Ten years of photonics education at the college level in Ontario: results and by-products

Marc Nantel

doi:10.1117/12.861404

31 August 2010 Ten years of photonics education at the college level in Ontario: results and by-products

Marc Nantel

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Proceedings Volume 7783, Optics Education and Outreach; 77830P (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.861404
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2010, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

In 2000, there was no way for an Ontario student to obtain a credential in optics, laser or photonics without going through graduate school. This was in, arguably, the world-leading jurisdiction in photonics-enabled telecommunications industry. To alleviate this problem and supply the job market with highly-qualified people in the field of optics and photonics, the Ontario Centres of Excellence - then as Photonics Research Ontario - partnered with Algonquin College (Ottawa) and Niagara College (Welland) to establish over the past decade a suite of programs: a 1-year Certificate in Advanced Lasers, a 2-year Diploma for Photonics Engineering Technician, a 3-year Diploma for Photonics Engineering Technologists and a 4-year Bachelor of Applied Technology - Photonics. Much has been learnt along the way - the crucial need for industrial partner and government support, for example - and many course corrections had to be made (telecom bust, anyone?). The author will share the results of this 10-year journey so far, the lessons learnt, and a view to the next ten years for these programs and photonics education in Ontario in general.

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Marc Nantel "Ten years of photonics education at the college level in Ontario: results and by-products", Proc. SPIE 7783, Optics Education and Outreach, 77830P (31 August 2010); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.861404

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