Conestoga College has joined with seven other Canadian polytechnic institutes to create a new entity, the Association of Canadian Polytechnic Institutes (ACPI).
The ACPI has four major aims: (1) to create national branding for polytechnic education that considers its impact on economic development; (2) to strengthen credit transfer and recognition for students; (3) to promote polytechnic partnerships in order to respond collaboratively to national and international project proposals exceeding the capabilities or resources of individual member institutions; and (4) to advocate at the federal level for increased access to funding for applied research.
The eight institutions are the British Columbia Institute of Technology, Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, George Brown College of Applied Arts and Technology, Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology, Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, and Southern Alberta Institute of Technology.
The ACPI will be based in Burnaby, BC, with John Watson as Executive Director.
"Polytechnic institutes have a primary mandate to pursue career-focused and economically-driven technical and related education that spans from trades to degrees," Watson says. "As a group of Canada's largest and most respected institutions, we can bring tremendous capability to national and international projects. By banding together, and through proper branding, we can develop a larger profile on the international stage."
The member institutions share a common interest in improving credit transfer opportunities, promoting polytechnic education nationally and internationally, pursuing applied research and development activities on campus, and delivering educational programs up to and including applied bachelor's degrees or master's degrees.
CONTACT: Cecilia Rossier, ACPI, 604-431-4954, cecilia.rossier@polytechnics.ca