On September 14th, the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) received a $1.58 million gift from long-time partner Spartan Controls a leading provider of industrial automation, valves, measurement and process control solutions in western Canada. This gift is an investment into advancing the strategic direction of SAIT's MacPhail School of Energy and the School for Advanced Digital Technology (SADT) as they continue to grow in the digital intelligence field and accelerate overlapping program offerings.
This generous contribution to the digital advancement of post-secondary education will enable SAIT to upgrade physical infrastructure, create a new suite of Student Awards benefitting both SADT and the MacPhail School of Energy, support SAIT's International Society of Automation student club and provide funds to drive innovative collaborations between the MacPhail School of Energy and SADT - mirroring the increasing blurring of occupational lines in industry.
An additional provision of support for Indigenous students will be included in Student Awards funded by Spartan Controls, helping to ensure tomorrow's instrumentation workforce reflects the diverse communities it serves.
"Spartan's support will enable SAIT to keep pace with the digital transformation taking place across the energy sector," says Dr. David Ross, President and CEO, SAIT. "Across our 40-plus years of partnership, Spartan has affirmed their belief in our institution through multiple initiatives, and this investment speaks volumes to their commitment to the evolution of SAIT and the growth of our programming."
Industries across the board continue to experience increased automation driven by evolving technologies. SAIT's connection to those industries allows the institution to continue offering dynamic curriculum and train tomorrow's workforce with a high understanding of the integration and application of digital intelligence for a more sustainable future within the energy sector.
"The longstanding partnership between Spartan Controls and SAIT has spanned several decades and emphasizes the pivotal role of education in fostering thriving global communities, local societies and sustainable businesses," says Grant Wilde, President and CEO, Spartan Controls. "This renewed pledge will empower future leaders and innovators in industry and business by continuing to inspire students to excel with the best available training and technology, so they can be confident they are being set up for a successful future that is yet to be written."
Spartan Controls employs more than 150 SAIT graduates and has provided state-of-the-art technology for SAIT students to graduate as leaders in the digital instrumentation industry. To date, this partnership is conservatively estimated at almost $4 million over the past four decades.
