Latest news with #BCIT
Vancouver Sun
06-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Vancouver Sun
Vancouver's best views: The pros offer tips on photographing the city's best scenes
Finding the magic in Vancouver is sometimes about discovering what is hidden in plain sight. The city can be a playground, a gallery or a feast for the senses. There may be no better way to uncover the beauty that is around us and see the city in a new way than taking a walking tour with camera or cellphone in hand. To find the best views the city of Vancouver has to offer, we turned to the people who look most closely: Some of the photographers that have made Vancouver's skyline famous. Discover the best of B.C.'s recipes, restaurants and wine. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of West Coast Table will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Chris Collacott, an internationally acclaimed photographer whose seven metre long Vancouver skyline mural was featured at Olympic Village during the 2010 Olympics, has revelled in the cityscape since moving here in 1994. 'I was 19 years old, from Ottawa. I wanted to go somewhere that wasn't flat. I wanted the mountains, and the outdoors, so I hopped on a motorcycle and went west.' While getting a degree in IT at BCIT, he explored the region, taking photos with a point-and-shoot in hand. 'I was at the top of Panorama Ridge in Garibaldi Provincial Park, and in order to get the whole view I had to take three photos and Scotch tape them together,' said Collacott. 'My passion has always been panoramas,' said Collacot, 50, who has sold over 20,000 prints of his famous Vancouver skyline photo . 'This was my niche.' Collacott's IT background and advances in camera technology have helped him master the technical challenges of getting the perfect panorama and skyline views. He no longer has to use Scotch tape but can take 50 to 100 shots in quick succession and merge them together to create detailed panoramas. His work can be seen at YVR's arrivals terminal, B.C. Place Stadium, the SFU campus, and most recently in Brunei, where he was commissioned to do a major installation. 'Vancouver is unique: you have the ocean, the city, and the mountains in a row. Its really well balanced, and people connect with it. I've had people buy my print because their boat is in it.' His favourite skyline view may be the most difficult one to get. Accessible only through a private residence in a highrise on Broadway near Cambie, the view encompasses all of False Creek, the Cambie, Burrard and Granville street bridges, Yaletown, the tall buildings downtown, and behind that Cypress and Grouse mountains. 'You even get the windmill on top of Grouse,' said Collacott. Another favourite is to shoot from the Nine O'Clock Gun on the Stanley Park seawall, overlooking Coal Harbour. 'The south-facing skyline flows nicely, it has a beautiful harbour, the rocks at low tide, Coal Harbour, the boats, the old marina, the city buildings and Canada Place.' His favourite winter view is a hike-in shot taken from the top of Hollyburn Mountain, near the Cypress ski resort, and it's even better in winter when snow-covered evergreens frame the shot. (Not for inexperienced hikers, he cautions.) 'You see the entire Lower Mainland from downtown to Burnaby, White Rock and Mount Rainier.' 'It's the moment when the brightness of the sky is the same brightness as the city lights and the lights in the buildings start turning on and both have the same balance. About 30 minutes after sunset, on a clear day the orange glow on the horizon reflects off all the buildings, and you get that beautiful reflection off the glass. There is about a 15-minute window when the light is perfect. You have 15 minutes to take 100 shots.' 'Think about the composition. Look at the balance of everything in the frame of your phone: if you are doing a skyline, use the horizon in the middle, try to get a reflection off the water to mirror the skyline, or use nature to frame it. Trees on either side gets your eyes to look in the middle at your subject.' Chris Collacott's work can be seen on his website, , and his courses taught with fellow photographer Tim Shields are available at Richard Wong , who was born and raised in Los Angeles, first came to Canada at the age of six. The family spent a week in the Canadian Rockies, and a week exploring Vancouver and Victoria. He has returned again and again to capture the city in photos. 'I fell in love with Vancouver's beauty and lush, rainy environment,' said Wong. 'Vancouver has everything: a very metropolitan downtown, it's walkable, surrounded by water, it has Stanley Park.' Wong started shooting photos for fun in the late 1990s, when he was a teenager. 'I wanted to shoot photos of all the things I had seen in life. I've gone back and shot every place I've ever been.' Vancouver, where he has extended family, became a favourite return destination for photography. Among his favourite skyline views is Vancouver during the blue hour, just after sunset. 'The orange glow has disappeared and the sky, the roofs of Rogers Arena and B.C. Place , the yachts and waters of False Creek are all painted in the blue hues of twilight.' Wong primarily sells landscape and nature photography prints, but counts the urban landscape as part of that. For Wong, shooting a skyline is part meditation, part stress relief. It doesn't feel like work. 