July 28, 2009

World’s most romantic city to host annual fundraiser for student scholarships and bursaries

OSHAWA, ON. – On Friday, September 18, business leaders, community partners and special guests are invited to visit the most romantic city in the world as Venice, Italy plays host to the Durham College and University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) 2009 Legacy Gala.

Known for its canals, beautiful streets, stone walkways and cafes, Venice is home to several historical landmarks including Ponte di Rialto, Palazzo Ducale, Ponte dei Sospiri and Piazza San Marco (St. Mark’s Square) – the inspiration behind the 2009 gala’s silent auction.

Guests will watch as the historic charm and lure of Venice’s watery landscape comes to life through masquerade, music, a live auction, dancing and wine tasting.

Co-hosted by Ida and Tony Albis, the event will take place at Tosca Banquet Hall beginning at 5:30 p.m. with the silent auction, drinks and hors d’oeuvres, followed by an authentic Venetian dinner, entertainment and more.

Held each September to raise funds for the college’s and university’s scholarship and bursary programs, the Legacy Gala also increases awareness about post-secondary students’ need for financial assistance while acknowledging the generous contributions of community members and local businesses. More than $1 million in total has been raised through the annual event, with last year’s gala raising more than $250,000.

Sponsorship opportunities, including silent and live auction donations, are still available for businesses, organizations and individuals interested in participating and helping to build a legacy of opportunities for post-secondary students.

For more information on how to contribute to or attend the 2009 Legacy Gala, please contact Pamela Dunn, event co-ordinator at 905.721.2000 ext. 2278.

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About Durham College
At Durham College, the student experience comes first, an approach it has taken for more than 40 years. Through a vast range of market-driven programs that are taught by exceptional professors with real-world experience, students develop the skills required to meet the ever-changing needs of employers and the job market. Moving forward, Durham College’s expansion plans will see its Whitby campus grow by 40,000 square feet including the construction of an energy-neutral living laboratory for new technologies and education that will serve the growing needs of the emerging energy sector. The expansion will also provide new opportunities for skilled trades training, an area vitally important to Ontario’s ability to grow and prosper in the years ahead. Durham College has more than 6,300 full-time students, thousands of part-time students and more than 1,400 apprentices. 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

 

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.

April 7, 2009

Latest KPI results show college continues to provide students with market-ready skills

Durham College students are continuing to graduate with the market-ready skills needed to find jobs and are impressing their new employers, according to the latest Key Performance Indicator (KPI) survey results of Ontario colleges.

The results show 86.5 per cent of Durham College students found employment within six months of graduation in 2008, while 92.3 per cent of employers indicated they were satisfied or very satisfied with their decisions to hire Durham College graduates. The KPI surveys have been mandated annually by the provincial government since 1998 and require colleges to collect and report performance data in the areas of graduate satisfaction, student satisfaction, employer satisfaction, graduate employment and graduation rate.

“These results are reflective of our commitment to ensuring all our programs are developed and regularly reviewed with input from industry leaders so that our students have the knowledge and practical skills to obtain rewarding careers,” said Don Lovisa, president of Durham College. “In addition to our market-relevant programs, our professors bring years of industry experience to the classroom and our students have opportunities to gain real-world skills through co-op placements and internships, all of which puts our graduates in demand.”

The KPIs are just one of the valuable tools employed by the college in its commitment to student success. Based on KPI results over the past few years, Durham College introduced a number of new initiatives designed to enhance the student experience, such as increased space for group study, additional health and wellness services and increased opportunities for student feedback during the program review process.

Student success is at the heart of all the college’s activities. From a first-year co-ordinator dedicated to helping new students adjust to college life, to learning and career services, financial assistance, a centre for students with disabilities, diversity office and extensive health and wellness resources, Durham College offers a wealth of services to support students in and out of the classroom, so they can find success and graduate with the skills needed to obtain great careers and make a difference in the world.

The following are Durham College’s KPI results in the survey’s five benchmark areas:

Category	Durham College	Provincial average
Graduate satisfaction	80	82.7
Graduate employment	86.5	88.9
Employer satisfaction	92.3	93.3
Student satisfaction	77.3	78.4
Graduation rate	64.6	64.4

To view the full KPI results, visit the Colleges Ontario website.

