Focus:

Support increased infrastructure, programming, enrollment and funding

Recent Progress:

• A new $21.4-million Biosciences and Technology Convergence Centre at Algoma University is under construction.  It will house business and technology tenants, including the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre, and will help attract researchers, students, faculty and entrepreneurs to the community.
   
• Algoma University, which recently converted the Windsor Park retirement home into a downtown student residence, also plans on opening a $6-million Fine Arts and Music Education (FAME) Centre at the site in 2012.
   
• A new $25-million Academic Wing at Sault College is under construction.  The building consists of flexible learning spaces with modular classroom design to accommodate a variety of program and student needs.
   
• A new $22-million Algoma Public Health building on the Sault College campus is also under construction.  It will consolidate five offices and create expanded research and teaching opportunities by creating significant synergies and opportunities for student learning in a variety of disciplines.
   
• Sault College added new academic programs, including Renewable Energy and Green Construction Techniques, Video Game Art, and Web Animation and Design.  For Algoma University, new programs include a Master of Science in Computer Games Technology, the only such program offered in Canada, Honours Biology, and Bachelor of Social Work.
   
• Algoma University also announced the appointment of Dr. Nicola Shaw as Health Informatics Research Chair and Scientific Director for the Health Informatics Institute, and Dr. Pedro Antunes as Research Chair of Invasive Species Biology.

For a community to grow and prosper, it must have excellent educational infrastructure.  By better determining our educational needs, including opportunities for the preservation and expansion of Algoma University and Sault College, we will generate direct jobs and other related business opportunities.
 
In 2008, the provincial government granted Algoma University independent status. As part of the school’s long-term growth strategy, the university is now better positioned to expand into new academic and research areas.
 
Sault College held a grand opening for its newly-constructed wind energy turbine on campus in July 2008. Also new to campus this year is the Brookfield Power Training Centre. The interactive lab space and classroom facility will be used by students training to work in the area of renewable energy.
 
Supporting the efforts of our local institutions to provide quality post-secondary education remains a priority for Sault Ste. Marie. Like any large local industry, its success results in significant economic benefits to the community as a whole.
Two immediate projects are the Community Training and Recruitment Strategy and a collaboration between AU, Sault College, the Economic Development Corporation and Destiny SSM to explore growth and business opportunities for the institutions.

www.algomau.ca ,  www.saultc.on.ca 

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