SAIT students in Calgary now have a fast track to environmentally related careers, with the opening of a $5-million environmental technology centre and a newly approved diploma program.
Dignitaries cut the ribbon on the PanCanadian Environmental Technology Centre last week. It provides state-of-the-art learning space and equipment for 25 students per year who, starting this fall, will pursue a diploma in environmental technology.
“We see a real strength and a need for (training) in water treatment and wastewater management,” said Ron Talbot, dean of the energy department at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology.
“We think that we’re positioned really well to help reduce occurrences like Walkerton,” he said, referring to the contaminated water tragedy in the small Ontario town.
Building on SAIT’s strong chemistry technology program, the new environmentally focused program also will address areas such as air quality, alternative energy and greenhouse gases.
“This (centre) will make a student more flexible, more versatile and more employable,” said Emily Lees, program co-ordinator in chemical technology.
Other SAIT departments and industry also will use the facility for customized training.
The centre encompasses the entire third floor of SAIT’s Senator Burns Building.
It includes a 64-seat lecture theatre, four analytical laboratories, a 20-seat computer lab and the latest technology, such as a new scanning electron microscope and several gas chromatograph instruments.
“Investing in technology at SAIT is one way we help ensure that we educate the workforce of tomorrow with state-of-the-practice techniques and equipment,” said Nancy Laird, PanCanadian’s senior vice-president of marketing and information technology.
Along with major sponsor PanCanadian, industry contributors included TransCanada Pipelines, Precision Drilling Corporation, Schlumberger and Ipsco.
