The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) and Compaq Canada have signed a strategic technology agreement they say could be worth $40 million.

The agreement includes a $4.2-million contribution to the Edmonton college’s new Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Centre, as well as collaboration on applied research activities and a 10-year commitment from NAIT to purchase a full range of Compaq products and services.

“Compaq Canada is extremely pleased to enter this partnership with NAIT that, in many ways, will enhance their world-class education facilities,” said David Booth, president and managing director, Compaq Canada Corp. “Canada consistently develops innovative thinkers and it is important that we offer students the best learning environments right here at home.”

It is Compaq’s largest commitment to a post-secondary institution as well as the most comprehensive strategic technology relationship of its kind between a post-secondary institution and a private company in Canada.

The latest Compaq technologies and solutions will be fully integrated into every applicable program at each of NAIT’s six campuses.

“This agreement is about vision, advanced technology and strategic relationships to ensure NAIT continues to provide students with the best technical education in Canada,” said Dr. Sam Shaw, NAIT president. “NAIT and Compaq will shape the ICT training landscape in Northern Alberta and beyond.”

Compaq’s $4.2-million funding commitment to the ICT Centre is the largest to date within NAIT’s $14-million fundraising campaign and gives Compaq the naming rights to the 220,000 sq. ft. facility under construction at NAIT’s main campus.

Other key elements of the agreement include:
* Compaq and NAIT will collaborate on applied research activities;
* NAIT will be a preferred developer and provider of training to Compaq employees;
* Compaq will provide co-op learning opportunities for NAIT students; and
* NAIT students will beta test and preview new Compaq technology.

Scheduled to open in the fall of 2002, the $50-million NAIT Compaq Centre for Information and Communications Technology will boost NAIT’s ICT-related enrolment by 700 full time students to more than 1,600 — a 75-per-cent increase.

In addition to a 24-hour, 5,000-sq.-ft., open-area computer commons, the Compaq Centre will contain 56 labs and 20 classrooms.