Barrett Centre Food Literacy Innovation Zone launched by Durham College and the Town of Ajax Posted on August 1, 2023 at 9:44 am. Access to educational resources will help tackle food insecurity, inspire sustainable practices Community education and engagement is the focus of a new food security and sustainability initiative launched by Durham College’s Barrett Centre for Innovation in Sustainable Urban Agriculture (Barrett Centre), in partnership with the Town of Ajax through their new corporate giving program, the Ajax Partnership Fund. The Barrett Centre’s new Food Literacy Innovation Zone aims to address challenges in food security and supply chains through the lens of urban agriculture by educating local community members about nutrition, gaining access to food and incorporating local and healthy food into their lifestyle. “Food insecurity and supply chain constraints can lead to a lack of nutritious food that is accessible to the community, especially those who may be unable to locate a variety of food close to home,” said Brenna Bizley, partnership manager at the Barrett Centre. “Having educational materials in conjunction with the Barrett Centre Ajax Urban Farm will have an exponential impact on the community as people learn about the impact of food on their health and the importance of growing locally.” The Zone, which is now under construction, will be based out of the Barrett Centre Ajax Urban Farm in North Ajax. At the farm, three garden models will be designed – a pollinator garden, home garden and balcony garden – and will act as a template to inspire community members to grow their own food at home. There will also be knowledge sharing through resources and materials to support and enhance food literacy via direct community engagements and the Barrett Centre Community Portal, coming in fall 2023. “Ajax Council and the Town of Ajax are proud to support the Barrett Centre’s new Food Literacy Innovation Zone through the Ajax Partnership Fund. Thank you to Durham College for partnering with the Town to be able to offer these important resources to our community. This investment reinforces Ajax’s commitment to being a municipal leader in green and sustainable practices to ensure a healthier Ajax for all,” said Mayor Shaun Collier. To recognize the farm’s launch and the partners who have supported the Barrett Centre projects to date, DC and the Town of Ajax will host an Open House event in October 2023, where community members will have the chance to explore the farm and Food Literacy Innovation Zone. Durham College expands access to real-world learning for students thanks to transformational gift Posted on June 20, 2023 at 1:57 pm. Neha Kalarikkal credits her co-op placement for her professional growth and future plans. The Durham College (DC) student, in her third year of human resources, said the experience working in a professional HR setting exposed her to new areas of the field and helped her discover a keen interest in data analysis and allowed her to tailor her learning and job search to this niche. Work-integrated learning (WIL) opportunities like Neha’s take classroom learning into real-world settings. Co-ops, field placements and applied research positions enable students to develop the workplace skills and knowledge employers are looking for and improve their financial and career-related outcomes. Hands-on, practical education is a cornerstone of college education in Ontario and co-operative education, a longer and more intensive immersion in the workplace, is an increasingly important mode of WIL at DC. Supporting these valuable opportunities and other aspects of experiential learning and workplace preparedness was the motivation behind a recent transformational $2 million gift from philanthropist Diane Blake. The Diane Blake Student Success Initiative (DBSSI) will support the development of essential employability skills designed to help students launch their careers. It will accelerate DC’s goal of developing co-operative education components in all appropriate programs and increase the number of employer partners, so all eligible and interested students can participate in WIL opportunities. It will support the acquisition of technology to develop students’ soft skills related to job search and the workplace and create more research assistantship opportunities in DC’s applied research centres. And, students facing barriers to participation in WIL opportunities – such as costs related to transportation or accommodation, childcare, personal protective equipment or uniforms – will be eligible for financial support through the DBSSI. “Durham College is committed to providing students with hands-on learning opportunities that complement their practical applied education, ensuring they have the skills, knowledge and competencies to be well-rounded graduates,” said Don Lovisa, president, Durham College. “Diane’s gift will make a difference in the lives of students who will have access to these incredible real-world experiences by improving our capacity to support and sustain these efforts.” “Education is very important to me, and I am proud to support Work Integrated Learning at Durham College,” said Diane Blake. “The workplace is constantly evolving, as are employers’ expectations. New opportunities for students to participate in Work Integrated Learning will allow them to develop the necessary skills to meet employers’ expectations and be successful in their chosen careers. I am confident that students at Durham College will benefit greatly from this initiative.” 