UOIT and Trent University pioneer multi-institutional graduate program delivery

Groundbreaking technology eliminates geographical barriers, bringing students together in one virtual classroom

OSHAWA, Ont. - The University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) and Trent University demonstrated today how they are redefining graduate education in Canada by removing geographical barriers and bringing students together in one virtual classroom through the use of innovative technology.

The universities are pioneering multi-institutional graduate programming through the use of AccessGrid (AG) for the delivery of the UOIT-Trent Master of Science in Materials Science program. AccessGrid is groundbreaking technology that enables partner institutions and organizations to eliminate geographical barriers and increase the opportunities to work together in Ontario, across the country and beyond in areas such as highly specialized graduate programming and collaboration on research projects. The two universities are the first in Canada to utilize the technology for delivery of a complete program.

"This incredible technology positions UOIT and Trent University at the forefront of multi-institutional programming and will very likely prove to be the foundation for universities across Canada to increasingly offer highly specialized graduate courses and programs in advanced research areas that are in demand by a specific group of students across an unlimited geographical area," said Dr. William Smith, dean of UOIT's Faculty of Science. "Removing distance barriers to collaboration will mean more of these types of partnerships will be developed to the great benefit of students, research progress and society in general. We look forward to an ongoing partnership with Trent and aspire to build partnerships and collaborate with institutions worldwide."

AccessGrid is a group-to-group interaction add-on to the high-performance Shared Hierarchical Academic Research Computing Network (SHARCNET). UOIT and Trent University are two of 16 academic partners in Ontario to use SHARCNET, which was funded by the Canada Foundation for Innovation, the Ontario Research Fund and SHARCNET's industrial partners. AccessGrid sites are equipped with multiple display panels, cameras and microphones, enabling a class instructor to see and hear participants at all locations, and allowing students to ask or answer questions at participating sites.

"The AG capability means that we can bring students and faculty together regardless of where they physically are," said Dr. Andrew Vreugdenhil, director of the Trent-UOIT Materials Science program. "This means providing students with access to a much wider range of research and educational expertise than you could expect to access at any one institution. Our delivery of the Materials Science program with UOIT in this way is an excellent first step in pioneering a geographically remote yet very personal experience for advanced teaching and research."

AccessGrid operates over the Internet and provides real-time interaction between locations, allowing users to feed audio and video streams and share slide presentations, data files and various digital sources of information with multiple partners sharing a connection. The incorporation of additional high-tech equipment plays a critical role, including the use of tablet computers, which allow professors to use a stylus pen to make handwritten notes and sketches that appear directly on computer screens at all locations. Unlike webcasts, AG enables users to send their own feeds rather than sending from a server.

In addition to using AG for course delivery, UOIT is utilizing the technology for face-to-face meetings involving faculty and research teams at partner SHARCNET institutions and colleagues worldwide, and for establishing a national connection with universities utilizing related grid computing technology.

The Master of Science in Materials Science program focuses on an exciting, multi-disciplinary field that investigates matter and materials across a broad range of scales, interactions and applications. From nanotechnology to biomaterials, materials scientists develop new materials and techniques and improve existing ones. Graduates will help meet the demand for researchers and scientists in this evolving field.

About UOIT
As an innovative university, UOIT delivers a leading-edge learning environment that uniquely combines academic knowledge, research opportunities, hands-on skills and a vibrant student life. UOIT's 5,000 students are taught by professors who are experts in their fields from around the world. As Ontario's first laptop-based university, the university offers a diverse array of challenging undergraduate and graduate degree programs through its faculties of Business and Information Technology; Criminology, Justice and Policy Studies; Education; Engineering and Applied Science; Health Sciences; and Science, and its School of Energy Systems and Nuclear Science. UOIT's commitment to research excellence has resulted in millions of dollars in grants and awards, including five Canada Research Chairs. To find out more, visit www.uoit.ca or call 905.721.8668.

About Ontario Tech University
A modern, forwarding-thinking university, Ontario Tech advances the discovery and application of knowledge to accelerate economic growth, regional development and social innovation. We inspire and equip our students and our graduates to make a positive impact in a tech-focused world. For us, it’s not only about developing the next tech breakthrough. Understanding and integrating the social and ethical implications of technology differentiates us as university. Learn more at ontariotechu.ca.

Media contact
Melissa Levy
Communications and Marketing
Ontario Tech University
905.721.8668 ext. 2513
melissa.levy@uoit.ca