The Durham College (DC) Leadership Team and students from the Construction Carpentry – Sustainable program have developed a strong relationship with Habitat for Humanity in the Durham Region assisting with the most recent building project located at 372 Centre Street South in Oshawa.

Habitat for Humanity works in more than 300 communities across Canada constructing affordable housing for families in need. This partnering between Habitat and DC has not only allowed students to gain hands-on experience outside of the classroom but has also provided a way for DC to give back to its community.

“The first phase was four homes and the Durham College students were a valuable asset to have as they were able to do the trusses because they all have their fall-arrest certification,” said Habitat volunteer co-ordinator Patty Knight. Fall-arrest certification is training received through the Construction Carpentry – Sustainable program that allows individuals to work safely at a height of three metres or higher and is certification that typical volunteers rarely have.

So far, students have assisted with the first phase of the Centre Street build which included the construction of four homes at the project site, and on April 11, several DC staff members also made their way down to the project site to see the students’ incredible work. Staff members assisted with additional tasks such as drywalling, mudding and installation of electric boxes. DC president Don Lovisa was one of the many staff members on hand.

“It’s important for us to give back to the community,” said Lovisa. “We ask a lot of our community so we have to give back and this is an opportunity to do that. It also allows us to come out as a team, get away from our desks, have fun and share a few laughs.”

Despite a tougher than normal winter, the Centre Street project is set to be completed in August and the inclusion of DC students from more programs including Mechanical Techniques – Plumbing and Electrical Technician – Instrumentation and Control is currently being developed.

For information on how you can assist Habitat for Humanity in the Durham Region either through charitable donation or volunteer work, please visit www.habitatdurham.com. 

When the Durham College (DC) Whitby campus opened in 1993, it primarily served as a home for programs from the School of Skilled Trades, Apprenticeship & Renewable Technology.

Fast forward 21 years later and the more than 270,000-square-foot campus offers 14 apprenticeship programs including 11 that are Red Seal as well as numerous trade-related diploma and certificate programs; living lab environments in areas including solar cell systems, wind turbines and geothermal technology systems; expanded shop areas for green building trades and technology; and most recently the 36,000-square-foot Centre for Food, which opened to students in the fall of 2013.

One of the many additions and improvements that have taken place over the years includes the donation of a residential home in January 2011, which was donated by Durham Custom Homes under the college’s three-phase Building for our Future initiative. The 1940s-built home was initially used as a learning lab for students in the college’s energy programs. However, the home’s low ceilings, narrow hallways and smaller room sizes, which offer a realistic depiction of the current living environment of many seniors, have since proven to be an ideal learning environment for students in the Personal Support Worker (PSW) program, which focuses heavily on assistance with mobility, medications and nutrition as well as household care in retirement residences, hospitals, long-term care facilities and personal homes.

In March 2013, the college received $46,500 in funding from the Ontario Simulation Network (SIM-one) and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care through the Seniors Care Strategy, to purchase PSW-specific simulation equipment for installation in the home, known by the college as Living Lab 2.

Developed with the aim of providing students with a setting related directly to senior care in a realistic home environment, the first PSW students entered the bungalow at the end of November 2013 to be tested in the new, simulated community experience while completing their 120 hours of community practicum.

“The home is providing PSW students with additional opportunities to apply skills related to activities of daily living to seniors within their community,” said Deborah Schuh, PSW program co-ordinator. “The equipment is enabling Durham College to prepare our students with skills designed to evolve as the PSW scope of practice changes, enabling them to adapt in order to meet the demanding future of health care in Ontario, such as care related to dementia and other neurological disorders such as stroke.”

Going forward, additional programs from the School of Health & Community Services and the School of Justice & Emergency Services are also interested in using the unique space provided at the Whitby campus.

“To have students from programs such as PSW, Practical Nursing, Paramedic, Occupational Therapist Assistant/Physiotherapist Assistant working in the learning space would be ideal,” said Schuh. “These opportunities for students to work together would enhance the learning environment with the sharing of skills and knowledge while fostering the understanding and appreciation of each other’s important role as part of a health-care team.”

Durham College has been rated as one of the top colleges in Canada for research income according to Research Infosource Inc.’s, ranking of Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges, which was released on October 23.

Improving by 17 spots from its 2011 ranking, Durham College moved into the top 25 research colleges in Canada. The ranking is a significant achievement for the Office of Research Services and Innovation (ORSI), which supports local businesses and industry by helping them solve their technical problems and become more competitive.

