By KELLY LOUISEIZE
Algoma University College (AUC) will become the third university in the world to offer a master’s degree program in computer games.
This is just one of the spinoff opportunities created from the $6.1 million ICT Centre at the university.
The 40,000-square-foot facility houses a 20-seat amphitheatre, three computer labs and a fourth experimental lab, which will be used for the graduate program.
“We will be the third university in the world to offer a (master’s degree in computer games),” Bruno Barban director of university services and information technology says.
Sault Ste. Marie instructors will help students design and develop some of the highest level of computer games in the world with help from Scotland’s University of Abertay professors.
“They are the main university in the world that offers this program right now,” Barban says.
Graduating students will receive a University of Abertay degree once completed, but the program will be delivered here.
That is the reason the high-tech ICT Centre classrooms are equipped with approximately 112 computers, which means there is one computer for every 90 users.
The Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre has occupied 4,000 square feet at the centre.
Approximately 3,000 sq. ft. is being used as a business incubator for IT-related companies, while the remaining space is for a data storage and transfer centre. Inside, loads of redundancy with back up generators makes the facility a safe information haven. Insurance companies require law and
accounting firms, financial institutions and credit card companies to have a back up storage facility off-site in the event of an accident or theft.
“This place is virtually not shut down-able,” he says.
Sault Ste. Marie’s PUC Telecom Inc. is also housed under the ICT facility occupying 1,500 sq. ft. PUC owns up to 65 miles of fibre optic cabling around the city, which provides organizations like Algoma Steel, school boards and hospitals with Internet access.
Recently, they have partnered with Ontera, so there are approximately six more employees working with PUC.
“They are launching their Internet over hydro lines from here.”
The whole idea of the ICT facility is to create economic opportunities with computer science and business professors, students, IT technologist, incubation centre businesses, data warehouse users, IP and Internet providers.
FedNor contributed $1.5 million, Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corp. $2.5 million, the City of Sault Ste Marie $350,000 and the Sault Ste. Marie Public Utilities Commission $350,000.
The AUC student union invested $1.2 million in a common room where a bar, cafeteria and lounge is situated.
“They have all put money in the pot, they are all part of the deal,” Barban says.
The university is looking to increase its attractiveness to students.
“If you come here we can provide you with a better IT experience. You can rub shoulders with other professionals. There is a possibility of getting hired upon graduation.”
For years the AUC instructors have played a significant part in establishing a technology cluster.
In the first couple of years the institution hosted Future Play, an academic and recreational event which showcases the latest trends in computer programs and games. It was a way the business sector, academic and curios visitors were able to interchange ideas and create opportunities. The feedback became so positive, organizers decided to take it on the road and was recently held at the University of Michigan.
