Laurier Milton welcomes first Business Technology Management cohort, bridging business and tech in Halton Region

Nov. 11, 2025

Wilfrid Laurier University’s Milton campus has officially welcomed its first cohort of students in the four-year Business Technology Management (BTM) program, marking a significant milestone in the university’s expansion and its commitment to meeting the evolving needs of students, industry and the local community.

The BTM program, offered through Laurier’s Lazaridis School of Business and Economics, is designed to prepare students for the increasingly interconnected worlds of business and technology. With a curriculum that blends foundational business education with technical training, the program aims to produce graduates who can bridge the gap between IT and executive decision-making, an increasingly vital skill set in today’s digital economy.

BTM curriculum covers a wide range of topics, including systems analysis, IT law, digital marketing and data storytelling. Students learn to code, write technical specifications and develop digital strategies – all while gaining a strong foundation in business fundamentals including economics, finance and organizational behaviour.

“In the Lazaridis School, we take pride in delivering programs that combine coursework with real-world experience,” says Kyle Murray, dean of the Lazaridis School. “The BTM program at Laurier’s Milton campus gives students the chance to develop the technical and leadership skills that employers are looking for – all within a close-knit, supportive community.”

The four-year BTM program includes a competitive 12-month paid co-op component – an eight-month placement in third year followed by a four-month placement in fourth year – providing students the opportunity to apply their learning in workplace settings. Students can pursue placements in sectors ranging from finance and marketing to cybersecurity and data analytics, among others.

“The BTM program is a niche business program in the sense that we’re asking our students to combine insights, theories and practices from technology with business,” says Oliver Masakure, program director and area coordinator for Laurier’s Business Technology Management program. “In a nutshell, we are combining those aspects so students can solve real-world business problems.”

The BTM program also emphasizes experiential learning within the classroom. In the course MB375: Tech and Innovation Management, students work to solve real problems for local businesses and present their solutions directly to company stakeholders.

A strategic fit for Milton

The launch of the BTM program at Laurier’s Milton campus is both strategic and community focused. The campus – housed in the Laurier Milton Academic Centre at 555 Industrial Drive – is designed to serve commuter students in Halton Region and offers small class sizes in a tight-knit academic environment.

“I chose the BTM program at Laurier Milton because it’s close to home, but also because I really liked how it combines business and technology,” says BTM student Janiya Sunkara. “The idea of learning both areas felt interesting and practical for the future. I think having that mix will open a lot of opportunities down the road.”

BTM student Ula Bushnaq offered praise for the program’s supportive instructors.

“My professors in the BTM program are amazing,” says Bushnaq. “The way they provide help is sometimes incorporated in the lessons themselves. They also provide multiple ways for someone to seek support, which is very helpful as a first-year student.” 

Trish McLaren, acting provost and vice-president: academic, says the BTM program complements other offerings at Laurier’s Milton campus, including Computer Science and Software Engineering, and that faculty members are eager to collaborate across disciplines.

“Milton, where the campus is smaller, is a great fit for BTM,” says McLaren. “When students come into an environment with smaller classes and their faculty members know who they are, they create a strong community which supports their success. From an academic perspective, it’s a very strong experience.”

A key pillar of the BTM program is its integration with the local business community. Through co-op placements, case competitions and class projects, students actively contribute to the economic and social fabric of Milton.

“Having our students in the community builds this huge ecosystem and relationships between the university and employers,” says Masakure. “These students are from the local community and are being employed by businesses that are local, serving local business needs.” 

McLaren echoed that sentiment, noting that the BTM program provides a valuable pathway for local companies to access emerging talent.

“Success for BTM in Milton is having students completing co-op placements in Milton with Milton companies, having Milton companies partnering in case competitions or class projects, and our students heading into successful careers,” says McLaren.

With Milton’s first BTM cohort settled into the academic year, Laurier is looking to the future. Both Masakure and McLaren emphasized the importance of growing the program’s reputation within the Milton community, noting that BTM’s blend of academic rigour, real-world application and community engagement will make it a cornerstone of Laurier Milton’s identity.

“We want to be known in Milton – to employers, to schools, to parents and students,” says Masakure. “Laurier Milton students are top-notch students, ambitious and creative thinkers. I think we add a lot of value to the community in that way.” 

Learn more about Laurier in Milton.