Algoma U continues with Brampton campus vision, despite COVID

Progress is being made in terms of enrolment at Algoma University’s Brampton campus, the university’s board of governors was told at its meeting Thursday evening.

The Brampton campus’s enrollment has grown since 2018, the university says, with a view to expanding to 1,000 full-time students.

New degree options in Computer Science and Psychology introduced in September at the Brampton campus stems from the success of programming offered by Algoma’s School of Business and Economics, the board was told.

Though the COVID-19 pandemic has led to shifting all current course offerings to remote delivery, Algoma is striving to expand facilities and staffing to meet current and future growth needs. Design work has been completed by Luc Boulaine (a Sault native) of the award-winning architectural firm Lebel and Bouliane.

Algoma has decided to divide Phase Two of campus renovations into two construction cycles. 

The first cycle, which includes renovating new classrooms, computer labs, student spaces and a new welcome centre, are scheduled for completion in early January. 

The next phase of development will begin in April 2021 to complete a new student centre and the Centre for Social, Cultural, and Economic Innovation.

Algoma is currently focusing on continued development of the School of Business and Economics, the School of Computer Science and Technology, and Psychology degree options. The University will be expanding program offerings next fall to include Sociology, Law and Justice and Community Economic and Social Development (CESD).

“Even while facing the challenges brought on by the global pandemic, Algoma University continues to move forward in a positive, strategic way,” said Shelley Schell, Algoma University board of governors chair, in a news release.

Schell also acknowledged the work of Pedro Antunes, Algoma University biology professor and Canada Research Chair, who, as reported earlier by SooToday, has recently had his Tier 2 Chairship renewed for five years to support his research in invasive species biology with $65,000 from the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF) to continue his research.

“The updates provided this evening regarding the tremendous progress at our Brampton campus and the amazing research being conducted by one of our three Canada Research Chairs exemplifies the excellent work underway,” Schell stated.