Durham College (DC) students from the School of Media, Art and Design’s (MAD) Fine Arts – Advanced program, recently grew their experiential learning in the community through a project that allowed them to paint on the windows of the Arts Resource Centre near Oshawa City Hall to commemorate Canada’s 150th birthday and other milestone anniversaries being celebrated by community partners in 2017.

As part of their work in the Community Collaborations course, each student was tasked with filling a window with a design that would capture an organization’s spirit or certain period from its history.  In addition to recognizing DC’s 50th anniversary, the project also captures the following milestones:

• Francophone Organizations Council of Durham Region / Conseil des Organismes Francophones de la Région de Durham – 30th Anniversary
• Oshawa Art Association – 50th Anniversary
• Oshawa Church Hockey League – 70th Anniversary
• Oshawa Historical Society / Oshawa Museum – 60th Anniversary
• Parkwood Estate National Historic Site – 100th Anniversary
• Robert McLaughlin Gallery – 50th Anniversary
• Simcoe Street United Church – 200th Anniversary

“This has been such a fabulous experience for our students, staff and faculty,” said Greg Murphy, executive dean, MAD. “We need partners who give us an opportunity to make a contribution to the cultural landscape of Oshawa, and the city has been a great partner.”

Durham College (DC) is pleased to announce that it has been selected for a second partnership in support of the capacity-building goals of the Kenya Education for Employment Program (KEFEP).

Humber College (Humber) is the lead of the Canadian consortium which will also include DC, Vancouver Island University (VIU) and Selkirk College (Selkirk). The Canadian institutions will collaborate with three Kenyan institutions, Kisumu National Polytechnic, Kisii National Polytechnic and Sigalagala National Polytechnic. DC will be the direct institutional partner of Sigalagala National Polytechnic in supporting their goals of developing a Renewable Energies Program.

The goals of this project are in line with DC’s other KEFEP initiative – to exchange knowledge and help our Kenyan partners strengthen their technical and vocational education and training (TVET) systems. DC is the lead institution on the previously successful project bid with an institutional focus on leadership and curriculum development in the sectors of agriculture and civil engineering.

Katie Boone, manager, International Projects and Partnerships, led DC’s responses to the request for proposals (RFP) in partnership with the other Canadian institutions. In both cases, the proposals were shortlisted for a virtual interview and then selected for the projects by our Kenyan partners.

“The college is proud to play a role in supporting the development of our Kenyan partners’ technical and pedagogical expertise in designing and delivering inclusive, market-driven programs,” said Boone. “We are excited to support this curriculum development in a way that is innovative, applied and inspiring.”

The KEFEP project is a five-year initiative focused on strengthening and supporting technical and vocational education and training in Kenya. It is funded by the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada and facilitated by Colleges and Institutes Canada. These partnerships are great examples of partner-driven capacity-building projects that work towards sustainable results and professional development opportunities for all parties and are a critical component of DC’s internationalization strategy.

Durham College (DC) was proud to welcome 300 guests to campus on May 24 as host of The Cypher: Black Male Empowerment Conference.

The conference, an initiative of the Durham District School Board (DDSB), provided black male students from grades 8-10 with the opportunity to learn about future academic pathways and positive transitions, while also experiencing the college’s unique learning environment.

Students also met with community leaders, including award-winning spoken word poet and conference keynote speaker, Dwayne Morgan and DDSB alumni youth speaker, Francis Asheri who won the TD Scholarship for Community Leadership in 2014. Throughout the day, students participated in a variety of presentations from DDSB alumni, teachers and community members.

On May 13, Durham College (DC), along with the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, showed Durham Region families just how fun science can be during Science Rendezvous 2017, Canada’s largest celebration of science and engineering.

An annual festival that takes science out of the lab and onto the street, Science Rendezvous works with Canada’s top research institutes to present a free coast-to-coast open house and festival.

Held at the college’s Oshawa campus, DC co-hosted the Durham Region event that featured a day of family fun with over 60 activities, known as INVENTours, for science lovers of all ages to explore. Among the numerous stations, guests were able to make their own lava lamps and lip balm, try cool science magic tricks, build their own ecosystems and much more.

Nearly 100 volunteers, including faculty from DC’s schools of Health & Community Services and Science & Engineering Technology, as well as local high school students, helped make the day a success.

