Oshawa, Ont. –Durham College (DC) and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) announced today that Leslie Graham, a professor in the Collaborative Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) Honours  program,  has been recognized with the 2014 Award for Excellence in Collaborative Education by the Council of Ontario University Programs in Nursing (COUPN).

The award is presented to a college faculty member teaching in a collaborative program who demonstrates excellence in teaching along with the ability to inspire creative and critical thinking in students. In addition, they must offer thoughtfulness toward student learning and well-being; motivation to exceed personal expectations; and the ability to further the growth of future nursing professionals. Graham received her award at the COUPN Awards reception in Toronto, Ontario on April 23.

“I am humbled to receive the 2014 Award for Excellence in Collaborative Education from COUPN,” said Graham. “It is such a privilege to teach and learn from the wonderful Collaborative BScN faculty and staff.  There is no greater joy than to see our Nursing students mature into novice registered nurses, contributing so richly to our health-care system.”

After 30 years of direct clinical practice in nursing in acute and critical care areas, Graham joined DC’s faculty as an instructor in the college’s Critical Care Nursing graduate certificate program in 2007. In 2008 she became a faculty member with the Collaborative BScN program, and has served as program co-ordinator of the collaborative program since 2012.

“I can’t think of a more worthy person to receive this distinguished award,” said Susan Sproul, dean, School of Health & Community Services, DC. “Professor Graham’s passion, vision and enthusiasm for moving nursing care forward in relation to current and emerging technologies can be felt through the entire BScN curriculum. She is able to motivate students to exceed their own expectations and pass along to faculty colleagues that same level of confidence.  Congratulations, Leslie!”

“This recognition is so highly deserved,” said Dr. Sue Coffey, director, collaborative BScN program, UOIT. “Leslie’s outstanding leadership in the area of nursing education, and particularly her visionary focus on simulation as a teaching-learning methodology will undoubtedly transform both nursing education and nursing practice.”

Graham has also taken part in a number of nursing research projects, including a variety of initiatives focused on the development, application and evaluation of using simulation and technology-enhanced learning in both nursing and critical care nursing curriculum.

The collaborative BScN is designed to graduate professional nurses committed to excellence and innovation in assessing and meeting the nursing needs of society. Students develop and transmit knowledge regarding nursing practice and the human experience of health, illness and healing. The fully integrated DC/UOIT partnership provides collaborative learning activities that enable students to take an active role in their own learning. This strategy, combined with traditional methods, prepares graduates for lifelong learning, research and teamwork and provides the leadership skills essential for nursing practice. State-of-the-art nursing labs also provide students with practical, hands-on experience in hospital and home-care settings and give them access to the latest technology, right at their fingertips.

COUPN is an organization of Ontario’s 20 publicly funded universities and one associate member institution that facilitates discussion between its members and advocates on a wide range of university issues and co-ordinates a number of shared services. The organization also works closely with the provincial and federal governments to develop and improve public policies that help universities deliver high-quality programs for students and research and innovation that positively impacts the social, cultural and economic well-being of Ontarians.

-30-

About Durham College

At Durham College, the student experience comes first. In September 2013, the college welcomed more than 30,000 students to campus including more than 10,000 full-time post-secondary and apprenticeship students as well as part-time and continuing education students and online learners. The college offers a wide range of market-driven programs in a number of different disciplines including culinary, hospitality, tourism, horticulture, business, information technology, media, art, design, general arts, science, skilled trades, justice, emergency services, health and engineering technology, enabling students to develop the skills required to meet the demands of today’s job market.

A three-phase expansion of the college’s Whitby campus was recently completed when the 36,000-square-foot Centre for Food opened on the northwest corner of campus. Accommodating approximately 900 additional students studying in culinary, hospitality, tourism, agricultural and horticultural programs, it also features Bistro ’67, a new, 70-seat, full-service, green-certified teaching and learning restaurant and Pantry, a new retail store featuring fresh-baked items, meals-to-go, preserved foods and ready-to-cook meals created by students in the college’s culinary programs.

For more information, please visit www.durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.2000.

About UOIT

The University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) advances the discovery and application of knowledge through a technology-enriched learning environment and innovative programs responsive to the needs of students, and the evolving 21^st-century workplace. With more than 9,600 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in 75 programs delivered by exceptional faculty, UOIT promotes social engagement, fosters critical thinking and integrates outcomes-based learning experiences inside and outside the classroom. UOIT’s commitment to accelerating economic growth and social innovation is realized through research collaborations with leading organizations such as Ontario Power Generation, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and the Durham Regional Police Service. To find out more, visit uoit.ca.