'I love to go out on my own and take pictures. It's a way to focus, and get away from worries.' Wong lives in the Bay area with his wife and two children. 'It's an expensive place to live and that is stressful. Photography is very relaxing to me. The quietness and focus is really satisfying.' 'You get a good mix of outdoor, nature and also pure urban stuff. In a relatively compact area you can have your choice of any landscape.' 'I love anything with the water. From the southeast False Creek seawall by Olympic Village, you can shoot across False Creek to capture a good view of the sports buildings at night, and it's not photographed as often as other skylines. He also loves shooting photos from the entrance to Stanley Park in Coal Harbour, especially at night, looking east. 'You can see most of the buildings downtown from there, and you have good reflection there.' 'Another one is Granville Island, where you can be up really close to the buildings (across the water). Go by the aqua bus area near the bridge, looking northeast at a 2 to 3 o'clock angle.' 'Wake up before sunrise. Shoot 30 minutes before sunrise. Or after sunset when you get blue in the sky or purple and still have ambient lights in the buildings, which gives you a combination of lighting that is really pretty. People shoot a sunset and go home, but the most beautiful light may be afterward.' 'Consider what angle the light is coming from. If you are shooting from Stanley Park, the sun is likely rising from behind the buildings and it might be difficult because you will be shooting straight into the sun. Try sunset or dusk from that location. 'Try and look for something reflective. Look for shallow water. When the water is shallow you are more likely to get better reflection and better exposure.' 'A great skyline shot has a balanced composition from foreground, to the midground and background. Minimize distracting elements, like a stray person walking through the frame, or airplane contrails above the buildings.' Wong regularly shows in galleries across North America, and sells his prints on . Ian Kobylanski is a Richmond-born photographer who divides his time between Vancouver and London, England. Kobylanski caught the photo bug as a student at McMath Secondary, where he lucked into the photo program. He credits his teacher, Anil Sharma, for showing him that a career in photography could be more than just a dream. 'I wouldn't be a photographer if it wasn't for that course,' said Kobylanski. Kobylanski, 29, now specializes in lifestyle, editorial fashion and street photography, and recently picked up a side gig shooting photos of men and women for elite dating sites. The images appear to be candids but are 'well choreographed.' 'It just caught on and people are coming to me from all over Europe for them,' he said. 'A skyline photo doesn't have to be this perfect image that has Science World and B.C. Place and all these recognizable landmarks. I find getting angles that no one else gets is really exciting.' 'I see so many photographers going for the very same photo. It's a really good way to learn and to understand the mechanics — how do I get this photo? how do I achieve that? — but for me it's a personality thing. I like to be different. I've been told I use the term 'skyline' incorrectly.' For Kobylanski, a skyline could be urban with a car in front, or a blurred person walking through, always from interesting angles, whereas most people think of a skyline as being something seen 'head on.' He also likes to take photos from a lower angle and to play with height. 'I love the glass bridge between Waterfront Station and the SeaBus. You see a lot of the city, and can get really cool rain stuff but stay dry,' he said. 'Everyone's apartment has unique views of different places. Our condo in Mt. Pleasant near Emily Carr College on Broadway has a little bit of elevation. Off the balcony I've got the North Shore mountains, B.C. Place, Rogers Arena . The entire block is getting completely developed and we currently look at a gigantic pit. I'm recording it because we are not going to have this view of the skyline for much longer.' Hinge Park in Olympic Village near the J.J. Bean is another favourite view. 'When you are facing north and the sun is south behind you, hitting all the buildings, you can see B.C. Place, all the glass buildings leading up to Yaletown.' 'Sunset and evening are great, but the city is full of people distractions. I love early morning for the light and the empty streets. I also prefer getting people in the morning: people are dressed up, looking their best, on the way to work on autopilot. You can get interesting emotion and faces.' 'It's easy to try to be a perfectionist, but if you are going to share something with the world, it's the story that makes it meaningful. Keep it personal. Try shooting the same spot at different times of day, or take a photo from the same spot once a week,' said Kobylanski. Kobylanski also recommends that if you happen to see an interesting location, take a picture on your phone because it saves a geographical location. You can go back to it later with a camera. And there's no need for expensive equipment, he said. 