At Fall Open House, future students learned why Durham College (DC) is the best choice for their post-secondary education.

The Oshawa and Whitby campuses were filled with more than 2,300 visitors on Saturday, November 4. The DC community was out in full force at both campuses, with alumni, faculty, current students and employees sharing their knowledge and experience.

Attendees got a taste of everything DC has to offer, from state-of-the-art facilities like the Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre and the Centre for Skilled Trades and Technology to our 145+ career-driven programs and support services.

Prospective students spoke to members of our expert faculty and explored labs and learning spaces. Registered attendees were entered into a draw to win a $5,000 tuition credit, and students were able to apply for their chosen program during the event.

Visitors to the Whitby campus were treated to culinary demonstrations by faculty members and students. In Oshawa, cosmetic techniques were on display at the Centre for Collaborative Education, while future paramedic students benefited from live patient care demonstrations.

Open House also had a lot to offer for current students who are interested in continuing their education with graduate certificates, honours bachelor’s degrees and other options.

DC will welcome prospective students once again for Program Information Nights on Tuesday, January 16 (Oshawa) and Wednesday, January 17 (Whitby). Campus tours and information sessions can also be scheduled online.

More than 30 local business owners and founders heard from intellectual property (IP) experts on October 27 about the importance of an IP strategy, a critical component for any business and often a subject that entrepreneurs feel unfamiliar with. The event, hosted by Durham College (DC), featured an industry expert panel, a Q&A session, as well as networking to help foster collaborative relationships between the college and local talent in Durham Region.

“Education is the cornerstone of success for any business, and in today’s competitive landscape, IP knowledge is a critical asset, which is why events like this are so important,” said Joshua Cohen, commercialization specialist at DC. “At Durham College, we believe that by fostering a deeper understanding of intellectual property, we are not only safeguarding businesses but also nurturing innovation and growth in the market.”

The event comes a month after DC’s Office of Research Services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ORSIE) announced a $300,000 grant from Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON), to help small businesses and start-ups take the next steps to bring their products and services to market. By enhancing its services and providing commercialization expertise, DC is better equipped to educate its clients and student entrepreneurs on developing an IP strategy and increase their understanding of the commercialization process – steps that are crucial to the long-term success of their businesses.

The Tech Talk expert panelists discussed industry challenges, inside perspectives and personal testimonies, and included Dr. Chris Webb, Strategic Advisor at IPON; Tony Orsi, Patent Agent and Partner at Bereskin & Parr; and Michael Stanfield, Founder and COO at Inventing Future Technology Inc. (IFTech). One commonality between the panellist’s advice was the significance of having a strong IP strategy, which plays a pivotal role in the protection and growth of a business, especially when it attracts potential investors.

“In my 15 years in Silicon Valley, I saw investors seek to understand how the idea for a given business was protected, so that their investment was also protected,” observed Webb. “Before they are willing to provide large sums of money backing an idea, they want to make sure no other companies can easily pursue the same market.”

In collaboration with IPON, ORSIE will continue to serve as a hub for innovation, fostering economic growth and creating opportunities for its clients, students and faculty to succeed by offering free IP consultancy services, market research analyses, and investment opportunities. A recording of the Tech Talk is available for those who missed the event. You can also learn more about DC’s ORSIE and IP services online.

Justin Hooton is the lucky winner of a $5,000 tuition credit.

The annual contest is open to all Durham College (DC) applicants who register at various events. Now a first-year student in the Broadcasting – Radio and Contemporary Media program, Hooton entered the draw while attending Spring Open House in April, and didn’t give it another thought. At least, not until he received a phone call from DC sharing the good news.

His initial reaction was shock, but once he realized he had really won, he was thrilled. So was his family, and they joined him at the Oshawa campus this week to celebrate.

Even before winning the contest, he knew he’d made the right choice in attending DC.

“I’d heard good things about the school, and it was also one of the closer schools to me, so it was a no-brainer,” said the Peterborough native, who is aiming for a career in the burgeoning field of sports analytics.

DC president Don Lovisa was on hand to greet the Hooton family and share his congratulations.

“It’s wonderful,” he said. “Most students need financial support, whether it’s through a raffle like this, or OSAP loans.”

There are a lot of options for DC students looking to finance their education, and the Financial Aid and Awards office can help.

And if you’re attending DC next year, it could be your turn to win!

Anyone planning their post-secondary future is invited to our College Information Program (CIP) events hosted at Durham College on Thursday, October 26.

Connect with representatives from over 20 Ontario colleges to learn about programs, admission requirements and campus life. Visitors will also be able to tour both of our Durham College (DC) campuses to explore modern learning spaces, meet current students and learn about why people love DC.

At our Oshawa campus, the event will be held in the Global Classroom of the Centre for Collaborative Education (CFCE) from 10 a.m. to noon.  

At our Whitby campus, you’ll find it in the front atrium of the main building from 6 to 8 p.m.

For more information, please contact Rachel Beerman, student recruitment marketing specialist.

Students and employees at Durham College (DC) heard from a renowned speaker and mental health advocate this week in recognition of World Mental Health Day.

Mike Shoreman brought his inspiring story of recovery, triumph and advocacy to DC. After being diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt Syndrome and struggling with depression, he rebuilt his mental health and his life in order to become the first person with a disability to cross all five Great Lakes. At the Campus Health and Wellness Centre, he shared the highs and lows of his inspiring story while encouraging members of the campus community to develop their own mental health resilience, perseverance and drive.

“I strongly believe that we all have mental health in the same way that we all have physical health. We’re all facing mental health struggles and challenges every day, even if we don’t realize it,” he said.

Speaking to DC students, he reflected on his own time as a post-secondary student, and recalled the immense pressure he felt to succeed.

“Am I measuring up to my expectations? Am I measuring up to the expectations of my family, and my teachers? Am I fitting in? Do I belong here? It’s really hard being a student.”

That pressure followed him into adulthood, when he built a successful business as a paddleboarding coach. Although he was doing what he loved, the long hours and constant demands on his time and energy pushed him to his breaking point.

“Have you ever felt like you’re just doing everything, and it’s never going to end? I felt like that,” he said. “I was working myself into the ground, and I didn’t realize what I was doing. I didn’t see it until it was too late.”

The life he had built came crashing down with his Ramsay Hunt diagnosis in 2018, and a dark period of depression followed. But with the support of his family, he sought treatment for his mental health challenges. In the process of restoring his own health, he discovered a passion for showing others how to improve their lives, from the inside out.

“I feel like it’s a responsibility. I try to help one person every day,” he said. “There’s never been a more important time to talk about mental health, and fight the stigma that surrounds it. It starts with having a conversation, just checking in on somebody and saying, how are you doing?”

If you missed his presentation, you can watch it online now. To learn more about Mike Shoreman, visit his website.