Have you noticed the automated external defibrillators (AED) placed throughout the campus? Would you know how to use one of them to save a life?

Earlier this month, in recognition of National Nursing Week, professors from Durham College’s (DC) and Ontario Tech University’s collaborative Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) program took their AED simulator around campus to offer training to faculty members, employees and students. They also demonstrated the proper use of naloxone kits, which can save the life of someone experiencing an opioid overdose.

“We care about the health of Ontarians, and that means creating opportunities across the campus and the province for teaching and learning,” explained Dr. Sue Coffey, a professor in the collaborative program. “There’s a lot of basic first aid and intervention that can help the public make a difference.”

The demonstrations gave the campus community a glimpse into a career that plays a critical role in our health system. It’s never been more important to encourage people to enter the nursing profession, according to BScN professor Leslie Graham.

“We’re in a critical shortage of nurses,” Graham said. “We really encourage people to come to our Open Houses and see if nursing is a career that they would like.”

DC is leading the way in preparing the next generation of nurses, both in collaboration with Ontario Tech on the BScN program and on its own with programs like Practical Nursing and Critical Care Nursing.

“We provide high quality education in all of our programs,” said Dr. Coffey.

A high-pressure career at the best of times, nursing was significantly impacted by the strain of the pandemic. Some nurses retired early or switched careers, and replacing them isn’t easy, according to Dr. Arlene de la Rocha, another professor in the collaborative program.

“We almost always feel like we’re playing catch up. We can’t quite get enough people working, we can’t quite get enough people educated and through a program,” she said.

Whatever injury or illness brings a person to the hospital, nurses are there to provide skilled and compassionate care. Whether directing new arrivals in the emergency department or comforting patients and their family members, it’s a job that takes a physical and emotional toll every day.

“It is the art and science, the caring they bring to that patient but also that skill level, that high degree of thinking and critical judgment that they need to demonstrate,” said Dr. de la Rocha.

DC’s programs and professors are doing their part to ensure Durham Region, Ontario and Canada at large have an abundance of qualified and passionate nurses.

Durham College (DC) continues to graduate some of the best Project Management students in the province.

That was proven once again at the Ontario Project Management Competition (OPMC) on May 6 at the Ted Rogers School of Management in Toronto. Up against tough competition in a field of 11 colleges and universities, DC’s team of five students and two faculty members finished third.

It was another stellar showing for DC at the event, after finishing first in 2021 and 2022.

“It’s really a feather in the cap of DC, because it’s saying that we are one of the top project management programs province-wide,” said Mark Lewis, a faculty member who served as a coach for the team. “It’s a good selling point for our program.”

The OPMC challenges students to demonstrate the knowledge and skills needed to be successful project managers. They are tasked with shepherding a project from beginning to end and then presenting it to a panel of industry judges.

“The students get to showcase their work and what they have learned at DC. It’s a great confidence builder,” said Lewis. “And an excellent opportunity for them to network and meet other people in the project management business.”

The projects must align with two or more of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. DC’s project, a website prototype called ‘DC Food Matters,’ addresses food insecurity and provides information on key initiatives like food literacy, sustainable urban agriculture, food bank access and health and wellness.

The DC team consisted of international students from India, the Philippines and the United States.

“We recognized food insecurity as one of the biggest challenges our generation faces today,” explained one member of the team, Manuel de Guzman.

The students credited Lewis, as well as program coordinator Sylvie Edwards and professor Elaine Catell for guiding them to success, both at the competition and in the classroom.

“We’re grateful for our professors. We have really learned a lot from them and we’re thankful for their support and guidance,” said Christine Wage, another team member. “We would recommend the Project Management graduate certificate program for aspiring project managers. It’s a great way to learn and provides an opportunity to jumpstart your career.”

Scores of young Black male students experienced a life-changing day at Durham College (DC) on May 25.

