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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?

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau hosts Town Hall for Durham College students

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited Durham College’s (DC) Whitby campus on Wednesday, April 5 as part of his budget 2023 tour.

The leader of Canada’s federal government joined Member of Parliament for Whitby, Ryan Turnbull, for an intimate town hall event with more than 100 DC students, as well as some local high school students.

DC President Don Lovisa was on hand to welcome the special guests and commend them for their support of post-secondary education, particularly the 2023 federal budget’s investment in applied research.

“The federal government has always been supportive of colleges. This government, in particular, is very important to us because they are driving the economy, and all of you here today are so important to this economy.”

After encouraging the students to ask hard questions, DC’s President ceded the floor to the Prime Minister, who was in his element as he held court on a variety of subjects.

“This is pretty much my favourite thing as prime minister; getting to talk and listen directly to Canadians who are interested and engaged,” he said.

The students made the most of the rare opportunity to speak to a sitting prime minister, asking incisive and thought-provoking questions that more than once gave Trudeau pause. Food waste, climate change, mental health and supporting international students were just some of the important topics and issues that were addressed.

In discussing the labour shortage that Canada is currently facing, Trudeau recognized DC for its work in turning out job-ready graduates.

“There still are a lot of challenges in connecting people with those jobs, and that’s where a place like Durham College does such a great job of looking at where those gaps are. The placement rates are something Durham College is very proud of because responding to the actual needs in the market and giving people tools for that is a key part of it.”

The PM also touched on some more personal subjects. He shared memories of his father, Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, and offered advice to the assembled students on how to make the most of their time in college, and life in general.

“Showing up and being present as life is unfolding around you is probably the biggest thing. It’s better to show up to class and listen and take a few notes. That’s worth about eight hours of studying from reading the textbook.”

After speaking to the students for well over an hour, the Prime Minister greeted many of them in person. As the event wrapped up, DC’s President shared his pride in the campus community.

“I often tell people our world is in very good hands when you meet a DC student, and their questions today proved that to me.”

Watch the Town Hall online.

Durham College celebrates young entrepreneurs with market, panel discussion

Accomplished young entrepreneurs shared their products and stories at Durham College (DC) on Wednesday, March 29.

The “We Love Entrepreneurs” event recognized young entrepreneurs who have faced all the challenges that come with building a business, as well as systemic and personal barriers like racism, ageism and mental health. They spent the afternoon showcasing their wares and services in The Pit before taking part in a panel discussion for Founders Drive, a start-up podcast (and work-integrated learning project) created by students in the Faculty of Media, Art and Design with funding from CEWIL (Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning Canada).

Founders Drive is also an EnactusDC social impact project that recently won at the regional exposition of the TD Entrepreneurial Challenge and will go on to compete at the national event in Montreal in May.

Four young entrepreneurs took to the stage to speak about taking an idea and turning it into a business, overcoming challenges and building resilience, and all the lessons they’ve learned along the way.

“Entrepreneurs are often people working for low profit margins, selling things they make because of their own passion,” explained Danielle Harder, co-program coordinator of Journalism – Mass Media and an organizer of the event. “You can be an entrepreneur. You don’t have to be Jeff Bezos. You can just be someone who makes soap or earrings or labels. Entrepreneurship is for everyone.”

Passion and ingenuity were hallmarks of the assembled entrepreneurs, which included a number of DC students. A wide range of products was on display, including skincare (Jan’na Tchadouwa, Shea Shimmers), jewelry and adhesive patches (Brandy and Shawntelle Clarke, The No BS Label), handmade bath bombs (Victoria Landry, DuskMoon Shop) and vinyl stickers (Grace Whitaker and Brianna Duff, Artistik).

There are many benefits to building your own business, especially at a young age, according to Video Production graduate Mary Jubran, a digital editor at Frequency Podcast Network and freelance videographer and editor.

“It teaches you how to be confident, how to believe in yourself and your work,” she said. “Making an opportunity for yourself, connecting with others, building that network and building each other up, it’s extraordinarily valuable.”

