December 18, 2008

Extensive college system and leadership experience will be great benefit in years ahead

OSHAWA, ON. – Pointing to his vast breadth of college system experience gained over more than two decades, including a number of significant projects while serving in executive and leadership roles, the Durham College Board of Governors announced today that it has appointed Don Lovisa as college president.

Lovisa, who had been serving in the role on an interim basis since May, was unanimously endorsed by the board following an exhaustive national search of candidates from across all educational sectors that began in the summer and concluded with the board’s vote last night. His appointment is for a five-year term, effective January 1.

“Don has proven himself to be a trusted leader over the past seven months as interim president, earning great admiration and respect at Durham College, in the community and within the broader post-secondary sector,” said Aileen Fletcher, chair of the Board of Governors and chair of the presidential search committee. “Everyone on the search committee was struck by Don’s vision for Durham College and his belief that our future is bright and that the road ahead of us is challenging but also full of opportunities to further our reputation as one of Ontario’s leading colleges.”

Fletcher noted the search committee was also unanimous in its selection and that the college community clearly indicated over the past several months that it has rallied around and supports Lovisa’s leadership. The committee also received countless unsolicited recommendations in support of his application.

Lovisa has a number of priorities in the coming months and years as president, including a commitment to the principles and foundations of the college’s Success Matters Strategic Plan and a desire to strengthen existing relationships and establish new ones with industry, government and other community partners. Durham College faces a number of significant financial challenges in the coming year which Lovisa is prepared to meet head on by working with the college community, community at large and government.

All of this, he notes, is crucial to ensuring the college’s mission that the student experience comes first at Durham College and will result by developing a strong team on campus that utilizes the collective strengths of all faculty and staff.

“I’d like to thank the Board of Governors for this opportunity to lead a college that has been defined by its ability to consistently make a difference for students and for being an essential fabric of the Durham and Northumberland communities,” said Lovisa, who is the fifth president in the college’s 41-year history. “I’m proud to lead such a talented and dedicated team of professionals on campus and look forward to furthering Durham College’s reputation province-wide and across the country.

“We understand that our role is to meet the training and education needs of our community and we take that responsibility quite seriously. In the years ahead we will continue to ensure our students have the necessary skills and training to find rewarding careers so they can contribute to our communities’ collective economic and social well-being.”

Lovisa added he looks forward to working with leaders at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) to strengthen the unique partnership between the two. It is a relationship that offers students more opportunities than ever before to obtain a diploma and a degree – all in less than the traditional time and without ever having to leave the schools’ shared Oshawa campus.

Lovisa joined Durham College in July 2007 as vice-president, Academic, and immediately provided leadership for a number of academic initiatives focused on quality assurance, academic policy development and academic restructuring. Prior to joining Durham, he served in a number of roles during a 20-year career at Confederation College, including dean of the School of Business, Hospitality and Media Arts, dean of the School of Access and Literacy, trainer, part-time faculty member, business advisor and manager. In addition, he led a successful $5.2-million capital campaign for the creation of the Centre of Applied Media Productions; established partnerships with local school boards; and worked in the areas of access and literacy, contract and international training and private/public partnerships.

He has also worked internationally in Jamaica, the Ukraine and Poland where he consulted and provided training and teaching in the area of globalization, market-driven economic transition, international trade and entrepreneurship and business development. In addition, he has an extensive track record of community involvement, including working with chambers of commerce and school boards.

Lovisa has a Master’s degree in International Management, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and a Diploma in Adult Education.

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About Durham College
Durham College is the premier college in Canada for career-focused students who will succeed in a challenging, supporting and inclusive learning environment. Offering approximately 100 full-time market-driven programs and hundreds of part-time and continuing education courses, the college has provided students with access to exceptional teachers with real-world experience for 40 years. With a graduate employment rate of over 90 per cent and employer satisfaction rate of 95.6 per cent, Durham College gives students everything they need to obtain great careers and make a difference in the world. The college has more than 6,300 full-time students, thousands of part-time students and almost 1,600 apprentices. For more information, visit www.durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.2000.

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

 

Disclaimer: The contact information provided in archived news releases was current at the release date. For current information please contact Communications, Marketing and External Relations.

December 12, 2008

Recipients honoured for their remarkable contributions and years of service

OSHAWA, ON. – For three decades, Durham College students and the broader college system have benefited from the leadership and experience of Norm Fenton and Garry Cubitt. Their outstanding service was recognized this week with an announcement by Colleges Ontario that they have been named recipients of prestigious provincial awards that recognize their commitment to education and training.