Media contacts:
Michelle Roebuck
Durham College
905.721.2000 ext. 2197
michelle.roebuck@durhamcollege.ca

 

Bryan Oliver
UOIT Communications and Marketing
905.721.8668 ext. 6709
289.928.3653 (cell)
bryan.oliver@uoit.ca

College will highlight agricultural research agenda and social innovation projects

OSHAWA, Ont. – Durham College faculty, staff, student researchers, industry collaborators and other guests will join the college’s Office of Research Services and Innovation (ORSI) on Thursday, May 1 when the college hosts its fourth-annual Research Day on campus.

Designed to provide a first-hand look at the innovative applied research projects the college currently has underway, the event will highlight research in the areas of engineering technology, education, gaming, information technology, social innovation and agriculture.

With the college recently receiving funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada that will see ORSI develop new agricultural research projects that will assist local growers in tackling challenges related to pest management, crop integration and plant propagation, the event will feature a keynote presentation by Jim Sheehan, president, Durham Foods, who will discuss why the need to improve processes, create new systems and ultimately invest in research and development has never been so critical to small- and medium sized businesses.

Providing an important link to the community through its support and advancement of institutional effectiveness and contribution to the economic performance of the region, ORSI offers a collaborative culture of engagement that is student-centered and community-focused.

Who:

• Durham College researchers, students and faculty members.
• Don Lovisa, president, Durham College.
• Debbie McKee Demczyk, director, ORSI.
• Jim Sheehan, president, Durham Foods.
• Business, community and funding partners.  

When:
Thursday, May 1, 8:30 a.m. to noon
Keynote presentation at 9:20 am followed by breakout research sessions

Where:
Student Services building
Oshawa campus
2000 Simcoe Street North

Parking:
Enter off Simcoe Street North and proceed to the Founders 2 parking lot.

For more information, contact:
Cosette Kazarian
905.721.2000 ext. 3611
cosette.kazarian@durhamcollege.ca

Three separate research initiatives to receive assistance via Applied Research Tools and Instruments grants

Oshawa, Ont. –Durham College (DC) announced today that its Office of Research Services and Innovation (ORSI) has  been  approved for more than $400,000 in applied research funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) through the council’s College and Community Innovation (CCI) Program.

In total, $443,168 of funding, being made available via three Applied Research Tools and Instruments (ARTI) grants will be used to acquire equipment to support applied research in three areas including microbrewing, agriculture and rapid prototyping.

“This most recent round of support from the federal government once again confirms that Durham College is a leading college in the field of applied research,” said Judy Robinson, vice-president, Academic, DC. “On behalf of ORSI and the college, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to NSERC for its support of three of our newest applied research initiatives, which are enabling the college to assist local businesses with bringing their ideas to market and contribute to the economic prosperity of Durham Region and beyond.”

The CCI Program, managed by NSERC in collaboration with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, grants six different types of funding. The ARTI grant is designed to support the purchase of research equipment and installations to foster and enhance the ability of colleges to undertake applied research, innovation and training in collaboration with local companies.

“These ARTI grants will allow our researchers and industry partners to create and develop projects using state-of-the-art technology,” said Debbie McKee Demczyk, director, ORSI. “In addition, this funding will enable our students to gain valuable research and testing experience while making industry contacts and gaining marketing expertise. We are grateful for the opportunities now available to us through NSERC’s extensive funding program.”

With the intention of capitalizing on the growing craft beer brewing industry a new microbiology BrewLab will support projects that analyze and improve the microbial integrity of various beer products and evaluate the fermentation performance of yeast strains for Ontario craft breweries.

ORSI will also continue to develop agricultural research projects that will utilize new Growth Chambers, devices designed to assist local growers in tackling challenges related to pest management, crop integration and plant propagation. The project will allow DC partners to expand and diversify their product lines while exploring innovative plant propagation techniques and processes.

A third set of research projects will employ a new Rapid Prototyper to reproduce the dimensional properties of trial-ready prototypes in house and at a low cost for a variety of industries requiring advanced manufacturing. It will also allow students to work with industry during research capstone projects, providing them with additional skill sets.

