MaKami College is a private for-profit post-secondary college in Edmonton and Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It was incorporated in Edmonton in 2001, and was designated an Independent Academic Institution in Alberta in 2023, the first for-profit post-secondary institution to receive this designation in the province.[1]
Former name | MaKami College of Massage and Holistic Arts |
|---|---|
| Motto | Hands on training and experience |
| Type | Independent Academic Institution |
| Established | 2001 |
| Founder | Marija Pavkovic Tovissi |
Officer in charge | Marija Pavkovic Tovissi, CEO |
| Students | 2000 |
| Location | , Alberta , Canada 53°32′23″N 113°25′24″W / 53.5397°N 113.4232°W (Edmonton location) |
| Mascot | MaKami Max |
| Website | makamicollege |
History
editMaKami College was founded as a vocational school in Edmonton in 2001 by Marija Pavkovic Tovissi, specializing in massage therapy. The school originally struggled to find an insurer and created its own insurance company to solve this problem. It has expanded to include early childhood education, personal trainer, medical office assistant, health care aide, master instructor, business administration, security, and applied politics.[2]
In 2013, MaKami College opened a second campus in Calgary.[3] In 2019, MaKami College's Edmonton campus moved into the Boonie Doon shopping centre, a 10,219-square-metre (110,000 sq ft) space formerly occupied by the department store Sears.[4] In 2021, a second Calgary location was opened in the Marlborough Mall.
In March 2023, the school was granted Independent Academic Institution status by the Government of Alberta.[1] The Parkland Institute criticized this decision citing program duplication, the inflated costs of MaKami's programs relative to similar programs in public postsecondary schools, and that the decision would open the door for private for profit postsecondary schools to receive public funding in the future.[5]
Accreditation
editMaKami College is recognized by the Government of Alberta's Ministry of Advanced Education, is a member in good standing with NHP Canada, CRMTA, Canadian Sports Massage Therapists Association and the Better Business Bureau. They are also listed on the Government of Canada's list of Designated Learning Institutes.[6]
Campuses
editMaKami College has two campuses, located in Edmonton and Calgary.
Edmonton Campus
MaKami College's head office is located at Bonnie Doon Shopping Centre, at the intersection of Whyte Avenue and 83 Street in the Bonnie Doon neighbourhood. It moved to this location in 2019. The Edmonton campus offers programs in Massage Therapy, Early Childhood Education, Personal Training, Medical Office Assistant, Health Care Aide (HCA), Business Administration, Master Instructor, Security, Applied Politics and Continuing Education programs.
Prior to being located in the Bonnie Doon Shopping Centre, MaKami College's head office was located on the second floor of the former site of Capilano Mall, across from the Edmonton Public Library. When Capilano Mall was heavily reconstructed in 2013,[7] MaKami College remained in what remained of the previous building. Second-year students were relocated to a Sports Massage Facility Centre off 50 Street & 106 Ave.
Calgary Campuses
The first Calgary campus opened in 2013 at 9618 Horton Rd SW, Calgary, AB.[8] The second Calgary campus opened in August 2021 in Marlborough Mall.[9] The 137,000 sq. ft. space offers programs in Massage Therapy, Early Childhood Education, Personal Training, Medical Office Assistant, Health Care Aide (HCA), Business Administration, Master Instructor, Security, Applied Politics and Continuing Education programs.
Acknowledgements
editIn 2014 and 2015, Makami College was listed as one of Canada's fastest growing companies.[2] In 2024, it was named the eight best college for massage therapy in Canada by University Magazine.[10]
References
edit- ^ a b French, Janet (July 21, 2023). "Alberta premier gives mandate to develop for-profit colleges to offer diplomas and degrees". CBC News.
- ^ a b avenuecalgary (2016-11-01). "Marija Pavkovic Tovissi". Avenue Calgary. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
- ^ "2014 Profit 500". ProfitGuide.com. Profit Guide. Archived from the original on 10 August 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
- ^ "Massage therapy school MaKami College to set up in old Sears space in Bonnie Doon mall". EdmontonJournal.com. Edmonton Journal. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
- ^ "Subsidizing Profit: UCP Quietly Changes Rules for Post-Secondary Funding". Parkland Institute. Retrieved 2024-08-22.
- ^ Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (14 May 2014). "Designated learning institutions list". canada.ca. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
- ^ Maimann, Kevin. "Stores in Capilano Mall in Edmonton Close the Doors". Edmonton Sun. Retrieved June 9, 2013.
- ^ "MaKami Massage Therapy College Celebrates Success in Calgary". Wireservice.ca. Wire Service. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
- ^ "MaKami College Secures Space in Marlborough Mall". Facebook. MaKami College. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
- ^ Abdi, Anwar (2024-04-17). "Best Colleges For Massage Therapy In Canada 2024". University Magazine. Retrieved 2024-08-09.