Acadia hosts the glorious return of the Atlantic Universities and Colleges Technology Conference
After nearly a decade hiatus, the Atlantic Universities and Colleges Technology Conference (AUCTC) made its highly anticipated return at Acadia University this June. The conference brings together Information Technology professionals from colleges and universities across Atlantic Canada for three days of sharing ideas, exploring emerging trends, and strengthening connections in the higher education sector.
For more than 30 years, AUCTC gave technology professionals in Atlantic Canadian higher education a regular space to discuss shared challenges and learn from other institutions. After its postponement in 2019 and cancellation in 2020, that space was absent for several years, making this year’s return especially meaningful for a community that is dependent on connection and strengthened by collaboration.
Gary Meister (Conference Co-Chair and Director of IT Operations at Acadia) says that while the presentations and ideas shared were important, what made the conference special for him was the people.
“It was wonderful to see old friends reconnect, new relationships form, and a stronger community emerge through every conversation.”
Attendees heard how peers at other institutions are addressing familiar challenges like securing systems, modernizing services, and supporting classrooms to improve the digital experience for students, faculty, and staff. Hearing how his colleagues at other organizations are tackling these problems was the best part of the conference for Chris Lake (Associate Director, Digital Transformation and Service Excellence at MUN).
“The conference, discussions, and the sharing of ideas allows for opportunities to tackle challenges together, and leverage knowledge,” he explains.
The conference featured keynote speakers Vatsal Sood and Tyler Hayden, who encouraged attendees to think differently about leadership, innovation, and the role technology plays in higher education. There were also opportunities to connect through social events featuring local food and drink, musicians from Acadia’s Music Program, and performances by Mark Riley and The Radical Soul Band at Devour! Studios.
AUCTC 2026 was made possible by volunteers from Acadia’s Technology Services team, working with colleagues and partners across the region to bring this important conference back. It reaffirmed Atlantic Canada's collaborative spirit and highlighted Acadia's role in helping reconnect a professional community that had been waiting nearly a decade for the conference's return.