Southern Alberta Institute of Technology


The Southern Alberta Institute of Technology is a polytechnic institute in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. SAIT offers more than 100 career programs in technology, trades and business. SAIT is a member of Polytechnics Canada and one of Alberta's Top 50 Employers. Established in 1916, it is Calgary's second oldest post-secondary institution and Canada's first publicly funded technical institute.

Campus location and expansion

SAIT's main campus is located on 16 Avenue NW, overlooking the downtown core of Calgary and is served by the CTrain light rail system. SAIT has three other campuses located in Calgary:
SAIT offers three baccalaureate degrees, three applied degrees, 73 diploma and certificate programs, 37 apprenticeship trades and more than 1,000 continuing education and corporate training courses.
SAIT delivers skill-oriented education to students through eight schools:

SAIT also has two centres dedicated to providing student support: the Centre for Academic Learner Services and the Centre for Applied Education Innovation. SAIT's Applied Research and Innovation Services department works in partnership with industry on applied research.

Scholarships and bursaries

SAIT offers more than $4 million in awards to students each year. Awards are available to qualifying students in recognition of academic success, financial need and community involvement.
The Government of Canada sponsors an Aboriginal Bursaries Search Tool that lists more than 770 scholarships, bursaries, and other incentives offered by governments, universities, and industry to support Aboriginal post-secondary participation.

Facilities

Heritage Hall

Heritage Hall is one of the central buildings and a historical site on the SAIT campus.
Construction began on Heritage Hall on January 18, 1921, five years after the Provincial Institute of Technology and Art was formed in Calgary in 1916. Designed by Alberta provincial architect Richard Palin Blakey and built by J. McDiarmid Company of Winnipeg, the three-story modern structure's focal point is the central entrance flanked by two large towers designed with the characteristics of Collegiate Gothic architecture, which was prevalent throughout North America at the time. Despite the prevalence of Collegiate Gothic architecture in post-secondary education, Heritage Hall is the only example in Calgary. Heritage Hall would be completed later in 1922 and would accommodate both the PITA and the Calgary Normal School. During the Second World War, the structure was used as a wireless training school for the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. The structure was intentionally situated on Calgary's North Hill to maximize the structures visibility throughout Calgary, and also provide a view of the city from the building. The building was originally known as the "Provincial Institute of Technology Building and Normal School" and was renamed "Heritage Hall" in 1985.
On May 31, 1985, the Government of Alberta designated Heritage Hall a Provincial Historic Resource under the Historical Resources Act. The citation for the historical designation notes the integral role the structure and SAIT played in the development of post-secondary education in Alberta, and the significant architectural value of the Collegiate Gothic design.
On June 24, 1987, the Government of Canada designated Heritage Hall a National Historic Site under the name "Heritage Hall - Southern Alberta Institute of Technology National Historic Site of Canada". The federal designation notes the importance of the structure and SAIT as a place in the development of vocational education in Western Canada. The designation only references the footprint of Heritage Hall and not the entire SAIT campus.

Residence

SAIT Residence has two modern high rises located in the northeast corner of its main campus. Both residence towers feature four different floor plans and amenities such as fully furnished units, kitchenettes, high-speed Internet, study lounges and 24-hour security.

Campus Centre

The Campus Centre contains a coffee house, bar, Jugo Juice, gymnasium, fitness centre, squash courts, bowling alley, hockey arena, salt water pool and theatre.

Stan Grad Centre

This central building on SAIT's main campus houses food service outlets, study areas, classrooms, the campus bookstore and the library.

Athletics

SAIT has been a member of the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference since 1964. The SAIT Trojans are represented basketball, curling, soccer, cross country running, hockey and volleyball. All of SAIT's sports teams share the name Trojans.

Media

SAIT has two on-campus newspapers: The Weal is owned and operated by SAITSA, SAIT's Student Association and the Polytechnic Press is operated by SAIT Journalism students.
The campus radio station, Journey 103, is operated by SAIT RTBN students. The RTBN program at SAIT boasts many graduates who have become prominent radio and television personalities. It is one of Canada's leading Television and Radio programs and admissions to the program are very competitive.
In the 2015 CEOWORLD magazine ranking of the top 50 hospitality and hotel management schools in the world, SAIT School of Hospitality and Tourism, ranked 47 just behind Swiss School of Tourism and Hospitality.

Notable alumni