British Columbia Institute of Technology
Encyclopedia
The British Columbia Institute of Technology (also referred to as BCIT), is a public, coeducational, academic institution of higher education
in Burnaby, British Columbia
, Canada
. The polytechnic has five campuses located in the Metro Vancouver region, with the main campus in Burnaby. There is also the aerospace
campus in Richmond
, the marine
campus in North Vancouver, the Great Northern Way
, and Downtown campus in Vancouver
. It is provincially chartered through legislation in the College and Institute Act.
BCIT was first established as the British Columbia Vocational School in 1960, with an initial enrollment of 498 students. As of 2009, enrollment has grown to 16,625 full-time students, and 31,599 part-time students. Since its foundation, the institution has been home to over 125,000 alumni.
In 1986, PVI merged with BCIT, along with its satellite facilities such as the Aircraft Maintenance Centre at Vancouver International Airport. Legislative changes came in 1989 when its mandate was broadened to include applied research, and the Technology Centre, a facility for multi-disciplinary research and development, was established. BCIT would be the province's focal point for applied technology transfer.
BCIT's Arms, Supporters, Flag and Badge were registered with the Canadian Heraldic Authority
on February 29, 1996.
BCIT, UBC, SFU, and ECUAD jointly opened the Great Northern Way Campus in 2002. In 2004, the number of students grew to more than 48,000, and the polytechnic status of the institution was enshrined in provincial legislation. A year later, a Research Services Office was opened to further support applied research.
BCIT opened a new 300000 square feet (27,870.9 m²) Aerospace Technology Campus in 2007, at the gateway to Vancouver International Airport for its aerospace programs.
, and a marine campus is located in the City of North Vancouver
. BCIT also runs two campuses, the Downtown Vancouver campus, and the Great Northern Way
campus, in East Vancouver
. Furthermore, there are students who attend or conduct studies virtually; 8,310 students are distance education learners.
BCIT also offers commercial pilot training, as well as airport operations training program for those pursuing a career in airport management. Training is conducted at the 285000 square feet (26,477.4 m²) Aerospace Technology Campus, opened in September 2007.
The RBC Foundation Aviation Library at the Aerospace Technology Campus holds one of the largest collections of aviation resources in Western Canada, and has become a centre of learning and study for aviation students, staff and the broader aerospace industry in the region
(GNWC) is a university campus combining the strengths of the British Columbia Institute of Technology, Emily Carr University of Art + Design, Simon Fraser University and the University of British Columbia. These four schools have committed to build an integrated and unique centre of teaching, learning, research, and entrepreneurship.
The GNWC offers courses including BCIT’s Trades & Apprenticeship program, and Green Roof Technology courses. At the Campus’ Centre for Digital Media, GNWC offers a Masters of Digital Media Program as well as a series of professional development courses.
BCIT also has a Technology Centre which undertakes and coordinates applied research, and provides technology transfer and commercialization assistance.
In addition to numerous other labs, these all help provide students with plenty of experience for when they begin to work in their respective industries. Also, full-time BCIT students have a much larger course load than found at other universities and colleges; most full-time students have over 20 hours of school a week.
In June 2010, the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB) has granted national accreditation to BCIT's Civil Engineering Bachelor of Engineering program. This represents a milestone as the first accreditation of a non-university Civil Engineering program in Canada.
Higher education
Higher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education refers to the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology...
in Burnaby, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. The polytechnic has five campuses located in the Metro Vancouver region, with the main campus in Burnaby. There is also the aerospace
Aerospace engineering
Aerospace engineering is the primary branch of engineering concerned with the design, construction and science of aircraft and spacecraft. It is divided into two major and overlapping branches: aeronautical engineering and astronautical engineering...
campus in Richmond
Richmond, British Columbia
Richmond is a coastal city, incorporated in the Canadian province of British Columbia. Part of Metro Vancouver, its neighbouring communities are Vancouver and Burnaby to the north, New Westminster to the east, and Delta to the south, while the Strait of Georgia forms its western border...
, the marine
Marine propulsion
Marine propulsion is the mechanism or system used to generate thrust to move a ship or boat across water. While paddles and sails are still used on some smaller boats, most modern ships are propelled by mechanical systems consisting a motor or engine turning a propeller, or less frequently, in jet...
campus in North Vancouver, the Great Northern Way
Great Northern Way Campus
Great Northern Way Campus Ltd is a private limited company and educational enterprise located in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It is the offspring of a consortium of four local academic institutions that has attracted...
