SENSATIONAL

CONNECTIONS WITH THE PRESIDENTproudlypolytechnicPhoto by blaise van malsennait is an extraordinary post-secondary institute – a polytechnic thatfocuses on making a real and significant impact on Alberta’s economicprosperity. We work to enable our province to be internationallycompetitive. We align our programs and research with current andemerging needs. That makes NAIT essential to the future of Alberta.We are very proud of this role.We are practical and pragmatic. As a polytechnic, we arefundamentally different from universities and colleges in a number ofways, including what we teach and how we teach. These differencesare a good thing. We focus on just four education and research pillars:science and technology, business, health care and trades. In eachfield, the learning is experiential: hands-on and using state-of-the-artequipment.The difference is also clear in our relationship with Alberta industry.These relationships play a critical role in ensuring our programsand research are relevant and responsive to the evolving economicenvironment. Our courses are developed in cooperation with theprovince’s business and technology leaders. NAIT applied research,conducted by staff and students, addresses real industry challenges andproduces innovative solutions that can be put to work in a varietyof fields across Alberta.Our efforts to prepare our students for real jobs and careers alsoset us apart from universities and colleges. Graduates of NAIT areimmediately employable: they have the skills, the experience and theenthusiasm that saw 91 per cent of the class of 2010 employed a shorttime after convocation. From the moment they leave us, our studentsare ready to start making a difference of their own.We have defined and differentiated the institute as an educatorfor the real world for nearly half a century. We intend to grow, butonly while honouring our heritage as a polytechnic or technicalinstitute. We’ve seen the strength in that, and we recognize it as a solidfoundation to build upon as we achieve our full potential in servingAlberta. We’re extremely proud of what we are, in the same waythat I am to be president and CEO of NAIT, one of Canada’s leadingpolytechnics.Glenn Feltham, PhDPresident and CEOglennf@nait.cav5.1 2011 9