The province is investing millions into the University of Calgary in honour of its 50th anniversary.

The oldest building on campus, the MacKimmie and Professional Faculties buildings, are getting $17 million from the provincial government to modernize them. There are also plans for more space for health and social work programs.

“One of the biggest challenges we have is the physical capacity to bring in more students,” said Elizabeth Cannon, President of the university. “So this type of investment will allow us to redevelop, make better use, get better energy efficiency to ultimately allow more students to come to the University of Calgary.”

When the University of Calgary first opened it had 4,000 students, now it has 30,000 students across five campuses in Calgary and around the world.

An entire year of celebrations is planned, starting this weekend with the university’s first ever Alumni Weekend. Former students, staff, and donors are welcomed back to campus for special presentations and programs.

The highlight will be a lecture on Saturday by author Aritha van Herk, award-winning Canadian novelist and University of Calgary English professor.

On May 26, a new program called Idea Igniters begins to encourage dialogue between university researchers and the public.

From May 28 to June 3, the university will be hosting the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences. The event is Canada’s largest gathering of scholars, attracting as many as 8,000 delegates to the city.

Check out the full list of the year's events here.