“We are very pleased and honoured to see Durham College’s achievements recognized on the list of Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges,” said Debbie McKee Demczyk, director of ORSI. “Thank you to the small- and medium-sized companies who have trusted us to support their research and innovation needs, providing excellent opportunities for our students to experience real-world challenges.”

Canada’s colleges are important and growing research performers in the country’s national system of innovation,” said Ron Freedman, chief executive officer of Research Infosource. “Colleges are clearly on the move, as evidenced by their strong year-on-year growth.”

For more information and a complete list of Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges please visit http://www.researchinfosource.com/top50_col.php 

It’s only a matter of time before everyone will get to see what they’ve been cooking up at the Center for Food (CFF). After more than three years, the CFF located at Durham College’s Whitby campus, is in its final phase of construction and on track to hitting its scheduled date of completion.

Opening this September, the state-of-the-art facility will accommodate more than 900 students pursuing careers in sectors such as hospitality, tourism, culinary, agriculture and horticulture.

This 36,000-square-foot establishment will be stocked with a full-service, green-certified teaching restaurant, retail store featuring student-made edibles, lecture theatre complete with cooking equipment, lounge, classrooms, meeting spaces and a living hotel lab.

As the official fall opening of the new building approaches, Michelle Darling, manager, Planning and Project Management, says it’s an eventful time to be a part of the building of the CFF.

“Lots of exciting ideas are being presented by faculty in support of the academic programs that will be delivered in the Centre for Food,” she said.

Aside from some environmental challenges of high winds and rain, all has gone off without a hitch.

“It speaks to the quality and care that went into the installation and co-ordination of the construction of the site,” said Darling.

This far into phase three, the curtain wall framing, ductwork, plumbing, sprinklers fire protection and basement are 90 per cent complete, with delivery of freezers and coolers not far behind. 

Welcoming close to 500 guests to its Oshawa campus in the name of science, Durham College participated in the University of Ontario Institute of Technology’s (UOIT) sixth annual Science Rendezvous on May 11 at the university’s Energy Systems and Nuclear Science Research Centre (ERC) for a day of fun-based learning, free food and prizes.

A popular tradition since 2008, the event is Ontario’s largest public science festival with many interactive educational workshops that students, children and parents alike enjoyed together while expanding their knowledge.

Durham College hosted a household science display with numerous activities including refraction; making batteries with fruit and vegetables; exploring scientific compounds in foods such as cereal; and making objects disappear.

School of Science & Engineering Technology faculty member Laura Benninger has volunteered for the Science Rendezvous since its inception and helped organize and run this year’s events.

“The Science Rendezvous was able to reach the goal of exposing the public, and children especially, to science in both an entertaining and educational sense,” said Benninger. “I strongly believe in bringing science into the community and showing that science and technology are fun!”

In addition to the college’s activities, participants had the opportunity to race bottle rockets; handle robotics; compete in a tower building competition, enjoy liquid nitrogen ice-cream; examine forensic evidence from a crime scene; isolate their own DNA; and many other activities. 

Continuing Durham College’s tradition of incredible results at the Ontario Technological Skills Competition (OTSC), four students proved they have the skills to succeed this week, winning four provincial medals, including two gold, one silver and one bronze, at the 2013 OTSC, which was  hosted by Skills Canada – Ontario from May 6 to 8 in Waterloo, Ont.

Second-year Mechanical Technician – Mechanical Maintenance and Control student Mitch Tempro took home a gold medal in the Industrial Mechanic Millwright category and Michael Mills, a Level 3 – Advanced Tool and Die apprenticeship program student, won gold in the Precision Machining competition.

In addition, Don Reid, a Level 2 – Intermediate Plumber apprenticeship student, won silver in the Plumbing division while third-year Computer Systems Technology student Conner Saunders claimed bronze in the IT & Network Systems Administration category.

“I want to congratulate all of the Durham College students who enjoyed incredible success at the annual Skills Ontario competition,” said Don Lovisa, president of Durham College.  “It is very impressive to return home with two golds, one silver and one bronze medal and this truly demonstrates the high quality of our students and the teaching and skills offered by the college.”

In total, nine students from Durham College took part in the provincial event. As winners in their respective categories, Tempro and Mills will next compete at the 19th annual Skills Canada National Competition, being held in Vancouver, B.C. from Wednesday, June 5 to Saturday, June 8.

