When donors give to SAIT for the first time, they do more than make a gift; they ignite possibility. Their enthusiasm and commitment help open doors — fueling the journey toward unlocking potential and creating Real Futures.

First-time donor Hugo Yap came to SAIT with a passion and curiosity for design and construction. After graduation, he wanted to make a difference through Real Futures and made his first donation to help future students succeed. The addition of new supporters like Hugo marks an important step in furthering our collective efforts to create lasting change, and we are grateful for YOU!

159 first-time donors and counting were inspired to give to the Real Futures campaign.

When a family comes together, great things can happen. SAIT’s annual Family Campaign is all about having fun, spreading positivity and creating real futures and opportunities for students. It is a chance for students, staff and faculty to come together to make a difference.

The 2025 Family Campaign was the first chance for SAIT employees to be part of the Real Futures campaign, and they demonstrated their commitment loud and clear with 356 donors coming together to raise more than $89,000.

Monthly donors are the foundation of sustainable support at SAIT and help continue the forward momentum of Real Futures. This kind of giving allows SAIT to plan effectively, respond quickly to student needs and invest in future-focused initiatives.

Monthly donors also ensure students have a consistent and reliable source of year-round funding and crucial access to emergency aid and support programs. Our monthly donors are incredibly valuable to the success of students.

Whether honouring a loved one through a memorial gift or contributing to an area close to their heart, legacy donors have the chance to align their personal philanthropic values with a lasting impact. Legacy gifts are crucial to Real Futures as these gifts influence not only current students but those who will step onto campus in years to come.

Arthur “Bud” Hall was an avid sports enthusiast who was just as passionate about helping others as he was about tennis. Bud enriched the lives of those he knew and sadly passed away in 2019 at the age of 92. At the launch of Real Futures, Shelly Norris — Bud Hall’s cousin and executrix — announced a generous gift of $3.5 million from the Estate of Bud Hall to support the construction of the Taylor Family Campus Centre.

Thousands of students will be impacted thanks to this generosity, which is a tribute to Bud’s legacy of compassion and love of sport. The construction of the Taylor Family Campus Centre would not be possible without the dedication of our donors. It takes gifts of all sizes to build what will be considered a hub for well-being and support for students and our community.

Pictured: Shelly Norris and Dr. David Ross

Wim and Nancy Pauw Foundation ignites hospitality and community impact

The town of Banff has long connected people to the natural beauties of the Bow River Valley and the majestic Rocky Mountains. Every year, thousands of people visit the town and surrounding area and are welcomed by a world-class hospitality and tourism community. In November of 2024, SAIT, the YWCA of Banff and the Wim and Nancy Pauw Foundation announced a unique and inspirational partnership that will build an even stronger connection between community and hospitality in the town of Banff.

Renovations to the existing YWCA in Banff will create a space for the organization to continue its invaluable services to the Bow Valley corridor while also providing a unique, state-of-the-art teaching facility and student housing for SAIT’s Hospitality and Tourism students.

“This exciting new partnership is yet another step toward realizing [Wim Pauw's] vision — a world-class centre for tourism and hospitality that fosters excellence, strengthens the delivery and expansion of locally-based critical social services and supports economic resiliency right in the heart of Canada’s most iconic national park.” Cathy Geisler, Executive Director, Wim and Nancy Pauw Foundation.

With design work for this new hub for community and hospitality connections complete, construction is anticipated to begin in March 2026.

Campaign momentum isn’t just raising dollars — it’s opening new programming doors for students across Alberta, and beyond. Among the most exciting milestones: the launch of SAIT’s new Bachelor of Technology (BTech) program.

The BTech degree represents the next generation of career-focused education — an applied four-year pathway designed specifically for technologists and technical experts ready to move from the jobsite or shop floor to the boardroom. By stacking on top of select SAIT (and equivalent) two-year diplomas, the BTech program empowers skilled workers to become project leads, innovators, and entrepreneurs driving Alberta’s next wave of industry transformation.

