From BCIT's founding until 1974 the B.C. Department of Education in partnership with an Advisory Council, chosen from business and industry, appointed the Principal as the Chief Executive Officer of BCIT.
The three divisions of Engineering, Business and Health were managed by three Directors who reported directly to the Principal. The Advisory Council formed seventeen advisory committees which met at least twice a year and advised Technology Heads at BCIT about the effectiveness of the programs being taught, opportunities for employment and updates in the industry. Recommendations went through the Principal who carried them to the main Advisory Council.
A more autonomous relationship developed between the provincial government and BCIT with the passage of the British Columbia Institute of Technology Act on July 4, 1974. The Act established a new system of governance for the Institute under a fifteen–person Board of Governors. Under Section 11 (3) of the BCIT Act the Principal was required to submit an Annual Report to the Board of Governors for the educational year. The position of Principal was expanded to encompass linking functions both between the Board of Governors and the Institute, and between the Institute and the external community. The Principal assumed the responsibility of implementing Board policy and administering the budget; she also served as the chief means of mobilizing the institute’s resources in recognizing and clarifying issues and expediting decision making. At the same time, three Executive Director positions were created in the areas of Technical Education; Administration; and Personnel and Information Services and Student Services, in order that BCIT could effectively carry on day-to-day operations while implementing a variety of administrative systems. With the Directors of the five Educational Divisions, the Bursar, the Registrar, and the Coordinator of Planning Services, the Executive Directors were members of an Executive Committee, a consultative body which advised the Principal and served as a channel of communication between the Chief Executive Officer and BCIT's staff, students and faculty.
In 1986 when BCIT merged with the Pacific Vocational Institute the title of the Chief Executive Officer of BCIT changed from Principal to President.
In 2004, BCIT's governing legislation became the College and Institute Act, RSBC 1996, ch. 5 (2). Under this Act, the President is defined as the Institute's Chief Executive Office, with the duty to “supervise and direct subject to bylaws, the instructional, administrative and other staff of the institution and exercise powers and perform duties assigned to the president by the board.” The President is to report to the Board of Governors annually on the progress of BCIT, make recommendations, and advise the Board on all matters concerning the operation of BCIT.
Individuals who have served as Principal include: Gordon A. Thom, Principal (1974-1985), Cliff McAdam, Acting Principal (July-August 1974), Dean H. Goard, Principal (1967-June 1974) d Jan 1986, E. Cecil Roper, Principal (1962-1967)
Individuals who have served as President include: Dr. Jeff Zabudsky, President (July 10, 2023-present), Paul McCullough, Interim President (July 1, 2022-July 9, 2023), Kathy Kinloch, President (2014-June 30, 2022), Chris Golding, Interim President (2013-January 2014), Don Wright, President (2008-2013), Verna Magee-Shepherd, Acting President (June 2007-March 2008), Tony Knowles, President (2000-May 2007), Brian Gillespie, President (1995-August 2000), John A. Watson, President (1989-1995), Roy V. Murray, President (1985-1988)
The Alumni Association of the British Columbia Institute of Technology was incorporated March 16, 1970.
The BCIT Alumni Association is a registered, non-profit society governed by a board of volunteer directors and financed by association affinity programs, sponsorship, and institute support. The Alumni Association was revitalized in 1984 at the time of BCIT's 20th anniversary. By 1990 it had over 25,000 members, offered 11 entrance scholarships and actively fundraising for current BCIT students. In 2012 the association has more than 140,000 members (graduates), of which approximately 115,721 are recorded and 80,000 are active on the database.
The Alumni Association hosts the following events:
Annual General Meeting, BCIT Alumni Open Golf Tournament, Distinguished Alumni Awards.
The Alumni Association sponsors the following student events:
Schmoozapalooza, hosted by BCIT Marketing Communications students.
Student in Free Enterprise (SIFE) annual FUSE Gala networking event. Fuse aims to reconnect accomplished BCIT Alumni with the best and brightest business students, as well as provide successful industry professionals with the opportunity to recruit new employees and source new contacts.
Departments within the school include: Academic Studies (Basic Health Sciences, Chemistry, Communication, Liberal Studies, Mathematics, and Physics), Computing and IT (Computing), and Forensics (Forensic Science & Technology).
Academic Studies, which includes the departments of Math, Chemistry, Physics, Communication, and Liberal Studies provide essential building blocks for technologies and credentials.
BCIT students are given applied and theoretical knowledge, as well as advanced skills in critical thinking, applied ethics, and research methodology for career success.
Academic Studies also manages the Technology Entry Program which bridges into BCIT credentials, as well as the Technical Writing Certificate.
The Computing and IT department works with industry and subject matter experts, and has developed 30 different Computing and IT career-oriented program options which lead to certificates, diplomas, and a bachelor’s degree, full-time and part-time.
Every year they also provide over 350 individual Part-time "COMP" courses at night and on weekends. Our alumni become the future managers, entrepreneurs and leaders in the Computing and IT sector.
The Forensics department offers flexibility and specialization. Options for students include degrees and specialty certificates in Forensic Science, Computer Crimes, Intelligence Analysis, Forensic Health Sciences and Forensic Video Analysis.
In 1975 the Marine Training Centre, began providing training in navigation and engineering. Following the establishment of the Marine Training Advisory Council in 1975, it was decided that the responsibilities of the Centre should be increased. As a result, in 1978, it was designated a Provincial Institute and renamed the Pacific Marine Training Institute (PMTI).
In 1994 the PMTI was amalgamated with the British Columbia Institute of Technology to become BCIT's Pacific Marine Training Campus.
Previously called B.C. Business Magazine, BCBusiness focuses exclusively on business in British Columbia. Its special editions include B.C.’s Top 100 Companies, Entrepreneur of the Year, B.C.’s Most Influential Women, 30 Under 30 and the Best Cities for Work in B.C.
BCBusiness.ca is produced by the Digital Media Division of Canada Wide Media Limited.
Fernando Vachon was born June 13, 1912, in St. Marie Beauce, Quebec. He was the youngest of four brothers (Romeo, Irénée, Donat) known for their contributions to the history of aviation in Canada. From 1948 to 1977, he worked for Canadian Pacific Airlines (CP Air) in Vancouver as maintenance supervisor, quality control supervisor, instructor, and inspector. From 1979 to 1985, he taught Aircraft Maintenance at the Pacific Vocational Institute in Richmond. Vachon’s achievements include the invention of a system to enable the parking of ski-equipped aircraft in hangars with concrete floors, the design of a system to detect communication failures, and the construction of a hemodialysis machine. He died January 14, 2005, in Richmond.