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Students participate in RBC grant program in support of urban agriculture

Eight Durham College (DC) students launched innovative urban agriculture projects this year, thanks to $5,000 in funding each from the RBC Urban Agriculture Work Integrated Learning Program.

The new grant program is a partnership between RBC and DC’s Barrett Centre of Innovation in Sustainable Urban Agriculture and aims to raise awareness of this critically important field which encompasses any farming or food production done in an urban area, such as aquaponics, aeroponics, rooftop farms and community gardens.

Students from a wide range of DC’s programs submitted ideas, bringing their unique expertise and experience to promote urban agriculture. Some project examples include:

  • The expansion of the DC Farmer’s Market, led by Horticulture – Food and Farming student Natalie Cox.
  • A community seedling program that provides seeds to promote planting in urban spaces, from Graphic Design student Labiba Raisa.
  • A micro-garden system allowing clients to build their ideal 12’x12′ garden, led by Horticulture – Technician student Matthew McCready.

“With food insecurity a growing concern around the world, it’s more important than ever to develop alternative methods of food production,” said Brenna Bizley, partnership manager, Barrett Centre. “The RBC Urban Agriculture Work Integrated Learning Program is an amazing opportunity for Durham College students and graduates to develop, launch, or scale a project or business related to urban agriculture and make positive contributions to the community. We are grateful for RBC’s support and vision.”

“What an amazing opportunity for students to learn about urban agricultural skills alongside industry experts,” said Andrew Staniforth, RBC Vice-President, Business Financial Services Agriculture. “The RBC Urban Agriculture Work Integrated Learning Program will help students develop the critical sought-after skills and experience needed for jobs of the future and at the same time help address food insecurity in our communities.”

The projects are underway and the students must submit their final report by October 1.

DC welcomes more than 3,900 new first-year students during 2023 Fall Orientation

Durham College (DC) welcomed more than 3,900 students to Fall Orientation this month to mark the beginning of a new year and educational journey.

Students participated in program orientations as well as a variety of fun events to help them adjust to college life. New students had the opportunity to meet employees and faculty members, discover campus services and learn more about their new programs all while making connections and friendships with fellow attendees. Nearly 1,600 international students also received programming to assist with adapting to the Canadian classroom, part-time employment opportunities and more.

Following both campus program orientations, students enjoyed DC Fest where they received new DC swag, enjoyed live music and indulged in free food truck fare before cheering on the Durham Lords as they went toe-to-toe with the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks at Campus Cup.

Fall orientation events also included a DC movie night, axe throwing, foam party, yoga session, plus so much more. Did you miss out on some of the fun? Don’t worry, we’re just getting started! Check out these five ways to get involved on campus this fall.

Durham College serves up unique student learning opportunities at Harvest Dinner

Community members will once again enjoy an evening under the stars as Durham College (DC) hosts the seventh Harvest Dinner at the W. Galen Weston Centre for Food (Weston Centre) on Thursday, September 21.

This signature event is a unique opportunity for students and employees in the Faculty of Hospitality & Horticultural Science and Weston Centre to come together to create an unforgettable dining experience.

With a special focus on student engagement, the Harvest Dinner’s hands-on opportunities allow students from DC’s horticulture, culinary, event management, hospitality and tourism programs to be active participants in their learning, under the guidance of Andrew Guay, Weston Centre field supervisor and Bistro ‘67’s executive chef, Raul Sojo.

To prepare, Horticulture – Food and Farming and Horticulture Technician students have tended to and harvested the fields where many components of the meal were grown and will be brought to life by Culinary Management and Culinary Skills students in the Bistro ’67 kitchen and Weston Centre labs and classrooms. On the day of the event, students will set up the impressive harvest table – fit to accommodate more than 100 guests and spanning the length of the garden path – as part of the experiential learning component of the Special Events Management program, before joining fellow Hospitality – Hotel and Restaurant Operations, Hospitality Skills and Tourism – Destination Marketing students to provide exceptional service and execution of the event.

“Harvest Dinner is the result of countless hours of creativity, collaboration and teamwork across all fronts and one of our most anticipated events of the year,” said Patrick Lernihan, general manager, W. Galen Weston Centre for Food. “The event offers so many benefits to our students, who get to be involved in the process from start to finish, and our community members, who continue to support the college and celebrate the Weston Centre’s passion for innovation.”

Upon arrival, guests will enjoy pre-dinner drinks, including Lords Ale, brewed by All or Nothing Brewhouse, and samples of a new IPA brewed on-site in the college’s Centre for Craft Brewing Innovation (CCBI). They will also have the chance to tour the Weston Centre’s Urban Farm gardens before gathering under strings of lights for the seasonally-inspired, multi-course meal.