“I would also like to recognize our faculty members responsible for teaching and guiding these students and leading them to achieving these well-deserved honours,” added Lovisa.  “Well done everyone and good luck to Mitch and Michael as they represent Durham College at Skills Canada.”

Skills Canada – Ontario is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of the skilled trades and technologies as viable, first-choice career options to Ontario youth. With the support of partners, it encourages young people to consider a career in the skilled trades and technologies through programs and initiatives such as in-school presentations, qualifying and provincial skills competitions.

Durham College faculty, staff, student researchers, industry collaborators and other guests joined the college’s Office of Research Services and Innovation (ORSI) on May 1 when the college hosted its third annual Research Day on campus.

Titled Prosperity through Innovation and designed to provide a first-hand look at the innovative applied research projects the college currently has underway, the event highlighted research and initiatives in the areas of entrepreneurship, engineering, education, health care, information technology and the humanities via 12 different breakout sessions. Topics focused on industry success, faculty expertise and student experience.  

“Since its inception, ORSI has created a strong applied research agenda for Durham College,” said Debbie McKee Demczyk, director, ORSI. “An agenda designed to respond to the significant business and industry need for practical solutions through applied research and innovation activities while remaining focused on providing unique and real-world experiences to students.”

The college also celebrated the success of ORSI; recognized all student and faculty researchers and its Research Advisory Committee and Research Ethics Board; and honoured the top student and faculty researchers of the academic year.  

Alex Dvorkian, professor,School of Science & Engineering Technology, was named the Top Faculty Researcher for 2012-2013 with Hossein Ahari, professor, School of Science & Engineering Technology, coming in second and Rob Braithwaite, professor, School of Science & Engineering Technology, finishing third.

In addition, Anthony Smeelen, a third-year Computer Programmer Analyst program student, and Nicole Ottley, a third-year Biotechnology Technologist program student, were named co-winners of the Student Researcher Award.

Brad Morris, a third-year student in the Electronics Engineering Technology program, and Adam MacDonald, a third-year student in the Electronics Engineering Technology program, were named co-second place winners and John Harvey, a third-year Mechanical Engineering Technology program student, finished third.

Since its inception in 2009, ORSI has established a strong applied research environment at Durham College. Through the creativity and expertise of faculty, staff and students, the college has sustained the engagement of several community partners and small- and medium-sized businesses, launching several research projects and collaborations in just a few years.

In addition, it has also received funding from several government funding agencies such as the Colleges Ontario Network for Industry Innovation, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, Ontario Centres of Excellence, Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer, Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and more.  

“There is great value created through applied research partnerships with colleges in a wide range of sectors,” said Don Lovisa, president, Durham College. “Partnerships that are generating economic, social and environmental benefits for Durham Region, Ontario and Canada. Durham College is proud to be a part of this innovation network and I am pleased with our level of accomplishment in just three short years.”

Bob Chiarelli, minister of Energy, was joined by Durham College President Don Lovisa, MPP Joe Dickson (Ajax-Pickering) and students from the college’s Renewable Energy Technician program on April 11 as he toured the college’s Whitby campus for a first-hand look at its state-of-the-art classrooms, labs and equipment focused on renewable energy technology.

“Training Ontarians for the high-skilled jobs in the clean energy sector is an important part of modernizing our energy system,” said Chiarelli. “Students in the Renewable Energy Technician program have a bright future as we build a clean, reliable energy system that Ontario families can count on.”

The minister visited campus and met with students in the Renewable Energy Technician program as part of the ministry’s commitment to creating jobs and building a clean energy workforce. This included the opportunity to see students training inside the Wind Tunnel classroom where he assisted with the installation of a wind blade; viewing the wind tunnels and solar panels installed on the roof of the Whitby campus; and assisting with the installation of a solar panel.

In addition, he visited the Sustainable Carpentry shop where he spoke with students about the government’s plan to support the next generation of energy workers and build an energy system designed to create and support jobs while ensuring there is enough electricity to power the province’s homes, schools, hospitals and more.

“You can be confident that the renewable energy sector is here to stay in Ontario,” added Chiarelli. We are excited about the program you have here and excited about how excited your students are about the sector.”

The Renewable Energy Technician program was launched in September 2009 and close to 100 students will have graduated by spring 2013 including 21 students who are scheduled to graduate this June.

“All of the investments our college has made in green energy and sustainability over the past few years has positioned our students very well for finding employment in the green energy sector now and moving forward as the demand for green energy workers increases, “ said Lovisa.

