Made with FlowPaper - Flipbook Maker
< Previous08 LINK 02 NEW PODCAST FOR SAIT ALUMNI Check out the What Works podcast, a new 10-part series dedicated to helping SAIT alumni take the guesswork out of making your next career move. “Topics cover everything from job search techniques to making a great LinkedIn profile,” says producer and host Alyssa Athanasopoulos (RTBN ’09). “Each episode features experts from SAIT’s Career Advancement Services team plus fellow alumni who share tools, tips and advice on all things career-related.” Find it wherever you download podcasts, and catch previous installments of the What Works career speaker series on sait.ca/whatworks . #15 The School of Hospitality and Tourism has moved up three spots to rank #15 in CEOWORLD Magazine’s 2023 Best Hospitality and Hotel Management Schools in the World — still the only Canadian school on the list. TOP FIVE OF 50 SAIT has been ranked fifth in Research Infosource Inc.’s Top 50 Research Colleges in Canada , part of an annual report recognizing leading research universities, corporations, hospitals and colleges enhancing Canada’s global competitiveness in the knowledge economy. FIFTY- ONE OF 173 CEOWORLD Magazine’s list of Best Business Schools in the World has ranked SAIT’s School of Business at #51 for the third year in a row, holding strong as the second-highest ranked business school in Canada. QUICK START 01 COMMEMORATING THE ROAD TO PERMANENT RESIDENCY In October 2022, SAIT hosted its inaugural Permanent Residency Ceremony celebrating 34 alumni who have gained permanent resident status in the last five years. Invited guests including Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek (shown here) were in attendance to mark this post-graduation milestone in the lives of these honorees, and to recognize how international education brings vibrancy, knowledge and global cultural perspectives to Alberta’s learning and innovation landscape. Alumni can also access My Career Hub, an online portal to access all things career advancement at SAIT. Create an account at mycareerhub.sait.caQUICK START 09 03 SAIT AND RBC DRIVE THE FUTURE FORWARD During the SAIT Transportation and Manufacturing Industry Night on March 23, 2023, the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) announced an $850,000 investment to help SAIT’s School of Transportation develop electric vehicle (EV) readiness training, and to offer skills programming that will support high school students in learning academic skills needed for a career in the trades. Part of this unique investment will also support SAIT’s Transportation and Manufacturing Industry Nights over the next five years. “We’re pleased to partner with the School of Transportation on this advanced training, and to help young people access meaningful employment through practical work experience, skills development opportunities and networking solutions,” says RBC Alberta & Territories Regional President Jeff Boyd. “We know an issue like energy transition … requires a collective effort across industry, academia, government and community, and it’s a process that takes time, creativity, patience and resolve.” SAIT President and CEO Dr. David Ross says the Institute is committed to evolving with industry and providing students with tomorrow’s skills. “This gift from RBC will provide greater access to the technology needed to advance our labs and create opportunities to integrate practical work experience into SAIT’s transportation programming,” he says. The first hybrid vehicle was available to consumers nearly 25 years ago, and Automotive Instructor Harley Breadner (AAST ’11) says RBC’s investment will help SAIT keep pace with a constantly evolving industry. “It will help our students enter the workforce with the right skills to play a part in the shift to a greener future.” 04 134 NEW APPRENTICESHIP SEATS AT SAIT An investment of more than $900,000 from the Government of Alberta was announced on Feb. 17, 2023 to support the creation of 134 apprenticeship seats across eight programs for the skilled trades. Offered in the 2022/23 academic year, the seats are for trades in industries ranging from cooking to heavy equipment technicians. During the announcement, Interim Academic Chair in the School of Transportation Mike Hughes (DET ’13, HET ’15) said, “This investment will enable SAIT to prepare even more students for careers that are vital to our economy.” BOOKSTRUCKER PHOTOGRAPHY10 LINK TWO Xero, a global small business platform, has launched two awards with three-year terms for students in financial need: the Xero Accounting Futures Award offers $3,000 each year to a different SAIT student, and the Xero Indigenous Student Award offers $2,000 each year to a different Indigenous student majoring in accounting. 3,000+ Congratulations to SAIT’s Class of 2023! We welcomed 906 new alumni at our Feb. 24 conferral, and approximately 2,120 students will graduate this June. 30 YEARS 2023 marks 30 years of SAIT’s affinity partnership with TD Insurance Meloche Monnex. This important program uses the group buying power of SAIT’s 271,000+ graduates to help support alumni perks (like preferred insurance rates, comprehensive coverage, and LINK), programs and events. 