Fenton, a professor with the School of Applied Sciences, Apprenticeship, Skilled Trades & Technology, is a recipient of a Colleges Ontario Award for his efforts in bringing online apprenticeship training in northern Ontario communities, while Cubitt, in his third term with the college’s Board of Governors, is being honoured for his steadfast work in promoting improved student movement between college and university. They are two of only seven recipients named by Colleges Ontario from across the province.

“We are tremendously proud to have Norm and Garry honoured by Colleges Ontario as both are richly deserving of these awards,” said Don Lovisa, president of Durham College. “When you look upon their years with Durham College, they have served as pioneers and made a difference on campus for our students, our community and the broader college system.”

Fenton is the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award, which recognizes an individual who has provided leadership to his or her institution and/or the college system and fostered change that has resulted in substantial improvement locally or provincially. For nearly three decades Fenton has ensured the best possible education for his Industrial Mechanic Millwright apprentice students and instrumental in establishing online learning options at the college’s Whitby campus, in partnership with Sault College, to provide apprentices in Ontario’s northern communities with alternative training opportunities.

Cubitt, chief administrative officer for the Regional Municipality of Durham, has received the William G. Davis Community Award, which honours community members who have made exceptional contributions to the college sector. During a 35-year association with Durham College, Cubitt has tirelessly contributed through his positions as an instructor, partner and member of the board. He passionately believes it should be easy for students to move between a college and university education and has played a leading role in the development of formal partnerships for students to transfer post-secondary credits in order to obtain both a diploma and degree in less than the traditional time.

The Colleges Ontario Awards were established in 2000 to recognize individuals, organizations and volunteers who have made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of Ontario’s college system. The awards are also presented in categories such as student leadership and student innovation.

“The awards recognize passionate and innovative leaders,” said Linda Franklin, president and chief executive officer of Colleges Ontario. “The winners are people who are helping colleges to deliver the best education and training possible.”

The other award winners announced this week are:

• Jennifer Howarth, president of the Students’ Administrative Council at Cambrian College. Her extensive volunteer activities included a campaign to promote a respectful learning environment at the college;
• Martin Smith and the Niagara Environmental Corps of Niagara College, for their work helping students to address environmental challenges;
• The student mentors in the Learning Disability Summer Transition and Orientation Program at Canadore College. Their efforts help students with learning disabilities make the transition to college life;
• Hydro One, which has invested $3 million to promote Engineering Technology programs at four Ontario colleges; and
• The College Mathematics Project at Seneca College, for its work addressing the achievement rates in first-year college mathematics programs.

The awards will be presented on Monday, February 23 at a luncheon ceremony held at the Colleges Ontario 2009 Conference in Toronto, Ontario.

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About Durham College
Durham College is the premier college in Canada for career-focused students who will succeed in a challenging, supporting and inclusive learning environment. Offering approximately 100 full-time market-driven programs and hundreds of part-time and continuing education courses, the college has provided students with access to exceptional teachers with real-world experience for more than 40 years. With a graduate employment rate of over 90 per cent and employer satisfaction rate of 95.6 per cent, Durham College gives students everything they need to obtain great careers and make a difference in the world. The college has more than 6,300 full-time students, thousands of part-time students and almost 1,600 apprentices. For more information, visit www.durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.2000.

Media contact:
Melissa Levy
Communications and Marketing
Durham College
905.721.2000 ext. 2513
melissa.levy@durhamcollege.ca

Heather Howe
Special events and public relations co-ordinator
Colleges Ontario
416.596.0744 ext. 249
howe@collegesontario.org

 

Disclaimer: The contact information provided in archived news releases was current at the release date. For current information please contact Communications, Marketing and External Relations.

December 9, 2008

Energy Audit Techniques and Renewable Energy Technician to begin in September 2009

OSHAWA, ON. – As part of its commitment to addressing the growing need for highly skilled professionals who are able to meet the market needs of the new energy sector, Durham College announced today the addition of two new programs under the umbrella of the School of Applied Sciences, Apprenticeship, Skilled Trades & Technology.

The one-year Energy Audit Techniques certificate program and the two-year Renewable Energy Technician diploma program are designed to respond to the increased demand for knowledgeable graduates who are highly trained in the areas of energy utilization and management; efficient and effective energy use; climate control; renewable energy systems; and cost control in the rapidly growing energy sector. Both programs will welcome their first classes of students this September.

