The fourth annual Impact on Family Violence Conference: A South Asian Perspective (FVC 2014) was held at the joint Durham College and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology Oshawa campus earlier this month.

The annual event, which was presented by the Social Services Network with the support of more than 25 community partners including the college and university on May 14 and 15, was designed to connect the diverse South Asian population with the key sectors involved in violence prevention and response.

“Events such FVC 2014 provide our students with an opportunity to grow into fully engaged citizens with the knowledge and self-awareness needed to be mindful of issues such as family violence,” said Susan Sproul, dean for the School of Health & Community Services.

Several informational workshops were offered during the two-day conference, along with presentations on topics ranging from forced marriage, femicide (the killings of women and girls due to their gender), sexual diversity, sexual violence and disabilities.

Meant to implement empowering and engaging information on family violence; expose family violence issues and challenges; identify services and programs that support family violence; and empower decision-makers to be able to make informed decisions and access the possibilities of implementing short- and long-term changes, FVC 2014 is part of a five-year initiative developed to understand the specific nature, systems and complex cultural and family dynamics that pose barriers and challenges to preventing and responding to the abuse that occurs in South Asian families.

The conference also included keynote presentations from Dr. Yasmin Jiwani, professor of Communications Studies at Concordia University, and Aparna Bhattacharyya, executive Director for Raksha, as well as workshop speaker Tammy Rankin, a social worker and elder abuse advisor with the Region of Durham, who spoke to attendees about the growing dilemma of elder abuse and various forms of mistreatment.

Durham College (DC) announced today that a new economic-impact report by Economic Modeling Specialists International (EMSI) has found that students who enrol at the college will receive an excellent return on their post-secondary education investment.

“A DC education continues to be a terrific investment, particularly in this new economy,” said Don Lovisa, president, DC. “We are dedicated to providing our students with quality programs, expert faculty and a superior learning environment while ensuring our graduates have the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in their careers and/or their pursuit of further education.”

Titled Demonstrating the Value of Durham College of Applied Arts and Technology – Analysis of the Economic Impact and Return on Investment of Education, the report, which was released in May 2014, shows DC students will get a 15.9 per cent return on their investment (ROI) in addition to enjoying long-term earnings and other benefits. It also noted that the Ontario government gets a huge ROI return on its funding of colleges, with DC delivering a return of almost 4.9 per cent for every dollar the province invests in the college. “Ontario is facing one of its biggest challenges to date with the skills mismatch,” said Lovisa. “The report’s findings are important as Ontario looks for solutions to this and the daunting challenges of youth unemployment and underemployment.”

The report also found that Ontario college students develop the skills required for an increasingly globalized workplace and receive a stream of higher future wages that will continue to grow throughout their working lives.

“College programs are accessible to everyone in the community and deliver excellent returns to government and taxpayers,” added Lovisa. “In addition, for many DC students, a college certificate, graduate certificate, diploma or advanced diploma is only step one in their post-secondary career.  Many choose to complement their studies by leveraging their education with a university degree. Providing students with opportunities to earn additional credentials following graduation is just one way our dedication to the student experience extends beyond graduation.”

EMSI, which is world-renowned for its economic analyses of post-secondary education, conducted its assessment of DC from December 2013 to April 2014. Read more by clicking here.

“A college education is more important than ever to the local economy and helping people find long-term success,” said Lovisa.

Durham College (DC) is pleased to announce that Cecil Stewart, Tessa Travis and Shandi Wilson are the winners of our #gotoDC Selfie contest.

Stewart, who is enrolled in the Mechanical Engineering Technician program, wins a laptop computer (value of $1,100) of his choice while Travis, enrolled in the Animal Care program, has won a new iPad.  Wilson, enrolled in the Occupational Therapy Assistant/Physiotherapy Assistant program, will receive a pair of Beats by Dr. Dre headphones.

The three winners were chosen from all eligible entries submitted by future DC students. Upon receiving their acceptance packages, students were encouraged to submit a selfie photo of themselves holding the package, which read “Future DC student”.

Congratulations to all of the winners and special thanks to everyone who entered – we look forward to welcoming you to DC!

Students from Durham College’s (DC) School of Skilled Trades, Apprenticeship and Renewable Technology (START) had an opportunity to meet with Progressive Conservative leader Tim Hudak on May 6 when he visited the Whitby campus to speak with students from the one-year Mechanical Techniques – Plumbing program.

“It was a great experience; he’s a really nice and personable guy,” said Matt Murphy, a Mechanical Techniques – Plumbing student. “He wanted to know where we were from and got to know a little bit about our background and how we got into the program.”

