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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