05 ADVANCED TRAINING CENTRE IS CANADA’S FIRST With more industries using drone technology for everything from environmental inspection to emergency response, SAIT is launching Canada’s first remotely piloted aviation training centre for heavy-lift and beyond-visual-line-of-sight Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS). Supported by $1.48 million from the Government of Canada’s Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative — and drawing on collaborative academic partnerships with RPAS manufacturers and aviation regulatory agencies in North America and Europe, including Swiss companies ANAVIA, SwissDrones and Dufour AeroSpace as well as Velos Rotors (based in Greece and the U.S.) — the centre is an expansion of SAIT’s Applied Research and Innovation Services (ARIS). It will provide advanced RPAS training and certification, foster research and development, and position Alberta as a leader in the field. 06 SAIT ALUMNAE; CERTIFIED LEADERS Three SAIT graduates — shown above: Stephanie Lapointe (left; BGIS ’18), Sara Ashoori (centre; BGIS ’20) and Bryanna Paquette (right; RPAS ’22) — will take a lead in delivering world-class instruction at SAIT’s newly announced remotely piloted aviation training centre (story above). In February and March 2023, they travelled to Switzerland to complete the world’s only course for commercial drone pilot instruction and maintenance — a course developed through a collaboration between SAIT’s Centre for Innovation and Research in Unmanned Systems [CIRUS], the Swiss aerospace industry and drone manufacturers. Lapointe, Ashoori and Paquette are now Canada’s first female instructors certified for heavy-lift, long-range and beyond-visual-line-of-sight remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS), helping to meet growing international demand for heavy-lift drone pilots and technicians. QUICK START QUICK START 11 07 BUILDING BRIDGES WITH INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES In March 2023, Jennifer Russell joined SAIT in the newly created role of Director, Indigenous Engagement. She is leading the development, implementation and evaluation of SAIT initiatives designed to ensure the success of Indigenous students, employees and communities. A Cree and Blackfoot woman, Jennifer is also a member of the Métis Nation of Alberta. She brings 20 years of experience in building bridges between organizations and First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities, and worked in SAIT’s Chinook Lodge Resource Centre from 2010 to 2012. 09 EXTENDED REALITY IN EDUCATION The two recipients of the 2022 Cisco Catalyst Chair — a combined $125,000 award provided by Cisco Systems — are bringing their experiences as past SAIT instructors to research how tech can improve teaching and learning. Former Pipetrades instructor and current Digital Catalyst Champion Kat Hassard (AUCC ’20, APBP ’13) is researching how virtual reality impacts the spatial ability and learning outcomes of Architectural Technologies students. Matt Karns (who taught Hospitality Management before moving to SAIT’s Centre for Academic Development and Innovation) is exploring how tech-based support could better equip polytechnic instructors moving directly from industry into the classroom. 08 ADVANCING FIELD CONSTRUCTION The AECOO Connector — short for Architecture, Engineering, Construction, Owners, Operators — is dedicated to exploring technology that could make construction and fabrication more sustainable, economical and safe. Located in the Founding Builders Home Lab (Thomas Riley Building), this flexible 6,500-square-foot space is open to students, SAIT employees and members of industry to try out tech (such as drones, 3D scanning, virtual reality and 3D printing), work on school projects, experiment with new approaches to applied learning, connect with other SAIT communities or industry, and gain hands-on experience with highly specialized equipment that might otherwise be inaccessible. Industry members interested in learning more can contact Rick Duchscher (GNT ’99, EDT ’94), Remotely Piloted Aircraft System Lead with the School of Construction, at rick.duchscher@sait.ca. 10 OF COURSE: SOCI 2020 — POP CULTURE Film and television, music, social media, video games, art, fashion, celebrity — popular culture is one of the most significant cultural and social agents in contemporary society. A new SAIT course offered as a degree elective explores its influence and studies a range of diverse theoretical approaches including studies of gender, sexuality and race. “This is one of several new Liberal Arts degree electives that will be introduced in coming years, and we’re very excited about each and every one of them,” says Marion Synnott, PhD, academic chair, Communication and Liberal Arts Studies. SAIT students learning to fly drones inside the AECOO Connector.12 LINK GETTING THE MOST FROM YOUR MOTORCYCLE THIS SUMMER CANADA’S MOTORCYCLE MECHANIC COMMUNITY IS TIGHT- KNIT AND FULL OF SEASONED VETERANS, BUT WITH THE JANUARY 2023 LAUNCH OF SAIT’S MOTORCYCLE MECHANIC APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM, INSTRUCTOR BRANDON BISHOP HOPES TO SEE THE INDUSTRY’S NUMBERS RISE AND DIVERSIFY WITH FRESH, YOUNG TALENT. FOR BOTH BUDDING MECHANICS AND MOTORCYCLE RIDERS NEAR AND FAR, LINK WRITER GISELLE WEDEMIRE (JA ’13) ASKS BISHOP TO SHARE HIS TOP MAINTENANCE TIPS FOR THE MONTHS AHEAD. No matter how early or how late you bring your motorcycle out of winter storage, always plan an inspection and tune-up to ensure you are road-ready. During storage, cold temperatures may have caused the tire pressure to decrease by 10 to 30 lbs; batteries may have lost their power; and condensation from fluctuating temperatures may have rusted internal components. “The more care and attention you put into your motorcycle, the more ride time you’ll get to enjoy on the road,” Bishop says. And more time spent on the road means more time for riders to clear their minds and live