New academic environment will demonstrate the many changes happening in the construction and building trades

October 5, 2012

Whitby, Ont. – Durham College will officially launch a key component of its Whitby campus development project on Friday, October 12 when it hosts the official opening of two new learning labs.  

 The labs, part of the $44 million, three-phase development project happening at the Whitby campus, are designed to demonstrate the many changes that have occurred in the construction and building trades over the years including the various methods being used to retrofit older homes.

 Learning Lab 1, a new, high-efficiency green home built by Durham Custom Homes, features the latest in environmentally friendly and energy-efficient technologies. It is being used by students studying in programs such as Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Techniques; Plumber (apprenticeship); Electrical Technician – Instrumentation and Control; and Electrical Techniques.  

 Learning Lab 2, a 1940s era house with dated technology and wiring that was purchased by Durham Custom Homes then moved to the campus in January 2011, is enabling students to gain real-world experience in retrofitting older homes including an understanding of how to increase energy efficiency.

 Media are invited to observe the official opening celebration, which will showcase the labs’ many educational benefits and recognize donors for their part in helping to bring them to the college. Tours of both labs will be available following the event.

Who:

• Pat Perkins mayor, Town of Whitby;
• Don Lovisa, president, Durham College;
• Jeff Goldman, president, Durham Custom Homes;
• David Chambers, associate vice-president, Office of Development, Durham College;
• Durham College students, faculty and staff; and
• Community partners and donors.

 When:
October 12
Noon to 1:30 p.m.

 Where:
Durham College Whitby campus, Room 11-10
1610 Champlain Avenue
Whitby, Ont.

 Parking:
Enter off Champlain Drive and proceed to the main parking lot.

For more information:

Rhonda Daley/Allison Rosnak
Communications, Marketing and External Relations
905.721.2000 ext. 2197/ext.2333
rhonda.daley@durhamcollege.ca/allison.rosnak@durhamcollege.ca

Culinary and hospitality management students to prepare and serve food at fundraising event

September 28, 2012

Whitby, Ont. – Students from Durham College’s Culinary Skills and Hospitality Management – Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism programs will play a key role at one of Markham’s largest fundraising events when they assist with food preparation and service at the 8^th annual Culinary Golf Classic on Thursday, October 4.

Taking place at Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, the yearly fundraiser will see students team up with head chefs from top restaurants around the Greater Toronto Area to prepare gourmet food for sampling right on the golf course. Notable chefs scheduled to be in attendance include Rob Rainford, former host, Food Network Canada’s Licence to Grill; Stephen Perrin, executive chef, Terra Restaurant; Donovan Campbell, executive chef, Angus Glen Golf Club; John Koidis, executive chef, Johnny Bistro; and Rob Grieve, Tricia Wiseman, Dave Hawey and Marco Cassano, professors, Durham College.

2012 marks the third year that the college has been involved with the event, which raises funds for Markham Stouffville Hospital’s Breast Health Centre and Cancer Clinic, as well as culinary and hospitality awards at Durham College.

The event, MC’d by Erin Davis, host of the CHFI Morning Show, will see guests play a round of golf while enjoying delicious foods and wine. A gourmet four-course meal will also be served for dinner. Individuals in attending the event and/or sponsorship opportunities can visit culinaryartsgolf.eventdayinfo.com for more information.

Who:

• Durham College Culinary Skills and Hospitality Management – Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism and students;
• Rob Grieve, Tricia Wiseman, Marco Cassano and Dave Hawey, Durham College;
• Erin Davis, host of the CHFI Morning Show;
• Donovan Campbell, executive chef, Angus Glen Golf Club;
• John Koidis, executive chef, Johnny Bistro;
• Stephen Perrin, executive chef, Terra Restaurant; and
• Rob Rainford, former host, Food Network Canada’s Licence to Grill.

When:
October 4 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where:
Angus Glen Golf Club
10080 Kennedy Road
Markham, Ontario, Canada
L6C 1N9 

For more information:

Allison Rosnak
Communications and Marketing
905.721.2000 ext. 2333
allison.rosnak@durhamcollege.ca

WHITBY, Ont. – Durham College is excited to host a Canadian celebrity chef as the special guest at its Get Involved event taking place at the Whitby campus on Thursday, September 27. The event will see the college officially launch the public phase of the Growing for our Future campaign, a $5 million fundraising campaign designed to raise financial support through community, government and individual contributions in support of the new Centre for Food.