At SAIT, tomorrow’s digital talent is being built today — and Jaspreet Gill is one of its architects. As lead faculty shaping SAIT’s Integrated AI curriculum, she designs courses that mirror industry change and place students in the flow of innovation. This is Real Futures in action: transforming how, who and what we teach for a fast-changing world of work.

Within her field, Gill has witnessed rapid sophistication and widespread adoption of Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT) technology. Think of “parameters” as the tiny adjustable knobs the model learns to use when writing the next word. To put it in context, GPT-2 had about 1.5 billion knobs; GPT-3 had 175 billion — over 100 times more — capturing much subtler patterns and allowing it to respond more fluently. “In 2019 and 2020, this work mostly lived in research labs. Within a couple of years, the tools escaped the lab and landed on everyone’s desktop.” That velocity is staggering, and the implications for failing to keep up with it cascade across each industry SAIT — and SAIT students — work within and support.

Gill designed and developed six out of 10 courses in SAIT's Integrated AI program. Her leadership is visionary, and she brings that practice into the classroom. "Our integrated AI program tracks where the field is going, not just where it is. If it looks too high-level today, that usually means it's right on time for tomorrow.

Your support makes this possible. Donor support keeps equipment, software and curriculum current, expands access to learning technologies, and scales supports that remove barriers — so more women, Indigenous learners and newcomers can step into high-opportunity digital careers.

Together, with leaders like Gill and partners like you, SAIT is building Real Futures — connecting people to work, helping businesses thrive, and widening the pipeline of tech-ready talent for Calgary and Alberta. “Each year, we’re preparing more students to lead with AI from day one. With your generosity, we’ll go further, faster, for learners ready to shape what comes next," says Gill.

At SAIT Downtown, the future of cyber readiness is now. Launched in October 2025, the new cyber range is a purpose-built training environment that mirrors real-world systems and pressures. Complete with Red Team (attack) and Blue Team (defence) rooms linked to a central command centre, and more than 50 immersive scenarios that scale from phishing to nation-state incursions. "This isn’t just another classroom — it’s a real-time cybersecurity simulation and training environment that transforms learners into leaders of Alberta’s digital future,” says Cherie Bowker, Dean of the School for Advanced Digital Technology.

Cyber threats are rising in frequency and sophistication, and organizations across energy, healthcare, finance, and transportation need people who can detect, contain and recover — especially under pressure. The cyber range provides hands-on practice with industry-grade stacks and virtualized networks, so teams build calm, coordinated responses long before a real incident. In Bowker’s words, “users can immerse themselves in scenarios built for any industry, building preparedness for the real thing, but from the safety of our state-of-the-art facility.”

The cyber range is a cornerstone of Real Futures and is helping Calgary and Alberta stay competitive in a constantly changing global economy. Together, we’re expanding SAIT’s digital footprint — and Alberta’s cyber resilience — one realistic scenario at a time. On how the future-focused range is preparing students for tomorrow’s careers today, Nathaniel Scherger, a recent graduate of SAIT’s Information Systems Security program, shares his perspective as a recent SAIT grad watching others follow in his footsteps.

A lot of companies still aren’t prepared for cyber threats, but the shift from reactive to proactive is definitely happening, and the cyber range can help accelerate that in Calgary,” says Scherger, who is prepared to enter the workforce as a cybersecurity professional in the coming months. 

Donor-driven housing support for Indigenous learners has transformed the student experience. For many Indigenous students, housing is the hurdle that can derail a dream. SAIT’s Indigenous Student Housing Pilot Program — supported by The Calgary Foundation and an anonymous donor — tackles that barrier head-on with culturally responsive housing support and supplementary wrap-around services.

The pilot pairs affordability with belonging. Intentional spaces for connection and ceremony, familiar meals, and community-building programs help keep students close to their culture while pursuing
credentials. Brittany Sydora, Indigenous Student Advisor for SAIT's Natoysopoyiis, explains that when an authentic sense of home is created on campus, students can fully engage in learning.

The educational journey for Indigenous students is reshaping both who SAIT reaches and how education is delivered.

