Ranjan Bhattacharya will fill the role of Dean, Trades and Technology
College of the Rockies’ Vice President, Academic, Robin Hicks is pleased to announce Ranjan Bhattacharya as Dean of Trades and Technology. Bhattacharya will replace Jack Moes, who is retiring after almost a decade in the role.
With progressive experience in post-secondary education, Bhattacharya has provided strategic and operational leadership in several post-secondary settings in Canada and globally. In response to industry and student needs, he has developed and launched innovative credentials, increased program enrolments, established Centres of Excellence, facilitated articulation agreements, and several externally funded applied research initiatives. A passionate advocate for experiential learning, Bhattacharya conceptualized and led several high-value capital projects ensuring that learning environments emulate industry practices.
“Ranjan’s experience, along with his innovative mind set and dedication to experiential learning, will greatly benefit the College,” Hicks said. “We’re excited to have him as part of our team and to connect him with our communities in the East Kootenay region.”
Bhattacharya has worked at colleges in three provinces including B.C. and most recently was the Dean of the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering Technology at Seneca Polytechnic. His portfolio comprised diverse program areas that include biological sciences and applied chemistry, engineering technologies, information and communication technologies, and fire protection which offer credentials ranging from micro-credentials to Honours Baccalaureate degrees.
“I am delighted to be joining College of the Rockies,” Bhattacharya said. “I look forward to working with the talented team here to continue to provide high-quality, industry-relevant education and create even more opportunities for our students to succeed in their chosen fields.”
A former Director on the Council of the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT), Bhattacharya has also been a member of the Program Advisory Committee in the Chang School of Continuing Education at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) as well as a member of several regional and national Deans groups including the National Council of Deans of Apprenticeship, Trades, and Technology (NCDATT) and Engineering Deans Canada (EDC).
Bhattacharya has a BSc from the University of Alberta and an MBA from Heriot-Watt University. He has also earned several industry certifications and has an industry background in analytical instrumentation, acquired through various operational and supervisory roles in the energy industry.
Bhattacharya began his role on November 25.
Learn more about College of the Rockies Trades and Technology programs at cotr.ca/programs
About College of the Rockies
For nearly 50 years, College of the Rockies has provided post-secondary education that meets the needs and aspirations of the people, industries, and businesses of our region. All our campuses are located on the traditional territory of the Ktunaxa people, which is also home to the Kinbasket people. We value our relationships with the four Ktunaxa bands, the Shuswap band, and the Kootenay Regional Office of the Métis Nation, BC. Each year, thousands of full-time and part-time students join us in a full range of programs, including skilled trades, university arts and sciences, adult upgrading, early childhood education, health and human services, business, office administration, tourism, hospitality, recreation, fire services, continuing education, and contract training. Through smaller class sizes, highly personalized instruction and dedicated support services, our students are primed to succeed in the job market, or in the next stage of their academic journey.
Media Contact:
Darryl Dux
Communications Coordinator
College of the Rockies
ddux@cotr.bc.ca