This incredible new learning centre will complete the evolution of the Whitby campus and offer students access to state-of-the-art facilities and programming in the culinary, hospitality, agriculture and horticulture sectors.

The Get Involved event will showcase the culinary skills and passion for presentation of Durham College students as they work alongside a Canadian celebrity chef; highlight the exciting details of the project; and recognize the commitment of donors.

The Centre for Food is the final phase of the college’s three-phase expansion at the Whitby campus and will feature state-of-the-art labs, classrooms and meeting spaces. In addition it will offer a full-service, green-certified teaching restaurant and lounge, which will be open to the public.

Who:

• Pat Perkins mayor, Town of Whitby;
• Don Lovisa, president, Durham College;
• Canadian celebrity chef;
• Kelsey Donaldson, second-year Hospitality Management – Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism student;
• Durham College Hospitality Management – Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism and Culinary Skills students; and
• Community partners and donors.

When:
Thursday, September 27
6 to 9 p.m.

Where:
Durham College Whitby campus
1610 Champlain Avenue
Whitby, Ont.

Photo opportunity:

Durham College’s Culinary Skills students working alongside a Canadian celebrity chef.

Parking:
Enter off Champlain Drive and proceed to the main parking lot.

For more information:

Allison Rosnak/Rhonda Daley
Communications, Marketing and External Relations
905.721.2000 ext. 2333 or ext. 2197
allison.rosnak@durhamcollege.ca/rhonda.daley@durhamcollege.ca

Organizations working together to encourage mental health awareness

September 20, 2012

OSHAWA, Ont. – When individuals refer to being in good health they are often referring to their physical health. However, students can face real challenges to their mental well-being as well.

According to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, one in five people will suffer from some form of mental illness at some point in their lives, with suicide being the second leading cause of death in the 15 to 24 age group. In addition, a 2011 survey by the Canadian Association of College and University Student Services indicated that the three factors affecting student academic performance most were stress (38 per cent), anxiety (26 per cent) and sleep difficulties (26 per cent).

To help educate students about mental health issues and promote the many free health services available to them at Durham College and in the community, the college and Durham Mental Health Services (DMHS) are teaming up to host Mind Your Body Day on Thursday, September 27.

“The general public is learning what mental health service providers have long known,” said Rob Adams, executive director, DMHS. “There is increasing recognition that mental health problems are normal, common and treatable and that there is no shame in seeking support. This partnership with Durham College helps us reach a population that may experience mental health issues but not know where to turn for help.”

Designed to raise awareness of mental health, fight stigma and provide information about local resources, the day will include displays and information from:

• Aspiria Corporation;
• Canadian Mental Health Association Durham (CMHA Durham);
• Distress Centre Durham;
• Durham Rape Crisis Centre;
• Family Services Durham;
• Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences;
• Ontario Disability Support Program;
• Oshawa Psychological and Counselling Services; and
• Pinewood Centre (Addiction Support) of Lakeridge Health Oshawa (Pinewood Centre).

In addition there will be a series of 30-minute presentations on topics relevant to students including effective time management, problem drinking/drug use and dealing with stress and anxiety. Presenters include:

• Heather Bickle, health promotion educator, CMHA Durham (presenting What Is This Thing Called Mental Health?), 11 a.m.;
• Eric Rubel, national clinical director, Aspiria Corporation (presenting Dealing With Anxiety…No Worries!), 11:30 a.m.;
• Shannon Everette, instructor specialist, Can-Fit (presenting How Yoga Can Help You), noon;
• David Clarke, co-ordinator of Communications and Training, DMHS (presenting Making The Most Of Your Time), 12:30 p.m.; and
• Alex Bassermann, addictions counsellor, Pinewood Centre (presenting Substance Use – Let’s Talk!), 1 p.m.).

“Awareness of the issues affecting a person’s mental and physical health along with the de-stigmatization of mental health is a priority for Durham College’s Health Centre,” said Kathy Lazenby, director, Campus Health Services, Durham College. “Our goal is to support the needs of our students by partnering with community agencies to ensure accessible services both on and off of campus thereby contributing to our students ‘ability to have a successful life.”

Who:

• Durham College students, faculty and staff; and
• Representatives from community agencies.

Where:

Durham College Oshawa campus
Vendors Alley (displays and information)
Recognition Square (speakers)
Gordon Willey building
2000 Simcoe Street North
Oshawa, Ont.

