Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) formally became a member of the World Technology Universities Network in February 2024. We asked their Operational Board member, Mark Butler, Vice President for Corporate Development, Applied Research and International, to get to know more about SAIT and the city of Calgary, Canada, where its campus lies.
How did you come to work at SAIT and what do you like most about it?
I was working at another institution in the city of Calgary, and when looking to advance my career to a more global-looking and entrepreneurial focus, a role opened up at SAIT that fit my vision. I knew of SAIT due to its brand and from co-collaborating with them on a few international initiatives, so I was excited for the opportunity to work with a truly global and forward-looking institution.
If someone were to visit SAIT, what should they see and do in and around the city of Calgary?
Like in most big cities, I would recommend exploring the city complimented by a visit to Calgary Zoo or an evening visit to Calgary Tower. We are home to the hockey team, Calgary Flames, and (American) football team, Calgary Stampeders so if there’s a match on, anyone visiting should definitely watch a game. There is also the chance to visit Calgary Stampede, the world’s largest Outdoor Rodeo, which hosts a daily evening show and to float down the Calgary River in a canoe.
Stepping outside of the city, visitors must visit the Canadian Rockies for a horseback ride to soak in the landscape and a trip to Banff and the beautiful blue waters of Lake Louise. For anyone particularly interested in nature, a visit to Colombia Icefield Park is a must to take in the chillier side of the Canadian Rockies or the World Heritage Site, Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump is perfect to see the Plains Buffalo culture. For any archaeology enthusiasts, Dinosaur Provincial Park is great and if you happen to be passing through in winter, you can’t miss snowtubing, which is a great winter activity that doesn’t require too much athletic skill.
What are some interesting research projects and work taking place at the university?
SAIT has a number of interesting research hubs such as the Alternative Construction Technologies (ACT) hub, the first of its kind in Canada working to advance innovative construction solutions using advanced manufacturing technologies such as robotics, automation, and advanced materials. The Alberta Aerospace Research Centre (AARC) focuses on the development of novel aerospace materials and is crucial to the growth of the aerospace industry in Canada whilst the Automation and Robotics Technologies (ART) hub assists SMEs and corporations in adopting advanced digital manufacturing technologies, with a focus on AI, machine learning and robotics.
In addition to these initiatives, CIRAMM is actively engaged in several novel R&D projects, including:
- Developing carbon-negative masonry materials for 3D construction printing.
- Developing high-performance alloys, ceramic materials, and metal-matrix composites for applications in aerospace, automotive, energy, and defence industries.
- Large-scale robot-assisted additive manufacturing (3D printing) of metals, concrete, and high-performance polymers.
- Developing smart systems and machine vision for laser-based 3D printing processes.
- Prefabrication of modular houses using robotic systems.
- Developing advanced nanomaterials for applications in filtering and carbon capture membranes.
- Developing sustainable composite materials using plant-based products and by-products.
The CERCUTS research area have several interesting projects including:
- Water Treatment Residuals as a Biofilter – waste products from water treatment will be repurposed to create a biofilter to remove other water contaminants such as phosphorous.
- Orphan Wells for Energy Generation – gravity will be exploited in abandoned oil wells to drop a mass and spin a generator to generate electricity.
- Frog Lake First Nations – CERCUTS is developing alternative energy storage solutions in the form of vanadium redox flow batteries.
- Alternative Water Treatment Technologies – Two projects that will explore alternative water treatment technologies, hybrid water desalination and electrodialysis for produced and/or wastewater from oil and gas wells.
- Once Through Steam Generation Innovation- CERCUTS is exploring several research avenues to increase efficiency in steam generators used for SAGD applications.
The UN’s SDGs are a focus point for the work and activities of the network (WTUN). Could you tell us more about SAIT’s approach to sustainable development?
SAIT’s academic programming and facilities management work collaboratively to deliver 200+ initiatives under the UN’s SDGs. Our campus is a learning lab, taking a multifaceted approach to sustainable development including embedding sustainability into our programs and everyday practice and the development of the Sustainable Development Advisory Council which unites a network of experts at SAIT in education, applied research, facilities management, communication, and health and public safety to provide mentorship and guidance.
