditures by federal and provincial organizations on scientific research and development accounted for about 10% of all such spending in Canada in 2006. These organizations are active in natural and social science research, engineering research, ...
*
Canadian university scientific research organizations Expenditures by Canadian universities on scientific research and development accounted for about 40% of all spending on scientific research and development in Canada in 2006. Research in the natural and social sciences in Canada, with a few importa ...
*
Canadian industrial research and development organizations Expenditures by Canadian corporations on research and development accounted for about 50% of all spending on scientific research and development in Canada in 2007. In the corporate sector research and development tends to focus on the creation or ...


References


External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Northern Alberta Institute Of Technology Universities and colleges in Edmonton Colleges in Alberta Vocational education in Canada Educational institutions established in 1962 1962 establishments in Alberta