Northern Alberta Institute of Technology


The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology is a public polytechnic and applied sciences institute in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
NAIT offers approximately 120 credit programs leading to degrees, applied degrees, diplomas, and certificates. As of 2023, there are approximately 15,700 students enrolled in credit programs, 7,009 apprentices registered in apprenticeship training, 12,100 students enrolled in non-credit courses, and more than 20,000 registrants for customized corporate based training. NAIT also attracts international students from 84 countries. NAIT is similar to an institute of technology or university of applied sciences as termed in other jurisdictions. The campus newspaper, the NAIT Nugget, is a member of the Canadian University Press.
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Academic programs

The polytechnic confers certificates, diplomas, applied degrees and baccalaureate degrees. NAIT's four-year baccalaureate degrees were launched in 2007.
NAIT is one of the largest apprenticeship trainers in Canada offering 31 registered trades programs.

History

In 1959, the Alberta provincial government decided to build an Edmonton facility to supplement apprenticeship and vocational training, which was at the time handled by the Provincial Institute of Technology and Art in Calgary. The new institution would be named the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology and PITA would be renamed the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. Construction of the new facility began in January 1962. The first class was enrolled in October, a group of 29 Communication Electrician apprentices. NAIT officially opened on May 27, 1963, with a ceremony led by Premier Ernest Manning. The first graduation ceremony happened in 1965, with a class of 326 graduates. In 1982, the government transferred control to the new Board of Governors, chaired by Allan McCagherty. NAIT has been a leading polytechnic for more than 60 years. The school marked its 50th anniversary in 2012.

Campuses

The institute has four campuses located in Edmonton and Spruce Grove:
  • Main Campus at 11762 - 106 Street, Edmonton
  • Patricia Campus at 12204 - 149 Street, Edmonton
  • Souch Campus at 7110 Gateway Boulevard, Edmonton
  • Crane and Hoist Campus at 281 Tamarack Drive, Spruce Grove
In February 2019, the Main campus acquired of the former Edmonton City Centre Airport with the option for another, as well as the Westwood Transit Garage to the north. This will enable the closure of the Patricia and Souch campuses, and the construction of a student residence building. The Spruce Grove campus will remain open since its crane and hoisting classes cannot be accommodated at the Main campus.

Mascot

NAIT's mascot is the Ook. This is a shortened version of ookpik, the Inuktitut word for the snowy owl. NAIT was presented this mascot in 1964 by the federal Department of Northern Affairs and National Resources, now Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. Most of NAIT's sports teams are now called the Ooks as well.

Athletics

The NAIT Ooks compete in the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association as a member of the Alberta Colleges Athletics Conference. Ooks team sports include badminton, basketball, curling, ice hockey, soccer, and volleyball. NAIT's official team colours are gold and royal blue.
Irwin Strifler was the Athletic Director from 1968 to 1998.

Students' association

The NAIT Students' Association is composed entirely of current NAIT students. It is led by a four-person elected Executive Council, and governed by an eighteen-person elected Senate. NAITSA is responsible for running the Nest Taphouse Grill, The NAIT Nugget, campus events, the student health and dental plan, U-Pass and various other services aimed at enhancing student life.

''Techlifetoday'' magazine

Techlifetoday is the polytechnic's official magazine, focusing on people, technology and innovation. It launched in 2007 as techlife, a print magazine. Techlifetoday has published exclusively online since November 2018 and has earned numerous industry awards.

Organization and administration

NAIT's credit programs are organized into seven academic schools and Corporate & Continuing Education. The schools are:
  • JR Shaw School of Business
  • School of Construction and Building Sciences
  • School of Energy and Natural Resources
  • School of Health and Life Sciences
  • School of Manufacturing and Automation
  • School of Media and Information Technology
  • School of Transportation

Notable alumni