Students at Olds College of Agriculture and Technology are sharpening their pencils and sorting out their living quarters on campus or in the community.
Their first day of the fall semester is coming up on Tuesday, September 2nd.
Olds College President and CEO Dr. Debbie Thompson says they are projecting 1,700 full-load equivalent learners for this school year which equals out to about 3,100 individual students. She is absolutely excited and they will be staying about the same as last year for their domestic enrollment numbers. She says “so that remains strong. We anticipate those to be about 1,500 full-load equivalents and that is on par with last year which was also a record for Olds College. We of course are down in terms of our international student learners at the College and would love for those to be a little higher but there are some federal changes which, you know, impacted those numbers and so, overall we are happy with the number of students that we are seeing and continue look forward opportunities to grow those numbers in the coming years.”
According to Thompson, they are launching a new Environmental Science Technology Diploma program, plus they are marking this year as their largest intake of Veterinary Technology students. She says “with over 150 students in three intakes with year round programming. As well, we have our Veterinary Technical Assistant and Veterinary Medical Receptionist programs will now be offered year round with three intakes.”
Thompson adds, Olds College is currently undergoing a significant renovation in the R.J Elliott Building – which is its new trades building expansion. She points out that it is expected to be completed in March of 2027.
She says the Broncos have already welcomed in 159 student athletes to campus with their orientation days. Residence is at capacity this year with over 400 students. Move in day happened on Sunday, August 31st. Welcome week will run from September 2nd to the 5th at Olds College of Agriculture & Technology.