A number of the young entrepreneurs cited their experience at DC as a big influence on their business journeys. Guedei Djimi co-founded All Blk Market, a networking and e-commerce platform that showcases small, Black-owned businesses. In doing so, he took full advantage of FastStartDC, which helps students develop and launch their own businesses.

Whitaker’s Artistik started life as a class project in her Entrepreneurship and Small Business program.

“There are amazing resources here for students to start businesses,” she said.

By launching successful companies even before they graduate, DC students are leading the way as young entrepreneurs.

Guedei Djimi’s All Blk Market showcases small, Black-owned businesses and bridges the gap between aspiring entrepreneurs and Black professionals. For more on his journey as an entrepreneur, click here.

Enactus Durham College wins Central Regional Exposition 2023 in TD Entrepreneurial Challenge

Enactus Durham College (DC) has been declared one of the Central Regional Champions 2023 in the TD Entrepreneurial Challenge, a national competition empowering post-secondary students to deliver projects that teach entrepreneurial skills to aspiring and existing entrepreneurs. 

DC competed against 20 schools in the entrepreneurship category and presented the Founders Drive podcast project, a global podcast aimed at helping young entrepreneurs overcome barriers and inspiring them to be their own bosses. Each episode features a business founder and, by sharing personal stories, advice and mentorship, the podcast strives to make a significant impact in the entrepreneurial community and help young entrepreneurs succeed. 

“When our team presented, everything fell into place like we were playing high-level sports,” said Andrew Neary, Enactus DC’s team member and presenter. “It’s a moment I’ll never forget.”

The victory marks a significant milestone for the DC team, which will now move on to the National Exposition in Montreal in May. DC will compete against the League A and League C champions, as well as the TD Entrepreneurship Challenge champions from the Atlantic and Western regions at the exposition.

“Founders Drive has made such an impact on me personally, so it is amazing to see the impact it is having on others, even beyond whom we have helped through the project,” said Tammy Raycraft, Enactus DC’s team member.  

“This project has allowed students to enhance the skills they’re learning in their programs by working together to build a podcast together from the ground up,” said Danielle Harder, Journalism – Mass Media professor and faculty advisor with Enactus. “Experiential learning opportunities such as these are critical to ensuring our graduates stand out when they enter their industries.”

For more information about Enactus Durham College and the Founders Drive podcast, please visit www.enactusdc.com.

DC alumna making noise in the music business

Durham College (DC) alumna Anne Stirk’s successful career in the music business has been recognized with a place on the inaugural Women in Music Canada Honour Roll.

Working in artist and label partnerships at Spotify, she amplifies the voices of Canada’s homegrown artists and introduces them to the world, while also helping international artists increase their presence in the Canadian market.

She joined her peers at a gala event in Toronto on International Women’s Day, March 8, for an evening of recognition, gratitude and, naturally, music.

“I feel so deeply honoured to have been nominated, and even more so to have shared the space with such amazing individuals,” she said. “So much laughter, love and good vibes were had, and the evening was a testament to the incredible power of women coming together. It was an incredible and long overdue celebration.”

The career she enjoys today is one she dreamed of as a young girl growing up in a musical family. She found that she was more interested in working behind the scenes than in performing, and she spent her time exploring the nascent internet for news on her favourite bands, meeting fellow fans and interviewing musicians for her own website.

Her passion led her to DC’s Music Business Management program.

“DC started it all for me. That program is really good at making sure you have the fundamentals of everything in the music business, from publishing to copyrighting to event management.”

She is often reminded of her time at DC thanks to her enduring friendships with her classmates, some of whom also work in the industry. She has also employed a number of interns from the program over the years, confident that they have received a great education.

“The real-world scenarios that get thrown at you in that program are what prepared me to deal with different personalities and different people in the business, especially artists. You can teach people anything from a book, but nothing prepares you for life and dealing with people until you’re actually in those real-life scenarios. It gave me the ability to evolve quickly.”

That’s an ability she’s had to call on many times in her career. After graduating in 2007, she spent over a decade at Universal Music Canada, where she experienced a seismic change in her own career and the industry itself. She worked with the biggest music retailers in Canada on a number of in-store events with popular artists like Justin Bieber, Drake and Halsey before the rise of streaming services changed the way people buy music. Transitioning into digital marketing, she made sure that Universal artists were properly promoted on the new platforms.

