TAC accredits five engineering technology programs at NAIT

29, Mar, 2021

On March 26, in recognition of National Engineering Month, with students, staff and faculty at Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), Technology Accreditation Canada (TAC) celebrated accreditation of five of the polytehnic’s technology programs; mechanical engineering, engineering design, nanosystems engineering, materials engineering and power engineering. National program accreditation involves a comprehensive audit, including interviews with employers of graduates, alumni, students and faculty and a tour of the programs’ labs and student support services.

Each of the audit teams noted NAIT’s commitment to student success and the breadth of curriculum delivered, particularly the engineering design program with its multi disciplinary design, which provides graduates with employment opportunities in various industry sectors. The mechanical audit revealed the program’s significant connection to industry including industry nights with returning graduates and capstone projects covering industry sponsored topics. A mandatory field practicum in the power engineering program provides students with critical industrial power engineering experience. Both the nanosystems and materials programs were cited as truly unique, the former equipping students with knowledge in a wide range of disciplines including electronics and controls, materials science, chemistry, and biochemistry and the latter of properties and behavior of engineering materials in a range of environments including oil and gas, chemical processing, mining, construction, pulp and paper.

“We congratulate each technology program for its commitment to delivering to students a high quality program which meets the current standards of the engineering technology and applied science profession,” comments Richard Stamper, TAC Executive Director. “The five newly accredited programs brings NAIT’s total of TAC accredited programs to fifteen, confirming the polytechnic’s pledge to educational excellence.”

"On behalf of NAIT, I'd like to thank Technology Accreditation Canada for this acknowledgement,” says Stewart Cook, Dean, School of Applied Sciences and Technology. “NAIT is dedicated to providing students with relevant, experiential, hands-on learning so they can effectively meet the needs of employers. The accreditation reflects the high-quality of these five programs and enhances graduate credentials as they enter the work force."

Achieving national program accreditation provides students, industry and the educational institution confidence the program has met defined standards. Accreditation also affords graduates an expedited path to certification through The Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta and provincial certifying bodies across Canada, in addition to, academic credential recognition in the signatory countries of the Sydney Accord under the International Engineering Alliance.

The following TAC and NAIT team members participated in the accreditation process:

Mechanical engineering technology
NAIT: Alex Shum, Chair
TAC audit team: Lead auditor Murray Parsons, C.E.T. (Ontario); Auditors Brad Germain, A.Sc.T. (British Columbia), Jordan Anderson, A.Sc.T. (Saskatchewan)

Engineering design technology
NAIT: Wes Puchyr, Chair
TAC audit team: Lead auditor Darrin Heisler, A.Sc.T. (British Columbia); Auditors Tyler Morrissette, C.E.T. (Alberta), Matt Bordian, C.Tech. (Alberta)

Nanosystems engineering technology
NAIT: James Gospodyn, Chair
TAC audit team: Lead auditor Gary Closson, C.E.T. (Ontario); Auditors Michael Ghazi, C.E.T. (Alberta), Negar Mackie, C.E.T. (Alberta)

Materials engineering technology
NAIT: Steve Triolaire, Chair
TAC audit team: Lead auditor Murray Parsons, C.E.T. (Mechanical, ON), Auditors: Kevin Harrison, P.Tech. (Electronics, AB), Brad Germain, AScT (Mechanical, BC)

Power engineering technology
NAIT: Danielle Woroniuk, Chair
TAC audit team: Lead auditor Ron Walker, C.E.T. (Electrical, ON), Auditors: Jordan Anderson, AScT, (Mechanical, SK), Tim Gumpinger, C.E.T. (Electrical, AB)

About TAC
Through accreditation, TAC is committed to partnering with educational institutions to ensure students receive the highest quality education which meets the standards of Canada’s engineering technology and applied science profession. For more information about TAC or how to apply for accreditation, please visit technologyaccreditation.ca.

About NAIT
The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) is a leading Canadian polytechnic, delivering education in science, technology and the environment; business; health and skilled trades. With nearly 34,000 credit and non-credit students and a 98 per cent employer satisfaction rate, NAIT grads are essential to the provincial economy. NAIT also contributes to Alberta's prosperity by helping business and industry become more competitive with Industry Solutions offered through its Productivity and Innovation Centre, including technology adoption, business and product innovation and industry-driven research. Recognized as one of Alberta's top employers, NAIT provides outstanding returns on investment for its graduates, partners, the provincial government and the people of Alberta. 

Contacts:
Richard Stamper, Executive Director
Technology Accreditation Canada
t: 416.847.1016, ext. 254
rstamper@technologyaccreditation.ca

Nicole Graham
NAIT media relations
c: 780.916.8307
media@nait.ca