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Mohawk College 

Government invests in Mohawk tech programs

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HAMILTON, ON — Mohawk College will break ground on a new Centre for Partnership and Innovation next month as part of a record $54.25 million renewal of technology labs and classrooms at its Fennell campus.

The Government of Canada is contributing $20 million through the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund. The fund was established to enhance, modernize and improve the environmental sustainability of college and university campuses across Canada. The largest federal infrastructure investment in Mohawk’s history was announced by Hamilton West – Ancaster – Dundas Member of Parliament Filomena Tassi at a groundbreaking ceremony this morning.

 

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Construction and renovations to 120,000 square feet of labs and classrooms at the college’s Fennell campus represent Mohawk’s largest ever renewal of academic programs. Enrolment in high-demand technology programs will increase by 1,000 students and applied research activity with industry partners will grow by 50 per cent.

Designed by Hamilton-based McCallum-Sather Architects in partnership with B&H Architects, the 90,000 square foot Centre for Partnership and Innovation will be the region’s first net-zero energy institutional building. The five-level centre is expected to be substantially complete by Spring 2018 while renovations have already begun to existing labs and classrooms.

 

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“This infrastructure investment will increase Mohawk’s capacity for applied research which will drive innovation and grow the economy in Hamilton. I am confident that the students and faculty who use this new infrastructure will launch startups and new businesses that will help to shape Hamilton’s community and future prosperity.”

– Hamilton West – Ancaster – Dundas Member of Parliament Filomena Tassi

“This renewal will allow Mohawk to educate more students than ever before in high-demand technology programs and put our students to work with even more industry partners on job-creating and prosperity-building applied research projects.”

– Mohawk College President Ron McKerlie

 

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BACKGROUND:

  • The Government of Canada’s targeted, short-term investments under the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund promote economic activity and help colleges and universities develop highly skilled workers, act as engines of discovery, and collaborate on innovations that help Canadian companies compete and grow internationally.
  • The Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund supports the Government of Canada’s climate change objectives by encouraging sustainable and green infrastructure projects.
  • More than 3,500 students are currently enrolled in 23 technology programs at Mohawk. Enrolment will grow to 4,500 students over five years following the renewal of the technology programs.
  • The renewal of Mohawk’s technology programs is endorsed by college partners, including ArcelorMittal Dofasco, Burlington Economic Development Corporation, Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, BWXT Canada The City of Hamilton, FANUC, Hamilton Health Sciences, Horizon Utilities, IBM Canada Ltd, Innovation Factory, L-3 Wescam, St. Joseph’s Health System, Schneider Electric, Siemens Canada and Walters Inc.
  • Mohawk plans to add a FANUC Robotics Training Laboratory, a Non-Destructive Testing Centre, a Centre for Climate Sustainability Excellence and partner with Siemens on delivering Mechatronics certification.
  • Mohawk currently ranks among the top 20 colleges in Canada for applied research activity and is recognized as a leader in digital health, additive manufacturing and energy research.
  • More than $100 million has been invested in the renewal of Mohawk’s Fennell campus since 2009. Projects have included the 40,000 square foot Harold Cummings Library, the 23,400 square foot David Braley Athletic and Recreation Centre, the Mohawk Transit Terminal, consolidation of Student Services and repatriation of the college’s Justice, Health and Wellness programs.
  • A net-zero building generates as much energy as it consumes. The Centre for Partnership and Innovation will serve as a living lab by giving students access to its environmental technologies.

 

For more information, contact:

Jay Robb, Director of Communications, 905.979.8893, jay.robb@mohawkcollege.ca

Mohawk College educates and serves 30,000 students at three campuses and two City School locations in Hamilton, Ontario. Mohawk has ranked number one among all colleges in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area in student satisfaction for six consecutive years and number one for graduate satisfaction the past four years. Mohawk has also been named one of Canada’s greenest employers for three years in a row and is among the top 20 colleges in Canada for applied research activity.