Friday, April 8, 2011, Calgary, Alberta – Thanks to the CADMUS Foundation, Derrick MacAskill plans to soak up a lot of sun over the next year – for research purposes, of course.

The School of Construction instructor was named the 2011/12 recipient of the Cadmus Foundation Trades Teaching Chair, an award that honours excellence in trades.

MacAskill will use the award’s semester-long sabbatical and research funding to expand his knowledge of solar energy, and how it can be integrated into SAIT’s curriculum. He will create a battery-based solar photovoltaic system for hands-on training as part of his existing work with the Applied Research department. Students in the School of Construction, MacPhail School of Energy, School of Transportation and School of Manufacturing and Automation will learn more about solar energy using the system that MacAskill develops.

“Going forward, electricians will have the ability to become certified in solar photovoltaic installation by the Canadian Standards Association,” says MacAskill. “One of my goals is to help make that training and research available to students at SAIT, through hands-on installation experience with the battery storage and grid-tied solar photovoltaic systems.”

Photovoltaic systems generate electrical power by converting solar radiation into direct current electricity.

MacAskill has dedicated himself to the field of alternative energy. He was a part of Team Alberta at the 2009 U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon, where the team’s SolAbode project came in 6th out of 20 international competitors. He is currently working with ARIS’ Green Building Technology (GBT) expert, David Silburn, to oversee the electrical component of the latest Net Zero Discovery 5 house, and GBT Photovoltaic Lab under construction on SAIT’s campus.

“Throughout my career at SAIT I have been given many opportunities to expand my knowledge,” says MacAskill. “The Cadmus award is a result of the information, talent and time my colleagues have shared with me, particularly the instructors and academic chairs in the electrical department. They have helped me when I’ve needed help the most.”

In announcing MacAskill as the award recipient, Vice President Academic Gord Nixon noted MacAskill’s professionalism and dedication to student success. “Derrick was named Cadmus Chair because he demonstrates teaching excellence in many ways. He has been fully committed to gaining expertise in the area of green technologies and positioning SAIT as a leader in alternative energy.”

The Cadmus Trades Teaching Chair is the first award of its kind in the world. It was established by the Cadmus Foundation in 2005 and is presented to a SAIT trades instructor in recognition of excellence in teaching. It carries a value of $25,000 that includes a semester-long sabbatical for practical research and project work to enhance program quality, mentoring other instructors, professional development and an allowance to purchase tools and equipment.

The foundation was created by long-time SAIT supporter and past Board of Governors member John Aldred. Named after the mythical figure Cadmus, Greek patron of the useful arts, its mandate is to raise the status of the trades and attract young people to trades careers.

SAIT Polytechnic is one of Canada’s most exciting destinations for post-secondary education, offering more than 100 career programs that position people for success in technology, trades and business. A leader in innovation, SAIT also collaborates with industry on applied research and delivers corporate training worldwide. SAIT is a member of Polytechnics Canada and one of Alberta’s Top 50 Employers for 2011.

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