Don’t miss your chance to attend Harvest Dinner 2023! Limited tickets are still available. Visit Eventbrite for details.

Pay Day Lottery funds new equipment for Durham College

Durham College (DC) has purchased new, state-of-the-art equipment to provide even more opportunities for innovative and hands-on learning thanks to the proceeds from the employee Pay Day Lottery.

Each month, DC employees have the option of buying up to six tickets ($5 each) in the lottery. The lucky winner gets half of the money collected, while the other half goes to the Student Experience Fund.

The Office of Development and Alumni Affairs has unveiled the equipment purchased with last year’s lottery proceeds, which includes:

  • Five emergency childbirth simulators for instructors and students in our nursing and paramedic programs.
  • A thermal imaging camera to aid in live fire training for firefighting students.
  • Two teaching robots for students in our automation and robotics courses and science programs. With many applications, these robots will be featured at events both on- and off-campus.
  • A micro-volume spectrophotometer for DNA and RNA quantification, to be used by students in microbiology-related courses within a variety of programs.

“The generosity of our DC family never ceases to amaze me,” said Linda Flynn, associate vice-president, Development and Alumni Affairs. “For just a few dollars every month, our employees make a tangible difference in our college by fostering an environment that encourages growth, innovation, and excellence. With their support, we are enhancing the learning experience and benefiting countless students for years to come.”

DC employees can register for the Pay Day Lottery online via ICE. 

Durham College’s Progressive Approach to Generative AI Tools

Durham College is leading the way by embracing artificial intelligence. Dr. Elaine Popp, executive vice president, academic, shares her thoughts on how AI is shaping how we work, teach and learn at DC.

In an era of rapid technological advancements, the emergence of generative artificial intelligence – or GenAI – tools has ignited a wave of innovation across industries. It is revolutionizing how we teach, learn and prepare post-secondary students at Durham College (DC) for their future careers.

Already outpacing traditional artificial intelligence’s ability to analyze data and make predictions, GenAI software can write essays, recommend computer code, draft exams and student assignments, generate graphics, and much more. At minimum, one of GenAI’s benefits is its ability to improve efficiency in instructional and administrative tasks, allowing faculty members to focus more on teaching and supporting students directly.

More broadly, this technology is being adapted by faculty into their teaching and learning practices in purposeful ways to enhance student learning and support the development of transferable skills in alignment with industry expectations.

With new technology like this, we need to be constantly curating resources to help harness its potential and be aware of its risks. DC’s Framework for Implementing Generative AI is a living document designed to help support faculty members use these tools, which focuses on five principles: Intentionality, Active Engagement, Responsibility for Accuracy, Ensuring Ethical and Legal Considerations, and Reflective Practice as an Evaluation of Learning.

As with any transformative technology, there are challenges, and we recognize the importance of authentic assessments, safeguarding against biases and ensuring data privacy. This framework will help address these concerns.

Beyond its use in teaching and learning, the College’s approach to GenAI and AI extends to our program development and applied research, ensuring our students are prepared to lead the way in constantly evolving industries. We offer an Honours Bachelor of Artificial Intelligence and a graduate certificate in Artificial Intelligence, Analysis, Design and Implementation. Students in these programs have opportunities to work with faculty and industry professionals in The AI Hub, DC’s applied research centre dedicated to supporting industry partners to uncover business insights while providing intelligent and autonomous solutions with the help of AI.

If we aim to provide our students with the best possible learning experiences, embracing the evolution of GenAI is not merely an option but a necessity. By nurturing innovation and responsible usage, DC is preparing students for the demands of tomorrow while contributing to the evolution of education in the digital age.

These are just some of the ways we are leveraging GenAI. How will it help you?

Professor receives prestigious PR award

Durham College (DC) professor Matisse Hamel-Nelis has been recognized for her tireless commitment to accessibility in communications.

PR News has named her one of their People of the Year in the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Champion category.  

A professor in the PR and Strategic Communications program, she emphasizes the importance of making communication materials accessible to all.  

“I love teaching and bringing the concept of accessibility into what I do. In every class I teach, my students have to make sure their content is accessible when they submit it to me, and I teach them how to do it,” she said.

There are a number of ways to make a document more accessible, like using a larger font size, prioritizing concise language that is easily digested by a screen reading program, and providing descriptive text with photos.

Students who enter the workforce with these skills will be in demand with employers.

“If you’re creating a document accessibly, it’s going to save you money down the line and it’s going to save you time when you’re doing it. Once it’s done, you’ll have a truly accessible piece of communication that you can use anywhere, and you’ll have a skillset that not many other students will have.”