'If you are just starting out, there are times when your phone is going to be better than a camera. All new phone cameras automatically use HDR and right out of the gate you get a beautiful photo without using software to edit.' Kobylanski's work can be seen at his website, Jenn Chan , a production director at CTV news and avid self-taught amateur photographer, grew up in Vancouver after moving here at age 5. Chan said she was drawn to photography because of her love of beauty and symmetry. Her first good camera was a DSLR Canon 50D that she had found on sale but ended up putting aside. A year later, she picked it up and Googled some tutorials. The same day she studied a new skill, she would go out to shoot photos and test out the settings. 'I got addicted to learning more and more and found out I really loved to shoot the skyline and night photography. My absolute favourites are shooting the skyline at blue hour (just after the sun sets), when the buildings would light up and the sky would still be a little light.' Fireworks are another favourite: 'It's all about the set up and patience to get it right.' Chan said photography has led her to revisit a lot of favourite spots in the city, and explore them through the camera lens. 'I find that a great skyline shot will give a cool perspective of the city or an overview of the city. I love the tall new buildings mixed with older lower buildings with a beautiful sky behind it. A moody sky gives the photo an extra oomph.' 'A great spot to capture the downtown Vancouver skyline is on the North Shore on Lonsdale Quay.' She also loves the Cypress Lookout, Top of Vancouver (the revolving restaurant atop Harbour Centre), and the view of Gastown/Canada Place from the Main Street loop by Waterfront Road. Another favourite viewpoint is of the Lions Gate Bridge from the Stanley Park causeway overpass near Prospect Point. 'I will always try to position the subject in the light if I can, depending on time of day. I find having a tripod and, if you can, a remote for the camera / phone, helps to keep the image stabilized.' Chan said she loves blue hour after sunset and golden hour just before for good light. 'Patience is key if you want to take evening / night photos. And just have fun and play around!' We love where we live, and throughout the summer, we are running a series of stories that highlight what makes our community unique and special within Canada. Follow along with How Canada Wins right here . dryan@
Entrepreneur
17-06-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
BCIT Founder Elaborates on ERP's Expanding Role in Business Strategy and What That Means for Companies
You're reading Entrepreneur United Kingdom, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) has long been considered the backbone of business operations, integrating critical functions such as inventory management, procurement, production planning, and finance into a single system. Despite being an established technology, the ERP market continues to evolve, driven by emerging technologies, cloud adoption, and the need for more agile business operations. With a market size that will reach $147.7 billion in 2025 and an annual growth rate of 8% since 2022, ERP remains one of the most vital tools for modern enterprises navigating complex global supply chains. However, while ERP solutions evolve, so too do the challenges businesses face in implementing and maintaining these systems. Historically, businesses viewed ERP as a long-term investment—something implemented once and maintained for years, if not decades. However, that mindset is changing. "Many companies have held onto outdated ERP systems for too long, believing that upgrading would be costly or disruptive," says Branislav Chrastina, founder of BCIT, an ERP consulting firm specializing in Infor solutions. "But what we're seeing now is a shift with companies recognizing that staying competitive requires continuous adaptation." Branislav Chrastina Founder of BCIT One of the biggest drivers of this shift is the rise of cloud-based ERP. Traditionally, ERP implementations were highly customized and installed on-site, making upgrades complex and expensive. Today, multi-tenant cloud ERP solutions offer full functionality with lower upfront costs, faster updates, and built-in AI capabilities. This has significantly altered the competitive landscape, as businesses now weigh the benefits of flexibility against the perceived risks of moving critical operations to the cloud. "Infor has taken a strong position in the cloud ERP space," Branislav notes. "Unlike some providers that offer limited cloud functionality, Infor delivers a full-suite solution comparable to on-premise systems. That's a game changer for companies that need reliability without sacrificing innovation." Despite its benefits, ERP adoption is not without challenges. One of the biggest hurdles for companies implementing ERP is change management. Large organizations, especially those with fragmented systems and siloed departments, often struggle to unify their operations under a single ERP framework. Branislav shares an example of a company that they cater to, a global superalloy manufacturing firm. "They had multiple small, disconnected software packages running different parts of the business. The challenge wasn't just implementing ERP—it was changing the company's mindset to embrace a unified system. That's often the bigger hurdle," he says. Beyond cloud adoption, AI is reshaping how businesses