Students were given an opportunity to share their experiences at the college so far including their thoughts on what the high-demand skilled trades field has to offer and why they chose plumbing as a future career.

With students hard at work to complete their program most are eager to acquire an apprenticeship after their studies to gain more hands-on experience.

“I did a lot of research before coming to Durham and choosing this program,” said Murphy. “Plumbing is listed as one of the top 10 trades in Canada right now. It came down to this program or welding and I chose plumbing because there is more room for growth. The amount of knowledge I learned in the first semester alone was exceptional.”

Durham College (DC) announced today that its Office of Research Services and Innovation (ORSI) has  been approved for more than $400,000 in applied research funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) through the council’s College and Community Innovation (CCI) Program. 

In total, $443,168 of funding, being made available via three Applied Research Tools and Instruments (ARTI)  grants will be used to acquire equipment to support applied research in three areas including microbrewing, agriculture and rapid prototyping.

“This most recent round of support from the federal government once again confirms that Durham College is a leading college in the field of applied research,” said Judy Robinson, vice-president, Academic, DC. “On behalf of ORSI and the college, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to NSERC for its support of three of our newest applied research initiatives, which are enabling the college to assist local businesses with bringing their ideas to market and contribute to the economic prosperity of Durham Region and beyond.” 

The CCI Program, managed by NSERC in collaboration with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, grants six different types of funding. The ARTI grant is designed to support the purchase of research equipment and installations to foster and enhance the ability of colleges to undertake applied research, innovation and training in collaboration with local companies.

“These ARTI grants will allow our researchers and industry partners to create and develop projects using state-of-the-art technology,” said Debbie McKee Demczyk, director, ORSI. “In addition, this funding will enable our students to gain valuable research and testing experience while making industry contacts and gaining marketing expertise. We are grateful for the opportunities now available to us through NSERC’s extensive funding program.”

With the intention of capitalizing on the growing craft beer brewing industry a new microbiology BrewLab will support projects that analyze and improve the microbial integrity of various beer products and evaluate the fermentation performance of yeast strains for Ontario craft breweries.

ORSI will also continue to develop agricultural research projects that will utilize new Growth Chambers, devices designed to assist local growers in tackling challenges related to pest management, crop integration and plant propagation. The project will allow DC partners to expand and diversify their product lines while exploring innovative plant propagation techniques and processes.

A third set of research projects will employ a new Rapid Prototyper to reproduce the dimensional properties of trial-ready prototypes in house and at a low cost for a variety of industries requiring advanced manufacturing. It will also allow students to work with industry during research capstone projects, providing them with additional skill sets.

ORSI provides an important link to the community through its support and advancement of institutional effectiveness and contribution to the economic performance of the region, using a collaborative culture of engagement that is student-centered and community-focused. ORSI is comprised of three teams – Applied Research; Institutional Research and Planning; and Program Development and Quality Initiatives.

NSERC is a Canadian government agency that provides grants for research in the natural sciences and engineering. The council promotes discovery by funding research conducted by post-secondary professors and students and fosters innovation by encouraging Canadian companies to participate and invest in post-secondary research and training. 

Durham College (DC) and the Irish Institute of Technology, Tralee (ITT) have come to an agreement on an articulation agreement that will enable graduates of several of the college’s two- and three-year programs to enter ITT’s bachelor programs with advanced standing, allowing them to earn their degree in as little as two additional semesters of study.

The agreement will allow qualified graduates from the college’s schools of Business, IT & Management; Health & Community Services; Interdisciplinary Studies & Employment Services; and Science & Engineering Technology the opportunity to pursue degrees at ITT.

The opportunity will not only allow Durham College graduates to build on the knowledge and skills acquired through their diploma program but also gain an international experience while studying abroad in an English-speaking country. Located in the South West of Ireland in the county of Kerry, ITT is home to international students from over 140 countries and offers a dedicated international office and orientation program to help students easily transition into student life in Ireland.

“This new agreement is another example of how the student experience comes first at Durham College,” said Lovisa. “We’re very pleased to be able to present qualified graduates of our programs with international academic pathways, providing the best possible learning opportunities to students here on our campus and abroad.”

Academic pathway opportunities between DC and ITT are available to qualified DC graduates in the areas of study listed below.