ORSI provides an important link to the community through its support and advancement of institutional effectiveness and contribution to the economic performance of the region, using a collaborative culture of engagement that is student-centered and community-focused. ORSI is comprised of three teams – Applied Research; Institutional Research and Planning; and Program Development and Quality Initiatives.

NSERC is a Canadian government agency that provides grants for research in the natural sciences and engineering. The council promotes discovery by funding research conducted by post-secondary professors and students and fosters innovation by encouraging Canadian companies to participate and invest in post-secondary research and training.

-30-

About Durham College

At Durham College, the student experience comes first. In September 2013, the college welcomed more than 30,000 students to campus including more than 10,000 full-time post-secondary and apprenticeship students as well as part-time and continuing education students and online learners. The college offers a wide range of market-driven programs in a number of different disciplines including culinary, hospitality, tourism, horticulture, business, information technology, media, art, design, general arts, science, skilled trades, justice, emergency services, health and engineering technology, enabling students to develop the skills required to meet the demands of today’s job market.

A three-phase expansion of the college’s Whitby campus was recently completed when the 36,000-square-foot Centre for Food opened on the northwest corner of campus. Accommodating approximately 900 additional students studying in culinary, hospitality, tourism, agricultural and horticultural programs, it also features Bistro ’67, a new, 70-seat, full-service, green-certified teaching and learning restaurant and Pantry, a new retail store featuring fresh-baked items, meals-to-go, preserved foods and ready-to-cook meals created by students in the college’s culinary programs.

For more information, please visit www.durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.2000.

Media contacts:
Michelle Roebuck
Durham College
905.721.2000 ext. 2197
michelle.roebuck@durhamcollege.ca

College and Institute of Technology, Tralee sign new articulation agreement

Oshawa, Ont. – Durham College (DC) and the Irish Institute of Technology, Tralee (ITT) announced today a new articulation agreement that will enable graduates of several of the college’s two- and three-year programs to enter ITT’s bachelor programs with advanced standing, allowing them to earn their degree in as little as two additional semesters of study.

The agreement, recently signed by DC President Don Lovisa, Judy Robinson, vice-president, Academic, DC and Dr. Oliver Murphy, president, ITT will see graduates of the college’s schools of Business, IT & Management; Health & Community Services; Interdisciplinary Studies & Employment Services; and Science & Engineering Technology have the opportunity to pursue bachelor degrees at ITT.

The opportunity will not only allow Durham College graduates to build on the knowledge and skills acquired through their diploma program but also gain an international experience while studying abroad in an English-speaking country. Located in the South West of Ireland in the county of Kerry, ITT is home to international students from over 140 countries and offers a dedicated international office and orientation program to help students easily transition into student life in Ireland.

“This new agreement is another example of how the student experience comes first at Durham College,” said Lovisa. “We’re very pleased to be able to present qualified graduates of our programs with international academic pathways, providing the best possible learning opportunities to students here on our campus and abroad.”

Academic pathway opportunities between DC and ITT are available to qualified DC graduates in the areas of study listed below.

Technology:

• Computer Systems Technology program graduates are eligible to enter Year 4 of ITT’s Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computer Services Management program.
• Computer Systems Technician program graduates are eligible to enter Year 3 of ITT’s Bachelor of Science in Information Technology program.
•  Computer Programmer Analyst program graduates are eligible to enter Year 3 of ITT’s Bachelor of Science in Computing with Software Development.

Community Services:

• Early Childhood Education program graduates are eligible to enter Semester 3 (September – January) and continue with Semester 6 (January – May) for ITT’s Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Care and Education.

Science:

•  Energy Management and Sustainable Building Technology program graduates are eligible to enter Year 4 of ITT’s Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Renewable Energy and Energy Management.

Business:

• Office Administration – Executive program graduates are eligible to enter Year 3 of ITT’s Bachelor of Arts in Information Systems Management (Business Administration stream).

“We are delighted to enter a partnership with such a prestigious college,” said Murphy. “We have much in common with Durham College in terms of the programs we deliver and our educational ethos. Graduates of DC who transfer to ITT can be assured of a big Irish welcome.”

With the addition of this new agreement Durham College has academic pathways in place with universities in Ireland, Australia and the United States as part of the more than 450 academic pathways it offers via agreements with universities in Ontario, Canada and around the world. The full list can be found at www.durhamcollege.ca/pathways.