400 students in Grades 7 to 10 from the Durham District School Board (DDSB) visited the Oshawa campus for The Cypher: Black Male Empowerment Conference. DC was proud to host the event, which is designed to provide Black boys with the knowledge and resources to overcome systemic barriers and achieve their full potential. Attendees met and learned from entrepreneurs, community leaders, educators and other role models.

The full day of activities included speeches, a community networking market, science experiments, engineering simulations and more. There was also fun to be had with basketball, sketching and a jam session. Workshops covered a wide range of subjects, from physical fitness to money management. The students also had the chance to get to know DC by touring the campus and exploring a range of programs and opportunities beyond high school.

The day’s master of ceremonies was a prime example of The Cypher’s life-changing potential. De-Mario Knowles attended the event as a Grade 9 student in 2019, where poet Randell Adjei was a guest speaker. Inspired, Knowles developed a passion for poetry and public speaking.

“The Cypher really helped me lay the foundation that allowed me to thrive and reach where I am today,” he said. “As a Black individual, it’s nice to see that there’s an event for people like me to develop their skills, and network with people, and see that they matter and their characteristics are beautiful.”

As the event got underway, a number of guest speakers addressed the students, including DC’s chief administrative officer, Dr. Scott Blakey. Though their messages differed, they all recognized the limitless potential in the young Black men.

“Some of you are makers, all of you are doers, many of you are dreamers,” said Camille Williams-Taylor, DDSB director of education, who emphasized that everyone in the audience was in a supportive and welcoming space. “Each of you is a genius. Some of you haven’t realised your genius yet, but your genius today, in this space, is assumed. You do not have to prove it.”

A highlight of the day was a Q&A with keynote speaker Boi-1da. The Grammy-winning record producer enthralled the crowd with stories of working with Drake, Rihanna, Jay-Z and more of the biggest names in music. But the Toronto native acknowledged his humble beginnings, and stressed that the path he took to success is open to anyone who works hard and believes in themselves.

“Nothing is unrealistic,” he said. “Whatever it is that you’re passionate about, stick to it. If you don’t love what you’re doing, and if you don’t put your all into what you’re doing, you’re not going to get the results.”

With plenty of opportunities ahead of them, DC might see some of the students again when they begin their own post-secondary journeys in the near future.

Event held in brand-new EV lab at DC’s Whitby campus

Durham College (DC) welcomed more than 540 participants to its new, leading-edge EV lab for an exclusive two-day battery electric vehicle (EV) training event hosted by General Motors (GM). Four half-day sessions were held on May 24 and 25 to provide hands-on training to first responders to learn how to respond to emergency situations involving EVs.

Participants included first responders and community partners, faculty members and 30 students from DC’s Firefighter – Pre-Service Education and Training program. The opportunity provided students the chance to network with industry experts as well as gain valuable experience in a growing field.

“Our primary goal is to provide key information directly to first and second responders,” said Joe McLaine, GM global product safety and systems engineer, and leader of the training effort. “This training offers unique material and hands-on experiences that can help increase responders’ awareness of procedures to help maintain safety while interacting with EVs during the performance of their duties.” 

The event was hosted in DC’s brand-new EV Lab – a state-of-the-art facility uniquely designed in a multi-purpose, modular format that allows students to gain hands-on experience with EVs and their electrical and computer programming components. The lab features advanced equipment that enables DC to offer more in-depth training on the battery aspect of EVs – including their handling, testing and rebuilding – an area the college anticipates will see a growth in industry demands as the number of EVs increase.

“As more Canadians make the switch to electric vehicles, Durham College is proud to be one of only a few Ontario colleges with a dedicated EV Lab that will lead the way for future automotive professionals to effectively respond to evolving industry needs,” said Don Lovisa, president, DC. “We’re pleased to host General Motors for this unique training and explore further opportunities to leverage our leading-edge facilities.”

Today, Durham College (DC) acknowledges the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, which draws attention to the ongoing violence and discrimination that is still a reality for members of the two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex and asexual (2SLGBTQQIA+) community.

