NAIT students unhappy with removal of computers from program

Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 1:32
Loaded: 42.72%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 1:32
 
1x
    • Chapters
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
    • en (Main), selected
    NAIT students took to social media expressing their disappointment with the removal of computers from the Digital Media and IT program. As Adam Ziccarelli reports, some like owning their own computer while others prefer on-campus options.

    By Adam Ziccarelli

    Computers are crucial for post-secondary students who can’t afford their own. But NAIT is deciding to remove the majority of them from their Digital Media and IT program and some of the students are feeling hacked.

    “I think that, of what they’re paying, they should, like, have what the school offers and stuff,” said one NAIT student.

    Taking to social media, students are unhappy with the change saying buying new personal computers is an added cost on top of tuition.

    “I don’t think that’s fair for the students, especially if they’re on tight budgets or if they’re not like they don’t have the financials to get a new computer.”

    Others students believe it should be an option and not mandatory for the program.

    “I think they should have the option. I get it. Like wanting to have your own computer. Honestly, if I had the money, I’d have my own computer. So I think it’s always an option that should be available to students,” said another NAIT student.

    But this international student says they’ve found an option to fill the computer void. “It’s easy to borrow a computer from the library. We can borrow it for a semester or two semesters.”

    NAIT provided a statement to CityNews on Wednesday saying, “New and continuing students in the Digital Media and IT (DMIT) program will be required to bring their own laptops to class at the start of the Fall 2023 term. Computers in DMIT labs will be removed for the start of the Fall 2023 term to make room for students to use their own devices.”

    The statement added the change came into place during the pandemic before noting the lab set-up “does not provide enough space to accommodate students who wish to use their own computer.”

    “Bring your own device isn’t new to NAIT. There are several programs in the School of Applied Science and Technology with a bring-your-own-device requirement. JR Shaw School of Business students have a minimum technology requirement to have their own laptop computer. Students in the School of Skilled Trades who have chosen the blended delivery option also have a minimum technology requirement to have their own desktop or laptop computer,” the statement continued.

    The school also believes personal laptops will allow students to not be tied to a lab and will increase the number of seats the DMIT program can fill.

    Top Stories

    Top Stories

    Most Watched Today