-30-

About Durham College

At Durham College, the student experience comes first. In September 2013, the college welcomed more than 30,000 students to campus including more than 10,000 full-time post-secondary and apprenticeship students as well as part-time and continuing education students and online learners. The college offers a wide range of market-driven programs in a number of different disciplines including culinary, hospitality, tourism, horticulture, business, information technology, media, art, design, general arts, science, skilled trades, justice, emergency services, health and engineering technology, enabling students to develop the skills required to meet the demands of today’s job market.

A three-phase expansion of the college’s Whitby campus was recently completed when the 36,000-square-foot Centre for Food opened on the northwest corner of campus. Accommodating approximately 900 additional students studying in culinary, hospitality, tourism, agricultural and horticultural programs, it also features Bistro ’67, a new, 70-seat, full-service, green-certified teaching and learning restaurant and Pantry, a new retail store featuring fresh-baked items, meals-to-go, preserved foods and ready-to-cook meals created by students in the college’s culinary programs.

For more information, visit www.durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.2000.

Media contact:
Cosette Kazarian
Communications and Marketing
905.721.2000 ext. 3611
cosette.kazarian@durhamcollege.ca

Students will learn from two of college’s most successful young graduates

Oshawa, Ont. – Durham College (DC) students will have a chance to learn the secret to business success straight from two of the college’s most successful graduates on Thursday, April 3 when Ian Ball, president of McEwen Mining Inc. (McEwen), and Russ Montague, president of ShirtPunch and Nerd Block, come to campus for ‘Alumni in the Pit’.

The event, which is being presented by the college’s I heart DC Committee, will see Ball and Montague share their insight on business success; the promotion of entrepreneurship and innovation; and the value of work hard and determination.

Since graduating from the Advertising program in 2004, Montague has grown ShirtPunch, which specializes in geek-themed and meme T-shirts, from a family-funded start-up company into a thriving business that has netted more than $1 million in sales and produced licensed designs for brands like Star Wars, Adventure Time and Marvel. ShirtPunch’s success has allowed him to continue to expand his entrepreneurial spirit with the development of Nerd Block, a subscription service, which provides subscribers with a monthly delivery of niche-themed toys, collectibles and T-shirt’s.

Ball, a 2002 graduate of the Marketing program, was named president of McEwen in September 2013. One of the youngest presidents on Bay Street, he previously worked for McEwen Capital Corporation, where he was responsible for raising capital, structuring transactions and managing exploration programs throughout North America. In addition, he has played a role in various mergers and acquisitions throughout the natural resource sector, which have a combined market value of $11 billion.

Who:

• Durham College students
• Ian Ball, president of McEwen
• Russ Montague, president of ShirtPunch and Nerd Block

When:
April 3
1 to 2 p.m. – student session
2 to 3 p.m. – media availability

Where:
Durham College Oshawa campus
The Pit, Gordon Willey building
2000 Simcoe Street North

Parking:
Enter off Simcoe Street North and proceed to the Commencement parking lot.

For more information contact:
Michelle Roebuck
Communications and Marketing
905.721.2000 ext. 2197
michelle.roebuck@durhamcollege.ca

Durham College hosting Brazilian professors as part of international fellowship program

March 14, 2014

Oshawa, Ont. – As part of its commitment to providing both international academic pathways and opportunities, Durham College (DC) announced today that its International office is hosting two professors from Brazil as part of the newly created  Brazil-Canada Technological and Professional Fellowship Exchange program, a joint initiative between  the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC) and Brazil’s Secretaria de Educação Profissional e Technológica (SETEC) and Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES). The program is designed to bring together instructors and administrators from Brazilian federal institutes of education, sciences and technology to observe how Canadian colleges operate and collaborate on projects linked to applied research and science innovations.

Paulo Roberto Barbosa, a professor of mathematics and mechanical engineering from the Instituto Federal São Paulo, and Sandra Mariotto, a food biotechnology professor from the Ïnstituto Federal do Mato Grosso, are part of a pilot group of 43 professors being hosted by ACCC-member colleges across Canada prior to the Brazil-Canada Technological and Professional Fellowship Exchange program being implemented.

Both professors arrived at DC’s Oshawa campus on February 18 for a three-month visit to explore the Canadian college system and work closely with college faculty members, administrators and subject matter experts to develop detailed curriculum for future fellow visits. In particular, they will focus on the linkages between DC and local industry from an applied research perspective.

