Algonquin College: Excellence in Digital and
Applied Education
February 28, 2015
“Applied education has been a focus at Algonquin College for many years, and is picking up around the world too,” said Algonquin Marketing Manager in International Student Recruitment, Nadia Ramseier. “Students acquire specialized and practical skills for well-paying jobs through these programs.”
In fact, Algonquin’s focus on applied education has made its programs sought after internationally, with many emerging economies looking to their expertise in training graduates to prepare them for the current global economy. “We have opened a campus in Saudi Arabia, will launch in Kuwait next year, and have projects in Europe, India, Mexico, and Brazil,” said Ms. Ramseier. “We are exporting our knowledge in applied education all around the world.”
Algonquin is a member of Polytechnics Canada, and prides itself on providing specific programs to prepare graduates for work in Canadian industries, as well as on the transferability of credentials and skills worldwide. Sixty percent of Algonquin students hold university degrees, and the school currently hosts 1200 international students, including 50 Brazilian students through Science Without Borders.
“All of our programs have some kind of applied component,” said Ms. Ramseier. “That could be a full co-op with a company, a clinical placement in a hospital, or working in our on-campus labs.”
Ottawa itself is a draw for many students. Although it is not one of Canada’s best-known cities, it is the national capital and offers considerable advantages for students’ experiences. Ms. Ramseier said, “The quality of life is incomparable to other cities, particularly in terms of cost of living, ease of transportation, availability of part-time jobs, and being able to live in a comfortable home within walking distance of the most important local locations.”
Algonquin’s Center for Construction Excellence (ACCE) offers unique programs in construction, architecture, and building sciences. Opened in September 2011, the ACCE is an industry hub with more than 600 new construction spaces. ACCE is state-of-the-art in green design and construction where the next generation can shape the future of public spaces. Algonquin offers a four-year course on building science and a green architecture graduate certificate programme.
Another example of Algonquin’s commitment to innovative education is the use of technology to improve student access and education. The school offers different modes of classroom delivery, including online and hybrid programs. E-textbooks are available for all programs and students are expected to have and use a laptop or mobile computing device. Their learning experience is enhanced through the use of online and mobile technologies in and out of the classroom, allowing them to work with course materials, participate in collaborative online environments and become a skilled, confident user of technology. With professors stepping up as learning guides, it provides relevant education and enables students to navigate real-world situations with life skills that employers seek. “We are committed to becoming a digitally connected global leader in applied education,” said Ms. Ramseier. “This will mean better employability for all of our students—both in Canada and abroad.”