As a 2015 graduate of the program in which she now teaches, Hamel-Nelis knows firsthand how fast things can change. Accessibility wasn’t a big part of the curriculum at the time, and she didn’t realize the scope of its importance until she got a job at the Canadian National Institute for the Blind.

“That’s where I found my love and passion for accessibility and communications and all things diversity, equity and inclusion,” she said, noting that although 15 per cent of the world’s population identifies with a disability, the real number is likely even higher.

In addition to her work at DC, she serves as vice president, Communications for AbleDocs, where she helps organizations ensure their messages are accessible to all.

That commitment is what caught the attention of PR News, and she’ll be traveling to New York next month to accept her award alongside the other honourees.

“Accessibility is really coming to the forefront of what we need to learn and do as communicators. To be recognized for that is a huge, huge honor. It means the world to me.”

With the PR and Strategic Communications program winding down, she is guiding the development of a new graduate certificate that will take its place.

“It’s going to be a great opportunity for our prospective students. We’ve put some really good stuff into it. They’re going to love it.”

With Hamel-Nelis leading the way, DC will continue to produce graduates who excel in the field of communications.

More information on the new Public Relations graduate certificate program is available here.

Celebrating 50 years of quality journalism

The Journalism – Mass Media program is celebrating 50 years of excellence.

The first issue of the Durham College (DC) Chronicle was published in November of 1973. Over the ensuing decades, the world of journalism has experienced a number of seismic shifts, and the Chronicle has kept pace. What started as a printed campus newspaper has grown into an online platform that incorporates social media, Riot Radio and YouTube. But what hasn’t changed is the hard work of the award-winning students and professors who deliver the news from campus and the surrounding community with accuracy and integrity.

“This year is a chance to celebrate that we are still here, and that journalism is still very much alive and it’s still really important to democracy,” said professor and program coordinator Danielle Harder. “A lot of the world thinks journalism is in decline, but we like to think we’re just changing with society. We’re still telling the same stories; we’re just changing the ways in which we tell them. We’re telling them with more context and on new platforms.”

The internet may have irrevocably changed the old media landscape, but it has also created limitless opportunities for those with the skillset an education in journalism can provide. Graduates aren’t relegated to jobs as reporters or broadcasters anymore.

“Our students take the skills they learn from us and apply them in really interesting ways. We have students who go out and work in communications, and others who create social media content. We have some who write reviews for video games,” she said. “We’re teaching how to tell stories, how to think critically, how to ask questions that get to the truth.”

The 2023-24 school year will feature a number of special events to commemorate the Chronicle’s semi-centennial:

  • A series of panel discussions will highlight important issues, beginning on Tuesday, September 26 with ‘Indigenous Voices in Journalism.’
  • At the campus Library, a microfiche machine will allow for perusal of copies of the Chronicle from throughout its history.
  • During Social Justice Week in January, professor and writer-in-residence Alvin Ntibinyane will discuss the importance of equity in journalism, while librarian Trish Johns-Wilson and students from the program will promote digital literacy and provide tips on how to critically analyze information and navigate online platforms.

There are also plans for a panel discussion involving graduates of the program who have gone on to exceptional careers.

All of the successes the program and its students have enjoyed over the last 50 years wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the campus community, according to Harder.

“We would like to thank people for supporting our students on campus as they learn to become journalists. We have really appreciated the support of leadership, faculty and staff.”

Stay tuned for more information on this year’s anniversary events to learn how DC’s homegrown journalists are leading the way.

Durham College welcomes fall semester with kickoff events, new programs and updated campus spaces

More than 12,000 full-time post-secondary and apprenticeship students are set to attend Durham College (DC) and on-campus events, efforts and initiatives have already kicked off to welcome the college community.

Ringing in the new year

Orientation activities are underway for new DC students! There are a number of planned events, ways to get involved, helpful program information and services that provide opportunities to connect with other DC students and the campus community.

Employees kicked off the academic year with an annual event to generate excitement and set the stage for the year ahead. Keynote speaker Justin Reilly, CEO of Wavelo, shared his unique perspectives on integrating AI programs and machine learning technologies in our work and inspired faculty as they continue to lead the way in innovative teaching.

Creative campus spaces

There are some exciting updates to campus spaces. DC’s new PROTO and Electric Vehicle (EV) Lab officially opened this week and our brand new vertical hydroponic farm was just delivered with preparations underway for its use at the Barrett Centre Urban Farm in Ajax.

At the Oshawa campus, the Centre for Innovation and Research (CIR) opened and we revitalized the Naanaagide’endamowin Courtyard and other outdoor spaces. The L Wing got a major refresh with 18 new murals, designed and installed by DC Fine Arts students as a work-study project.

