The annual awards for Conestoga’s Architecture - Project and Facility Management (APFM) program honoured outstanding students in all years of the degree program now in its 22nd year.
Architect Laird Robertson (left) presents an award to student Alena Khangura at the annual awards for Conestoga’s Architecture - Project and Facility Management program.
“When you graduate, you’re going to part of a wonderful cohort of graduates going out into the workforce doing so many different things. The wonderful thing about this program is that it’s such a diverse field of career paths that await you,” said Diane Burchett, chair in the School of Engineering & Technology.
Ten awards sponsored by faculty, industry and alumni were presented at the ceremony held at the Cambridge - Fountain Street campus on November 27.
Long-time sponsor NEO Architecture Inc. employs co-op students and graduates of the program.
“I’m a strong supporter of the program because of the diversity of education it offers,” said architect Laird Robertson. “I think the program is essential to the industry.”
He presented the NEO Architecture Year 1 Studio Award, which honours a first-year student for their exceptional design skills. “I wanted to recognize exceptional talent with the first year from a design standpoint.”
Robertson reviews student portfolios and picks the one who shows a latent talent for design and the most promise. “It is so apparent that their skill is exceptional.”
This year, Robertson gave the award to Alena Khangura.
“It feels amazing. I feel very honoured,” Khangura said. “It makes me want to move forward. It inspires me to do my best.”
Khangura appreciates how all aspects of the program are connected and looks forward to co-op placements to figure out which focus will be the best fit for her.
“I can’t wait to further learn,” Khangura said.
Retired professor and event organizer Ron Bean said the event is a great way to celebrate the outstanding academic achievements of the program’s students, as well as the whole APFM community. That includes support from long-time industry donors such as NEO Architecture, Ventin Group Architects and Zehr Construction; alumni donors who create awards such as the Women of APFM Award; and faculty and retired faculty who sponsor awards including the new Studio VII Research Award by donor Jim Bechard.
“The future looks bright as we are also now getting a return of APFM alumni who are not only supporting awards, but many who are coming back to teach in the program. And, of course, we are grateful for the ongoing support from a whole network of Conestoga employees who all contribute to making the APFM program awards an annual success,” Bean said.
APFM graduate Jehan Salim was honoured with a Premier’s Award in 2023 in the Community Services category for the impact she is making across the globe by using her project and facilities management expertise to lead post-conflict rebuilding efforts.
Conestoga's four-year Architecture - Project and Facility Management co-op degree program is the only in Canada to be regulated by the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) Foundation and Canada’s first program to be accredited by the Applied and Natural Sciences Accreditation Commission (ABET). The program focuses on the whole architectural process from planning to occupancy and the adaptive reuse of buildings, and the broad-based education puts the alumni in high demand with nearly 90 per cent employed within six months of graduation.