“These innovative programs are a direct reflection of the growing need to address alternative energy sources and how they will be managed and maintained without negatively affecting the environment,” said Marj Rempel, dean of the School of Applied Sciences, Apprenticeship, Skilled Trades & Technology. “With the addition of these programs, we are speaking to the future of energy utilization, maintenance and management while demonstrating our commitment to the development of graduates who are ready to work in the existing energy sector.”

The Renewable Energy Technician program will introduce students to the field of renewable, sustainable and alternative energy solutions and help them develop a foundation for installing, repairing and maintaining renewable energy systems including solar and wind power and ground source heat pumps. The program offers two semesters of co-operative education and will position graduates to enter into interesting and challenging careers with energy or engineering consulting firms, government agencies and more.

Energy Audit Techniques is a one-year program focused on the changing world of energy utilization and management. Students will attain the skills required to assess the energy performance of residential, small commercial and industrial buildings while learning ways to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of systems related to energy use. The college’s state-of-the-art Skills Training Centre will accommodate the new programs as part of its 40,000-square-foot expansion plans, which also call for a retrofit of the entire Whitby campus to become a living laboratory for energy technologies and energy education.

“On behalf of everyone on campus, I would like to express how excited we are to launch these unique programs at Durham College,” said Don Lovisa, president, Durham College. “Developed to meet the increasing needs of the emerging energy sector in Durham Region and beyond, both programs will directly respond to the industry demand for graduates with skills in the renewable energy field. In addition, we are further supporting Durham Region’s growing reputation as the energy capital of Ontario by providing professionals who will greatly contribute to the growth of this sector and the regional economy.”

In the spring of 2007, several Durham College faculty members and administrative staff began engaging sector advisors in discussions regarding the employability of the college’s graduates from energy-related programs. These individuals determined that the high demand for auditors and technicians was expected to continue, creating the need for focused and specialized courses able to be flexible in design in order to respond to the ever-changing energy sector requirements.

The programs were approved by a program development focus group comprised of representatives from some of Ontario’s and Durham Region’s most influential and reputable energy groups and community associations, including the Durham Strategic Energy Alliance, the Regional Municipality of Durham and the Ontario Sustainable Energy Association. Several Durham College professors and administrative staff were also involved.

High-demand jobs in the energy sector are projected to continue to increase, with market dynamics in energy conservation and sustainable/renewable energy changing and developing faster than at any time in prior decades. Durham College’s Energy Audit Techniques and Renewable Energy Technician programs were developed with an increased emphasis on environmental awareness and have the potential to improve alternative energy generation and distribution, as well as energy service management.

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About Durham College
Durham College is the premier college in Canada for career-focused students who will succeed in a challenging, supporting and inclusive learning environment. Offering approximately 100 full-time market-driven programs and hundreds of part-time and continuing education courses, the college has provided students with access to exceptional teachers with real-world experience for more than 40 years. With a graduate employment rate of over 90 per cent and employer satisfaction rate of 95.6 per cent, Durham College gives students everything they need to obtain great careers and make a difference in the world. The college has more than 6,300 full-time students, thousands of part-time students and almost 1,600 apprentices. For more information, visit www.durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.2000.

Media contact:
Michelle Roebuck 
Communications and Marketing
Durham College
905.721.2000 ext. 2197
michelle.roebuck@durhamcollege.ca

 

Disclaimer: The contact information provided in archived news releases was current at the release date. For current information please contact Communications, Marketing and External Relations.

November 27, 2008

Students gain increased access to the latest in automotive technology

WHITBY, ON. – With an eye clearly focused on the road ahead, automotive students at Durham College moved out of the driver’s seat and under the hood today, thanks to the donation of a limited edition 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 500 from Chrysler Canada Inc.

Durham College faculty, staff and students joined representatives from Chrysler Canada Inc. at an event held at the college’s Whitby campus to unveil the donation and the unlimited learning opportunities it will provide to students enrolled in the college’s automotive programs.

“On behalf of everyone at Durham College, I would like to express my sincere thanks to Chrysler Canada for this wonderful equipment donation,” said Marj Rempel, dean of the School of Applied Sciences, Apprenticeship, Skilled Trades & Technology. “Thanks to Chrysler’s generosity and commitment to ensuring the students of today have access to the technology of tomorrow, Durham College students now have an increased opportunity to learn from the most up-to-date machinery offered by the automotive industry, enabling them to gain the hands-on skills and experience required to adeptly serve Ontario’s automotive sector post-graduation.”

