Association of Canadian Polytechnic Institutes
3700 Willingdon Avenue, Burnaby, B.C. V3G 3H2
Tel 604 431 4969 Fax 604 434 7632
June 2003
Contact:
Cecilia Rossier
Administrator
Telephone: 604 431-4954
e-mail: cecilia.rossier@polytechnics.ca
POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTES TEAM UP
TO STRIKE NEW NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Vancouver — In June 2003, eight national institutions formally established the Association of
Canadian Polytechnic Institutes (ACPI).
“Institutions that provide polytechnic education up to and including the degree level, and conduct
applied research, form a natural cluster focused on job-readiness and economic development,” says
ACPI Executive Director John Watson.
He explains, “Polytechnic institutes have a primary mandate to pursue career-focused and
economically-driven technical and related education that spans from the trades to degrees. A
polytechnic environment promotes extensive linkages with business and industry, and also maintains
dedicated resources for applied research and technology transfer activities.”
The new consortium aims to:
 create national branding for polytechnic education that considers its impact on economic
development
 strengthen credit transfer and recognition for students
 promote polytechnic partnerships to collaboratively respond to national and international
project proposals that exceed the capabilities or resources of individual members
 advocate at the federal level for increased access to funding for applied research.
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British Columbia Institute of Technology
www.bcit.ca
Conestoga Institute of
Technology & Advanced
Learning
www.conestogac.on.ca
George Brown College
www.gbrownc.on.ca
Humber College
www.humberc.on.ca
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
www.nait.ca
Seneca College
www.senecac.on.ca
Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning
www.sheridanc.on.ca
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology
www.sait.ab.ca
Association of Canadian Polytechnic Institutes
3700 Willingdon Avenue, Burnaby, B.C. V3G 3H2
Tel 604 431 4969 Fax 604 434 7632
“As a group of Canada’s largest and most respected institutions, we can bring tremendous capability
to national and international projects,” says Watson. “We know that, individually, our institutions
have good reputations in many markets. By banding together, and through proper branding, we can
develop a larger profile on the international stage.”
The ACPI headquarters is at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) in Vancouver,
Canada. Founding members include:
 British Columbia Institute of Technology
 Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
(BCIT)
(NAIT)
 Conestoga Institute of Technology and
 Seneca College of Applied Arts and
Advanced Learning
Technology
 George Brown City College
 Sheridan Institute of Technology and
Advanced Learning
 Humber College of Applied Arts and
Technology
 Southern Alberta Institute of Technology
(SAIT)
The founding members share four distinct characteristics:
 delivery of polytechnic education up to and including the Applied Bachelor or Master degree
level
 applied research and development activities on campus
 interest in improving credit transfer
 a desire to promote polytechnic education nationally and internationally
The presidents of the member institutions met at the request of BCIT’s Dr. Tony Knowles and
quickly agreed to form the association. “Tony has a compelling vision for polytechnic education in
Canada,” says Watson. “His experience and contacts in other parts of the country doubtless helped
the association come together quickly.”
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British Columbia Institute of Technology
www.bcit.ca
Conestoga Institute of
Technology & Advanced
Learning
www.conestogac.on.ca
George Brown College
www.gbrownc.on.ca
Humber College
www.humberc.on.ca
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
www.nait.ca
Seneca College
www.senecac.on.ca
Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning
www.sheridanc.on.ca
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology
www.sait.ab.ca