March 31, 2009

New stage in storied history begins as college’s fifth president takes the helm

Aileen Fletcher, left, chair of the Durham College Board of Governors, and College Professor Kevin Dougherty help Don Lovisa into the presidential gown, as part of Lovisa’s official installation as Durham College president. 

OSHAWA, ON. – Durham College students, faculty, staff and alumni, along with community and business partners and distinguished guests, gathered together today at the college’s Oshawa campus for the official installation of President Don Lovisa.

The ceremony, which formally recognized Lovisa as the fifth president in Durham College’s history, was presided over by Aileen Fletcher, chair of the Durham College Board of Governors. Lovisa brings more than two decades of post-secondary leadership to his new role, accumulated during a distinguished career at Durham College and Confederation College in Northern Ontario.

“On behalf of the Board of Governors and the entire college community it is my pleasure to officially welcome Don Lovisa to the role of president of Durham College,” said Fletcher. “The college has a long-standing tradition of excellence in post-secondary education and an unwavering commitment to student success. It is with complete confidence that the board entrusts Don to uphold our rich history while creating a bright future filled with new opportunities – both here in Durham Region and beyond.”

In addition to the many members of the academic community in attendance, Lovisa was celebrated by distinguished leaders from Durham Region and across the province. After Fletcher bestowed the official gold and green presidential gown and administered the presidential oath, Lovisa delivered his installation address focusing on his visions and goals for the college’s future.

“I am honoured that the Board of Governors has placed its trust and confidence in me to lead Durham College during this time in our history,” said Lovisa. “Through our post-secondary programs, retraining services and flexibility in meeting different learning needs, Durham College will continue to meet the requirements of all learners and make a positive impact on the economic and social development of Durham Region and beyond. We will continue to provide hope, solutions and opportunities to men and women who unexpectedly find themselves out of work and at a crossroads in their lives, secondary students with dreams fuelled by imagination and wonder and lifelong learners who want to continue to better themselves through education.”

Lovisa’s academic experience includes 20 years at Confederation College where he managed a number of significant projects while serving in executive and leadership roles, including dean of the School of Business, Hospitality and Media Arts, dean of the School of Access and Literacy and campus manager of a satellite campus location. In addition, he has worked internationally, consulting and providing training and teaching in the areas of globalization, market-driven economic transition, international trade and entrepreneurship and business development.

Lovisa came to Durham College in July 2007. As vice-president, Academic, he provided leadership for several key initiatives focused on quality assurance, academic policy development and academic restructuring. Although officially installed as president today, Lovisa has been serving in the role since May 2008, first on an interim basis and then when the Board of Governors unanimously selected him as president following an exhaustive national search of candidates across all educational sectors. In addition to his dedication to post-secondary education, Lovisa has been actively involved with various community initiatives working with both school boards and chambers of commerce.

“The number-one measurement of our success is our graduates and their success in the marketplace and in life,” added Lovisa. “That means as a Durham College graduate, our students will join a privileged group that enjoys greater access to skilled jobs and increased opportunities for career advancement.”

To read a full copy of Lovisa’s presidential address please click here.

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.

March 27, 2009

Visit emphasizes college’s commitment to boosting local and provincial economies through the training of highly skilled professionals able to transfer directly into workforce 

March 24, 2009

23-year post-secondary veteran to lead next chapter in college’s history

OSHAWA, ON. – Durham College will welcome community and business partners, academic colleagues, students, faculty, staff and alumni to campus next week as the Durham College Board of Governors officially installs Don Lovisa as its fifth president.

Lovisa brings a wealth of post-secondary experience to the college including a distinguished 20-year career at Confederation College in Thunder Bay, Ontario where he managed a number of significant projects while serving in executive and leadership roles.

After spending more than two decades in northern Ontario, Lovisa came to Durham Region in July 2007 when he joined Durham College as vice-president, Academic. In that role he provided leadership for several key initiatives focused on quality assurance, academic policy development and academic restructuring.

In addition to his comprehensive educational experience, he also has extensive community involvement working with chambers of commerce, school boards and more.

Lovisa is preceded in the role of president by Dr. Gordon Willey, Mel Garland, Dr. Gary Polonsky and Leah Myers.

When:
Tuesday, March 31
3:30 p.m.