Technology:

• Computer Systems Technology program graduates are eligible to enter Year 4 of ITT’s Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computer Services Management program
• Computer Systems Technician program graduates are eligible to enter Year 3 of ITT’s Bachelor of Science in Information Technology program
• Computer Programmer Analyst program graduates are eligible to enter Year 3 of ITT’s Bachelor of Science in Computing with Software Development

Community Services:

• Early Childhood Education program graduates are eligible to enter Semester 3 (September – January) and continue with Semester 6 (January – May) for ITT’s Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Care and Education

Science:

• Energy Management and Sustainable Building Technology program graduates are eligible to enter Year 4 of ITT’s Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Renewable Energy and Energy Management

Business:

• Office Administration – Executive program graduates are eligible to enter Year 3 of ITT’s Bachelor of Arts in Information Systems Management (Business Administration stream)

“We are delighted to enter a partnership with such a prestigious college,” said Murphy. “We have much in common with Durham College in terms of the programs we deliver and our educational ethos. Graduates of DC who transfer to ITT can be assured of a big Irish welcome.”

With the addition of this new agreement Durham College has academic pathways in place with universities in Ireland, Australia and the United States as part of the more than 450 academic pathways it offers via agreements with universities in Ontario, Canada and around the world. 

Full-time post-secondary students at Durham College recently had an opportunity to participate in a survey about student leadership designed to help add to our understanding of what students expect and are looking for from student leaders. 

The survey included an opportunity for participants to be entered into a draw to win one of three tuition waivers valued at $1000.

The winners are:

• Alanna Morcos-Schroeder, School of Integrated Studies & Employment Services
• Khalila De Grasse, School of Media, Art & Design
• Brooke Risebrough, School of Health & Community Services

Congratulations to all three winners!

 

 

The results of the 2013-2014 provincial government’s Key Performance Indicators (KPI) surveys have been released. Our efforts to ensure the student experience continues to come first at Durham College have translated into increases in four of five areas as measured by the KPIs. Our student satisfaction; graduate employment; graduate satisfaction; and graduation rates have all improved, some by two to three percentage points.

In addition, 92.2 per cent of employers are satisfied with their hiring of a Durham College graduate.

Four students in Nursing programs offered collaboratively by Durham College (DC) and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) have received prestigious scholarships from the Registered Nurses Foundation of Ontario (RNFOO). The awards recognize the students’ academic achievements and positive contributions to the nursing field.

“On behalf of Durham College I extend my sincere congratulations to each of our students for this wonderful accomplishment,” said Susan Sproul, Dean, DC School of Health & Community Services. “These awards demonstrate their commitment to hard work, dedication and academic excellence and the college and university’s dedication to providing high-quality nursing training designed to prepare students to play a leading role in the health-care sector come graduation.”

Recipients include:

• Nicole Deziel, UOIT-DC Collaborative Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) program, class of 2016: RNFOO Undergraduate Scholarship, which provides assistance to first- or second-year undergraduate nursing students who demonstrate high academic standing and outstanding potential in their chosen career, – $1,500
• Karen Foell, UOIT-DC Collaborative Registered Practical Nursing (RPN)-to-BScN program, class of 2016: Regina Borowska Scholarship, which is awarded to individuals who wish to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing, with preference given to post-diploma RNs, RPNs and applicants whose professional career goals enable them to contribute to the advancement of nursing, – $2,000
• Egers Metaj, UOIT-DC Collaborative RPN-to-BScN program, class of 2016: Regina Borowska Scholarship – $1,000
• Grace Wilson, UOIT-DC Collaborative BScN program, class of 2015: Dorothy Ferguson Scholarship, awarded to a nursing student pursuing a bachelor’s or graduate degree who demonstrates outstanding leadership potential,  – $2,000

“Congratulations to Nicole, Karen, Egers and Grace on their exciting achievements,” said Dr. Sue Coffey, director, Nursing, UOIT. “These awards are a testament of their hard work and commitment to their studies, as well as the success of the Collaborative Nursing program in producing nurses committed to professionalism and quality care.”

On March 22, Durham College (DC) opened its doors to over 3600 prospective students and families as it held its annual spring open house, offering potential students a glimpse into a future at DC by providing them with an opportunity to gain more insight about their educational and career choices from over 600 DC student and faculty volunteers.

The event showcased DC’s Oshawa and Whitby campuses and the Pickering Learning Site. Attendees had the chance to explore and learn about the colleges numerous services and state-of-the-art facilities through guided tours and information sessions with areas such as career services, financial aid and admissions being highlighted.

Attendees also took part in several fun activities including Ask the President which provided the opportunity to speak directly with DC President Don Lovisa; DC Photo booth which offered the unique experience of a photo booth reel; and Passport to Success which gave students the chance to win an iPad or a tuition certificate valued at $2,500 by visiting different stations located throughout the campus. All completed passports were entered in a draw with winners selected at a later date.

If you missed the spring open house but are interested in a tour of Durham College, please contact the Admissions and Recruitment Office at 905.721.3000 or visit us online to learn more about our extensive program offerings.