in the moment. “Motorcycling requires a lot of attention. You don’t have time to think about anything else going on in your life,” he says. “It’s relaxing. It’s better than seeing a therapist.” PRO TIPSPRO TIPS 13 1 2 3 4 5 Ready to head out on the open road and feel the wind in your face? Here’s how you can get the most out of your motorcycle this season. MAINTAIN YOUR RIDE Before any journey, take stock of your bike’s vitals: check the oil to ensure it’s clean and full; inspect the tires and tire pressure to ensure your bike won’t handle sluggishly; test the brakes and all lights to ensure there are no surprises when you get out on the road. KEEP IT CLEAN An accumulation of tar, dirt and bug guts can accelerate wear and tear on a bike’s paint job, cause corrosion, and wreak havoc on external components. Aim to wash your motorcycle every two weeks — or whenever you see an excess of build-up — to keep it in top condition. SAFETY SMARTS Invest in quality helmets, back protectors and riding jackets — and remember that helmets need to be replaced every five years, or any time they strike the ground. When on the road, stay in your lane and remain visible to other drivers to ensure you don’t get cut off or injured by larger vehicles. MAXIMIZE YOUR (GAS) MONEY Motorcycles have always been more fuel-efficient than most cars thanks to their smaller sizes and their engines’ power-to- weight ratios. But if you’d like to stretch your gas money further, take it easy on the clutch, brakes and acceleration; avoid stop- and-go traffic; and opt for straighter routes with fewer turns and elevation changes. WINTER PREP MEANS SUMMER-READY When it’s time to put your bike back in storage, make a to-do list to streamline next spring’s preparations. Top up your fuel, change the oil, clean your bike, and remove the battery (or invest in a battery maintainer). Store your bike off the ground (or on a thick mat or cardboard) to prevent its tires from touching concrete — prolonged exposure to concrete can create flat spots.14 LINK TECH ON CAMPUS ONE Capable of shooting from 1 to 50 frames per second (fps) for fast or slow motion, the Moviecam Compact Mk2 runs so quietly at its normal rate of 24fps that it can be used when recording dialogue scenes. 5,600 The 1,200-watt Mole- Richardson Daylite Par is a hydrargyrum (mercury) medium-arc iodide (HMI) light. With a colour temperature at 5,600 Kelvin (the same as daylight), this powerful lamp requires skilled lighting technicians. TWENTY-ONE This lightweight zoom lens, made by legendary manufacturer ZEISS, has a focal length range of 21mm to 100mm, and is used for digital and film cinematography. 200 This ARRI AMIRA digital camera — used for everything from drama to documentaries to commercials to sports — can record at frame rates up to 200fps for stunning slow-motion shots. SAIT FILM FESTIVALS Typically held in April and in August, these screenings celebrate works created by FVP students. Check them out: SAITFilmFest (Facebook); SAITFilmVideo (YouTube); saitfilm (Instagram) HARDERLEE PHOTOGRAPHY DIGITAL AND FILM MOTION PICTURE CAMERAS CHECKOUT OFFICE, SENATOR BURNS BUILDING. Side by side, these cameras show a unique characteristic of SAIT’s Film and Video Production (FVP) program, where students operate professional-grade digital camera packages (left) and the 35mm film camera (right) like those used on set by Quentin Tarantino and other major directors. In an industry being transformed by online streaming services, digital tech- nologies, lingering pandemic disruptions and increasingly sophisticated home the- atres, experience with multiple disci- plines brings more opportunity. “We give students real-world skills in the technical, the creative, the interpersonal and the business side of things so they can navigate their way into their future careers,” says FVP instructor Philip Letourneau. “Just like any other trade, this is a career you can grow and build with — and you never know where it’s going to lead you.” HANDS ONHANDS ON 15FEATURE ENDURE AND THRIVE 16 LINK BEHIND THE SCENES WITH SOME OF THE SAIT ALUMNI WHO WORKED ON THE LAST OF US Text by Nicole Brandt Photos by HarderLee Photography UMESH THAMOTHARAM FVP ‘21 Visual Effects Production Assistant TOM BENZ CTSF, TSR ’81 Business Agent, IATSE 212ENDURE AND THRIVE 17 January 15, 2023. It’s a Sunday night, and I’m settling into my comfy spot on the couch; the remote nearby, snacks and beverage in hand, and a blanket to shield my eyes from impending jump scares. Like countless Albertans and video game fans worldwide, I’m about to watch the premiere of HBO’s The Last of Us (TLOU) — a TV series set in a post-apocalyptic America, adapted from the action-adventure video game, and filmed on locations province-wide. Some might be watching for vaguely familiar backdrops — including several on SAIT’s campus. But I’m watching because, in the words of Film and Video Production instructor Jason Long, “There isn’t a project shooting here that doesn’t have several SAIT alumni on either the crew side or in post- production. It’s common to walk on set and meet at least three to six grads.” As anticipation began growing around TLOU, so did my list of alumni involved in the year-long production: I know of at least 20 graduates working in skilled roles ranging from camera crews, video editors and sound engineers to accountants, agents and set carpenters. So I set out on a side-quest of my own, wanting to hear more and living vicariously through their experiences. VAL SIU FVP ‘10, BA ‘08 Utility Sound Technician CHRISTINA RICHES BA ‘98 Stand-in for Bella RamseyNext >