The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) is a polytechnic 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. 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.
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 and Bachelor of Business Administration) were launched in 2007.
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. NAIT has been a leading polytechnic for more than 50 years. The school marked its 50th anniversary in 2012.
Campus growth and development
The growth of NAIT is laid out below:
1961
21-acre site purchased near city centre.
1962
Campus construction begins in January.
On October 1, the first class of 29 electrician apprentices begin training four months before the Apprenticeship Division is supposed to open.
1963 On May 27, Premier Ernest Manning officially opens the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. The new institute has:
53 shops
39 labs
77 classrooms
109 offices
155 service areas (including the cafeteria, library and gym)
NAIT’s first full-time students begin classes in September.
1965
NAIT expands beyond the original campus with the construction of an outdoor track and two other buildings.
1966
NAIT grows again as construction begins on a 55,000-square-foot addition.
1971
Construction begins on the new Activities Centre.
1975
Leased Patricia Building in northwest Edmonton opens to house 400 students.
1976
A number of land purchases are made to further expand campus. These expansions begin to open in 1977.
1981
NAIT’s first mobile classroom (a trailer) provides training in carpenter and wood trades.
Another expansion houses NAIT’s health sciences programs.
1984
Patricia Campus purchased.
1985
NAIT opens one of the first Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) labs.
1987
Property next to Main Campus is purchased for planned campus expansion.
1991
Partners in Tomorrow, NAIT’s first capital fundraising campaign, reaches its goal of $4.5 million.
1996
South Learning Centre officially opens.
Campus Reads and Needs store officially opens, becoming NAIT’s first permanent bookstore.
State-of-the-art multimedia lab and theatre officially open. David Frum gives the first public lecture in the new Shaw Theatre.
1997
Alberta Chamber of Commerce opens an office on NAIT Main Campus.
Patricia Campus expands.
1998
NAIT’s new Souch Campus opens on Edmonton’s south side. The campus is named in honour of Dr. Stan G. Souch, who served an 18-year term as NAIT’s fourth president.
1999
Videoconferencing capability links NAIT campuses with each other and the world.
2000
The $1.8-million IPSCO Centre for Welding Technology officially opens at Souch Campus. The addition features a 30-station multi-process lab, classroom and student lounge and offers training designed for self-paced learning.
Construction begins on the new Information and Communications Technology Centre.
2001
NAIT opens an office in downtown Calgary to serve more than 6,000 alumni in southern Alberta, communicate with prospective students and increase opportunities for business and industry liaison.
2002
Official opening of the Centre for Chemical Studies, a renovation and upgrading of 11 laboratories used by more than 1,600 chemistry students each year.
Official opening of the $50-million NAIT-HP Centre for Information and Communications Technology.
The NAIT Campaign: Opening Doors successfully concludes with a total of $24 million raised — $10 million over target, with $3.8 million raised for scholarships and student awards.
2003
NAIT and Fairview College announce a partnership to increase the number and diversity of programs offered to post-secondary students in northwestern Alberta.
NAIT launches a $4-million Aboriginal Student Success Initiative, which includes creation of an Aboriginal Student Centre on Main Campus and two mobile classrooms to deliver NAIT trades training to remote communities.
2004
Fairview College and NAIT become one organization as NAIT assumes responsibility for the administration of campuses in High Level, La Crete, Peace River, Fairview, Grande Prairie and St. Albert.
Responsibility for the northwest campuses was transferred to Grande Prairie Regional College in July 2009.
The Duncan McNeill Centre for Innovation (DMCI) opens. DMCI provides business incubation and development services to help entrepreneurial start-ups become high-growth companies.
2006
The $15.5-million Waiward Centre for Steel Technologies, a state-of-the-art training facility for welders, ironworkers, boilermakers, structural steel fitters and platefitters is officially opened on Souch Campus.
2007
Official opening of the new $40-million NAIT Petro Canada Centre for Millwright Technology and NAIT Spartan Centre for Instrumentation Technology.
Official opening of the NAIT Shell Manufacturing Centre, a $14.6-million one-stop shop for leading manufacturing technology education and service.
2008
Official opening of NAIT’s Sandvik Coromant Centre for Machinist Technology. The updated facility will increase machinist apprenticeship training capacity by 50%.
NAIT exceeds its $50-million Building on Demand fundraising goal by $30 million.
NAIT puts a focus on applied research with the opening of novaNAIT, which now includes the Duncan McNeill Centre for Innovation. *The centre provides applied research, business development and technology transfer services to industry, entrepreneurs and NAIT staff and students.
NAIT Calgary starts offering training in areas including Information Technology, Project Management and Leadership.
2010
NAIT Gateway Mechanical Services Centre for Building Environment Technology officially opens. The centre allows NAIT to increase capacity for Building Environment programs more than 95% over historical capacity.
2012
NAIT celebrates its 50th anniversary as a leading polytechnic.
NAIT launches Trades to Degrees, which allows certified tradespeople the opportunity to move directly from a trades credential to the third year of a degree program. The pioneering Trades to Degrees pathway is a response to workforce demand for tradespeople with managerial, leadership and entrepreneurial skills.
2016
NAIT Anticipates completion and grand opening of the new NAIT Centre for Applied Technologies in fall 2016 on the Main Campus located near Blatchford Field (Former City Center Airport lands).
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.
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.
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, now Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. Most of NAIT's sports teams are now called the Ooks as well.
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.
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 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
NAIT is organized into eight academic schools:
JR Shaw School of Business
School of Health Sciences
School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts
School of Information Communication and Engineering Technologies
School of Sustainable Building and Environmental Management
School of Trades
Faculty of Undergraduate Studies
Department of Continuing Education
Robert Barefoot, (Chemical Research Technology), chemist, author, lecturer
Gil Cardinal, filmmaker
Nolan Crouse, (Chemical Technology, Master of Business Administration), Mayor, City of St. Albert
Patrick LaForge (Marketing '74), Edmonton Oilers President and CEO
Jarred Land, Red Digital Cinema Camera Company President
Kevin Martin, Winter Olympic gold medalist curler
Ian McClelland (Photographic Technology '65), founder, Colorfast Corporation, former MP for Edmonton Southwest and former MLA for Edmonton Rutherford
Bryan Mudryk, TSN SportsCentre anchor
Doug Pruden (Architectural Technology '82), push up World Record 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 (Finance '69), former Edmonton alderman, and former MLA of Edmonton-Whitemud