interact with ERP software. From automating data entry to predicting supply chain disruptions, AI-enhanced ERP systems are enabling businesses to operate with greater efficiency and intelligence. According to Branislav, AI integration in ERP is no longer a luxury but a necessity. Companies that fail to leverage AI for demand forecasting, real-time analytics, and automated workflows risk inefficiencies that could cost them market share. Resistance to change, lack of internal expertise, and concerns over cost remain significant barriers. However, industry experts argue that businesses can no longer afford to delay ERP modernization. With increasing market competition and growing demands for real-time data insights, companies that lag behind in ERP adoption may find themselves unable to compete. BCIT has, therefore, prioritized ERP education among its team members. "We dedicate two hours each week to learning sessions focused on various ongoing subjects and their applications in ERP," Branislav explains. "We upskill ourselves to further help businesses make better decisions and operate more effectively." This emphasis on continuous learning is becoming a necessity across the industry. Consultants who specialize in ERP implementation often work on long-term projects, but the risk is that by the time one project is completed, the technology may have already advanced beyond their knowledge. "It's a real challenge," says Branislav. "If you spend two or three years on a single implementation without staying updated on new developments, you risk falling behind the market." The future of ERP, according to Branislav Charstina, will likely see even greater automation, deeper integration with machine learning algorithms, and a push toward real-time data analytics that can predict business trends before they happen. For businesses, the key takeaway is clear: ERP is not a static investment—it is a dynamic system that requires continuous evolution. Organizations that recognize this and proactively adapt to the changing landscape will not only survive but thrive in the digital era.
Associated Press
08-05-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
SABER Steering Committee Member Dr. Paula Brown Highlights Urgent Need for Scientific Clarity on Kratom at International Symposium
CLEVELAND, OH, May 8, 2025 (EZ Newswire) -- Dr. Paula Brown, a distinguished member of the Scientific Association for Botanical Education and Research (SABER) Steering Committee and Director of Applied Research at the British Columbia Institute of Technology, recently participated in the Fourth International Kratom Symposium, emphasizing the critical need for scientific clarity and regulatory oversight in the kratom industry. Dr. Brown, a recognized expert in natural health and food product research, addressed the complexities surrounding kratom, a botanical used traditionally in Southeast Asia and increasingly in the United States for pain relief, and increased focus to SunnySide Supplement Journal. She highlighted the confusion and misinformation in the marketplace, particularly concerning synthetic derivatives like 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH). Dr. Brown asserted, 'Synthetic 7-OH is not kratom—it is a highly potent, unregulated chemical,' underscoring the potential public health risks associated with such products. (Read the articlehere.) The symposium, held in February, brought together leading researchers from institutions such as the University of Florida, Johns Hopkins University, and Universiti Sains Malaysia. Discussions focused on advancing scientific understanding of kratom's safety and efficacy, as well as addressing regulatory challenges. Dr. Brown emphasized the importance of distinguishing between traditional kratom products and synthetic isolates to ensure consumer safety and informed decision-making. As a member of the SABER Steering Committee, Dr. Brown continues to advocate for evidence-based policies and practices in the natural products industry. Her participation in the symposium reflects SABER's commitment to fostering scientific research and regulatory clarity in emerging sectors. About Scientific Association for Botanical Education and Research (SABER) The Scientific Association for Botanical Education and Research (SABER) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing scientific understanding, regulation, and safe access to botanicals. Through research partnerships, policy advocacy, and public education, SABER works to ensure that natural products are studied responsibly, used safely, and regulated appropriately. To learn more, visit Media Contact Paloma Lehfeldt [email protected] ### SOURCE: Scientific Association for Botanical Education and Research (SABER) Copyright 2025 EZ Newswire
CBC
12-04-2025
- Science
- CBC
Students in Ulukhaktok, N.W.T., building app to preserve Inuinnaqtun language