, and Downtown campus in Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
. It is provincially chartered through legislation in the College and Institute Act.
BCIT was first established as the British Columbia Vocational School in 1960, with an initial enrollment of 498 students. As of 2009, enrollment has grown to 16,625 full-time students, and 31,599 part-time students. Since its foundation, the institution has been home to over 125,000 alumni.
Establishment
In 1960, the British Columbia Vocational School was (BCVS) established in Burnaby, opening at Willingdon and Canada Way. It was the first permanent trades school of its kind in British Columbia; its programs included carpentry, welding and aircraft maintenance. A year later, plans were announced to establish the British Columbia Institute of Technology on adjacent land. It was the first provincial institution dedicated to advanced technical education in BC, and its principal was named in 1962. It offered education in the areas of engineering, business and health, enrolling 498 students in 1964. In 1966, it celebrated its first graduates.Expansion and growth
By 1975, enrolled students grew to 3,200 students. BCIT's first Board of Governors was formed in 1974, and in 1977, the school established a campus on Sea Island. In 1979, the BCIT Alumni Association was formed. A year later, the BCVS and the Haney Educational Centre amalgamated to form the Pacific Vocational Institute (PVI).In 1986, PVI merged with BCIT, along with its satellite facilities such as the Aircraft Maintenance Centre at Vancouver International Airport. Legislative changes came in 1989 when its mandate was broadened to include applied research, and the Technology Centre, a facility for multi-disciplinary research and development, was established. BCIT would be the province's focal point for applied technology transfer.
Recent history
In 1994, the Pacific Marine Training Institute amalgamated with BCIT, along with its nautical engineering programs. The first Bachelor of Technology degree in Environmental Engineering was awarded in 1996. 1997 marked the opening of the Downtown Vancouver campus to accommodate expansion of BCIT's part-time programs.BCIT's Arms, Supporters, Flag and Badge were registered with the Canadian Heraldic Authority
Canadian Heraldic Authority
The Canadian Heraldic Authority is part of the Canadian honours system under the Queen of Canada, whose authority is exercised by the Governor General. The Authority is responsible for the creation and granting of new coats of arms , flags and badges for Canadian citizens, permanent residents and...
on February 29, 1996.
BCIT, UBC, SFU, and ECUAD jointly opened the Great Northern Way Campus in 2002. In 2004, the number of students grew to more than 48,000, and the polytechnic status of the institution was enshrined in provincial legislation. A year later, a Research Services Office was opened to further support applied research.
BCIT opened a new 300000 square feet (27,870.9 m²) Aerospace Technology Campus in 2007, at the gateway to Vancouver International Airport for its aerospace programs.
Campus
The British Columbia Institute of Technology has five campuses across the Metro Vancouver area. BCIT's main campus is located in the City of Burnaby. It operates an aerospace technology campus in the City of RichmondRichmond, British Columbia
Richmond is a coastal city, incorporated in the Canadian province of British Columbia. Part of Metro Vancouver, its neighbouring communities are Vancouver and Burnaby to the north, New Westminster to the east, and Delta to the south, while the Strait of Georgia forms its western border...
, and a marine campus is located in the City of North Vancouver
North Vancouver, British Columbia (city)
The City of North Vancouver is a waterfront municipality on the north shore of Burrard Inlet, directly across from Vancouver, British Columbia. It is the smallest of the three North Shore municipalities, and the most urbanized as well...
. BCIT also runs two campuses, the Downtown Vancouver campus, and the Great Northern Way
Great Northern Way Campus
Great Northern Way Campus Ltd is a private limited company and educational enterprise located in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It is the offspring of a consortium of four local academic institutions that has attracted...
campus, in East Vancouver
East Vancouver
East Vancouver is a region within the City of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Geographically, East Vancouver is bordered to the north by Burrard Inlet, to the south by the Fraser River, and to the east by the city of Burnaby...
. Furthermore, there are students who attend or conduct studies virtually; 8,310 students are distance education learners.
Burnaby Campus
The main BCIT Campus is located on Willingdon Avenue in the City of Burnaby. It includes a large library, a gym and sports field, many lecture rooms, shops and computer labs as well as student services and administration offices. The Centre for Applied Research and Innovation is a notable recent campus addition.Aerospace Technology Campus
The British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) Aerospace Technology Campus (ATC), located near Vancouver International Airport (YVR) in Richmond. It offers aircraft maintenance engineering programs in avionics, maintenance, structures, aircraft gas turbine (jet engine) overhaul training and repair and aircraft mechanical component training programs.BCIT also offers commercial pilot training, as well as airport operations training program for those pursuing a career in airport management. Training is conducted at the 285000 square feet (26,477.4 m²) Aerospace Technology Campus, opened in September 2007.
