As the post-secondary sector continues to navigate the unprecedented challenges brought on by the current global pandemic, Algoma University continues to expand academic programming and student facilities in the “heart of downtown Brampton” to support the needs of students within the fast growing community and beyond.
Algoma University prides itself on providing a quality student-centred approach to learning that supports the academic success and experiential learning needs of today’s students at campus locations in Brampton, Sault Ste. Marie and Timmins. “My experience at Algoma has been everything I had expected and more. No matter how big or small the issue, there is always someone willing to help,” notes Emma Hill who is pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree with a specialization in Accounting. “All the professors at the School of Business and Economics are genuinely here to help you achieve your goals.”
The Algoma University campus lies in the heart of historic downtown Brampton creating a perfect setting for students to study, work and play within a small urban campus environment. Just steps away, the downtown offers access to city and regional transit. Students enjoy great restaurants, shops, arts, entertainment, recreation facilities, parks and culture. Garden Square, located directly beside Algoma U’s Brampton campus, offers free entertainment for all ages throughout the year including many events and festivals. Algoma University also offers campus locations in Sault Ste. Marie and Timmins, Ontario.
This is an exciting period for both the City of Brampton and for Algoma University who are working in partnership, along with other stakeholders, to expand postsecondary options for the citizens of Brampton, the region of Peel and international student markets.
In response to current needs, Algoma University now offers programming in Computer Science and Psychology in addition to a range of degree and certificate programs in areas such as accounting, human resource management and marketing, previously established by the School of Business and Economics. The University is also offering new interdisciplinary project management certificate and degree options aimed at addressing needs in the labour market.
Algoma continues to develop the academic and non-academic programming elements of a new Centre for Social, Cultural & Economic Innovation (CSCEI) currently under development at its expanded campus footprint within the Brampton Innovation District. Each program at Algoma University’s CSCEI has been hand-picked to align with the City of Brampton’s goals to retain talent, attract industry, develop its social capital – and, ultimately – to become a strong, vibrant community.
The University anticipates continued expansion will include the introduction of undergraduate offerings in Law and Justice as well as Environmental Studies in time for Fall 2023 intake. Students at Algoma University’s Centre for Social, Cultural & Economic Innovation will obtain an education that prepares them to make significant contributions to the Brampton community and beyond.
The development underway supports current and anticipated enrolment growth that will see Algoma’s student body grow to over 1250 students by 2023-24, building upon record enrolment of over 800 students in 2019-20.
Given the global pandemic, Algoma has temporarily transitioned program delivery to a high-quality virtual learning environment. “Although Algoma continues to adjust planning due to the current pandemic, we commenced the academic year with considerable positive momentum as we’ve expanded our virtual learning presence utilizing Ontario-based D2L in partnership with PowerEd by Athabasca,” noted Craig Fowler, Algoma University’s VP Growth, Innovation and External Relations. “The response by both students and faculty has been outstanding.”
Algoma is busy preparing for a return to “normal” campus operations through continued facility development, including construction of additional state-of-the-art classroom space, study rooms, a student life centre, a newly designed welcome centre, and the creation of the Centre for Social, Cultural and Economic Innovation. Construction will be completed in two phases, with the current phase scheduled to be complete by December 2020 and a final stage commencing in May 2021. In addition to a $27 million investment by Algoma University, current campus development efforts have been generously supported by funding provided by the City of Brampton that will see a total of $7.3 million invested in the full project.
Further information on the Brampton campus of Algoma University is available online at www.algomau.ca/brampton.