Where:
Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre gymnasium
Durham College
2000 Simcoe Street North
Oshawa, Ontario

Parking:
Enter off Conlin Road and proceed to Founders 3 parking lot.

For more information 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.

March 13, 2009

On-site academic advisor offers free one-on-one service designed to improve educational, training and employment opportunities

OSHAWA, ON. – In an effort to assist internationally trained immigrants in finding meaningful employment that matches their skills and experience, Durham College is now offering critical resources and services through the Colleges Integrating Immigrants to Employment (CIITE) project. Each year, thousands of men and women arrive in Ontario with global training and skills that are valuable to the province’s workforce, yet many of them are not employed within their field due to numerous barriers.

“The CIITE project is an essential resource, not only for internationally trained professionals seeking employment, but also for colleges from across the country to help improve the nation’s economy by providing more access to education,” said Mary Blanchard, Durham College dean, School of Communication, Language & General Studies. “We are pleased to offer this service and look forward to the opportunity to help immigrants settle in their new environment and find rewarding careers that reflect their skills and experience.”

Through CIITE, Durham College offers a wide range of services intended to improve educational, training and employment opportunities, including one-on-one advising; customized solutions; information specific to Durham Region; and a centralized point of contact. Weekly information sessions are now being held Fridays at 10:30 a.m. at the Oshawa campus in Room B299 of the Gordon Willey building.

In addition, an on-campus advisor is available to discuss and explore academic options; credential assessment; employment opportunities; language and professional skill enhancement; and referrals to community resources and services. To make an appointment, call 905.721.2000 ext. 2020 or e-mail itiadvisor@durhamcollege.ca.

In June 2008, Ontario’s Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration allocated $5.3 million to the CIITE project. The funding supports upgrading the capabilities of Ontario’s colleges to help immigrants find employment quickly. Each year almost 15,000 immigrants apply to full-time college programs and well over 40,000 enrol in continuing education courses.

The CIITE project is another example of Durham College’s commitment to providing quality programs and services that are aimed at assisting individuals in finding good jobs that lead to productive citizenship. This in turn helps boost the Durham Region, Ontario and national economy through a highly skilled workforce.

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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
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.

March 3, 2009

OSHAWA, ON – Durham College and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) will be thinking pink next week as they join in the fight against breast cancer and kick off the fourth annual Power of Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Day on campus.

The day-long event, which will see faculty, staff and students dress themselves and their schools in pink, will feature unique fundraising endeavours including bake sales, silent auctions, a fashion show and prize draws, all in support of breast cancer research. In addition, a jail-and-bail event will see Durham College and UOIT staff members take part in a mock trial that requires bail money to be raised for their release. The money raised will be put toward the overall campaign. At the end of the day, participants will be recognized for the most funds raised and most educational and creative campaigns.

The South Wing hallway in the Gordon Willey building will feature a Memory Wall dedicated to the memory of loved ones lost to the disease, representatives from the R.S. McLaughlin Durham Regional Cancer Centre offering tips for early breast cancer detection and more.

Information kiosks outlining the various events happening on campus will be set up in the Founding Deans Atrium of the UOIT Science building and near the main entrance of the Gordon Willey building.

The proceeds from this year’s campaign will be donated to the Ontario chapter of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and the R.S. McLaughlin Durham Regional Cancer Centre in Oshawa. Last year’s event raised more than $12,000.

When:
Wednesday, March 11
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Photo opportunity: 
Durham College and UOIT campus community participating in unique pink-themed fundraisers including bake sales, silent auctions, a jail-and-bail event, breast cancer awareness displays and more.

Where:
Durham College and UOIT
Founding Deans Atrium, UOIT Science building and South Wing hallway and main entrance, Gordon Willey building
2000 Simcoe Street North
Oshawa, Ontario

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

For more information: 
Michelle Roebuck 
Communications and Marketing
905.721.2000 ext. 2197 
michelle.roebuck@dc-uoit.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.

February 24, 2009

Information technology (IT) students looking to become the next Larry Page, Sergey Brin or Mark Zuckerberg will now have a chance to take their computer skills to the next level, thanks to two agreements between Durham College and Trent University.

The first is a renewal of a previous agreement between the college’s Computer Systems Technology (formerly known as Computer Science Technology) program and Trent. The second is a new agreement involving Durham College’s Computer Programmer Analyst program.