25th Regional Chair’s Classic honours legacy of Roger Anderson Posted on June 9, 2023 at 11:32 am. The 2023 Regional Chair’s Classic in Memory of Roger Anderson was a great success. On Thursday, June 8 at Deer Creek Golf and Country Club in Ajax, close to 200 golfers and generous sponsors joined Regional Chair John Henry for the 25th tournament in support of students in financial need at Durham College and Ontario Tech University, as well as patient-focused programs at Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences. With $260,000 raised this year, the total amount of funds raised since the tournament’s inception is now more than $7.6 million. “In Durham Region, we believe that education and mental health programs should be accessible to all. Roger Anderson believed that too,” said Regional Chair John Henry. “By coming together on the golf course for this great event, we have raised money for our students in need and for Ontario Shores Centre’s invaluable youth programs, while honouring Roger’s memory.” Don Lovisa, president, Durham College; James Barnett, vice-president, Advancement, Ontario Tech University; and Colin O’Regan, board member, Ontario Shores Foundation joined Henry and Roger Anderson’s son Warren for the cheque presentation to share their gratitude on behalf of their respective institutions. Next year’s event is set for Thursday, June 13, 2024. New culinary scholarships help Black students lead the way in the food industry Posted on June 5, 2023 at 10:45 am. Applications are now open for the DoorDash #BlackFoodEnergy Culinary Scholarship. Durham College (DC) is proud to partner with DoorDash to launch the DoorDash #BlackFoodEnergy Culinary Scholarship. Two scholarships – valued at $20,000 each, divided between two years – will support domestic and international Black students in DC’s Culinary Management diploma program, gain the skills and experience needed to pursue a career in the culinary field. “We are grateful for this partnership with DoorDash and the generous supports for Black students in the culinary program,” said Kelly O’Brien, Associate Dean, Faculty of Hospitality & Horticultural Science, DC. “With these scholarships, we will continue to lead the way by developing skilled and experienced culinary students who will take on rewarding careers and further representation of Black individuals in the food industry.” These scholarships are an extension of the DoorDash #Blackfoodenergy program that supports, amplifies and celebrates Black chefs and Black-owned/led restaurants across Canada. “We’re thrilled to partner with Durham College to introduce the first #BlackFoodEnergy Culinary Scholarships, designed to give the next generation of chefs and entrepreneurs a head start on their path to success,” said Shilpa Arora, General Manager, DoorDash Canada. “#BlackFoodEnergy helps level the playing field for Black chefs and restaurant owners in our communities with increased access to support and opportunities, like the Culinary Scholarships.” Applications are now open and close on Monday, July 31. Learn more about the DoorDash #BlackFoodEnergy Culinary Scholarship and how to apply, online. Durham College leads the way with grand opening of Centre for Innovation and Research Posted on April 28, 2023 at 1:13 pm. Durham College (DC) celebrated the opening of its Centre for Innovation and Research (CIR) on Thursday, a collaborative, state-of-the-art space designed to fuel creative thinking, networking and synergistic partnerships between DC and the community. “This innovative new space helps us continue driving change and adapt to meet the needs of our evolving educational, technological and community landscape,” said Don Lovisa, president, Durham College. “The opportunities in research, innovation and experiential learning are truly endless.” The CIR is home to the college’s Office of Research Services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ORSIE) and four of six applied research centres, including the AI Hub, Centre for Cybersecurity Innovation, Mixed Reality Capture Studio and the Social Impact Hub, as well as the Institutional Research Team and the Experiential Learning Hub. “Over the past year, we’ve received and invested over $5 million that have allowed us to build a state-of-the-art cybersecurity research lab, engage in collaborative research with other Canadian colleges to address the economic and social impacts of the pandemic, and help many small and medium-sized businesses grow and innovate,” added Lovisa. Rick Menassa, a member of DC’s AI Hub Technical Advisory Committee and CEO of Health Espresso and ICARE Home Health, spoke during the grand opening about the quality of student talent developed at DC thanks to experiential learning offered at DC. “We consistently hire DC graduates who are ready to fill positions right away. They deliver with excellence, which is a testament to the strategic leadership planning, faculty adaptivity to the changing market needs and types of learning provided at the college,” said Menassa. “DC graduates are equipped with the hands-on skills they need in the workforce, which is why at Health Espresso, two of our three team leaders and 25% of our development team are DC graduates. They go out there and make things better, and the CIR is a place to make that happen.” DC is committed to experiential learning for students and the CIR will provide students unique hands-on learning opportunities that boost their confidence, skillset and future employability. First-year DC journalism student, Andrew Neary, has participated in two Experiential Learning Hub projects, including a Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning (CEWIL) Canada entrepreneurial podcast called Founders Drive, which recently took home first place at the Enactus Canada regional competition, as well as a virtual reality project that’s part of a Mitacs research internship. “Being part of the Founders Drive CEWIL Canada project made my college experience better than I could have hoped and allowed me to apply my personal experiences, skills, and interests to my work,” he said at the opening. “To have the chance to create something with the skills I’m developing, learn from industry partners, and develop a sense of community and teamwork is unmatched.” Durham College reaches $10 million goal for Building for Skills Campaign Posted on February 16, 2023 at 10:18 am. Community support helps open