The Department of Applied Research and Innovation Services (ARIS) works alongside industry, communities and social agencies to enhance the well-being of Canadians, tackle climate change, and create an equitable, diverse and inclusive society. We aim to transform challenges into practical solutions, based in real-world settings, through our four research centres; Clean Energy, Green Building, Advanced Materials and Manufacturing, Unmanned Drone Systems.We look at sustainability through the lens of the curiosity to empower terrific teams to tackle big problems such as renewable energy, water analysis, circular economy, power storage, alternative energy generation, CO2 sequestration, greener oil and gas, and use reduction, retro-fits of buildings, improved air quality in buildings, unconventional energy integration, and mapping to name a few. By conducting regular evaluations and assessments, researchers measure the impact of interventions, identify gaps and adjust strategies accordingly to ensure the achievement of goals.
Some of our members have campus’ which have sustainability built into their design whilst others have campuses focused on nature, technology and research centres or their student body. Can you tell us more about the campus at SAIT and your favourite things about being on campus?
On campus, the Green Building Technologies and other Applied Research and Innovation Services living labs use their experts and collaborate with SAIT partners to formulate innovative sustainable solutions to industry and communities.
One of my favourite things about being on campus is the pride I feel when I step into a LEED Gold building such as the Aldred Centre and I am looking forward to our new LEED Standard Campus Centre Redevelopment Project.
Are there any WTUN activities and/or institutions that, as an institution, SAIT is particularly looking forward to connecting with?
At SAIT, we’re looking forward to engaging with WTUN on opportunities to partner with international institutions who have interests in similar areas of applied research.
We’re looking to expand the number and breadth of our international program in the areas of business, advanced digital technology and hospitality and tourism, and feel that our new colleagues at WTUN member institutions will be able to aid us in doing so.
Finally, we’d like to expand on the mobility and exchange opportunities for students, faculty and staff at SAIT, and our membership to WTUN will support us in achieving this goal.
What are some of your local and international partnerships as an institution outside of the WTUN?
We have numerous Canadian Partnerships, including with a number of universities and institutions here in Alberta. We are also connected to Cape Breton University in Nova Scotia, Lakehead University in Ontario, Capilano University, Royal Roads University, Thompson Rivers University, University of British Colombia and University of Victoria in British Colombia.
Across the globe we have partnerships in Europe with Edinburgh Napier University in the UK and Aspira University College in Croatia. We’re proud to have partnerships with Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Lovely Professional University in India, Queensland University of Technology and Griffith University in Australia, and numerous institutions in the USA including Embry-Riddle Aeronautical, Northwood University, University of North Dakota and Golden Gate University,
What are some of the things you’re most proud of at SAIT and some milestones the institution has achieved?
When SAIT was established in 1916, Sit was the first of its kind, publicly funded technical school in North America. Since, SAIT has continued to be a pioneering institution and opened Canada’s first remotely-piloted aviation training centres, through an academic partnership with ANAVIA, SwissDrones, Dufour Aerospace, and Velos Rotors and joined NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) Network.
We celebrate being recognized by Mediacorp Canada Inc. as one of Alberta’s Top Employers for 2024, and to be ranked sixth by Research Infosource Inc. in the Top 50 Research Colleges in Canada for 2023. CEOWORLD Magazine ranked the SAIT School of Business #49 on the list of Best Business Schools in the World for 2024, and the School of Hospitality and Tourism placed #14 on their list of Best Hospitality and Hotel Management Schools in the World for 2024.
Our programs focus on curriculum and research priorities through industry partnerships to ensure graduates have the skills and knowledge required to fulfil the demand for talent.
Finally, looking forward, what are some goals and milestones that SAIT would like to achieve in the future?
To continue to expand our network around learning from a global lens and to give back to the world where we can, from our long and varied history of learning.