Alan Robison, President of Island Technology Professionals presented the Holland College Applied Sciences & Engineering Technology Thesis Awards to graduating students of the college's technology programs recently.

Students in the college's Architectural Technology, Bioscience Technology, Computer Engineering Technology and Electronics Engineering Technology programs are required to complete an independent applied research project, program manager Natalie Mitton, explained.

"The independent applied research project is a mandatory component of all accredited technologist level programs. These projects give students the opportunity to explore an area of interest in greater depth. All four of the programs are nationally accredited at the Technologist Level by the Canadian Technology Accreditation Board of the Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists," she said.

Alan Robison, President of Island Technology Professionals, commended the students for their commitment to their projects.

"Holland College is a source of skilled graduates who are the future of the applied sciences and technologies on Prince Edward Island and in Canada," he said. "They graduate from courses certified by the Canadian Technology Accreditation Board of the Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists, meeting high standards in their fields of choice. The students put endless time, energy, heart and soul into these projects. Island Technology Professionals are proud to support and reward their hard work and endurance. We look forward to great achievements from the 2011 Holland College Architectural Technology, Computer Engineering Technology and Electronics Engineering Technology graduates."

Island Technology Professionals presents these awards annually in recognition of the top theses of the graduating classes. This year's recipients were Architectural Technology student Robert Phelan, from Morell, who developed an in-depth examination of design issues related to fire protection and energy efficient heating/cooling systems for a new design of the Belvedere Golf and Winter Club; Computer Engineering Technology student Lori Belle MacKinnon, from Charlottetown, who investigated issues related to the design and implementation of an Enterprise Network using Cisco Systems internetworking devices; and Electronics Engineering Technology student Matthew Nicholson from Cornwall, who researched cellular communication systems. The Bioscience Technology program did not have a graduating class this year.

In this picture: (L-R) Architectural Technology student Robert Phelan, Computer Engineering student Lori Belle MacKinnon, and Electronics Engineering Technology student Matthew Nicholson accept their Technologist Thesis Awards from Alan Robison, president of Island Technology Professionals.