ALGONQUIN COLLEGE
Algonquin College Automation and Robotics Engineering students receive significant support from the Ontario Professional Engineers Foundation for Education

Algonquin College is proud to announce that it has partnered with the Ontario Professional Engineers Foundation for Education to expand support for students enrolled in the Bachelor of Engineering (Automation and Robotics Engineering) (BEARE).  

The Ontario Professional Engineers Foundation for Education's $50,000 donation has established two new financial aid funds with the goal of removing financial barriers, rewarding student effort and promoting academic excellence in engineering at Algonquin College. Special consideration will be given to candidates who identify as women, non-binary, gender-diverse, or who may come from otherwise underrepresented groups in engineering. 

Additionally, each academic year, the graduating student with the highest academic standing in the Automation and Robotics Engineering program will be awarded the Ontario Professional Engineers Foundation for Education Gold Medal. 

Algonquin College's BEARE program brings together three fields: mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and computer science. This combination equips students with the theoretical and applied expertise required to work with mechatronic, autonomous and remotely operated systems. These high-demand systems are increasingly used in a variety of sectors, including industrial automation, advanced manufacturing, mining, agriculture, health care and many more. By offering rigorous academic instruction and facilitating participation in industry-aligned placements and projects, the program prepares students to tackle real-world issues and lead thriving careers after graduation. 

In the fall of 2025, the College's BEARE program was accredited by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB) for meeting the country's highest standards for engineering education. This accreditation also provides students in the program a direct path toward earning their Professional Engineer designation. Receiving this accreditation was a major milestone for the program and paved the way for the current partnership between the College and the Ontario Professional Engineers Foundation for Education. 

"We were pleased to learn about Algonquin College's CEAB accreditation last year," said Sandra Ausma, President of the Ontario Professional Engineers Foundation for Education. "The Foundation supports all CEAB-accredited schools in the province, having awarded over $4.7 million in financial aid to 4,300 students to date. We are proud to include Algonquin College among our partner schools and we look forward to the wonderful work your future Professional Engineers will accomplish in the National Capital Region and beyond." 

Brian Mangan is Algonquin College's Academic Chair of Mechanical and Transportation Technology, the academic unit that oversees the BEARE program. "Due to our focus on applied learning, innovation and career readiness, our engineering program has built a very solid relationship with the region's employers, both in the public and private sectors," he said. "Our graduates are in high demand, contributing to and leading important engineering projects across Canada. We are grateful that our students can now access additional resources thanks to the support of the Ontario Professional Engineers Foundation for Education." 

Algonquin College has a unique polytechnic identity that combines advanced technical education with practical, hands-on experience. The CEAB-accredited Bachelor of Engineering (Automation and Robotics Engineering) embodies this polytechnic advantage. With the support of partners like the Engineers Foundation, the College can continue to build on its polytechnic leadership by shaping a skilled, future-ready workforce.