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ONCAT Congratulates Queen’s Engineering Bridge Pathway Students on Joining Degree Program Peers this Semester

October 1, 2024

KINGSTON, ON – The Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer (ONCAT) joins Queen’s University in celebrating the inaugural cohort of students in the Smith Engineering Bridge pathway, who have successfully transitioned from a diploma to a degree program and joined their peers in the Smith Engineering Faculty.

The bridging pathway is a route for graduates of an advanced diploma in Engineering Technology to transfer into an upper year of the degree program offered by Smith Engineering at Queen’s University. This pathway is a faster and more cost-effective route to becoming a professional engineer in Ontario, in comparison to completing a standalone degree after college.

This September,13 graduates from six Ontario colleges have started their civil engineering studies in third year at Queen’s University, working towards a Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc) in Engineering. Prior to joining their classmates on campus this fall, these students completed two online courses part-time and then a full-time summer semester of foundational curriculum to help them smoothly transition to the campus environment and university dynamic.  

Dr. Adrienne Galway, the President and CEO of ONCAT shared her perspective on the program’s impact, “The completion of this bridging program represents a significant milestone for these students as they continue their journey in higher education, with their eyes on future careers. We’re proud to support Smith Engineering’s initiative in creating diverse pathways into the workforce. We encourage other Ontario institutions to explore similar opportunities that promote inclusivity and accessibility, enhancing a more equitable educational landscape for all students.”

“The Smith Engineering Bridge program represents a significant step forward in broadening access to our program for diploma graduates seeking to expand their qualifications. By recognizing the value of the engineering education they have already received, we provide a streamlined path to achieving a professionally accredited engineering degree. This degree offers not only deeper technical knowledge but also opens doors to a wider range of career opportunities and professional licensure," says Kevin Deluzio, Dean, Smith Engineering. "We are particularly excited as this aligns fully with our goal to Reimagine Engineering Education and expand access to the many talented graduates of engineering technology programs from our well-regarded Ontario colleges."

“I would like to thank ONCAT and Queen’s University for their terrific work in providing more flexible postsecondary options for Ontario’s future engineers,” said Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges and Universities. “By making it easier for students to transfer their credits between postsecondary programs and institutions, we can help students get where they want to go – no matter where they begin – and secure high-demand jobs.” Students in this year’s cohort are graduates from the following colleges: St. Lawrence College, Algonquin College, Mohawk College, Seneca Polytechnic, Humber Polytechnic, and Durham College. However, graduates of any Engineering Technology program are eligible to apply to the program.

Smith Engineering has accepted more than twice the number of applicants for the next cohort and has expanded the fields of study from mining and civil engineering to include chemical and mechanical engineering. Alongside this initiative, Smith Engineering continues to support a high standard for inclusive learning that is that focuses on creating a more diverse and representative engineering profession to better serve students from all backgrounds.  

The development of the Smith Engineering Bridge pathway was funded by ONCAT and showcases the university’s commitment to enhancing opportunities for skills development, education-to-employment pathways, and inclusivity into competitive industries and programs.  

About ONCAT

Established in 2011, the Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer plays a pivotal role in supporting learner mobility, working to reduce barriers for students seeking to transfer among the province's public colleges, universities, and Indigenous Institutes. For more information, visit www.oncat.ca. ONCAT is funded by the Government of Ontario.