Durham College (DC) students in the School of Science & Engineering Technology’s (SET) Electronics Engineering Technology and Mechanical Engineering Technology programs, will now be able to create mechanical structures using six new rapid prototype (3D) printers, which were purchased after receiving innovation funds from the Centre for Academic and Faculty Enrichment (CAFÉ).

“3D printers are commonly used in both the electrical and mechanical fields,” said Chris Daniel, professor in the School of Science & Engineering Technology. “These printers allow students to inexpensively create custom computer-aided designs (CAD), which help them build the skills their future industry demands and allows them to explore their creative side; the student’s imagination is the limit.”

Of the six printers purchased, the Electronics Engineering Technology program will receive three Printrbots with heated beds, which will allow students to use CAD designs to create enclosures and power supply boxes to house their circuit board creations.

The Mechanical Engineering Technology students will have access to three Flashforge Dreamer printers and will be able to create pneumatic engine components and are able to develop their design skills through manufacturing.

“The beauty of this technology is that students can quickly and inexpensively create their structural designs without the time, safety or expertise constraints associated with using a traditional machine shop,” Daniel added.

In addition to the Electronics Engineering Technology and the Mechanical Engineering Technology programs integrating 3D printing into the curricula, other programs within SET will be looking to incorporate the technology in the future.

In May 2015, Durham College, (DC) was awarded a contract from Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) to partner with the Centro Experimental de Formación Profesional (CEFOP), a technical and vocational college in Trujillo, Peru. Funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD), the contract sees DC working with CEFOP to share the college’s experiences and expertise in the areas of culinary arts and gastronomy, while helping to update and enhance their current curriculum.

A team from DC consisting of Katie Boone, Project Coordinator with the college’s international office, and David Hawey, Chair of DC’s Centre for Food (CFF), Durham Region’s first-ever post-secondary presence focused on the field-to-fork concept, and Adriana Reyes, an employee of the international office and a student with DC’s Team Experience, recently returned from Peru where they began work with the CEFOP to ensure its graduates are learning and developing the skills they need to meet the demands of the labour market.

“This is a very exciting partnership for all the institutions involved,” said Boone. “We have been working closely with a team in Trujillo with the goal of developing programs that, while innovative, also have a realistic implementation strategy that be sustainable well beyond the lifespan of the project, which concludes in March 2017.”

Current project highlights include establishing strong links with the rapidly growing culinary, hotel and tourism industry in Trujillo and reviewing and updating CEFOP’s current curriculum to help its students graduate with a relevant and well-rounded skills base; a skill base that combines technical knowledge and innovative and creative culinary practices that are characteristics of graduates from DC’s CFF.

Also included in the partnership is a teacher-training and professional development plan that match the demands of the new curriculum. CEFOP and DC will compare management experiences so that both colleges can learn from the practices that help both institutions excel nationally and internationally.

DC is acting as the Canadian project lead for all work done in Trujillo and Centennial College is a supporting partner.

For more information about DC’s CFF please visit http://www.durhamcollege.ca/academic-schools/centre-for-food.

Students in Durham College’s (DC’s) Power Engineering Technician program will have the rare opportunity to work directly on exhaust gas turbines, or jet engines, thanks to the work of Ralph Trauzzi, professor, School of Skilled Trades, Apprenticeship and Renewable Technology (START).

Trauzzi made two of these engines available for students to coincide with the advanced curriculum DC developed and implemented for its START students to ensure their success upon graduation.

“When the opportunity arose, I said I would love to get a turbine engine for the program. We are so lucky to have this opportunity,” said Trauzzi. “Having the ability to work directly on an engine will benefit these students greatly, not only with the knowledge, but with experience as well.”

The final purchased turbines were acquired online as kits requiring some assembly, but the cost was low enough for Trauzzi to buy two and the required ancillary equipment. Currently, the engines sit on a wooden test stand that is clamped to a table. Eventually, they will be mounted on a floating stand that enables horizontal movement to allow students determine engine thrust.

“This engine can be run-up automatically through its start cycle, but I believe the student will learn more by doing it manually,” said Trauzzi. He has built a control panel, which will require the students to perform the proper steps in the correct order for both startup and shutdown.

This is just one of the many ways DC is constantly staying up-to-date and providing students with opportunities for success. To view a demonstration of this gas turbine engine, view the video on the left.

Here’s some food for thought: without the aid of pollinators, such as bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other insects capable of spreading pollen from one plant to the next, a majority of our food source will die off. Not to mention, the lush, green environment we’ve grown accustomed to would falter.

That’s why Field to Fork, Durham College’s (DC) crowd-sourced fundraising initiative, raised funds in August 2014 to create a pollinator garden at the Centre for Food (CFF) with the goal of increasing pollinators at the CFF and in Durham Region.

This summer, the project received a boost from Dutchmaster Nurseries, a family-run business located in Brougham, Ont. Dutchmaster delivered a variety of shrubs and trees to the garden, such as serviceberry, winterberry and flowering currants. Students began populating the garden with the donated plants, and added in St. John’s wart and barrier foliage to create a semi-enclosed sanctuary for the bees and butterflies.

