Humber Polytechnic

Humber Polytechnic, officially known as Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, is a public college based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Founded in 1967, it has grown to become one of Canada's leading postsecondary institutions. In 2024, the college rebranded as Humber Polytechnic to reflect its commitment to combining theoretical learning with practical, hands-on experience aimed at enhancing graduate employability. Humber operates three main locations: the North Campus, Lakeshore Campus, and the International Graduate School. It serves over 86,000 full-time and part-time learners, including 9,300 international students, and offers more than 200 programs across 17 areas of interest. These include bachelor’s degrees, diplomas, certificates, post-graduate certificates, and apprenticeships, as well as bridging programs for internationally trained professionals in fields like engineering and information technology.The institution began in a local elementary school before expanding to its current campuses. By the early 1970s, it was home to the largest group of business students in Ontario and introduced several co-op and skill-based programs in response to industry demands. Humber was also a pioneer in flexible education, offering weekend colleges, self-paced courses, and introducing computer applications in technology programs. It had a strong international presence in the 1980s, working in over 20 countries through development partnerships. Lakeshore Campus was notable for introducing Canada’s first solar technology program.Through the 1980s and beyond, Humber shifted focus more toward applied arts and local initiatives. A notable milestone came in 2009 when Humber students successfully contacted astronaut Sandra Magnus on the International Space Station using equipment they built themselves. Today, Humber Polytechnic continues to emphasize applied learning and innovation in education, maintaining its legal name but operating under the new brand to better reflect its educational mission.