The Biotechnology - Industrial Microbiology Technologist (three-year) and Technician (two-year) programs, as well as the Environmental Protection Technology and Technician programs, received accreditation from the national body. Reviews of other engineering technology programs at Centennial are currently underway.
"We're absolutely delighted to see our programs pass with flying colours," says School of Engineering Technology and Applied Science (SETAS) Dean Jag Mohan. "This will improve the mobility of our graduates anywhere in Canada and in 21 countries around the world where these standards are recognized and sought by schools and employers alike."
National accreditation is a voluntary evaluation service of applied science and engineering technology programs offered at Canadian schools, including private and public colleges. Accreditation provides a third-party, non-governmental auditing mechanism independent of the educational system.
"Our experts were impressed with the calibre of the graduates coming out of Centennial's Environmental Protection programs," says Isidore LeBlond, Director, Program Development at the Canadian Technology Accreditation Board. "And they were very impressed with the level of instruction demonstrated in the Biotechnology programs they stand head and shoulders above a lot of programs out there."
Accreditation identifies to students, counsellors, parents and employers the schools and programs that meet nationally recognized criteria as determined by experts familiar with each field of work. Graduates of recognized programs are eligible for certification by CCTT's provincial constituent members after acquiring the relevant work experience (some college co-op work may qualify). The process also provides a framework for continually improving the quality and efficiency of technology programs.
In a related development, Dean Jag Mohan announced that some 40 SETAS faculty and staff have earned their certification with the provincial body that looks after professional credentials: The Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT). "It's the largest group of college faculty and staff to pursue certification at any one time," says Jag. "From the students' point of view, it's gratifying to see their faculty and staff endorse the process by undergoing certification themselves."
For more information about Centennial's School of Engineering Technology and Applied Science, please visit: http://www.centennialcollege.ca/setas.