In the constantly shifting music business, she has thrived by embracing change, and jumping to Spotify in 2018 was another big one. There, she works with artists and their managers to ensure that as broad an audience as possible hears them. Her most rewarding experiences are when an artist she has helped to cultivate experiences a surge in popularity on the platform.

Working at Spotify has given her a whole new perspective on the business, and not just the good parts. Her new position showed her the true scope of the inequalities faced by women, people of colour and Indigenous artists in the industry, and she devoted herself to addressing that imbalance. With so many voices struggling to be heard, she takes every opportunity to promote those that have been marginalized.

“If someone who needs and deserves support might not get it otherwise, we can amplify them a little further. That’s what keeps me going; making sure the artists that deserve to be heard, are heard, and have equal opportunity.”

Now that she has a voice of influence in the industry, she is determined to use it to create positive change, not just for artists around the world, but for those closest to her.

“I just want a world where my nieces don’t have to worry about being women, or being part Indigenous. I know the music business is a small percentage of that overall equity conversation, but if I can make a little difference for them, I will.”

That motivation will fuel her as she continues to lead the way in reshaping the music industry.

Janine Knight-Grofe recognized for contributions to international education

Janine Knight-Grofe has been recognized for her tremendous contributions to the field of international education.

Knight-Grofe, Durham College’s (DC) director of International Education, travelled to Washington, D.C. last month for the Association of International Education Administrators (AIEA) annual conference. While there, she became only the second Canadian to be honoured with the Harold Josephson Student Professional Award, which recognizes a professional administrator in international education who is also doing graduate work (PhD or master’s degree).  

“I was thrilled and humbled because I have a lot of passion for this field. I would probably work in international education even if I wasn’t paid to do so.”

Knight-Grofe knows firsthand the value that an international education can have. As a student, she studied abroad in the United States, Spain and the United Kingdom. Then she turned her passion for it into a career.

“I’ve written quite a bit on international students, on education abroad, and now I’m focused on equity in internationalization in my PhD work. I consider myself a perpetual international student,” she said.

After a decade with the Canadian Bureau for International Education, she arrived at DC where she works with a diverse team of professionals to support international students from the start of their journey to Canada until they graduate from DC. Her goal is to provide tailored, values-centred support for international students by making sure they feel a sense of belonging and providing them the tools, resources and engagement they need to thrive.

“I am simply here to support students who have chosen to take this journey. I am here, 100 per cent, to support their future goals.”

She also oversees opportunities for DC students to experience their own education abroad. The Faculty-led Classroom Abroad (FLCA) program allows students to take what they’ve learned and apply it around the world, and two groups recently did just that. A group from the Faculty of Hospitality and Horticultural Science travelled to Peru to study culinary techniques at a university, while a group from the Faculty of Media, Art and Design trekked to Guatemala to learn and to share storytelling techniques with young people.

As the work of supporting international students continues and evolves, the award she received in Washington will provide motivation as she continues to lead the way.

“Are people understanding the ways we’re trying to do things differently in international education, with a great focus on equity? That recognition is like, yes. Keep going.”

Future firefighters and fitness professionals teaming up at Durham College for hands-on learning experience

Students in Durham College (DC)’s Firefighter – Pre-Service Education and Training (PFET) and Fitness and Health Promotion (FHP) programs are participating in a unique, collaborative learning opportunity created in response to Canada’s fitness and first responder needs.

In this interdisciplinary opportunity, firefighting students will perform real-life fire simulations while fitness and health promotion students simultaneously measure their vital physiological responses to improve health, safety and performance. This project has been funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Innovation Work-Integrated Learning program and Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning (CEWIL) Canada’s Innovation Hub.

“There is an emerging need for fitness and health promotion professionals with technical training specific to the assessment of first responders,” said Dr. Michael Williams-Bell, professor, Faculty of Health Sciences and lead on the initiative. “Many fire departments within Ontario and Canada require incoming recruits to have a basic level of knowledge and skills, so training conducted through projects like this is crucial as we continue to lead the way for the next generation of firefighters.”