'I'm hoping that it revitalizes [Inuinnaqtun], the speaking of it in our younger generation,' says elder Students at a school in Ulukhaktok, N.W.T., have teamed up with the British Columbia Institute of Technology to develop an app to help preserve the Inuinnaqtun language. An official language of both the N.W.T. and Nunavut, Inuinnaqtun is the primary Indigenous language spoken in Ulukhaktok and is also spoken in western Kitikmeot communities of Cambridge Bay, Kugluktuk and Gjoa Haven, Nunavut. But the small number of residents who speak it are growing older in both territories. In the N.W.T. alone, the territory said back in 2019 there were just 259 speakers. That's part of the reason it became a topic of conversation at a parent-teacher night at Helen Kalvak School. David Leitch, a teacher there, said parents and students wanted to do more with the language and together they came up with the idea last year to create a simple translation app. "As soon as we got into it, the kids had some pretty fantastic ideas about what they wanted to do, and one of the biggest ones was they wanted to capture the voices of their elders." Leitch said students started working on the project this year, and it quickly exceeded his capacity for programming – but there was a big breakthrough when they reached out to the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) for help. A group of students in a computer technology program there agreed to take the project on, said Leitch, and they're creating a large language model – a type of artificial intelligence – that's learning Inuinnaqtun now. The app is being called Echo of the North and once it's done, Leitch said it'll translate full sentences and will also feature recordings of elders speaking. When someone asks the app for a translation, it'll use that large language model to respond. Joanne Ogina, an elder in Ulukhaktok who has done some translations for the app, said she likes that it's preserving her language. She said Inuinnaqtun is rarely spoken, unless conversing with someone who is older. "I'm hoping that it revitalizes it, the speaking of it in our younger generation, because a lot of them rarely speak the language or even have a chance to hear it," she said. A lot more work to do Leitch said now that BCIT is helping out, students in Ulukhaktok are focusing their time on interviewing elders, recording their voices, and also uploading "every bit" of Inuinnaqtun to the internet so the AI program can learn it. "There's actually different dialects of Inuinnaqtun…. Depending on where you are or where you're from, where your family is from." To reflect those differences, Leitch said users will be able to flag a word in the app and add more information about how it's spelled or pronounced in another dialect – and those details will appear to users as well. Although students have been working hard on the project, Leitch said there's a long way yet to go. The artificial intelligence has learned the entire Inuinnaqtun dictionary but that means it can only translate word-for-word. "To really function, it's going to take months and years of our students and our community and elders putting the language, the sentences, the sentence structure, into the database [so] that the AI can learn the language well enough to translate it," said Leitch.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Researchers make troubling discovery in highly sought-after fish: 'There's a problem here'
A new study by researchers at Canadian universities, the Canadian government, and community scientists has found that high levels of salt, usually poured on roads to prevent vehicles from skidding, are responsible for killing fertilized coho salmon eggs. The study monitored salt in more than 30 streams in Metro Vancouver. Surges of salt during the winter create 10 times the water quality guidelines for chloride in freshwater systems. As road salt is made up of sodium and chloride, when it dissolves on the road, it seeps into the groundwater and streams. Streamkeepers, who had been tracking the issue for years, identified the issue years ago. The study began as "they came together and said 'we think that there's a problem here.' They brought it to researchers at UBC, SFU, and BCIT and that got the ball rolling," said Clare Kilgour, who is working on her master's degree in zoology at UBC and has links to the study, to the Vancouver Sun. Do you think our power grid needs to be upgraded? Definitely Only in some states Not really I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. The study found that salt pulses for 24 hours caused 70% of coho eggs to die, with hatched fish having better survival rates. Such revelations are particularly disheartening, considering coho salmon are already threatened. More salt in the wound comes as their numbers seemed to be increasing in past years, only to be diminished by this. Not only are coho salmon valuable to the general population, as they maintain a healthy ecosystem environmentally and economically, but they are also deeply embedded within the culture of Indigenous groups. They are a symbol of sustenance, a key part of the diet, and utilized in trading efforts. All of the ways Indigenous people use coho salmon are not harmful to the environment, as they uplift sustainable methods of trade and avoid mass fishing. Indigenous cultures who benefit from the coho are threatened by the decline of salmon. Without cultural relics, a corner of human experience disintegrates. Researchers in the study have said they "are not advocating for eliminating salt on roads" because, without the grit, it's a safety issue for humans. What they do hope to do is have their research "lead to better practices" such as using "brine or beet wastewater," which can also help grit icy roads. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