The Challenger took an unusual route to Durham College as it was originally destined to be the last of 500 limited edition models produced for 2008. However, damage during assembly necessitated the production of another model No. 500, enabling Chrysler to donate the vehicle to the college.

The first-year collector’s edition Dodge Challenger SRT8 500 is reminiscent of the 1969 Dodge Charger 500 and is a testament to Dodge’s strong racing heritage. The Challenger SRT8 500 shares many of the attributes associated with Dodge’s racing heritage such as its HEMI performance, sure grip differential, performance brakes and unique performance exhaust, suspension and steering. The 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 500’s sprint is clocked at 0 to 60 m.p.h in less than five seconds.

All models feature a special 500 badge in both the front grille and instrument panel and all customers receive a unique Certificate of Authenticity. The Challenger SRT8 500 is powered by a 6.1-litre HEMI V-8 engine mated to a five-speed automatic transmission with AutoStick that boasts 425 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque. It also includes a wide range of high-tech equipment such as dual carbon-fibre hood stripes harkening back to the original Dodge Challenger; an AM/FM six-disc DVD MP3 radio; 13 speakers; Kicker SRT High Performance Audio; UConnect Hands-Free Communication; a security alarm; and a rear-view auto dim mirror with microphone.

The interior includes race-inspired leather seats with added bolstering and an exclusive orange accent stripe; exclusive stitched accents on the seats and steering wheel; four-bomb gauges with tachometer and speedometer in the centre and an SRT-exclusive reconfigurable display (RCD) with Performances Pages that provide drivers instant feedback on 0 to 100 km/h time, 100 to 0 km/h braking, G-forces and quarter-mile time.

“The demand and enthusiasm generated by the Dodge Challenger are unprecedented,” said Reid Bigland, president and chief executive officer of Chrysler Canada Inc. “We are honoured to donate one of today’s hottest cars in the business to the students and faculty at Durham College. These young people are the future of our retailer body in Canada.”

In addition to offering Durham College’s Automotive Service Technician apprenticeship and Motive Power Technician – Service and Management diploma programs, Durham College’s Whitby campus also houses the Skills Training Centre, which provides apprentices and post-secondary students in priority sectors with the critical skills and knowledge to drive personal success and economic growth in Durham Region and beyond. With 200,000 square feet of shop, class and student service space, the centre offers 17 apprenticeship programs – 11 of which are Red Seal designated. Currently, 1,600 apprentices are enrolled at the Whitby campus along with 120 Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) apprenticeship students.

A 40,000-square-foot expansion of the centre is also planned for the coming years including the launch of a new focus on energy comprised of industry-relevant programs and a retrofit of the centre in support of Durham Region’s energy leadership.

Students enrolled in the Automotive Service Technician and Motive Power Technician – Service and Management programs are training for a variety of careers in the automotive and transportation fields.

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About Durham College
Durham College is the premier college in Canada for career-focused students who will succeed in a challenging, supporting and inclusive learning environment. Offering approximately 80 full-time market-driven programs and hundreds of part-time and continuing education courses, the college has provided students with access to exceptional teachers with real-world experience for more than 40 years. With a graduate employment rate of over 90 per cent and employer satisfaction rate of 95.6 per cent, Durham College gives students everything they need to obtain great careers and make a difference in the world. The college has more than 6,100 full-time students, thousands of part-time students and almost 1,600 apprentices. For more information, visit www.durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.2000.

About the Dodge brand
The Dodge brand’s first crossover vehicle – the all-new 2009 Dodge Journey – is now available and is the number one selling crossover in Canada. Currently at dealerships in Canada is the full range 2009 Dodge Challenger lineup including a fuel efficient 3.5L V6 engine. Currently arriving at dealerships across Canada is the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram with game-changing exterior and interior design, innovations, best-in-class features and craftsmanship. With 35 new or improved features including the newest innovation, the Swivel ‘n Go seating system, the Dodge Grand Caravan continues to be the best-selling minivan in Canada.

Media contact: 

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

Jack G. Sulymka 
Chrysler Canada Inc.
905.821.6164 (office) 
416.884.7584 (cell) 
jgs1@chrysler.com

Daniel Labre 
Chrysler Canada Inc.
514.630.2587 (office) 
514.235.7512 (cell) 
dal20@chrysler.com

 

Disclaimer: The contact information provided in archived news releases was current at the release date. For current information please contact Communications, Marketing and External Relations.