The project, in collaboration with Oshawa Fire Services and Ontario Tech University, has three phases:

  • Phase one: V02 Max Clinics led by FHP students who measure PFET students’ maximum oxygen consumption and analyze overall cardiovascular endurance.
  • Phase two: PFET extreme environment workshop that includes exercises like search and rescue in high heat and CPR in a simulated moving ambulance.
  • Phase three: Live fire training at the OFS burn tower facility where FHP students monitor the firefighters’ physiology and provide post-evolution analysis.

With the funding, FHP students will also expand the varsity athlete training clinics and work with coaches and sport science research experts to gain hands-on experience using new data analysis techniques.

“This unique collaboration will support the learning outcomes of the FHP and PFET programs and provide our students with first-hand industry experience that will increase their employability,” said Debbie McKee Demczyk, dean, Office of Research Services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship. “We’re incredibly grateful for CEWIL Canada’s commitment to elevating the student experience at Durham College.”

Totalling $195,000, this marks the largest non-bursary award DC’s Office of Research Services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ORSIE) has received from CEWIL Canada to date.

 

Durham College grad returns to Bistro ’67 for pop-up dining event following Top Chef Canada win

Trevane “Tre” Sanderson, winner of Top Chef Canada Season 10 and 2015 grad of Durham College’s (DC) Culinary Management program, returned to Bistro ’67 for a unique dining experience on Thursday, February 23.

Part of a two-night pop-up event sponsored by RBC, the sold-out “An Evening with Tre Sanderson, Winner of Top Chef Canada” events offered more than 140 guests the chance to enjoy a delicious four-course meal made up of many of Tre’s most-celebrated dishes from the competition, as well as the opportunity to meet the Top Chef himself.

Inspired by his Jamaican background and fueled by his passion to elevate Caribbean cuisine, Tre worked alongside current culinary students, sharing his skills and experiences and inspiring them with his success story.

“It wasn’t long ago I was in the same situation as them, fresh and green, ambitious, eager to learn and not scared to challenge themselves,” said Tre. “Once you’re in a comfort zone, you’re not being challenged so being able to work with these young chefs and see them asking questions is humbling.”

Funds from the RBC sponsorship will also support the Tre Sanderson Culinary Management bursary, which will help future culinary students pursue their paths at DC.

“We’re incredibly proud to have played a role in Tre’s journey and grateful for his dedication to giving back to the next generation of young culinary professionals,” said Kelly O’Brien, associate dean, Faculty of Hospitality & Horticultural Science. “And with the support of our title sponsor, RBC, we were able to host an incredible event that not only showcases Tre’s talents but also how Durham College’s programs can lead the way to a bright and inspiring future.”

Bistro ’67 opened its doors once again on Friday, February 24 for the second event. The food, service, ambience and décor all received rave reviews, and another sold-out crowd enjoyed a sumptuous meal designed by Canada’s Top Chef with precision and passion.

“This menu is the dream,” he said. “It’s my dream, to elevate Caribbean cuisine.”

Fine Arts students showcase their work at Durham Region headquarters

Durham Region’s headquarters has an inspiring new look thanks to our Durham College (DC) Fine Arts students.

A new public art installation representing the themes of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility was unveiled on Wednesday, February 15. With these themes in mind, DC’s talented artists crafted a selection of bold and colorful paintings, which are now on display at 605 Rossland Road East in Whitby.

“Public art meaningfully connects people with built environment, strengthens our sense of culture and creates a more beautiful community to enjoy every day,” said John Henry, regional chair and chief executive officer of Durham Region. “This new installation does all of that while celebrating the diversity of our region. It’s a visual reminder of our values, and it will help ensure everyone feels welcome and included here.”

Durham Region and DC partnered on this public art project with the goals of connecting people and places, creating beautiful spaces, and supporting the local creative community.

Fine Arts students in their final year participated in the project as part of their Community Collaboration – Service Learning course, in which they work with community groups and explore critical social and community issues.

“We were proud to partner with the Regional Municipality of Durham on this project, which gave our Fine Arts students an opportunity to apply their classroom learning in the real-world,” said Linda Flynn, DC’s associate vice president of Development and Alumni Affairs.