Graduates of the Renewable Energy Technician program possess the knowledge, skills and ability required to perform energy audits on new and existing homes and assist with site analysis and the installation and assembly of solar energy panels, geothermal heat pump systems and wind turbines, leaving them well-positioned to pursue interesting and challenging careers in the energy sector.

“Graduating from the Renewable Energy Technician program was a life changer for me,” said Eddy Racine, a 2010 Renewable Energy Technician program graduate and renewable energy technical support specialist, National Service Center, Westburne Electric. “The program gave me the tools and support I needed to secure a great job in my field. Seeing how the Green Energy Act has shaped the landscape and the lives of thousands of Ontarians is simply amazing. It is exciting to be part of the government’s commitment to long-term sustainability of our resources.  As this industry continues to grow, so do my opportunities.” 

Durham College in conjunction with the Community Innovation Lab (ilab), today announced that Sandra Young, Jennifer Russell, Elizabeth Willatt and Dana Murray, all first-year students in the college’s Paralegal program, are the winners of Durham Ideas Den 2013, a social innovation competition for post-secondary students. The competition was co-hosted by the college through the Global Class which is housed under the School of Interdisciplinary Studies & Employment Services and the ilab, and sponsored in part by the Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Employment.

“Durham College is very proud to be part of this forward-thinking student challenge,” said Don Lovisa, president, Durham College. “Durham Ideas Den 2013 has provided a unique platform for students to develop creative ideas and solutions for real-world issues being faced right here in Durham Region. We are extremely proud of the submissions from all of our students as they are a true testimonial to the entrepreneurial spirit that is alive and well on our campus. Congratulations to Sandra, Jennifer, Elizabeth and Dana on their outstanding success and to all of the finalists on their significant accomplishments.”

The competition, which began in December 2012, saw teams of students work together to generate ideas for solutions to complex community problems based on five key themes identified during an Ideas Jam with community stakeholders hosted by the ilab in 2012. In February 2013 students were presented with the five themes and invited to brainstorm ideas and/or solutions for each including re-imagining engagement of our youth; enhanced transportation systems and alternatives; poverty; image of our region; and climate change.

More than 100 submissions were received with 25 teams shortlisted as semi-finalists. From there, six teams were invited to pitch for the top three awards at the final competition. Hosted on March 28 at the Durham College Student Services building by Dena Chiarcossi, host of Rogers Daytime TV, the event saw each team present their social venture idea to a panel of judges.

“The Community Innovation Lab is pleased to launch the 2013 Durham Ideas Den, in partnership with Durham College, the Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Employment and a growing list of community sponsors and partners,” said Pramilla Ramdahani, executive director, ilab. “There is nothing greater than engaging and challenging our students’ creativity and building their social innovation DNA by incentivizing their ‘stillborn’ ideas into opportunities. This is a real opportunity for our stakeholders to further explore the impact of youth social entrepreneurship and its return on investment for the region.”

Each team was responsible for articulating how their proposed social venture would impact local communities and contribute to sustainable solutions with the team of Young, Russell, Willatt and Murray named the first-place winner for their submission titled Durham Involves Youth (youth engagement theme). As the winners of the competition, they will receive $5,000 toward the incubation of their ventures at the ilab in the summer of 2013.

Stephanie Morris, Kristen Dormer and Travis Richter, first-year General Arts and Science students finished second for their submission titled Peer-to-Peer Mental Health (youth engagement theme), while Greg Park, Tyler MacDonald, Nate Lawrence and Mitchell Feyen, four first -year Paralegal students were named the third-place winners for their submission titled Big Belly Compactor (re-imagining the image of our region theme). The second and third place teams received $3,500 and $2,500 respectively toward the implementation of their ventures at the ilab.

The three remaining teams received $1,000 towards further iteration and development of their ideas in collaboration with a mentoring team of coaches, advisors and social innovators. These teams were comprised of Scott Harrison, a second-year Advertising and Marketing Communications Management student; Eduardo Valladares, Taylor Gates and Phil Garbe, three first-year students in the Mechanical Engineering Technology program; and Megan Hueser and Julie Burnett, first-year Social Service Worker students.

Additional sponsoring partners in Durham Ideas Den 2013 included Corel21, the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, the Rotary Club of Whitby Sunrise, Rogers TV, Durham Workforce Authority, the Region of Durham Economic Development, Powernoodle and the School for Social Entrepreneurs. 

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