The semester is in full swing and Durham College (DC) is pleased to be providing post-secondary education for 523 international students from 49 countries around the world.

As the latest numbers indicate, Canada and DC continue to be popular choices for students looking to study abroad, allowing for both personal and educational development. In addition to the value of experiencing another culture, the college system is well-established and has been designed to help students succeed. Canadian-earned qualifications are valued around the world and it’s also more cost-effective to study in Canada, with tuition rates considerably lower than many other countries.

International students at DC also have the opportunity to work both on- and off-campus, allowing them to earn while they learn. Upon graduation they can also apply for a post-graduate work permit to gain valuable work experience within the country.

“We’re so pleased an increasing number of students choose DC for their post-secondary studies,” said Larissa Strong, manager, International Student Support, International office. “We have a number of programs and services available to them to ensure they feel welcome and supported while also receiving a high-quality post-secondary education.”

Those services begin the moment international students arrive in Canada, including free airport pickup. A two-day, tailored student orientation is also hosted to ensure that the school year starts off strong. Other supports include access to Student Academic Learning Services (SALS), who offer peer mentoring, teach subject-specific learning skills and provide English-as-a-second-language support. Workshops, clinics and one-to-one consultations are also hosted.

The International Office provides advice for students regarding adapting to Canada and the college educational system, accessing healthcare, entering the Canadian labour force, and immigration issues related to students.

For more information about international students studying at DC please visit www.durhamcollege.ca/international.

On October 5, two Durham College (DC) students were chosen to participate in the Fall Accelerator program – putting their entrepreneurial ideas on the fast track to success. FastStart DC, along with the Spark Centre, is pleased to offer the accelerator to help students and graduates take their innovative ideas or business ventures to market faster while utilizing the professional services from an experienced support team.

Over the course of 10 weeks, Entrepreneurship and Small Business student, Rola AlNouno and Law Clerk Advanced student, Brittany Charlton will work to develop their businesses while capitalizing on the benefits of the program. These include a faster entry to market, reduced start-up costs and a focused work environment to learn in alongside seasoned professionals.

“I’m very excited about being a part of the accelerator,” said AlNouno. “Right now my business is at the idea stage. Surrounding myself with the right resources and influences will help me achieve my goals.”

This is the second time the Accelerator Program has been offered. After the success of the first run in the summer months, employees of FastStart DC and the Spark Centre were eager to offer this opportunity to more students and alumni.

The Fall Accelerator program began on Tuesday, October 13 and runs until to Friday, December 18. For more information on this initiative, visit the FastStart website.

The arrival of fall signals the beginning of school for many but for some it also means the ending of the educational chapter of their lives. On October 29, Durham College recognized this occasion with their annual fall convocation, marking the successful graduation of more than 1,100 students from more than 115 programs. 

The event also honoured students who earned a place on the highly regarded President’s Honour Roll as well as recipients of scholarship and leadership awards. 

Graduates from the Centre for Food and the schools of Business, IT & Management; Continuing Education; Health & Community Services; Interdisciplinary Studies & Employment Services; Justice & Emergency Services; Media, Art & Design; Science & Engineering Technology; and Skilled Trades, Apprenticeship & Renewable Technology were awarded their diplomas and certificates in front of hundreds of family and friends.

 With the fall convocation, Durham College now boasts more than 73,000 alumni over its 48-year history.

For the third consecutive year, Durham College (DC) has been ranked among Canada’s top 50 research colleges for research income by Research Infosource Inc.

Supported by DC’s Office of Research Services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ORSIE), applied research plays a vital role at the college; students have the opportunity to develop their skills and interests and faculty can build their research portfolios. It also provides small- and medium-sized enterprises and organizations within the community with viable solutions to meet their needs and strengthen their position in the marketplace.

“We are thrilled to once again be named one of Canada’s top 50 research colleges,” said Debbie McKee Demczyk, director, ORSIE. “The projects undertaken by our investigators and students drive both the scholarly and educational agendas forward while also making a measurable impact on the wider community. Whether it’s entrepreneurship, advanced manufacturing or emerging agribusiness, DC is at the forefront of applied research trends.”

Visit the ORSIE website to learn more about applied research at DC. More information and a complete list of Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges can be viewed on the Research Infosource Inc. website.