The RBC Foundation Aviation Library at the Aerospace Technology Campus holds one of the largest collections of aviation resources in Western Canada, and has become a centre of learning and study for aviation students, staff and the broader aerospace industry in the region
Marine Campus
Known previously as PMTI (The Pacific Marine Training Institute) it is now sometimes referred to as BMC (BCIT Marine Campus). The institute offers a variety of training in the marine field including cadet programs such as the 4 year diploma in Nautical Sciences and the Marine Engineer training program. The campus is located in North Vancouver on the water a short distance from Lonsdale Quay. The school is open all year round except for major holidays.Downtown Vancouver Campus
The predominant areas of study at the downtown campus are business and media, computing and information, and international student entry programs. It was opened to allow for a greater number of students in part-time studies.Great Northern Way Campus
The Great Northern Way CampusGreat Northern Way Campus
Great Northern Way Campus Ltd is a private limited company and educational enterprise located in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It is the offspring of a consortium of four local academic institutions that has attracted...
(GNWC) is a university campus combining the strengths of the British Columbia Institute of Technology, Emily Carr University of Art + Design, Simon Fraser University and the University of British Columbia. These four schools have committed to build an integrated and unique centre of teaching, learning, research, and entrepreneurship.
The GNWC offers courses including BCIT’s Trades & Apprenticeship program, and Green Roof Technology courses. At the Campus’ Centre for Digital Media, GNWC offers a Masters of Digital Media Program as well as a series of professional development courses.
Profile
BCIT has six Schools providing full-time and part-time studies in a variety of subjects.- School of ComputingComputingComputing is usually defined as the activity of using and improving computer hardware and software. It is the computer-specific part of information technology...
and Academic Studies - School of BusinessBusinessA business is an organization engaged in the trade of goods, services, or both to consumers. Businesses are predominant in capitalist economies, where most of them are privately owned and administered to earn profit to increase the wealth of their owners. Businesses may also be not-for-profit...
- School of ConstructionConstructionIn the fields of architecture and civil engineering, construction is a process that consists of the building or assembling of infrastructure. Far from being a single activity, large scale construction is a feat of human multitasking...
and the EnvironmentEnvironment (biophysical)The biophysical environment is the combined modeling of the physical environment and the biological life forms within the environment, and includes all variables, parameters as well as conditions and modes inside the Earth's biosphere. The biophysical environment can be divided into two categories:... - School of Health Sciences
- School of EnergyEnergyIn physics, energy is an indirectly observed quantity. It is often understood as the ability a physical system has to do work on other physical systems...
- School of TransportationTransportTransport or transportation is the movement of people, cattle, animals and goods from one location to another. Modes of transport include air, rail, road, water, cable, pipeline, and space. The field can be divided into infrastructure, vehicles, and operations...
BCIT also has a Technology Centre which undertakes and coordinates applied research, and provides technology transfer and commercialization assistance.
Education Philosophy
BCIT has a unique education philosophy which sets it apart from typical post-secondary institutions. BCIT focuses on the practical aspects of studies, as opposed to theoretical. Thus, the students get an exceptional amount of hands-on experience while in school. For example, the school has:- A full-equipped radio and television studio, broadcasing Evolution 107.9 FM
- An automated manufacturing robotics lab
- A Technology Centre dedicated to applied high tech research and development
- Western Canada's only Marine Engine Room Simulator, which provides true-to-life training for marine engineers
- An interactive fire simulation theatre
- A fully operational pulp mill
- The Telus Call Centre of Excellence, featuring advanced telecommunications equipment for leading-edge industry training
In addition to numerous other labs, these all help provide students with plenty of experience for when they begin to work in their respective industries. Also, full-time BCIT students have a much larger course load than found at other universities and colleges; most full-time students have over 20 hours of school a week.
Awards and Recognition
In 2006 BCIT became the first location in Canada for a Confucius InstituteIn June 2010, the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB) has granted national accreditation to BCIT's Civil Engineering Bachelor of Engineering program. This represents a milestone as the first accreditation of a non-university Civil Engineering program in Canada.