Responsive programs to meet industry needs

Over the last year, DC has enhanced program offerings to meet the industry and community needs and ensure graduates are career-ready and in-demand.

New programs this year include:

DC’s Professional and Part-time Learning also launched two new initiatives this year – Internationally Educated Nurses and Personal Support Worker (PSW) to Practical Nurse (PN) Bridge – to increase the number of qualified nursing professionals in the province.

Promoting health and wellness

To support health and wellness of our community, we launched the Wellness Directory, an online hub that provides direct access to all of the wellness supports and resources at DC and on-campus accessibility supports ensure a sense of inclusivity and belonging for all.

Students and employees have access to free fitness classes at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre. And tryouts are underway for Durham Lords varsity sports teams. Check out the full schedule. And you can come cheer on our athletes at the annual Campus Cup!

With the majority of classes set to begin on September 6, DC is looking forward to an exciting year ahead!

Durham College leads the way with grand opening of PROTO and Electric Vehicle Lab

Durham College (DC) celebrated the grand opening of two new modern and collaborative learning spaces – PROTO and an Electrical Vehicle (EV) Lab – on Wednesday.

Together, these new state-of-the-art spaces span 9,060 sq. ft inside DC’s Whitby campus’ main building. PROTO provides clients, industry partners, student engineers and skilled trades faculty members and students an opportunity to collaborate and develop creative solutions and prototypes to address industry challenges. The EV Lab – which makes DC one of only a few Ontario colleges with a dedicated EV learning space – equips students with the specialized skills required in the evolving automotive industry. 

“PROTO and the EV Lab are propelling Durham College forward as a leader in innovation and transformative education,” said Don Lovisa, president, Durham College.  “The opening of these new spaces further demonstrates our commitment to driving change, generating big ideas and continuously adapting to meet the needs of our evolving industries.”

DC’s Whitby campus has developed exponentially over the past 30 years, becoming a skilled trades and automotive industry hub driven by student and faculty collaboration and partnerships with the local community.

“Our government is proud to support Durham College’s cutting-edge electric vehicle lab and PROTO, which will equip students with the hands-on experience and skills they need to secure in-demand jobs in the automotive industry,” said Jill Dunlop, Minister of Colleges and Universities. “Through collaboration with companies to solve real-world problems, students will be prepared for the workforce when they graduate, while at the same time strengthening our province’s position as a global leader in the manufacturing of electric vehicles and their batteries.”

With new spaces like PROTO and the EV Lab, students will gain unique opportunities through hands-on learning to enhance their expertise, strengthen their employability and help form meaningful connections with industry and community partners.

“Adapting and growing with industry demands and educating students just like me on the newest technologies and industry practices is what Durham College is known for,” said Electrical Techniques graduate and Canerector Scholar, Kathryn Fullerton, who spoke at the grand opening. “These new spaces will prepare students for the workforce and ensure they have the skills and knowledge they need to be successful.”

DC welcomes Skills Ontario Summer Camp to give youth a taste of the trades

Durham College (DC) proudly opened its doors once again to host the Skills Ontario Summer Camp, welcoming 18 campers from Grades 7 to 9 to explore future career opportunities in the skilled trades at DC’s Whitby campus.

Led by Skills Ontario from August 14 to 18, the camp focused on inspiring the next generation of skilled trades students, through hands-on activities, interactive workshops and shop tours.

Campers experienced a different trade each day and gained a broad introduction to many areas of the college, including the automotive, carpentry, welding and plumbing shops located in the DC’s state-of-the-art Ontario Power Generation Centre for Skilled Trades and Technology (CSTT) and the W. Galen Weston Centre for Food (Weston Centre).

Led by Skills Ontario staff and DC employees, campers learned virtual welding skills and measuring techniques, how to change a tire on the rim and build a birdhouse and a hula hoop before testing their own vehicles in a C02 dragster car racing competition. They also took to the Weston Centre fields for a day to learn about the college’s field-to-fork philosophy and sustainability practices, before harvesting, cleaning and pickling their own vegetables.

“With the growing demand for skilled trades professionals across the province, the Skills Ontario Summer Camp is a great opportunity to spark an early interest for young people in the world of skilled trades,” said Rebecca Milburn, principal of DC’s Whitby campus and executive dean of the Faculty of Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship and Faculty of Hospitality & Horticultural Science. “It’s incredible to witness the campers’ curiosity and enthusiasm. Durham College is proud to play a role in inspiring a lifelong passion for learning in the next generation of students.”

Skills Ontario summer camps are sponsored by the Government of Ontario and Magna, dedicated to inspiring youth to explore skilled trades and technologies. DC is proud to partner with Skills Ontario and help shape the young minds of tomorrow.

For more information on future camps, please visit the Skills Ontario website.