On Friday, October 16, Durham College (DC) President, Don Lovisa, along with several Aboriginal community representatives including Chiefs and a Métis Senator gathered to sign the Indigenous Education Protocol for Colleges and Institutes, continuing the college’s commitment to supporting Aboriginal students on campus.

The protocol highlights the importance of structures and approaches required to address Indigenous Peoples’ learning needs and support self-determination and socio-economic development of Indigenous communities.  It also complements the recommendations outlined in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s call to action.

DC is situated on the traditional territories of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nations, and acknowledges the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nations community for allowing us to be guests on their territories.

As partners working together in the community, DC has always strived to recognize and support the cultural and educational traditions of Indigenous Peoples on campus and utilizes a holistic approach to education serving Aboriginal students and providing culturally meaningful supports and programming throughout their academic journey.

Durham College (DC) is pleased to offer a series of distinctive dining and culinary experiences with celebrity chef and Centre for Food (CFF) ambassador Jamie Kennedy on select Thursdays throughout the year with the introduction of Jamie Kennedy Thursdays at DC’s Bistro ’67. As part of the event, guests will have the opportunity to personally interact and socialize with Chef Kennedy while sampling the delicious cuisine.

The first special evening kicks off at Bistro ’67 at the college’s Whitby campus on Thursday, October 22 at 6 p.m. with a four-course meal influenced by JK: The Jamie Kennedy Cookbook, featuring blue cheese and leek tart; pressed perch terrine with watercress puree and beet-pickled wild leeks; curried sweet potato soup with raita; navarin and chop of lamb; and bread and butter pudding with maple walnut ice cream.

Tickets are $100 plus tax per person and can be purchased by contacting Kelly O’Brien at 905.721.2000 ext. 4255 or kelly.o’brien@durhamcollege.ca. Please note: a limited number of tickets are available.

Inspired by the CFF’s field-to-fork philosophy and prepared by DC’s culinary students with assistance from Chef Kennedy, these evenings will include great food in a creative learning environment, demonstrating what happens when communities, local farmers and education work together.

Jamie Kennedy Thursdays at DC’s Bistro ’67 continues on Thursday, November 19 with a menu featuring fall game.

While most post-secondary institutions in Ontario realized an overall decline in applications, Durham College (DC) announced it has experienced an increase in enrolment of more than 1.3 per cent since fall 2014. One of only three colleges in the Greater Toronto Area to increase confirmed applicants, DC’s history of growth continues to positively impact the economic and social development of Durham Region.

“With September officially behind us, we are pleased to say we’ve gotten off to a strong start,” said Elaine Popp, vice-president, Academic. “Our increased enrolment numbers indicate that more students than ever, both domestically and abroad, recognize Durham College’s commitment to fostering their success, both during their studies and upon graduation. From the introduction of new programs to providing more pathways and opportunities for students to gain real-world work experience, we are living our mission that the student experience comes first.”

In total DC welcomed more than 11,200 full-time post-secondary and apprenticeship students to its Oshawa and Whitby campuses and Pickering Learning Site including more than 5,700 first-year students and 523 international students from 48 countries. Through its nine academic schools, the college offers more than 140 full-time programs and more than 450 pathway opportunities with universities in Ontario, Canada and around the world.

DC’s commitment to developing new, market-driven programs continued with the introduction of Accounting and Payroll, Advanced Baking and Pastry Art (graduate certificate), Human Resources – Business – Transfer to UOIT Bachelor of Commerce (Hons), Insurance and Media Fundamentals.

In addition to welcoming new students and adding new curriculum, DC launched the second year of its highly successful, multi-platform Experience DC social media marketing campaign. With a goal of engagement with prospective and current students, parents, teachers and the community, this year’s campaign features 39 team members, including students, employees and alumni. Visitors to the website will get the inside scoop on DC from those who know it best and will follow their adventures through social media, videos and blogs as they Experience DC their way.

For more information and details on any of the college’s programs, please visit www.durhamcollege.ca/programs.

