NAIT Main Campus re-opening April 24

NAIT celebrates student contribution during grand opening of the Centre for Applied Technology

Published on October 27, 2016

Largest donation polytechnic has ever received in its history supports campus growth

Staff, students, and guests celebrated the biggest gift NAIT has ever received during the grand opening of the Centre for Applied Technology (CAT) Thursday night.

The NAIT Students’ Association (NAITSA) announced the $5 million donation to NAIT in February – also the largest donation in NAITSA’s history, doubling a $2.5 million donation it made to NAIT in 2001.

Approximately $2 million of the donation supported the construction of CAT, a five-storey building that includes technologically-advanced laboratories and simulation rooms. The remainder will be used to centralize and expand NAITSA offices, bring in SMART ID Card technology and more.

At 51,600-square-metres (550,000-square-feet), CAT is one of the largest post-secondary facilities in the country – roughly the same size as the nearby Kingsway Mall. Classes began in CAT last month.

The gift from NAITSA, presented at the grand opening celebration, was the result of a referendum in February that saw 93 per cent of NAIT student voters in favour of the gift.

QUICK FACTS

  • The Centre for Applied Technology (CAT) is the largest capital project in NAIT’s history.
  • Ground was broken in August 2013.
  • The building includes: 
    • Thirty-five 32-seat classrooms
    • Twenty-two 64-seat classrooms.
    • A 135-seat theatre 
    • 45 leading-edge labs and simulation rooms
  • Total cost of CAT is approximately $300 million
  • NAIT is pursuing Gold Certification for CAT under the LEED Canada New Construction Green Building Rating System

QUOTES

Dr. Glenn Feltham, NAIT president and CEO
“This incredible gift from NAITSA will be truly transformational – and will improve student life on campus. Thank you to NAITSA for your leadership and to the students for their support of these important initiatives.”

John Perozok, NAITSA interim president and vice president 
“The overwhelming 93 per cent support for the donation was a reflection of the fact NAIT students expect great services from their association and understand that the association needs more additional space to ensure that service in the future.”

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 trades. With more than 60,000 credit and non-credit students and a 98 per cent employer satisfaction rate, NAIT grads are essential to Alberta’s prosperity. Known for hands-on, technology-based learning, NAIT engages with business and industry in applied research and innovation and provides corporate training around the world. 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.


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