Tackling the housing crisis requires more than replenishing the workforce — it also demands reimagining how we build. That’s where SAIT’s Alternative Construction Technologies (ACT) Hub comes in.

With research and development projects already underway and a full launch planned for early 2026, the ACT Hub brings together leaders in manufacturing, robotics, automation, and material science to pioneer faster, greener, and more affordable building solutions. From automated prefabrication and 3D printing for housing to novel sustainable materials, the Hub will serve as a national accelerator for construction innovation.

The ACT Hub is creating opportunities for over 50 businesses and 60 students to collaborate on solutions, generating new jobs while advancing research that can be commercialized. Backed by recent federal and provincial investments, the Hub positions SAIT as the bridge between skilled trades talent and next-generation construction technologies — a unique role few institutions can play.

SAIT's work to turbocharge our trades talent pipeline

As Canada confronts a worsening affordable housing crisis, one core issue looms large: the unpredictability of our homebuilding talent pipeline. With thousands of skilled tradespeople retiring every year and new entrants falling short of demand, the homebuilding industry faces mounting pressure that directly impacts housing affordability, project timelines and community growth.

SAIT, with the support of committed partners, is tackling this issue head-on. A generous $500,000 gift from Homes by Avi is turbocharging efforts to attract and support the next generation of trades professionals. Central to this investment is the expansion of entrance awards for high school students — encouraging young people to pursue rewarding, high-demand careers in construction and skilled trades.

The impact is tangible: 48 high school graduates will receive $1,250 entrance awards to begin their training in SAIT’s School of Construction, with special preference given to students from Jack James High School in Calgary. This initiative builds on a remarkable 28-year relationship between Homes by Avi and Jack James, which has already introduced over 3,000 students to homebuilding through participation in the construction of 25 homes across Calgary and surrounding areas.

Additionally, the gift provides $5,000 bursaries for eight students enrolling in construction-related pre-employment programs, offering essential support for those seeking to fast-track their entry into the industry. These initiatives couldn’t come at a more critical time — by 2032, more than 240,000 Canadians are expected to retire from the construction sector, making workforce renewal an urgent national priority.

"As a proud homebuilder in Calgary, we recognize our responsibility to support the future of our industry. At a time when the labour force is stretched thin, it’s critical that we inspire and equip the next generation of skilled trades," says Vered Amir, Vice President, Brand Leadership and Community Engagement for Homes by Avi.

As Alberta navigates a rapidly shifting economic landscape, one challenge has become impossible to ignore — the widening gap in digital skills across industries and career stages. In response, alongside critical donors like TD Bank Group and the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF), SAIT is charting a new course for workforce development — one that puts lifelong learning, flexibility, and personalized career pathways at the centre of Alberta’s economic evolution.

At the heart of this effort is SAIT’s Digital Pathways Hub, a dynamic platform designed to meet the urgent and evolving needs of Alberta’s labour force. From AI literacy and cybersecurity readiness to career pivots for mid-career professionals and digital confidence-building for youth, the Hub offers stackable, scalable programming built for the demands of today. Learners can access a variety of tools, including micro-credentials, intensive bootcamps, self-directed resources like My Career Pathways and one-on-one career coaching through My Career Mentor.

This donor-driven initiative is helping accelerate Calgary’s role as a digital economy leader and expanding opportunities for everyone by empowering more people to participate in the digital future. With 951 active users as of May 2025, the Hub is already making tangible progress in reskilling and upskilling Albertans for in-demand roles.

Lora Bucsis, Director, Product and Learner Success at SAIT, notes how critical this approach is to assisting workers with navigating today’s job market. "Competency mapping is a crucial tool in this effort, giving people the ability to recognize their strengths and chart clearer, more confident career paths."

By bridging education with industry needs, SAIT’s Digital Pathways Hub is not only closing Alberta’s digital skills gap — it’s building the resilient, future-ready workforce our province needs to thrive in the decades ahead.

