Close X
Friday, November 29, 2024
ADVT 
National

BCIT celebrates 50-year anniversary starting with 'Fab 50' event at first campus

Darpan News Desk Darpan, 05 Oct, 2014 11:52 AM

    BURNABY, B.C. - It's been 50 years since then-premier W.A.C. Bennett officially opened the doors of the B.C. Institute of Technology in Burnaby, and that milestone is being celebrated at the school that now has five campuses.

    On Saturday, the polytechnic institute held a "Fab 50" event featuring all things 1964 — from vintage cars to an X-ray machine and broadcasting equipment used at the school half a century ago.

    A Beattles tribute band entertained former graduates and visitors at the Burnaby campus.

    Gary Hanney, who attended BCIT's first broadcast class and worked mostly as a camera operator before retiring in 2008, said he remembers wearing a shirt, tie and sport jacket to school.

    Hanney said the two-year broadcasting program was considered cool in those days but most of the students were men and jobs were plentiful in a blossoming industry.

    "When we started here there was one building and now it's a huge campus," he said.

    BCIT spokesman Dave Pinton said anniversary events will also be held throughout the school year at the other four campuses of BCIT — in North Vancouver, Richmond, Vancouver and Delta.

    The school began with 647 students and this year has nearly 48,000 people enrolled in programs including engineering, business, shipbuilding and health, said Pinton, who wore a 1960's skinny tie and horn-rimmed glasses to the birthday bash.

    Since 1964, about 155,000 students have graduated from BCIT, which provides the majority of apprenticeship training in the province.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Canada deploying 2nd mobile lab in battle against Ebola outbreak in West Africa

    Canada deploying 2nd mobile lab in battle against Ebola outbreak in West Africa
    Canada is sending a second mobile laboratory and the team to run it to West Africa in an effort to battle the Ebola outbreak, Health Minister Rona Ambrose announced Saturday.

    Canada deploying 2nd mobile lab in battle against Ebola outbreak in West Africa

    Toronto patient tests negative for Ebola infection

    Toronto patient tests negative for Ebola infection
    A spokeswoman for the University Health Network, which consists of four hospitals, announced the tests results late Friday night.

    Toronto patient tests negative for Ebola infection

    New Brunswick Recounts confirming election night results

    New Brunswick Recounts confirming election night results
    Three recounts have confirmed the voting results on election night in New Brunswick, nearly two weeks after the polls closed.

    New Brunswick Recounts confirming election night results

    Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne touts good-jobs goal at work summit

    Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne touts good-jobs goal at work summit
    TORONTO - Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne says her government shares the labour movement's goal of creating good jobs, while cautioning the two sides may have some differences of opinion about how to get there.

    Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne touts good-jobs goal at work summit

    Former insurance CEO returns money from contract

    Former insurance CEO returns money from contract
    WINNIPEG - Manitoba Public Insurance says its former CEO has returned money she received from a "transitional contract" she signed earlier this year.

    Former insurance CEO returns money from contract

    Churchill Man who saved woman from polar bear gets Manitoba's highest honour

    Churchill Man who saved woman from polar bear gets Manitoba's highest honour
    WINNIPEG - A man who was himself mauled when he saved a woman attacked by a polar bear has received one of Manitoba's highest honours.

    Churchill Man who saved woman from polar bear gets Manitoba's highest honour