Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
EN-13: Community Stakeholder Engagement

NAIT is very connected to the Alberta community and to industry. Three examples of how community stakeholders are involved in our operations include: 1) NAIT's Board of Governors includes public members from the community. These members play an active role as they are a part of the Board meetings and committees of the Board. Involvement of public members and community stakeholders is identified in the Board's By-Laws: 1.10 "Public" means the public at large and, for the purposes of these By-Laws, includes employees and students of the Institute; 4.4 In conducting its meetings the Board shall strive for maximum openness, and unless otherwise determined pursuant to sub-section 4.5 With the consent of the Board any member of the public may participate in any discussion at any Board meeting. 4.5.1 An individual of the public wishing to participate in discussion must communicate a request to do so to the Chairperson prior to commencement of the meeting. 4.5.2 The Chairperson may invite, during the course of a meeting, members of the public to participate in discussion of specific agenda items as may be appropriate. 4.6, all Board meetings shall be open to observers from the public. 5.3 Each committee of the Board shall be chaired by a public Board member, unless otherwise determined by the Board, and only members of the Board shall have a vote on any committee. 5.8 Committees shall normally consist of three to five members in addition to the ex-officio members, and all members of the Human Resources Committee and of the Finance and Audit Committee shall be public Board members. 2) All academic programs at NAIT have Program Advisory Committees comprised of members from a wide scope of disciplines. These committees validate and inform the curriculum to ensure that it aligns with the needs of industry. This means that NAIT students receive a hands-on education that is relevant to their future careers, and that NAIT students have a competitive edge when applying for positions once they graduate. 3) First Nations and Metis peoples will be actively involved in research projects as advisors for the Boreal Reclamation Program at NAIT's Boreal Research Institute. Alberta’s Land-use Framework recognizes that sustainable economic, social and environmental outcomes must balance sound science and innovative thinking with the use of aboriginal and traditional knowledge. The Framework also accommodates the rights and interests of all Albertans, including First Nations and Métis peoples. With respect to establishing vegetation, the NBRI will partner with First Nation and Métis leaders, elders and experts to identify alternative approaches for boreal forest reclamation. Trials and demonstration sites that integrate TEK will - identify plant species of cultural value, such as diamond willow, white birch and certain berries - establish experimental TEK well sites in collaboration with First Nation partners - produce landmarks of cultural value for First Nations peoples - develop methods to harvest seed and deploy plants while considering TEK priorities and economic benefits to First Nations and Métis peoples

See above.

Board of Governors Public Members - Brent Hesje – CEO, Fountain Tire - Valerie Berger – Vice President, Regulatory & Controller, ATCO Gas - Diane Brickner – President and CEO, Peace Hills Insurance - Andy Clark – Executive Chairman, Clark Builders - Daryl Kruper – President, Simson Maxwell - Allan Mah - Randy McLeod - Keith Meagher - Kevin Nabholz – CEO, Swan Hills Synfuels - Mark Ohe – Executive Chairman and President, Vector Industries Inc. - Ray Pisani – President and CEO, Alberta Blue Cross - Larry Spagnolo – Chief Commercial Officer, Zedi

Public members on the Board of Governors have held roles on Academic Council, Campus Development Committee, Governance Committee, and External Relations Committee. They have been involved in the approval of government mandated reports such as the Annual Report and Comprehensive Institutional Plan.