Both agreements will enable students to obtain a three-year advanced college diploma and a four-year university degree in as little as five years with students who have a minimum grade point average of 3.5 (75 per cent) receiving advanced standing in Trent’s Bachelor of Science (BSc) (Honours) – Computing and Information Systems degree program.

“These agreements represent significant new pathways for college students to advance their post-secondary education and are a true reflection of Durham College’s commitment to ensuring that the student experience comes first,” said Judy Spring, dean of the Durham College School of Business, IT & Management. “We realize that many of our students recognize the advantages that come with earning both a diploma and a degree and we’re pleased to create these new opportunities to make that goal as seamless as possible.”

Advanced standing for the programs is equivalent to two full years of study and graduates of the Computer Systems Technology program will be given the opportunity to pursue a Computer Science specialization, while graduates of the Computer Programmer Analyst program will be able to choose Computer Science or Software Engineering specializations.

The BSc program teaches students to design, implement and integrate software applications for any number of hardware devices, from supercomputers to game boards. Students use the latest theories, methodologies and techniques to ensure that applications are correct, well-written and reliable. Graduates go on to pursue careers as website developers, network managers, software engineers, database administrators and more.

“Over the years, the articulation agreements with our educational partner at Durham College have provided the Department of Computing & Information Systems at Trent University with a wellspring of motivated students,” said Brian G. Patrick, chair of the Department of Computing & Information Systems at Trent. “With our new programs and specializations in place, we look forward to continuing and strengthening this mutually beneficial relationship. It is indeed a win-win-win situation for our students, our faculty and our university.

Computer Systems Technology students are trained to plan, implement and analyze IT solutions based on operating systems, networking technologies and computer programming languages. They go on to careers in network and computer system administration and as network security analysts, data centre administrators and network support technologists.

The Computer Programmer Analyst program offers detailed study of current and emerging information technologies, systems methodologies and application programming, all built upon a solid foundation of business expertise. Graduates go on to pursue careers in database development/support, software support, application development, systems analyst/design, user support, Internet development, e-commerce and more.

The agreements are the latest in a series between Durham College and Trent that reflect the college’s commitment to deliver effective and seamless pathways into, during and beyond college. Additional agreements exist between the college’s Environmental Technology program and Trent’s Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Resource Studies program and the college’s General Arts and Science program, which allow students to transfer credits toward Trent’s Bachelor of Arts degree program.

Both agreements are effective immediately with the first intake of students expected in September 2009. Students who take advantage of these unique opportunities will be able to continue their studies at Trent’s main campus in Peterborough, Ontario where the full Computing and Information Systems curriculum is offered.

To learn more, students can visit the School of Business, IT & Management’s office located in Room C223 of the Gordon Willey building at Durham College’s Oshawa campus. For information on additional agreement opportunities available through the college, please visit www.durhamcollege.ca/EN/main/current_students/transferguide.php.

February 17, 2009

Highly interactive murder mystery exercise just one part of national Educational Developers Caucus to be held on campus

OSHAWA, ON. – The death of movie icon Marilyn Monroe has remained a mystery since 1962; it’s one that Durham College hopes to solve when faculty and curriculum developers from across Canada investigate her death as part of the Educational Developers Caucus (EDC) Annual Winter Conference, Facilitating Change, being held on campus February 23 to 25.

One of two pre-conference sessions, the murder mystery event is designed to provide participants with multiple opportunities to learn first-hand about the latest in cutting-edge educational technology while exploring the facts and rumours surrounding Monroe’s death. Participants of the daylong session will be separated into three groups and set to the tasks of collecting evidence; interviewing Monroe’s housekeeper and psychiatrist, Joe DiMaggio Jr., the coroner and a mafia informant; and contributing to a collective website that will showcase their findings. The day will conclude with Monroe offering her ‘final words’ from a hospital bed in the college’s Interprofessional Centre of Excellence in Simulation. One of the college’s high-tech interactive teaching simulators will play the role of Monroe.

“We look forward to welcoming our colleagues from near and far so we can share Durham College’s experiences and leadership in the use of high-tech educational tools to maximize post-secondary learning,” said Chris Hinton, director of the college’s Innovation Centre. “Our murder mystery is a great way to demonstrate the tools available to educators and is just one part of a busy conference that will bring together leaders from across the country to share knowledge and best practices.”