new facility to advance training of skilled trades students The final $10 million has been raised to complete Durham College’s (DC) Building for Skills Campaign which increases the training capacity on the Whitby campus and transforms the way DC delivers industrial and construction-focused professional and skilled trades training and education. “Thanks to the incredible generosity and support of our Durham College donor community, we have fully funded – and opened – the state-of-the-art Ontario Power Generation Centre for Skilled Trades and Technology,” said Linda Flynn, associate vice president, Development and Alumni Affairs and executive director, Durham College Foundation. “This achievement would not have been possible without the help of our dedicated community and partners, whose support is an investment in our collective success and our students’ futures.” The remarkable facility boasts modern technologies and innovative learning spaces and allows DC to increase training capacity for post-secondary and apprenticeship education, provide students with specialized skills training and set graduates up for careers that help address Canada’s skilled trades talent gap. “With a growing demand for workers with specialized skills across numerous trades and sectors, this expansion and what it means for the future of our workforce couldn’t have come at a better time,” said Don Lovisa, president, Durham College. “We are leading the way by offering dynamic hands-on learning and developing knowledgeable and experienced, skilled graduates who will step into rewarding careers that can make a difference in our local communities.” Donor excellence and student success celebrated at Durham College’s first President’s Breakfast Posted on February 10, 2023 at 1:03 pm. Durham College (DC) recognized the generous support of the community while showcasing student success at the first annual President’s Breakfast on February 9. More than 65 individuals, community partners and corporate donors attended the event at the Whitby campus’ W. Galen Weston Centre which celebrated their commitment to learning and gave them the chance to hear directly from students. Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter, Whitby Mayor Elizabeth Roy and members from the college’s Board of Governors and the Durham College Foundation Board also attended the event. “Our donors’ investments are making a difference in the lives of our students every day,” said Don Lovisa, president, Durham College. “From financial contributions through scholarships, bursaries and capital projects, to the experience and expertise they offer in field placements and Program Advisory Committees, their generosity and support play an integral role in helping the college and our students lead the way.” Four students also spoke and shared the ways that donor support has impacted their DC journey and how it has empowered them to embrace the future. “I am incredibly grateful to study in the brand-new Ontario Power Generation Centre for Skilled Trades and Technology,” said Heather Reid, a student in the Mechanical Technician – Elevating Devices program. “The ability to learn from industry professionals and work hands-on with leading-edge technology that I will encounter in the future gives me the confidence to know I will be prepared on graduation day to rise to the challenge and make a difference in my industry.” Many donors in attendance were recent supporters of the college’s Building for Skills Campaign, which led to the opening of the college’s new Ontario Power Generation Centre for Skilled Trades and Technology. A welcomed addition to the Whitby campus, the new facility has allowed the college to expand its capacity for skilled trades programs by 750 students to address the labour shortage in Canada. Durham College Skilled Trades Students Leading the Way with Schulich Builders Scholarship Program Posted on February 9, 2023 at 4:29 pm. Durham College is proud to partner with The Schulich Foundation which announced a game-changing program, Schulich Builders, a scholarship program dedicated to students pursuing a career in the skilled trades. In its first year of operation, more than $3 million is committed to combat labour shortages and highlight the importance of skilled trades in Canada, with $300,000 going directly to Durham College students. “We are grateful for this partnership with the Schulich Foundation and generous supports for students in skilled trades programs,” said Don Lovisa, President of Durham College. “With these scholarships, we will continue to lead the way by developing knowledgeable and experienced skilled trades graduates who are able to step into rewarding careers that can make a difference in our local communities.” In addition to financial support, Schulich Builders also provides leadership training and mentorship to set up graduates for success. “We are proud to promote the skilled trades and support students pursuing this rewarding career path,” said Judy Schulich, Executive Vice-President of The Schulich Foundation. “Canadians rely heavily on the trades to build and maintain infrastructure critical for prosperous communities. Our challenge today is not having enough of these talented people to meet the demand.” Applications for Durham College students open on March 1 for students starting in September 2023. Program Details: Launched in 2023, Schulich Builders will cover tuition, tools and living expenses for students enrolling in a skilled trade program at one of ten participating colleges in Ontario, including Durham College. Priority will be given to students nominated by their high school. Students may apply directly through Durham College. Durham College will award 10 scholarships per year: five $20,000 scholarships for one-year certificate programs, and five $40,000 scholarships for two-year diploma programs. For more information, visit www.durhamcollege.ca/schulichbuilders. « 1 2
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