The excitement wrapped up with a grand finale celebration that included cake, music and prizes to mark Science Rendezvous’ 10th anniversary, DC’s 50th anniversary and Canada’s 150th birthday – all being celebrated in 2017.

Durham College (DC) is pleased to announce that it has been selected as the lead institution to support the capacity-building goals of the Kenya Education for Employment Program (KEFEP).

Working in partnership with Olds College (Olds) and Algonquin College (Algonquin), the three-year project will begin in May 2017 and conclude in September 2020, and is the result of a joint proposal by all three institutions. The project is being funded by a contribution of $880,000 from Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan), as well as a $231,968 in-kind contribution from DC, Olds and Algonquin, totalling $1.1 million.

As project lead, DC will work with Kitale National Polytechnic (Kitale) and the Eldoret National Polytechnic (Eldoret) in Kenya, providing support for institutional leadership and assisting with the implementation of Kenya’s technical and vocational education and training reforms. Led by Katie Boone, manager, International Projects and Partnerships, DC’s team will also include Pam Stoneham, associate dean in the college’s School of Skilled Trades, Apprenticeship & Renewable Technology, and Joanne Patterson, a professor with the School of Justice & Emergency Services.

“We are excited to be part of an initiative that will help build upon our partners’ established successes in the fields of agriculture and civil engineering,” said Stoneham. “We look forward to working with the Kitale and Eldoret leadership teams to build their capacity in competency-based education, helping them build long-lasting, sustainable partnerships that will contribute to their success.”

Both Kenyan institutions are poised and ready for growth. Kitale runs two agriculture-based programs: General Agriculture and Agriculture Engineering, as well as a Building Technician program. Eldoret is Kenya’s largest national polytechnic and has a strong and well-resourced program in Civil Engineering. This strong knowledge base, when combined with the expertise of DC, Olds and Algonquin in training practices for agriculture and civil engineering, will help to build a pool of skilled in-demand graduates.

“International projects such as this one are mutually beneficial to both the in-country partner and DC,” said Boone. “The college’s involvement supports our efforts to internationalize the campus, while providing unique professional development opportunities for our employees both here and abroad. We also benefit from the chance to not only assist international educational institutions but also see how our teaching and training methodologies work in new educational and cultural contexts.”

KEFEP is a five-year initiative focused on strengthening and supporting technical and vocational education and training in Kenya. It is funded by the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada.

Durham College (DC) is pleased to announce that TD Bank Group (TD) is contributing $100,000 to support the construction of its new Centre for Collaborative Education (CFCE).

As a leader in environmental practices and with a strong commitment to Indigenous Peoples and communities, TD is supporting the college’s CFCE and its contribution to those values. The donation will be directed towards a Centre for Indigenous Peoples and green construction elements that will be incorporated throughout the building.

“On behalf of everyone at Durham College, I would like to offer sincere thanks to TD for its investment in our amazing new learning space that will be home to our Centre for Indigenous Peoples and advance our ongoing efforts in sustainability,” said Don Lovisa, president, DC. “This investment not only supports DC’s 21st-century approach to learning, but also our vision for the CFCE to act as an educational hub of excellence. It is a notable endorsement from a well-respected Canadian organization that shares the college’s values of inclusion and social responsibility.”

The new building will include a larger and more natural space for Indigenous students, employees and community members that will accommodate traditional practices such as smudging and provide increased access to modern learning. The green construction elements will include the unique TD Green Roof, a living wall, solar panels and low-light fixtures, and the contracting company will utilize regional materials, ensure onsite waste management and use materials that optimize safe building practices. 

The CFCE is a multi-level, 75,000-square-foot facility and legacy project tied to the college’s 50th anniversary in 2017. Scheduled to open in 2018, it will act as an educational access point for students, community groups, both local and worldwide, Indigenous Peoples and key business sectors, while maintaining a commitment to environmental stewardship.

“We are proud to partner with Durham College and contribute to a shared vision in advancing environmental stewardship and supporting Indigenous Peoples,” said Cory Kaiser, DVP Commercial Banking, TD Canada Trust. “Support for Indigenous Peoples and communities is a top priority at TD as is the effort to integrate environmental responsibility into every aspect of our business. We are committed to enhancing the progress we have made in both areas and are happy to support an institution, such as Durham College, that is also working to achieve that goal.”