Durham is the only college in EDC history to ever host the conference without the partnership of a university, and will bring together more than 100 individuals who work as educational developers in post-secondary institutions across Canada. Attendees will be exposed to more than 35 sessions presented by leading developers. The conference will also facilitate networking and communication between future, new and seasoned educational developers; profile developments, in the education sector; afford professional development opportunities; and provide a forum to exchange ideas, issues and concerns emerging in the field.

Where: 
Durham College Interprofessional Centre of Excellence in Simulation
Gordon Willey building, South Wing Room 207

When:
Monday, February 23, 2009
3:30 p.m.

Parking:
Enter off Simcoe Street and proceed to Commencement Lot 1.

For more information contact: 
Melissa Levy
Communications and Marketing
905.721.2000 ext. 2513
905.213.2735 (contact number during the event)
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.

January 28, 2009

College has plans to expand facilities, add more spaces

OSHAWA, ON. – Durham College is welcoming yesterday’s budget and looks forward to partnering with the federal government on many of the new funding initiatives and programs designed to revitalize the economy.

The budget includes a number of measures that will make an impact on colleges, including a commitment of $12 billion for new infrastructure and $2 billion for deferred maintenance and repairs at colleges and universities. In budget documents and at a post-budget speech given by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty in Whitby today, the college’s environmentally progressive expansion plans for its Whitby campus were used as an example of the type of project that will be targeted by the new funding. The college is also encouraged by the budget’s allotment of new funds to bolster the skilled trades given its long history in apprenticeship training.

“Durham College is particularly pleased to see the budget recognizes the important role that colleges have to play in helping our economy recover quickly and ensuring displaced and laid-off workers can find a path toward meaningful and long-term careers,” said Don Lovisa, president of Durham College. “These dollars are an investment in communities such as Durham Region, which has been particularly impacted by the challenges of the automotive sector. We believe Durham College is ideally positioned to work with the government on these new initiatives and provide new opportunities for so many of our neighbours who find themselves out of work through no fault of their own.”

Durham College is currently moving ahead with Phase 1 of its forward-thinking expansion plan that will see the Whitby campus become a living laboratory for new energy technologies and education designed to serve the growing needs of the energy sector while providing new opportunities for skilled trades training, an area vitally important to Canada’s ability to grow and prosper in the years ahead. The expansion plans call for 20,000 square feet of new space in Phase 1 and 40,000 sq. ft. in all; a suite of new programs focused on new-energy careers; a retrofit of the campus itself to become energy efficient and energy producing; an innovation incubator for new energy; and access to faculty expertise and campus equipment to help alternative power inventors and innovators bring their ideas from concept to prototype.

“We are very excited about the announcement of new funds for infrastructure projects and look forward to learning more details moving forward,” said Lovisa. “We believe our expansion is the type of project that the federal government is counting on to help Canada regain its economic footing. It will create hundreds of new spaces for men and women to pursue retraining and post-secondary and apprenticeship programs. It will also serve as a beacon for environmental stewardship in Durham Region and across the country.”

In addition to the infrastructure funding, the maintenance and repair dollars outlined in the budget are also encouraging to Durham College as it has a number of older buildings on campus in need of renewal.

The budget comes on the heels of a pre-budget presentation made to MPs in Ottawa, Ontario last week. The presentation, given by Durham College and three other colleges located in automotive manufacturing communities that have been particularly hard hit by layoffs and plant closures, sent the message that an investment in college infrastructure projects and retraining opportunities could play a significant role in helping laid-off workers transition to new careers in several growing areas of the economy.

Other college-related budget highlights include:

• An increase of $1 billion over two years in funding for training delivered through the Employment Insurance program;
• An investment of $500 million over two years in a Strategic Training and Transition Fund to support the particular needs of individuals who do not qualify for EI training, such as the self-employed or those who have been out of work for a prolonged period of time;
• $40 million a year to launch the $2,000 Apprenticeship Completion Grant, which will directly support the need for more skilled tradespeople; and
• Support for older workers and their families through an additional $60 million over three years for the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers, along with an expansion to workers in small cities.

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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:
Tony Doyle
Communications and Marketing
Durham College
905.721.2000 ext. 2209
tony.doyle@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.