November 20, 2008

Students gear up to ‘challenge’ themselves both inside and outside the classroom

WHITBY, ON. – Automotive students at Durham College will move out of the driver’s seat and under the hood next week when Chrysler Canada announces a generous equipment donation to the Skills Training Centre at the college’s Whitby campus.

Media are invited to join representatives from Chrysler Canada along with faculty, staff and students as details are unveiled about the donation and the role it will play in significantly increasing the hands-on training and on-the-job work experience available to students enrolled in the college’s automotive programs.

When:
Thursday, November 27
10 a.m.

Where: 
Durham College Whitby campus
1610 Champlain Avenue
Whitby, Ontario

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

For more information contact:
Allison Rosnak 
Communications and Marketing
Durham College 
905.721.2000 ext. 2333
allison.rosnak@durhamcollege.ca

 

Disclaimer: The contact information provided in archived news releases was current at the release date. For current information please contact Communications, Marketing and External Relations.

Ontario’s first female paramedic recognized for years of service to residents in northern Canada

OSHAWA, ON. – Durham College alumna Patricia O’Connor has made it her life’s work to help people in Canada’s far north receive health care, a career of service and dedication that has led her to become one of six recipients of the 2008 Ontario Premier’s Award. O’Connor has been named a recipient in the Health Sciences category and is only the fourth Durham College alumni to receive the prestigious award.

A 1976 Nursing graduate, O’Connor went on to became Ontario’s first female paramedic and part of its first air ambulance helicopter team after completing flight paramedic training in 1978. A pioneer of aero-medical services, she began work in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories (NWT) as a chief flight nurse for St. John Ambulance in 1985 and during that time established an air ambulance program in the NWT. In 1992, she founded Medflight Ltd., a medical air evacuation service for the more than 30,000 residents of western NWT and Nunavut’s Kitikmeot region. She is currently Medflight’s president, chief financial officer and owner.

“To be recognized for this prominent award is an absolute honour for me,” said O’Connor. “The quality learning experiences I received at Durham College while training to become a nurse led me to the pathway that has resulted in a successful career in health care.”

For more than two decades, O’Connor has been flying to remote villages in Canada’s far north, stabilizing patients in preparation for flights to receive medical treatment in Yellowknife. She has presented lectures across Canada and is a founding member of the Canadian Association of Aero-Medical Transport, a national organization for the development and promotion of aero-medical services in Canada.

Her passion for helping others knows no limits. In 1989, while en route to Pelly Bay, Nunavut to pick up a medevac patient, O’Connor’s plane crashed. While waiting to be rescued, she performed her nursing duties under extreme duress and received a commendation for her actions. She has also received an award of merit from St. John Ambulance, Priory of Canada, for aero-medical work in the NWT and the 2008 Durham College Alumna of Distinction award.

Most notably, O’Connor received an appointment to become a member of the Order of Canada in December 2007 for her contributions to paramedic care in Canada’s northern territories. The Order of Canada is the highest national honour a civilian can receive and recognizes a lifetime of outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation. There are four levels of recognition – Companion, Officer, Member and Non-Canadian (Honorary).

“On behalf of Durham College, I extend heartfelt congratulations to Patricia for this incredible achievement,” said Don Lovisa, president, Durham College. “Patricia’s outstanding career success is a testament to the remarkable reputation Durham College has developed for excellence in post-secondary education. The leadership role she has assumed in the health-care industry is an inspiration to our students and graduates.”

The Ontario Premier’s Awards for College Graduates honour the important social and economic contributions made by college graduates. Presented by the premier at the Association of Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology of Ontario’s annual conference, the awards acknowledge six outstanding graduates, one each from the areas of Business, Community Services, Creative Arts and Design, Health Sciences, Recent Graduate and Technology. The recipients are chosen from nominations submitted by Ontario’s 24 colleges. Award winners receive a medal designed by sculptor Dora de Pedery-Hunt and the graduating college receives a $5,000 bursary. This year’s class of award winners will be honoured February 23 at the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel in Toronto, Ontario.