In addition to the Centre for Indigenous Peoples, the CFCE will also house the School-College-Work Initiative and the affiliated Centre for Success program, and the Office of Student Diversity, Inclusion and Transitions. It will offer spaces for innovation and collaboration and provide open learning and social spaces for students, faculty and the community.

Durham College (DC) is pleased to announce three of its employees have been selected by Uniterra to represent the college as part of the Leave for Change program.

This is the first year representatives from the college will be participating, turning their vacations into short-term leaves and sharing their unique skills and experience to assist with projects in developing countries.

The DC employees are:

• Dale Burt, professor, Mediation-Alternative Dispute Resolution Graduate Certificate program, School of Justice & Emergency Services
  • In the teaching methodology advisor role, Dale will be training faculty in the School of Economics at Danang University in Danang, Vietnam. She will be using new and interactive teaching approaches, as well as creating and sharing tools, resources and templates for use when designing modern and dynamic teaching plans. Dale will be in Vietnam for the month of July.

• Cosette Kazarian, SharePoint officer, Communications and Marketing
  • In the marketing and communications advisor role, Cosette will be working with the Ruhunu Tourism Bureau in Galle, Sri Lanka to develop a tourism promotional communications plan, co-ordinate the writing and production of tourism promotional leaflets and e-brochures and support the development of effective web-based promotions among other duties. Cosette will be in Galle in mid-January 2018.

• Kim Sharpe, program assistant, School of Continuing Education
  • Kim will be working with the National Youth Federation Nepal in Kathmandu, Nepal to foster employability and promote gender equality among youth. Kim will be in Nepal at the end of June.

Congratulations to all three participants.

On April 27, Durham College’s (DC) Office of Research Services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ORSIE) hosted its seventh annual Research Day at the college’s Oshawa campus. Featuring a series of diverse breakout sessions, the event served to highlight and celebrate the leading-edge applied research being done by DC in collaboration with industry, institutional and community partners.

ORSIE staff were joined by members of DC’s Leadership Team, student and faculty researchers, and community, industry and government partners for a dynamic forum showcasing current applied research and innovation projects in areas of significance to the local and provincial economies including data analytics, automation and mobile applications.

The event aimed to create awareness of both the important role and impact of applied research to the community and how DC students are increasingly benefiting from such learning opportunities. The day’s theme also focused on the possibilities, opportunities and successes that exist when innovation meets entrepreneurship and how the advancement of both can make positive impacts on Durham Region and beyond.

Ryan Turnbull, founder and president of Eco-Ethonomics Inc., delivered a keynote address on the advancement of social innovation and social enterprises in Canada.  He spoke about how industry, college faculty and – above all – students can solve humanity’s toughest challenges.

“College is a collaborative platform,” said Turnbull. “For students, I would challenge you to be passionately engaged in issues and learn while you practice. Experiment with solutions and don’t be afraid to actually generate solutions. Your learning experience doesn’t have to be just receiving; you can give. You can actually procreate your learning and educational experience.”

This year’s event also featured a demonstration of WeTraq, a global tracking device designed to help families stay connected with loved ones with autism, dementia and Alzheimer’s. Conceptualized by WeTraq CEO and founder Ishaan Singla, and brought to life through a collaboration with DC students and faculty, the credit card-sized device can be kept by those at risk of wandering so that family members can track their whereabouts around the world.

The morning concluded with an awards presentation recognizing the college’s top student and faculty researchers of the year.

DC Outstanding Student Researchers 2017

First place

• Eric Mackie, third-year student, Computer Programmer Analyst

Second place (tie)

• Gregory Barnet, third-year student, Mechanical Engineering Technology
• Scott Rocha, second-year student, Computer Programmer

Third place

• Bolin Leung, graduate, Horticulture – Food and Farming

DC Outstanding Faculty Researchers 2017

First place

• Amit Maraj, professor, School of Business IT & Management

Second place

• Clint MacDonald, professor, School of Business IT & Management

Third place

• Rob Braithwaite, professor, School of Science & Engineering Technology

Caitlin Crosby had an interest in law in high school and now she is a student in the Paralegal program at Durham College (DC) where she is learning to give legal advice and represent clients in court.  Caitlin really liked her grade 12 law class, and had a chance to participate in a high school mock trial.  Now that she is about to graduate from DC, she wanted to help high school students with their mock trials.