“I am deeply proud of their work which will be enjoyed by community members for years to come.”  

A Year in Review – 2022 at Durham College

It was another busy year at Durham College (DC)! From hosting events, launching new programs, establishing partnerships and winning awards, our DC community has truly been leading the way in 2022.

Here’s a look at some of our favourite highlights of the year.

Events

In-person events were back on the calendar this spring for the first time since 2019 with Convocation, which saw more than 3,500 students cross the stage and Open House welcoming the next generation of DC students. The Harvest Dinner also returned, with students from the horticulture, culinary, events management and hospitality programs working together to create a memorable evening for 105 guests.

We also led the way with a number of unique educational opportunities at DC. The STOP THE BLEED® event set a record with over 200 campus community members learning life-saving skills. And, later in the year, Grade 7 and 8 girls explored potential careers during the Expand the Possibilities 4.0: Young Women in Science, Technology and Trades Conference event.

News

The grand opening of the new Ontario Power Generation Centre for Skilled Trades and Technology marked a new era for the Whitby campus. Filled with numerous specialized labs and shops, it solidifies DC’s status as a top destination for students entering the industrial skilled trades.

DC’s Office of Research Services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship celebrated many funding achievements: the Social Impact Hub received a $25,000 grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada; Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning (CEWIL) Canada provided more than $100,000 in funding for two of its work-integrated learning projects; and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada granted $440,000 in COVID recovery funding.

Our commitment to social responsibility remained strong this year. The DC community teamed with the Global Guardian Project to send life-saving medical kits to Ukraine, and President Don Lovisa committed to fighting global injustice by signing the Sustainable Developments Goals accord. We also published our first Diversity Self-Identification survey.

DC and Metrolinx made history with a 10-year naming partnership that saw the former Oshawa GO Station renamed Durham College Oshawa GO. And our footprint continued to expand when we partnered with the Barrett Family Foundation, Invest Durham and Durham Region to break ground on the Barrett Centre for Urban Agriculture’s new urban farm project in north Ajax.

Programs

DC continued its push to evolve post-secondary education in a number of ways this year.

Two new technology-focused programs began in September, and eight certificate, graduate certificate and diploma programs will now be available in a flexible weekend delivery format. Another accelerated version of the Personal Support Worker program will allow students to graduate within six months while a new compressed Early Childhood Education program will enable students to graduate within 14 months.

Funding from the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development allowed DC to launch three Pre-Apprenticeship programs to increase the number of Canadians who are job-ready in a skilled trade, and employment-seekers facing higher barriers to entry. Finally, DC announced a pair of new degree programs; the Honours Bachelor of Community Mental Health and the Honours Bachelor of Paralegal. Both programs will launch in September 2023.

Accolades

DC students are among the best and brightest, and they proved it all year.

Eight students won awards at the 2022 Virtual Skills Ontario Competition, five of whom travelled to Vancouver, leading the way to silver and bronze medal victories at the Skills Canada National competition.

Five Project Management students won first place in the Ontario Project Management Competition and two Game-Art students made waves at Ubisoft Toronto’s NEXT competition.

Two students were named Canada’s best new student chefs at the Taste Canada Awards Gala. Enactus DC won the RBC Future Launch Accelerator and ranked in the top 20 of all social initiatives at the Enactus Canada National Exposition. They had another triumph when they placed first at the Hong Kong Global Social Innovation Summit.

DC’s student-produced newspaper, The Chronicle, took home top honours in the General Excellence – College/University category at the Ontario Community Newspaper Association’s Better Newspapers competition.

Former students have also been making news this year. Cody Partridge, a 2011 graduate of the Music Business program, notched four wins at the Canadian Sync Awards. In the fall, 2015 Culinary Management graduate Trevane ‘Tre’ Sanderson claimed victory on the hit show Top Chef Canada.

The college received its own accolades as well. DC was named one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for the sixth consecutive year, and one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers for the 12th time.

As we embark on the year ahead, DC will undoubtedly continue to lead the way in Durham Region and beyond.