At Durham College, we stand with members of the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community and reaffirm our commitment that everyone has the right to be safe and feel that they belong, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. In recognition and support of this day and our 2SLGBTQQIA+ community, we have raised the progressive pride flag at both our Oshawa and Whitby campuses.

This year’s global theme – Together Always: United in Diversity – celebrates the many sexual and gender diversities and underscores the power of solidarity, community and allyship across different identities, movements and borders.

Join us in standing against homophobia, transphobia and biphobia and ensuring that Durham College remains a safe, welcoming and inclusive space for everyone.

Over 800 visitors flocked to Durham College (DC) on Monday, May 8 for Film Durham’s Film and Television Industry Career Fair.

DC students, local high school students and curious community members filled the gym at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre to learn about all of the careers behind the camera in Ontario’s booming film industry.

By hosting the event, DC helps students build their networks by connecting them with industry professionals, while promoting the programs we offer that can help prepare them for a career in filmmaking.

The event kicked off with a panel discussion. After that, the guests were free to visit the booths and interactive displays filled with information on all the important elements of film production, from costume design and hair and makeup to prop creation and animation. 

Unions like the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) and the International Alliance of Stage Employees (IATSE) were also present to provide more information about what a career in the arts is like.

“Creating a movie or TV series requires a broad range of skills and interests and provides many well-paying, high-quality film jobs,” said Eileen Kennedy, film/tv specialist at Invest Durham. “These events allow a sharing of information and experiences between Film Durham and the students, which enhances their knowledge of the film and television industry and filmmaking in general.”

A number of productions have been filmed in Durham Region in recent years, including popular titles like Schitt’s Creek, The Handmaid’s Tale, Umbrella Academy, American Gods and more. With more films and series entering production every year, the opportunities are practically limitless.

Costume designer Tova Harrison was excited to share her experience with the attendees as she displayed costumes from two projects she has worked on: The Woman King and Star Trek: Discovery.

“It’s important that people at this age know what the possibilities are. The more knowledge the better, and events like this are great for that,” she said. 

DC has a number of programs that can help prepare students for a career in filmmaking, and hosting the event was a great opportunity to promote them according to Edin Ibric, a professor in the Faculty of Media, Art and Design.

“You see how hungry the students are for the knowledge to get into the industry, to gain some experience or at least some direction in terms of where to potentially go to be whatever it is they want to be,” he said. “If we see there’s a good fit with what we’re offering at DC, then it’s a great opportunity to talk about those courses and programs.”

Everything Durham College (DC) has to offer was on display during Program Information Nights this week.

The doors of our Oshawa and Whitby campuses were open on Tuesday and Thursday, respectively, to welcome in scores of visitors. Some were students who had already committed to DC and were eager to get a look at their future home, while others were still trying to decide where their college journey would take them.

Attendees had a lot to see and do during the event. Many got an early glimpse into life at DC by speaking to a variety of student services representatives. They also took the opportunity to explore our state-of-the-art facilities on campus tours.

Getting a feel for the Whitby campus was a priority for Marcus Cuaresma, a new student in the Mechanical Technician – Millwright program.

“I liked getting a feel for the facility and how big it is,” he said. “I want to make sure I start strong in the fall and get my career path on track.”

For those who had questions about their program of choice, representatives from all of DC’s Faculties were on hand to provide all the answers.

When all was said and done, more than 70 students had applied to attend DC, walking out with a new DC sweatshirt to help show their #DCpride. With everyone working together to show how DC is leading the way as a post-secondary destination, both nights were a resounding success.

“It was very helpful,” said Reed Schofield, who will enter the Trade Fundamentals program this fall. “I’m excited to be here.”

Students from across the province put their abilities to the test at the 2023 Skills Ontario Competition this week, which was held over the course of three days at the Toronto Congress Centre.