When:

Thursday, September 27
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Parking:

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

For more information, please contact:
Allison Rosnak
Communications and Marketing
Durham College
905.721.2000 ext. 2333

allison.rosnak@durhamcollege.ca

Health-care information repository now live at Lakeridge Health Oshawa and Ross Memorial Hospital

September 19, 2012

Oshawa, Ont. – Durham College today announced that its state-of-the-art Biomedical Knowledge Portal (BKP) is now live at two Ontario community hospitals after being implemented at Lakeridge Health Oshawa (LHO) on May 22 and Ross Memorial Hospital (RMH) in Lindsay on June 25.

Developed in conjunction with the college’s Office of Research Services and Innovation (ORSI), and lead by principal investigator and Biomedical Engineering Technology program professor Rick Tidman, the BKP is an all-inclusive health technology management system designed to assist hospitals in achieving considerable cost savings on an annual basis by enabling them to manage the purchasing and life cycle of their biomedical devices more efficiently and effectively.

It is also intended to support patient safety through the tracking of biomedical devices to ensure they are available at the point of care. Health-care workers type the name of the device (e.g. IV pump, bladder scanner, wheel chair, stretcher, etc.) they are trying to locate into a search bar and information on the device, including its location, is provided immediately, reducing the amount of time spent locating equipment.

“It is arguable that the growth of and dependency on medical technology is one of health care’s biggest challenges, but medical technology also offers unprecedented opportunities for improved health outcomes,” said Tidman. “The BKP squarely takes aim at organizing and sharing information associated with the entire life cycle of a technology and could optimize medical device decisions at shared services organizations, hospitals and Local Integration Health Networks (LIHN), to the benefit of both taxpayers and patients.”

First created in April 2011 via a research collaboration between Durham College and software development and IT consulting firm Dapasoft Inc., the BKP is designed to meet the ongoing need for a comprehensive database of information related to biomedical equipment. Until now, equipment has been purchased through a series of non-standardized, stand-alone systems resulting in an absence of shared information between hospitals.

“We couldn’t be happier that Durham College’s research team – right here in our community – has chosen Lakeridge Health Oshawa to pilot the Biomedical Knowledge Portal,” said Darrell Sewell, vice-president, Human Resources and Hospitality Services, Lakeridge Health. “The portal is helping our medical team access the right equipment at the right time, which is a critical aspect of patient safety.”

“Patient care is our top priority at Ross Memorial Hospital so we want our front-line staff to be able to access the equipment they need as quickly as possible,” said Varouj Eskedjian, vice-president of Diagnostics and Support, RMH. “We believe the BKP will cut down on time spent searching for equipment and increase time at the bedside.”

The BKP is also supported by Durham College’s research collaboration with Infonaut Inc., a Toronto-based health-care/information technology company, which manufactures Hospital Watch Live, the software the portal uses to supply the information regarding the location, cleanliness and tracking of the mobile medical equipment. Capstone, in association with Expesite LLC, a clinical maintenance management system, is providing the daily asset management and routine maintenance schedules associated with the medical technology inventory.

“Effectively tracking and maintaining medical devices across the health-care system in the Central East LHIN is very important and we were glad to partner on this initiative,” said James Meloche, senior director, System Design and Implementation, Central East Local Integration Health Network. “Based on the results to date, the LHIN will be exploring opportunities to include additional hospitals in this promising venture and sharing this best practice with our colleagues in other parts of the province.”

Following on the heels of its first two successful implementations, the BKP is also scheduled to rollout at Southlake Regional Health Care Centre in Newmarket in the coming weeks.

“Durham College is pleased to offer our students an opportunity to gain real world experience while working directly with the project team auditing and tagging devices in the pilot hospitals,” added Tidman. “Graduates of our Biomedical Engineering Technology program will be the only health-care professionals entering the biomedical field that are ‘BKP-ready’.”

About Durham College

At Durham College, the student experience comes first. In September 2012, the college welcomed more than 30,000 students to campus including approximately 9,000 full-time post-secondary students as well as part-time and continuing education students; apprentices; and online learners. The college offers a wide range of market-driven programs in a number of different disciplines including 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 is currently underway. Phase 1 opened in September 2009 followed by Phase 2 in May 2011. Phase 3 will see the creation of a 36,000-square-foot building focused on agriculture, culinary, hospitality and tourism. Accommodating approximately 900 new students, it will house new classrooms and labs and offer a full-service, green-certified restaurant and lounge and see the creation of a greenhouse – all of which will be open to the general public. In addition, a new Student Services building opened at the Oshawa campus in January 2011.