Industry partners are expanding who benefits from SAIT programs by supporting targeted outreach and pathway initiatives. A shining example is the RBC's $850,000 gift to SAIT’s School of Transportation, aimed at accelerating electric vehicle (EV) training and youth skills development.

Announced at SAIT’s Transportation Industry Night in March 2023, this innovative gift is creating new learning opportunities for high school students and young apprentices to enter the automotive trades armed with EV expertise. RBC's contribution will fund state-of-the-art EV training equipment and support networking events over the next five years that connect students with employers as they prepare to service Canada’s growing fleet of electric vehicles. “We’re pleased to partner with SAIT to help young people access meaningful employment through practical work experience, skills development opportunities, and networking solutions,” says Kirk Muise, Regional President, Alberta and Territories, RBC.

SAIT graduate, Jasmine Chu (AST '23) says her time at SAIT gave her the confidence to be successful in her career. "When I got to SAIT and began to work through the automotive service technology program, I knew I was in the right place. Being in this program has helped me to uncover the skills in myself that had intimidated me previously and build the connections I need to be successful in the future,” says Chu.

Chu’s program has taken her through the fundamentals of working on combustion vehicles, but she has a keen awareness of how the automotive industry is evolving with the arrival of EV technologies.

AST programming, delivered out of the Clayton Carroll Automotive Centre, will continue its evolution thanks to the RBC gift, helping the centre to remain a key training resource for the automotive industry.

AST instructor, Harley Breadner (AAST '11) explains that the program is set up to encourage students to thrive and the industry partnerships help SAIT deliver valuable opportunities and resources.

“The first hybrid vehicle was available to consumers nearly 25 years ago. Since then, so much has changed. This investment will help us to keep pace with an industry that is evolving and will help our students enter the workforce with the right skills to keep racing forward,” says Breadner.

“There are many places we can go with this. There are opportunities like continuing education courses for those working with city fleets or other heavy-duty vehicles. Working with other key partners, we can play a part in the shift to a greener future.”

Today, Canada’s energy sector is defined by the major shifts it’s experiencing. This rapid evolution, driven by an urgent need to adapt to shifting global sustainability standards and expanding energy needs, offers Alberta an opportunity to reinforce its role as an energy powerhouse and global sector leader. Positioned at the intersection of education, applied research, and industry collaboration, SAIT is playing a pivotal role in this provincial positioning effort, shaping the future of energy alongside leaders in the sector. With transformational gifts coming from energy industry leaders, SAIT is equipped to design and deliver the next-generation energy workforce our economy needs.

In 2023, Spartan Controls Ltd., another major campaign partner, invested $1.58 million to drive automation innovation at SAIT. Their gift directly strengthens both the MacPhail School of Energy and School for Advanced Digital Technology through modernized curriculum, upgraded infrastructure, targeted student awards — including support specifically for Indigenous learners — and hands-on automation training. Spartan’s commitment ensures graduates enter the workforce equipped to navigate and lead the sector’s ongoing digital transformation.

In February 2025, Cenovus Energy donated $3.7 million to SAIT as an investment in talent development. Cenovus' gift established state-of-the-art interdisciplinary learning infrastructure in the School of Business and the MacPhail School of Energy, enabling students from diverse programs to collaborate on complex projects, helping connect them with the perspectives and skill sets of other disciplines. This approach not only mirrors the real-world operational environment of the energy sector but revitalizes the curriculum, ensuring SAIT graduates are ready to address current industry challenges and are well-prepared for future transformations.

In September 2025, Imperial's record-setting gift of a $37-million lab enhanced SAIT's capacity for applied energy research. Thanks to this investment, SAIT’s Applied Research and Innovation Services (ARIS) can expand critical research activities, exploring new methodologies and technologies that advance best practices and sustainability. This reinforces Alberta’s prominent role on the global energy stage, turning research breakthroughs into tangible industry solutions, and places SAIT expertise at the forefront of the industry’s future.

Pictured: SAIT's President and CEO, Dr. David Ross stands with John Whelan, Chairman, President and CEO of Imperial in front of the newly opened Imperial Energy Innovation Centre.