About Durham College
Durham College is the premier college in Canada for career-focused students who will succeed in a challenging, supporting and inclusive learning environment. Offering approximately 80 full-time market-driven programs and hundreds of part-time and continuing education courses, the college has provided students with access to exceptional teachers with real-world experience for 40 years. With a graduate employment rate of over 90 per cent and employer satisfaction rate of 95.6 per cent, Durham College gives students everything they need to obtain great careers and make a difference in the world. The college has more than 6,100 full-time students, thousands of part-time students and almost 1,600 apprentices. For more information, visit www.durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.2000.

Media contact:
Melissa Levy
Communications and Marketing
Durham College
905.721.2000 ext. 2513
melissa.levy@durhamcollege.ca

November 6, 2008

Generosity of donors aids college in recognizing academic excellence

OSHAWA, ON. – Recognizing that success matters, Durham College will be honouring the academic excellence of more than 150 students when the college hosts its annual Fall Scholarship Ceremony on Thursday, November 13. There will be 159 in-course scholarships presented, valued at $117,500, to students from both the Oshawa and Whitby campuses for their outstanding achievements.

The annual event will bring together college representatives, award donors, students, their families and other guests in celebration and recognition of the awards made possible by the college, along with numerous individuals, organizations and corporate donors.

The Prosecutor’s Association of Ontario and the Canadian Institute for Non-Destructive Evaluation are the newest philanthropic organizations to join the college’s generous supporters, which also include General Motors of Canada, a donor since 1978; Patheon Incorporated Whitby Operations, with 25 years of giving; the Ontario Food Protection Association, a donor for 15 years; Durham College Alumni Association, a donor for 10 years; and fifth-year benefactors Aftershock Creative Incorporated, sponsors of the Dann Torena Memorial Award, and Jan Robinson, sponsor of the Shawn Simpson Memorial Award.

When:
Thursday, November 13
4 p.m. – Donor and scholarship recipient meet-and-greet
5 p.m. – Ceremony begins

Where: 
Durham College Oshawa campus
Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre
2000 Simcoe Street North
Oshawa, ON

Parking:
Enter off Simcoe Street North or Conlin Road and proceed to Founders 3 parking lot.

For more information contact:
Melissa Levy
Communications and Marketing
Durham College
905.721.2000 ext. 2513
Melissa.levy@durhamcollege.ca

 

Disclaimer: The contact information provided in archived news releases was current at the release date. For current information please contact Communications, Marketing and External Relations.

October 31, 2008

OSHAWA, ON. – In an effort to assist current and future students of Durham College’s dental programs, as well as enhancing the numerous dental services offered to the public, the college announced today the donation of a Periowave system by Ondine Biopharma Corporation to be used in the state-of-the-art Dental Clinic at the college’s Oshawa campus.

Faculty, staff and students of the Dental Hygiene programs in the Durham College School of Health & Community Services joined Vanessa Gossein, a registered dental hygienist and Periowave clinical trainer from Ondine Biopharma, as she demonstrated the various applications, uses and benefits of the $15,000 equipment donation.

“The donation of this instrument from Ondine Biopharma will not only benefit our students, but will also benefit the members of the community who take advantage of our many dental services,” said Susan Sproul, dean, School of Health & Community Services. “Our students now have another valuable tool in gaining experience with the latest in industry technology and will be able to offer even more specialized care to individuals who choose to receive affordable dental care through the college.”

The Periowave is a photodynamic disinfection system that uses a two-stage process to eliminate the harmful bacteria and enzymes that cause gum disease. Used during the cleaning of a patient’s teeth, the Periowave uses a gel that bonds to the bacteria in dental plaque. A non-thermal soft laser activates the gel and disinfects the bacteria without the use of antibiotics.

Durham College joins 17 other leading dental and hygiene schools from across Canada participating in the Ondine School Grant Program. This allows students to learn first-hand about the benefits of using the Periowave photodisinfection system as part of their regime for treating periodontal diseases.

The effects of the application have been shown to improve healing thereby reducing the chances of recurrent bouts of infection. Infected gums have been found to potentially worsen existing health problems including heart disease, respiratory disease, pre-term low birth weights and diabetes.

The Dental Hygiene program at Durham College offers numerous dental services at a reduced rate to adults and children in the community, including dental cleanings, X-rays, periodontal scaling, oral cancer screenings and fluoride treatments. Services are provided by first- and second-year students and supervised by registered dental hygienists and a dentist in the Dental Clinic, which is equipped with the latest technology.

In addition to enabling students to gain valuable hands-on training before graduation, these valuable community services provide an affordable option for quality care to those members of the public who do not have dental benefits.