After two years of consultation, planning and development, Durham College (DC) and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) are pleased to announce the completion of their joint Campus Master Plan (CMP). The CMP outlines a broad vision to show how the institutions will grow their physical presence in the many years ahead to address the academic, research, student life, athletic and community partnership needs as both institutions evolve and grow. It also encompasses the policy and guidelines that implement the vision, support the principles, and will result in holistic placemaking at the shared Oshawa campus.

“The guiding principles of the plan resulted from the ideas and perspectives of our stakeholders, and we thank students, employees, partners and the community for their input and feedback,” said Tim McTiernan, UOIT President and Vice-Chancellor. “This plan will work well for the university and college, as well as for our valued community partners.”

“This has been a significant undertaking for both DC and UOIT, and we are pleased with the work, input and consideration that has resulted in a successful and comprehensive plan,” said DC President, Don Lovisa. “We hope it will create excitement about our vision for new buildings, existing space and facilities, our commitment to being pedestrian and transit friendly, and other details that will carry us from today to large and thriving institutions in 2030 and beyond.”

While the CMP calls for enhancements to the existing campus, the plan also anticipates new growth and encourages walkability as an important component of a vibrant, integrated and sustainable campus community.

Specific CMP focus areas include:

• Campus character.
• Infrastructure and utilities.
• Movement and circulation.
• Public realm and open space.
• Sustainability and universal accessibility.

For more information on the Campus Master Plan or to access the document, please visit www.campusmasterplan.ca.  

After the success of the Durham College (DC) Summer Accelerator Program, FastStart DC, along with the Spark Centre is pleased to announce it will also be offering a Fall Accelerator.

The program is designed to help students and graduates take their innovative ideas or business ventures to market faster while utilizing the professional services from an experienced support team. Over the course of 11 weeks, participants will develop their businesses, meet with industry professionals and participate in seminars and pitch competitions.

“We are very excited to be offering the Accelerator program again,” said Debbie McKee Demczyk, director, DC’s Office of Research Services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship. “After the success of the summer incubator, we knew we wanted to give more students and alumni the opportunity to access the many benefits of participating in a program like this. These include a faster entry to market for their business, reduced start-up costs and providing a focused work environment for them to learn in alongside seasoned professionals.”

The Summer Accelerator was the first time the program was offered and 10 business ideas were chosen to be a part of the incubator. DC alumnus Robert Biggar and his brother William, who created the travel-industry focused business Ideal Compass, were one of the participating teams. They also took home the $1,000 top score prize at the program’s finale event held in August.

“I felt the Summer Accelerator was a great opportunity,” said William. “It’s good to hear the program is being offered again in the fall and I strongly encourage anyone seriously considering opening their own business to apply. The information you learn while participating is priceless.”

The application deadline for students and alumni interested in participating in DC’s Fall Accelerator is Monday, September 28. Applications can be submitted via the FastStart website, with the program beginning on Monday, October 5 and running until Friday, December 11.

Thanks to a generous donation from Toyota Canada Inc. and Lexus of Lakeridge, students in the second year of Durham College’s (DC) Motive Power Technician – Service and Management program and students in the Automotive Service Technician apprenticeship program will have the opportunity to develop in-demand skills, while also gaining hands-on experience by working with a Lexus CT 200h, DC’s first hybrid-electric vehicle. 

As part of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities’ (MTCU) guidelines, students in the automotive programs participate in theory-based learning about hybrid vehicles through lectures and videos within their first year. With the donation of the Lexus CT 200h, students will be able to take the theory they’ve learned and apply it directly by working on the hybrid vehicle in the later years of their program/apprenticeship. 

“As part of their curriculum, students are required to explain various functions and systems associated with hybrid vehicles,” said Pam Stoneham, associate dean of the School of Skilled Trades, Apprenticeship & Renewable Technology (START). “The donation of the Lexus CT 200h is going to give our students a huge advantage, significantly enhancing their learning experience and giving them the hands-on experience they need to succeed.” 

For the Motive Power Technician – Service and Management students there will be a focus on the safety protocol and hazards associated with servicing hybrid vehicles. Automotive Service Technician Level 2 and 3 apprentices will also learn about safety protocol and hazards, while taking a more in-depth look into the functions and operations of the hybrid vehicle. 

For more information on DC’s programs or apprenticeships, please visit www.durhamcollege.ca.