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

About Lakeridge Health Oshawa

Lakeridge Health is one of Ontario’s largest community hospitals, serving people across Durham Region. We are part of our community and it shows in the care we provide – because the people coming through our doors are our family, friends and neighbours.

About Ross Memorial Hospital

Exceptional people committed to providing exceptional care. Located in the heart of the City of Kawartha Lakes, Ross Memorial Hospital is an active, acute-care community hospital serving more than 80,000 local residents and seasonal visitors. Among our acute and continuing care services, our team cares for 45,000 patients per year in the 24/7/365 emergency department, provides orthopedics and ophthalmology, operates a 15 station dialysis unit, and is renowned for its mental health programs and restorative seniors care. The most recent expansion included the addition of MRI service. The Ross Family takes pride in providing compassionate quality patient care.

About Central East Local Integration Health Network

LHINs are the only organizations in Ontario that bring together health service providers from the following sectors – hospitals, community care, community support services, community mental health and addictions, community health centres and long-term care – to develop innovative, collaborative solutions leading to more timely access to high quality services for the residents of Ontario and Central East LHIN communities. By supporting these important partnerships, LHINs are ensuring that Ontarians have access to an effective and efficient health care system that delivers improved health care results and a better patient experience.

For more information:

Allison Rosnak
Durham College
905.721.2000 ext. 2333
alllison.rosnak@durhamcollege.ca

Enrolment grows from 205 to more than 9,000 full-time students since college opened doors in 1967 

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Oshawa, Ont. –  As Durham College enters its third week of classes since kicking off the academic year on September 4 it is also proud to recognize its 45th anniversary as the City of Oshawa proclaims today Durham College Day.

“As we recognize Durham College’s 45th year of providing high-quality education and training in Durham Region we are extremely proud of our success and growth since welcoming our first group of students in 1967,” said Don Lovisa, president, Durham College. “From the growth of our campuses, buildings and student population to the success of our close to 60,000 alumni, we have remained committed to ensuring that the student experience comes first, a commitment I am confident will take us into the next 45 years and well beyond. On behalf of everyone at Durham College I extend my sincere thanks to the City of Oshawa for this wonderful honour.”

On September 18, 1967 the college opened the doors to its first cohort of 205 students. At the time the Oshawa campus offered 16 portable classrooms at the southwest corner of Conlin and Simcoe streets in Oshawa and employed a staff of 14.

Fast forward 45 years and the college has experienced tremendous growth in its student population with more than 30,000 students, including approximately 9,000 full-time students for the 2012-2013 academic year, studying at Durham College each year in a variety of full- and part-time, diploma-to-degree, fast-track, apprenticeship, continuing education and career development programs in several different areas of importance to the current economy.

This includes the introduction of new programs annually including Architectural Technician; Architectural Technology; Food and Farming; Culinary Management; Information Systems Security – Computers and Networking; Occupational Therapist Assistant/Physiotherapist Assistant; Project Management; and Special Events Planning, which are all currently accepting applications for the 2013-2014 academic year.

In addition to the growth of its student population the college has also marked several other milestones over the years. This includes the opening of the Whitby campus in 1993; helping to start the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) in 2003; the opening of the Student Services building at the Oshawa campus in 2011; the introduction of continuing education programming in Oshawa, Whitby and Uxbridge; the launch of Community Employment Services in Oshawa, Bowmanville, Uxbridge, Port Perry and Port Hope; the recent opening of the Pickering Learning Site; and the massive three-phase construction project at the Whitby campus that has been underway since 2008. The project, when complete, will see $44 million invested in an expanded post-secondary presence in Durham Region designed to bring new full-time programs to life and help develop the skilled workforce needed for our local communities to grow and prosper.

Phase 1, a comprehensive learning facility designed to train students in renewable energy and meet the projected demand for green jobs in Ontario, officially opened in December 2009 offering rooftop solar panels; wind turbines; state-of-the art classrooms and labs; and The Incubator, which was developed in conjunction with the Durham Strategic Energy Alliance and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology to support innovators and inventors in prototyping and testing new products.

The second phase of the project officially opened in May 2011 adding 38,000 additional square feet of space to campus including new labs, classrooms and boardrooms; new Student Association space; renovated student services; and living labs designed to demonstrate the many changes happening in the construction and building trades.

