SIFE BCIT volunteers visit the Seaforth Armory to get a feel for military life.

Many men and women about to retire from military service find themselves faced with seemingly limited options. The inaccurate—yet persistent—belief is that their extensive training isn’t all that applicable in the civilian world. And while many veterans go on to very rewarding careers, others may find themselves struggling to reintegrate into civilian society.

A new BCIT program is set to change all that.

BCIT Venture program graduates celebrated completion of their program at BCIT's Downtown Campus. The graduation took place on Tuesday, December 15, 2009.

Congratulations to all!

Based on the success of the initial Commercialization Boot Camp offering, BCIT’s Applied Research Liaison Office recently held a second Boot Camp for aspiring entrepreneurs. Watch the video to see what happens when 15 entrepreneurs get the opportunity to meet one-on-one with 15 subject matter experts.

One of BCIT’s Pioneers and head of the original Engineering department, Don Bannerman passed away on December 12. Don started at BCIT in 1963, retiring in 1986. In his roles as teacher and administrator, Don felt strongly that the focus on applied studies resulted in strong graduates of the engineering program.

A commemorative service will be held on Friday, December 18 at 2:00 p.m., at West Point Grey United Church, 4595 West 8th Avenue. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to West Point Grey United Church Memorial Fund.
 

To thank our donors for making BC a better place, BCIT President Don Wright and the BCIT Foundation Board of Directors hosted the ninth annual Celebrating the Best donor recognition event on November 26, 2009.

Anyone who’s ever felt the panic of searching for a last-minute gift will appreciate what BCIT student Ross St. George and business partner Matias Marquez have created with buyatab.com. The site allows users to pick up the tab for friends, colleagues, or family members at a number of local restaurants.

The provincial sales tax (PST) rate on parking is increasing from 7% to 21% on January 1, 2010. In compliance with the tax increase, BCIT will be adjusting its parking rates.

For details on rates at all BCIT campuses, please visit the BCIT Parking website.

The eighteenth annual Staff Service and Recognition Ceremony was held yesterday, December 9, in the Great Hall.
   
Nearly 200 BCIT staffers were recognized for reaching 10 and 15 years of service in 2009. This is in addition to the 45 retirees and over 150 staff that were honoured for reaching 35, 30, 25, and 20 year milestones at the Staff Service and Retirees Annual Gala Dinner on November 18. You can view (and download) photos of that event here.

Congratulations to all recipients!

The thought of being aboard a sinking ship makes most of us feel more than a little queasy. But for BCIT's Marine Campus students, an abandon ship exercise means a chance to get closer to the action.

BCIT researchers developed a retractable curtain rail that doesn't interfere with ceiling-mounted electronic lift equipment.

Traditional hospital curtains run on rails that butt up against each other, so that a fully enclosed, private, rectangular “room” can be created. These are the ones most of us are familiar with. 

Grace O, Ronee Cheung, and Sherri Summers.

Stephanie Tack, program assistant, Associate Dean’s Office – Marine Campus
Margo MacNeil, instructor, Airport Operations
Andre Caron, faculty, Medical Laboratory Science
Marcie Ladubec, instructor, Motorcycle Mechanic
Vanessa Herrera, office assistant, IBS – International Student Entry Program
Catherine Ho, instructor, Drafting

Beginning December 11, 2009, the westbound Willingdon Avenue off-ramp to Grandview Highway (Clydesdale Avenue) will be permanently closed.

This change is required for the construction of new highway lanes. In the coming months, significant construction activity will take place in this area.

There will be no change to the westbound Highway 1 exit to Grandview Highway.