“The idea is that upon completion of this activity in Canada, we will be well positioned to assist with designing a custom program for Brazilian educators,” said Barbosa.  “One of our main goals is related to linkages between the college and local industry and the model of applied research and innovation. It is the institutional mission of the Brazilian institutes and efforts have been made in order to have effective actuation in this area – this exchange is part of these efforts. This experience has been fantastic for us!”

In addition to participating in the Brazil-Canada Technological and Professional Fellowship Exchange program, DC is pleased to count nearly 400 international students from more than 32 countries around the world as part of its overall student population. Each receives a high-quality post-secondary educational experience and access to the college’s International office including front-line service for all aspects of the admissions process; international student mentors; and arrival services. DC also offers Canadian students looking to study aboard access to academic pathways with universities in Ireland, Australia and the United States as part of the more than 450 academic pathway opportunities in place with universities in Ontario, Canada and around the world.

-30-

About Durham College

At Durham College, the student experience comes first. In September 2013, the college welcomed more than 30,000 students to campus including more than 10,000 full-time post-secondary and apprenticeship students as well as part-time and continuing education students and online learners. The college offers a wide range of market-driven programs in a number of different disciplines including culinary, hospitality, tourism, horticulture, business, information technology, media, art, design, general arts, science, skilled trades, justice, emergency services, health and engineering technology, enabling students to develop the skills required to meet the demands of today’s job market.

A three-phase expansion of the college’s Whitby campus was recently completed when the 36,000-square-foot Centre for Food opened on the northwest corner of campus. Accommodating approximately 900 additional students studying in culinary, hospitality, tourism, agricultural and horticultural programs, it also features Bistro ’67, a new, 70-seat, full-service, green-certified teaching and learning restaurant and Pantry, a new retail store featuring fresh-baked items, meals-to-go, preserved foods and ready-to-cook meals created by students in the college’s culinary programs.

For more information, please visit www.durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.2000.

ACCC is the national and international voice of Canada’s publicly funded colleges and institutes. We work with industry and social sectors to train 1.5 million learners of all ages and backgrounds at campuses serving over 3,000 urban, rural and remote communities in Canada. ACCC operates in 29 countries via 13 offices around the world.

Media contact:
Allison Rosnak/Michelle Roebuck
Communications and Marketing
905.721.2000 ext. 2333/ext. 2197
allison.rosnak@durhamcollege.ca / michelle.roebuck@durhamcollege.ca

College currently seeking Alumni of Distinction award nominations

Oshawa, Ont. – Durham College announced today that it is now accepting nominations for its 2014 Alumni of Distinction Awards, which are awarded at its annual spring convocation ceremonies in June.

Designed to recognize the extraordinary contributions its alumni make to society while achieving career success, past Alumni of Distinction Award winners include health-care leaders; entrepreneurs; business owners; chief executive officers; journalists; multimedia designers; and many more.

Winners may also be nominated for Premier’s Awards, which recognize Ontario college graduates for their tremendous contributions to the province and beyond.

Deserving alumni can be nominated via an online nomination form from now until Friday, April 11. For more information, please contact Lori Connor, alumni officer, at 905.721.2000 ext. 3035.

Since 1969 more than 63,000 alumni have graduated from Durham College and gone on to make a significant impact in their communities.

-30-

About Durham College

At Durham College, the student experience comes first. In September 2013, the college welcomed more than 30,000 students to campus including more than 10,000 full-time post-secondary and apprenticeship students as well as part-time and continuing education students and online learners. The college offers a wide range of market-driven programs in a number of different disciplines including culinary, hospitality, tourism, horticulture, business, information technology, media, art, design, general arts, science, skilled trades, justice, emergency services, health and engineering technology, enabling students to develop the skills required to meet the demands of today’s job market.

A three-phase expansion of the college’s Whitby campus was recently completed when the 36,000-square-foot Centre for Food opened on the northwest corner of campus. Accommodating approximately 900 additional students studying in culinary, hospitality, tourism, agricultural and horticultural programs, it also features Bistro ’67, a new, 70-seat, full-service, green-certified teaching and learning restaurant and Pantry, a new retail store featuring fresh-baked items, meals-to-go, preserved foods and ready-to-cook meals created by students in the college’s culinary programs.

For more information, visit www.durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.2000.

Media contact:
Cosette Kazarian
Communications and Marketing
905.721.2000 ext. 3611
cosette.kazarian@durhamcollege.ca