The pollinator garden does more than provide a safe haven for pollinators. It also provides learning opportunities for students in the Horticulture – Food and Farming and Horticulture Technician programs, where they can hone their horticulture and pruning skills and practice plant identification. The plants in the garden will also provide berries for harvest and will help increase the crop yield in the gardens at the CFF.

“The donation of these plants from Dutchmaster Nurseries, will provide our students with hands on learning opportunities in horticulture, provide pollinators a habitat to thrive and will give our fruit producing crops a much appreciated boost,” said Shane Jones, professor, School of Science, Engineering & Technology. “On top of all that it provides us with a beautiful garden of native wildflowers!”

To learn more and support this venture, visit the Pollinator Garden project page.

The Durham College (DC) Board of Governors is pleased to announce that Pierre Tremblay is its new chair, effective July 1, 2015.

Tremblay is a well-respected and dedicated leader in the Canadian Nuclear industry, most recently serving as president and then executive advisor for Canadian Nuclear Partners, a subsidiary of Ontario Power Generation (OPG). As a Canadian nuclear senior executive, Tremblay’s extensive career at OPG has spanned over 35 years. Tremblay has been vice-chair of the DC Board for the past two years and replaces Ron Chatterton, who has reached the end of his term with the Board. As Chair, Tremblay will draw on his experiences with DC and as a governor with UOIT in providing governance, oversight and leadership on behalf of a 17-member Board of Governors that represents the strengths and diversity of the communities the college serves.

“I’m very pleased to be the incoming chair at a time when Durham College has so much momentum looking forward,” said Tremblay. “Over the past few years the college has realized significant growth in enrolment and programs, shown leadership with its applied research and entrepreneurship activities, and developed new partnerships, among its many highlights. I know the Board is looking forward to supporting further growth and success in the year ahead.”

In addition, Dan Borowec is now vice-chair, also effective July 1, 2015. Borowec is an experienced senior community leader, including his current role as director of economic development and tourism for Northumberland County. With a background in both post-secondary education and community economic development, he has brought extensive experience to his role on the board over the past three years.

To learn more about the Durham College Board of Governors, visit www.durhamcollege.ca/bog.

Durham College (DC) is pleased to welcome Dr. Elaine Popp to the college family as the new vice-president, Academic. Popp has more than 15 years of progressive experience in senior academic leadership within the Ontario college and broader post-secondary systems, a background that will help further strengthen the leadership team at DC.

“I am very pleased to be joining Durham College and am looking forward to working with everyone on campus to deliver a post-secondary experience that ensures our students succeed while they are on campus and long after they graduate,” said Popp. “I have been particularly impressed by the college’s growth in students, programs and partnerships over the past number of years – its reputation has never been stronger.”

Before joining DC, Popp was the associate vice-president, Academic at Humber College, where she chaired many strategic and academic committees and oversaw the review and development of academic regulations, policies and procedures to support and guide program development, implementation and delivery. She was also involved in leading the development of institutional space allocation and request processes.

Among her roles at Humber, Popp was associate dean in the School of Hospitality, Recreation & Tourism, a program co-ordinator in the same school and program head of the Kinesiology degree program at the University of Guelph-Humber, where she designed, developed and executed curricula.

“I am confident the combination of Elaine’s experience and educational background will provide a solid foundation for Durham College moving forward,” said Don Lovisa, president, Durham College. 

Durham College (DC) was honoured to receive a donation from the Trillium Automobile Dealers Association (TADA) to establish the Trillium Automobile Dealers Association Award, which will be awarded annually, for five years, to four second-year students. 

“We value our partnership with Trillium Automobile Dealers Association, and are grateful for their generosity,” said David Chambers, associate vice-president, Office of Development and Alumni. “Student success is at the forefront of Durham College and this award, which will be offered as bursaries to students facing financial challenges, will provide additional support and opportunities for these students to achieve their goals.” 

The $55,000 bursary will be disbursed at $11,000 per year, and awarded to two students in the Motive Power Technician – Service and Management program and two from the School of Business, IT and Management, who are studying Accounting, Entrepreneurship, Human Resources, and Operations Management – Business Administration. Each year’s recipients will be selected by DC’s Financial Aid and Awards office. 

“TADA is very happy to provide this support to Durham College, said Dave Fraser, education coordinator, TADA. “Our main goal as an association is to connect more and more of our members with the most qualified candidates of the future.” 

For more than 100 years, TADA has been a leader in progressive and innovative work on behalf of new car and truck dealers within Ontario. They strive to establish and maintain fair and uniform business practices, standards of advertising and training, and proactive programs to enhance customer service for consumers.

TADA launched their innovative Career Start program in 2014, which encourages new car dealers to form relationships with high school and post-secondary schools, host career fairs, showcase career opportunities at the Canadian International Auto Show, and promote careers through print brochures and social media advertising.