Thousands of elementary, secondary and post-secondary students took part in the event, including 29 Durham College (DC) students who competed in 14 categories at the competition. A wide range of disciplines were represented, from aesthetics and culinary arts to auto service and carpentry. In each category, they brought all of their skills and experience to bear on the different challenges set before them.

On Wednesday, the attendees and their supporters filled the convention hall to capacity for the awards ceremony. The atmosphere was electric as the medals for each category were handed out, with five of our DC students earning spots on the podium.

DC’s winning students were:

• Abigayle Hamilton and Emma Pace – Gold, Horticulture and Landscape (Team of 2)
• John Orecchio – Bronze, Industrial Mechanic
• Brandon Webster – Gold, Metal Fabricator Fitter
• Nicole Crossley – Bronze, Photography

“Everybody did a superb job, whether they medaled or not,” said Martin Jones, associate dean of the Faculty of Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship. “It’s always good to see people competing in the trades. We need more tradespeople.”

Competing at the event gave all of the students a preview of the potential future they could have in their respective trades, while proving they have the skills necessary to succeed at the highest level.

“It was a positive experience,” said John Orecchio, who was proud to take home his bronze medal. “There were a lot of good competitors there. I felt like I could have done better on a few things, but I’m happy to have made out the way I did.”

In some of the categories, including Horticulture and Landscape, the opportunity to compete at the Skills Canada National Competition was also on the line. By winning gold, the team of Abigayle Hamilton and Emma Pace punched their tickets to the competition in Winnipeg later this month.

“It’s unbelievable. We’re so happy,” said Hamilton.

“There’s nothing better than this,” added Pace. “We’re looking forward to the next step in this competition. Hopefully we can take gold in Manitoba. We’ll see what we can do there.”

Durham College (DC) celebrated the opening of its Centre for Innovation and Research (CIR) on Thursday, a collaborative, state-of-the-art space designed to fuel creative thinking, networking and synergistic partnerships between DC and the community.

“This innovative new space helps us continue driving change and adapt to meet the needs of our evolving educational, technological and community landscape,” said Don Lovisa, president, Durham College. “The opportunities in research, innovation and experiential learning are truly endless.”

The CIR is home to the college’s Office of Research Services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ORSIE) and four of six applied research centres, including the AI Hub, Centre for Cybersecurity Innovation, Mixed Reality Capture Studio and the Social Impact Hub, as well as the Institutional Research Team and the Experiential Learning Hub.

“Over the past year, we’ve received and invested over $5 million that have allowed us to build a state-of-the-art cybersecurity research lab, engage in collaborative research with other Canadian colleges to address the economic and social impacts of the pandemic, and help many small and medium-sized businesses grow and innovate,” added Lovisa.

Rick Menassa, a member of DC’s AI Hub Technical Advisory Committee and CEO of Health Espresso and ICARE Home Health, spoke during the grand opening about the quality of student talent developed at DC thanks to experiential learning offered at DC.

“We consistently hire DC graduates who are ready to fill positions right away. They deliver with excellence, which is a testament to the strategic leadership planning, faculty adaptivity to the changing market needs and types of learning provided at the college,” said Menassa. “DC graduates are equipped with the hands-on skills they need in the workforce, which is why at Health Espresso, two of our three team leaders and 25% of our development team are DC graduates. They go out there and make things better, and the CIR is a place to make that happen.”

DC is committed to experiential learning for students and the CIR will provide students unique hands-on learning opportunities that boost their confidence, skillset and future employability.

First-year DC journalism student, Andrew Neary, has participated in two Experiential Learning Hub projects, including a Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning (CEWIL) Canada entrepreneurial podcast called Founders Drive, which recently took home first place at the Enactus Canada regional competition, as well as a virtual reality project that’s part of a Mitacs research internship.

“Being part of the Founders Drive CEWIL Canada project made my college experience better than I could have hoped and allowed me to apply my personal experiences, skills, and interests to my work,” he said at the opening. “To have the chance to create something with the skills I’m developing, learn from industry partners, and develop a sense of community and teamwork is unmatched.”