The third phase of the project, the 36,000-square-foot Centre for Food (CFF) located at the northwest corner of campus, began in December 2011. Designed to accommodate approximately 900 new students studying in culinary, hospitality, tourism, agricultural and horticultural programs it will provide students with access to a full-service, green-certified teaching restaurant and lounge; demonstration theatre; three public-viewing kitchens surrounded by glass walls and equipped with the latest technology; and state-of-the-art labs, classrooms and meeting spaces.

The Pickering Learning Site, offered in partnership with Centennial College, offers a unique, collaborative learning centre designed to meet the needs of students looking to further their credentials in an environment focused on mature, professional learners. It offers four graduate certificate programs from each college in addition to continuing education courses on evenings and weekends.

“The introduction of the Pickering Learning Site and the ongoing expansion and construction at our Whitby campus are tied directly to Durham College’s commitment to provide quality teaching and learning spaces that meet the needs of our projected student growth of 10,000 full-time post-secondary students by 2015,” added Lovisa. “This includes the additional 900 students we expect to attend the Whitby campus once the CFF opens in 2013 as well as increased enrolment based on the introduction of additional, new programs at the Oshawa campus.  All of this is of course supported by our dedicated student services team, which is committed to providing services and support that have a positive impact on the success and personal development of our students.”

The college is also extremely proud of the role it played in helping to launch UOIT, one of Canada’s fastest growing and most successful universities. Together they have one of the most unique campuses in the country with the college seeing its success in the number of its students continuing their education at UOIT and the number of UOIT students continuing their education at Durham College.  

“Durham College and UOIT are the perfect match and we are proud of the legacy Durham College helped to create and the success of UOIT,” said Lovisa.  “We celebrate our success with UOIT as it launches its 10-year anniversary and as we contemplate what’s ahead for Durham College and the possibilities that our partnership with UOIT present, the future is full of promise for our students, faculty, staff and community.”

Since first opening its doors 45 years ago, Durham College has graduated close to 60,000 students with the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to make a difference in their lives, the lives of others, the community and the province of Ontario.

About Durham College

At Durham College, the student experience comes first. In September 2012, the college welcomed more than 30,000 students to campus including approximately 9,000 full-time post-secondary students as well as part-time and continuing education students; apprentices; and online learners. The college offers a wide range of market-driven programs in a number of different disciplines including 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 is currently underway. Phase 1 opened in September 2009 followed by Phase 2 in May 2011. Phase 3 will see the creation of a 36,000-square-foot building focused on agriculture, culinary, hospitality and tourism. Accommodating approximately 900 new students, it will house new classrooms and labs and offer a full-service, green-certified restaurant and lounge and see the creation of a greenhouse – all of which will be open to the general public. In addition, a new Student Services building opened at the Oshawa campus in January 2011.

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

Media contact:
Allison Rosnak
Communications and Marketing 
905.721.2000 ext. 2333
allison.rosnak@durhamcollege.ca

Event will celebrate partnership between Indian heritage association and Durham College

Oshawa, Ont. –Durham College President Don Lovisa and Shashi Bhatia, chairperson of the Indo-Canadian Cultural Association of Durham Inc. (ICCAD), will be joined by Dave Ryan, mayor, City of Pickering; Durham College students, faculty and staff; and members of the community on Friday, September 21 as the college officially welcomes the ICCAD Career and Community Link Centre to the Oshawa campus.

 The centre will be assisting the college with the delivery of services to newly-arrived international students as they transition into the post-secondary education system in Canada.

Keeping with Durham College’s vision of providing a vibrant campus that enriches the student life experience, ICCAD volunteers will provide a welcoming community, student mentorship and opportunities to experience Canadian culture; promote an inclusive society; and provide opportunities for students to get actively involved in the community.

In addition to outlining the partnership between the college and the ICCAD and the positive benefits it will provide to students, the event will feature traditional food and dance.

Who:

• Don Lovisa, president, Durham College;
• Shashi Bhatia, chairperson, ICCAD;
• Dave Ryan, mayor, City of Pickering;
• Durham College students, faculty and staff; and
• Community members. 

When:

Friday, September 21
Noon to 1:30 p.m.

Where:

Durham College Oshawa campus
Student Services building, Room 116 A/B
2000 Simcoe Street North           
Oshawa, Ont.

Parking:

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

 For more information:

Allison Rosnak
Communications and Marketing
905.721.2000 ext. 2333
allison.rosnak@durhamcollege.ca