Vanier College Planning to Introduce a STEM Centre As Part of Library Renovations

Montreal, December 18, 2014- Mr. Normand W. Bernier, Director General of Vanier College, is pleased to announce plans to introduce a STEM Centre as part of major renovations that are scheduled for the Vanier library. The Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Centre would replace the current Math and Science Centre located on the 5th floor of the library.

“This new centre will allow our college to improve access to vocational and technical training in order to increase individual qualifications while simultaneously ensuring that we can be more inclusive towards students from technical programs,” said Mr. Bernier.

The STEM Centre will feature three specific work areas including a Study Hub, a Think Tank and a Hackerspace. These sites will offer students places to study, interact, engage in group work and peer learning, carry out research, create, repair and design things wile exchanging skills and realizing innovative projects.

The transformation from the Math and Science Centre to the Stem Centre will coincide with major renovations that are planned to the Vanier Library. Earlier this year the Vanier College Board of Directors appropriated $4 million from its surplus for the library renovations. Senior administrators at the college are currently working with architects to draw up and finalize plans for the redesign of the library.

“This is a cutting-edge initiative as the new STEM Centre will be amongst the first in the Cégep network and will help increase the recruitment, enrolment and retention of students in programs that have been prioritized by the Ministry in response to the need for qualified labour in the next decade,” said Eric Lozowy, Faculty Dean of Science and General Studies at Vanier College.

Early next year Vanier College plans to launch a competition whereby it will ask students enrolled in science and technical programs at Vanier as well as students from outside of the college to submit proposals for the design and conceptualization of the different aspects of the new STEM Centre.

“The competition is significant as it will allow students to apply their skills to the conception of a strategic service centre at the college thereby contributing to the growth of Vanier and to the emergence of a new culture of learning,” said Haritos Kavallos, Coordinator of Vanier’s Math and Science Centre.

See an interview with Haritos Kavallos : http://vtv.vaniercollege.qc.ca/2014/12/announcement-of-the-s-t-e-m- center/#.vjlftivf-xu

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For information please contact: Marguerite Corriveau, Vanier Communications 514-744-7500 ext. 7596, marguerite.corriveau@vaniercollege.qc.ca