As a result, Caitlin was on hand with DC earlier this month to assist with mock trials at the Newmarket Courthouse. Students came from 24 high schools and competed by conducting mock trials before judges in the Superior Court of Justice.  Caitlin talked with students about her DC experience, specifically about studying to be a paralegal licensee of the Law Society of Upper Canada.  .

According to Caitlin, her high school mock trial helped her to choose law at DC.  “My interest in law began in high school during my law class and my mock trial.  It led me to study law full time at Durham College.  I am really looking forward to graduating and when I will be able to become a professional licensee of the Law Society of Upper Canada.  I know I can make a real difference by giving my clients good legal advice and by helping them in court, and it’s thanks to the incredible lawyers and paralegals teaching me at Durham College.”

This year, Dalton Burger, Paralegal professor, formed part of the panel of dignitaries comprised of the senior regional chief justice of Ontario, crown attorney for York Region, superintendent of York Region Police, and the York Region chairman and CEO.  Mr. Burger said, “I am so proud of our Durham College students, like Caitlin, who not only work hard in their legal studies but also take time to help others in our community to develop their interest in law.”

The winner of this tournament will advance to the Ontario Central East Regional Championship on Tuesday, May 16th at the Oshawa Courthouse.  The mock trials were created to help high school students develop their interest in the legal field, while exposing them to a fully integrated, hands-on experiences. Thanks to Caitlin and DC paralegal students, that participated in the event, we are sure to see many more students follow in their footsteps. DC supports the event through Nicole Gilkes from Student Recruitment and Admission services.

DC’s Paralegal program is accredited by The Law Society of Upper Canada (Law Society), the regulatory body governing professional paralegals in the province. The program prepares students for the Law Society’s paralegal licensing examination, enabling them to provide legal services within authorized areas of law practice and represent clients before small claims court, criminal court (summary convictions), provincial offences court and government tribunals.

Durham College (DC) is pleased to announce that it has been named one of Canada’s Greenest Employers. Awarded as part of the 2017 editorial competition that is organized by the Canada’s Top 100 Employers project, this special designation recognizes employers that lead the nation in creating a culture of environmental awareness within their organizations.

Winning employers are evaluated on the following criteria:

• Unique environmental initiatives or programs they have developed.
• Whether they have been successful in reducing their own environmental footprint.
• Whether their employees are involved in these programs and contribute unique skills.
• Whether their environmental initiatives have become linked to the employer’s public identity to attract new people to the organization.

DC’s Living Green initiative and participation as an early signatory to the Pan Canadian Protocol for Sustainability were among the reasons for inclusion on this year’s list, joining 69 other businesses and institutions from across the country.

Also noted were the green features found throughout the college’s building footprint. Living Green, working with the experts in the Facilities & Ancillary department, have made a number of sustainable changes to DC’s structures and spaces. These include adding a 350-panel photovoltaic rooftop solar array, installing a geothermal heating and cooling system and utilizing a centralized building automation system that monitors multiple campus buildings.

“We are very proud to receive this designation as one of Canada’s greenest employers,” said Don Lovisa, president, DC. “As a college, we not only believe in fostering environmentally sustainable practices but also an eco-conscious mindset among students, employees and partners. We feel responsibility for social, environmental and economic stewardship should be shared and have worked incredibly hard to ensure sustainability guides our decisions and practices. We do this for the betterment of everyone on campus, present and future, and well beyond and this award signals we are on the right track.”

About Living Green DC

In 2012, DC launched a new campus environmental initiative under the “Living Green” banner. With oversight from the college’s Sustainability Committee, Living Green seeks to enhance the environmental sustainability of campus operations, planning, administration, curriculum, research, innovation and stakeholder engagement. Acting as environmental champions, students can volunteer as part of the Green Team. The college also employs a full-time sustainability coordinator to help foster a culture of sustainability, establishing guiding principles for campus activities and day-to-day operations.

For more information on DC’s sustainable initiatives please visit www.durhamcollege.ca/livinggreen.