The college’s Dental Clinic is open Monday to Friday with evening clinics offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The clinic fee for adults is $25 and it is $10 for children between the ages of five and 13. To make an appointment, call 905.721.3074.

Durham College currently offers high-quality dental programs focused on providing the market-ready skills and hands-on experience demanded by employers. The one-year Dental Assisting (Levels I and II) provides academic studies, clinical practice and field placement opportunities in a variety of dental-related roles, while the two-year Dental Hygiene program prepares students to practice dependently, interdependently and collaboratively with health-care professionals in a variety of practice settings.

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About Durham College
Durham College is the premier college in Canada for career-focused students who will succeed in a challenging, supporting and inclusive learning environment. Offering approximately 80 full-time market-driven programs and hundreds of part-time and continuing education courses, the college has provided students with access to exceptional teachers with real-world experience for more than 40 years. With a graduate employment rate of over 90 per cent and employer satisfaction rate of 95.6 per cent, Durham College gives students everything they need to obtain great careers and make a difference in the world. The college has more than 6,100 full-time students, thousands of part-time students and almost 1,600 apprentices. For more information, visit www.durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.2000.

Media contact: 
Michelle Roebuck
Communications and Marketing
Durham College

michelle.roebuck@durhamcollege.ca

 

Disclaimer: The contact information provided in archived news releases was current at the release date. For current information please contact Communications, Marketing and External Relations.

October 28, 2008

Gift will assist dental programs; provide additional services to public

OSHAWA, ON. – Media are invited to join the School of Health and Community Services, as well as a representative from Ondine Biopharma Corporation at the Durham College Dental Clinic this Friday when Ondine will make a donation to the college’s dental programs that will greatly benefit students and the public. The announcement will include specific details of the donation and a tour of the state-of-the-art clinic and labs.

Second-year students of Durham College’s Dental Hygiene program offer numerous dental services to members of the community, providing an affordable and professional service to individuals who do not have dental benefits. These services are supervised by registered dental hygienists and a dentist in the college’s facility, which is equipped with the latest technology.

When:
Friday, October 31
3:30 p.m.

Where: 
Durham College Oshawa campus
Dental Clinic
Gordon Willey building, Room SW107
2000 Simcoe Street North
Oshawa, Ont.

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

For more information contact:
Michelle Roebuck
Communications and Marketing
Durham College

michelle.roebuck@durhamcollege.ca

 

Disclaimer: The contact information provided in archived news releases was current at the release date. For current information please contact Communications, Marketing and External Relations.

October 17, 2008

Current and future students of Durham College’s Court and Tribunal Agent/Paralegal program and Court and Tribunal Agent graduate certificate program will have additional opportunities upon graduation now that the college has been accredited by the Law Society of Upper Canada (LSUC).

This prestigious accreditation gives graduates the opportunity to take an exam in order to become a licensed paralegal with the society. Durham College is just the sixth college in Canada to receive accreditation from the oldest and largest of all the country’s law organizations.

“With this accreditation, Durham College offers students a competitive advantage in studying towards entering this profession,” said Stephanie Ball, dean of the School of Justice & Emergency Services. “The LSUC advertises only accredited programs on its website, so potential students looking to obtain information understand the importance of this designation and can choose accordingly. This is a strong endorsement of our programs and supports the professionalization of the paralegal field.”

In order to receive accreditation, the college had to submit resumes from each member of the programs’ teaching faculty. The application was delivered in June and accreditation was received in July, confirming that graduates of the programs will have met the competencies required by the society. The programs were also required to include, at a minimum, certain fundamental courses that cover the essential elements of procedural and substantive practice as well as ethical and responsible practice.

As a result of this designation, these programs will be subject to audits by the LSUC every five years, beginning within the first three years of accreditation.

The accreditation has significant benefits for the college’s one-year Court and Tribunal Agent graduate certificate program, the only one of its kind in Ontario. Individuals who already hold a related law degree, diploma or three to five years of related work experience are able to enter the program and complete the paralegal licensing exam following graduation.

The Court and Tribunal Agent/Paralegal two-year diploma program and the graduate certificate program are designed to provide students with the specialized knowledge and skills required to work as paralegals, also known as court and tribunal agents. Paralegals and court and tribunal agents can represent individuals at administrative tribunals, small claims court and in provincial court for provincial offences and summary conviction matters.

 

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