Dr. Jay Notay - President and CEO

President Jay Notay Dr. Jatinder (Jay) Notay was born in Uganda, but he and his family entered Canada in 1972 as refugees becoming Canadian Citizens in 1977. He is a proud Canadian but has not forgotten his roots and Sikh heritage. He follows his late father’s three guiding principles that have made him the person he is today:  family, friends, and community.

Dr. Notay has worked in the Canadian post-secondary field for almost 30 years and brings considerable experience as a President & CEO, executive vice-president academic, dean, associate dean, and senior leader for urban and rural post-secondary institutions in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario. He has been the President & CEO of Keyano College since 2021. 

President Notay receiveing queen jubilee medal from alberta government minister

His extensive experience on the post-secondary sector includes developing and implementing institute-wide strategies, strategic plans, academic/education plans, operational plans, Indigenous and international education, trades/vocational strategy, corporate training, applied research, and government relations. Dr. Notay is a strong advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusivity. His leadership has helped thousands of students access educational opportunities that provide a foundation to launch their professional careers as college graduates. This has involved partnering with all levels of government, industry, and businesses to improve access to education opportunities and services meeting the needs of our ever-growing diverse student populations.  He has been successful in securing millions of dollars throughout his career in the forms of additional operational and capital funding to meet the needs of students and communities in which he has had the honour and privilege to serve.

More recently, Dr. Notay has worked closely with the College Board to develop and implement  Keyano’s 2022-2025 Strategic Plan, which aims to increase enrollment and enhance the college’s teaching and research capacity. The Plan’s Vision is to “Educate to Change Lives” and   is founded on four fundamental pillars: Access and Affordability, Skills for Jobs, Internationalization, and Sustainability. It strongly emphasizes fostering an inclusive student experience, incorporates the principles outlined in the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action, and embraces equity, diversity, and inclusivity through its Mission.

Jay at deskDr. Notay’s primary objectives focus on several key priorities. First, to make education more accessible and affordable by establishing integrated pathways through collaborative partnerships with the K-12 sector and other post-secondary institutions. Second, to enrich the student experience by diversifying its community through enhanced learning opportunities and preparing students for a globalized future by implementing the International Education and Global Citizenship Strategy. Third, to continue to build and enhance industry relationships ensuring Keyano College meets the immediate and long-term labour market needs for the communities and region it serves. Finally, to prioritize staff/faculty recruitment and retention strategies so that Keyano is an employer of choice within the region it serves, which has already been exemplified by his ability to partner with the Alberta government and reinstating the Northern Living Allowance for all Keyano employees soon after becoming the College’s President & CEO.

His leadership also resulted in Keyano’s nomination for several categories in the Best of YMM 2023: Best Employer, Best Charity Event, Best Fitness Facility, Best Production, and Best Date Night (Theatre). In addition, Dr. Notay received Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee Medal for his service and contributions to Alberta and is on Terry Fox Senior Secondary’s Wall of Fame.

Dr. Notay holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of British Columbia, a Master of Education from Nipissing University in North Bay, Ontario, and a Doctor of Education from the University of Western Ontario.

Contact the Office of the President:

Phone: +1-(780)-715-3949

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