For nearly two decades, the Roger Anderson Charity Classic golf tournament has been one of the most popular and most influential annual fundraising events in Durham Region. But it is far more than just another round of golf.

On June 11, Durham Region chair and chief executive officer Roger Anderson welcomed 230 golfers to the Deer Creek Golf and Banquet Facility in Ajax, Ontario. Representing a wide spectrum of organizations from across the area, the golfers teed off for a chance to improve the lives of individuals living in Durham Region.

Now in its 18th year, the Roger Anderson Charity Classic has created and maintained a legacy of giving to community organizations by providing assistance to students in financial need at Durham College and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, and by supporting child and youth initiatives at the Ontario Shores Foundation for Mental Health. To-date, over $5.3 million has been raised.

“I look forward to this event every year,” said Anderson. “It’s wonderful to see the community come together to support students and youth while also enjoying a day out on the golf course.”

Representatives from each of the three recipient organizations were on hand for a cheque presentation and the chance to extend their gratitude for the ongoing and enthusiastic support of everyone involved in the tournament.

Tournament organizers would like to recognize all of the sponsors for their ongoing and generous support.

In response to the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) strike, Durham College (DC) hosted its first Intro to College session on Wednesday, June 3 and will host two more on Saturday, June 6 and Wednesday, June 10 to ensure secondary school students, and their parents, are prepared for the transition from high school to college.

“It was really helpful,” said 17-year-old Lukas Cholette who is currently attending J Clarke Richardson Collegiate in Ajax. “I got to learn more about my program, meet new people and walk around the college to learn where to go.”

Lukas has been accepted into DC’s Electrical Engineering Technician program, and said he feels more prepared as well as rejuvenated to begin college in September.

At the sessions, students can engage in a Q&A with a panel of faculty and students; participate in a financial aid workshop; meet their coach who will work with them throughout their time at DC; interact with faculty and staff; and learn about other support services dedicated to helping them succeed. Students can also confirm their offer and pay their deposit (debit/credit only), if they haven’t already done so.

There is also a special session designed for parents to provide them with information about how DC will support their kids when they begin in September, and throughout their college career.

“It was fabulous,” said Lukas’s mom, Debbie Cholette. “It helps our mindset and reduces anxiety, and we feel very reassured.”

Lukas’s dad, Rob, added that he was especially impressed by the Student Academic Learning Services (SALS) that assist students in the event they are ill or become injured, in addition to providing many other supports.

“Lukas hopes to play hockey during his time at DC, and it’s comforting to know that if he hurts himself, the college will accommodate him so he can keep on top of his schoolwork and be prepared for tests while he recovers,” said Rob. “It’s good to know students won’t be left on their own.”

The Cholettes were so impressed with the information they received that they decided to come back for the Saturday session to take in more of the services available to them through the Intro to College sessions.

Sessions are located at the Oshawa campus, 2000 Simcoe St. N., with reception at the main entrance to the Gordon Willey building. Parking is free, and refreshments will be served.

“The success of our students is priority one, and these circumstances have challenged the leadership team at DC to do everything it can so all students are able to enter college knowing how to access the tools they need to succeed,” said Meri Kim Oliver, vice-president, Student Affairs. “DC has excellent support systems and high quality services that we want to inform our students about so they feel confident about starting their college career.”

There is still time to register for the June 6 and 10 sessions. Students can learn more and register at www.durhamcollege.ca/infosessions

Durham College (DC) had the pleasure of hosting the annual Ontario Journalism Educators Association (OJEA) conference at the Sheraton Centre Hotel on May 21, in Toronto, Ont.

The conference gives journalism instructors and professors across Ontario a chance to get together to share their successes and challenges over the past year, as well as brainstorm ways to boost enrolment and discuss the latest software and industry trends.

This year, more than 15 representatives from Algonquin, Conestoga, Niagara, Centennial and Humber colleges attended the event, which was held in conjunction with the Newspapers Canada – Ontario Community Newspapers Association conference.

As the host college, this was a great opportunity to showcase enhancements in the Journalism – Web and Print and Journalism – Broadcast and Electronic Media programs offered at DC. Journalism program co-ordinator and OJEA president, Brian Legree, and journalism instructor and OJEA secretary, Danielle Harder, were happy to share the great changes made to The Chronicle’s website – the DC student-run newspaper, along with community projects and partnerships involving our students.

Each year the host college invites a guest speaker to discuss trends in the industry. This year DC brought in award-winning reporter and host of the CBC’s World Report, David Common.

Common spoke about the changes in the industry and what that could mean for today’s journalism graduates, discussing the marketable skills young journalists need in today’s market, including the ability to think critically, write quickly, understand and manipulate video/audio quickly and the ability to work independently.

 “It’s a great opportunity to host a conference like this,” Legree said. “It allows us to share the accomplishments of our journalism students, changes we’ve made to our program and publications, and to stay current with industry trends so we can continue to offer our students the best learning experience.”

For more information about DC’s Journalism programs please visit our School of Media Art & Design.