Info for
Quick links
Download our Mobile app
Icon for Apple. App Store Icon for Android. Google Play

New chair and vice-chair for DC Board of Governors

Durham College’s Board of Governors is pleased to announce that Ron Chatterton will serve as its chair, effective Monday, July 1, 2013 through to Monday, June 30, 2014.

The chair assists the president in securing strategic partnerships and college funding essential to its operation and advancement; supports and advises the president through collegial partnership; fosters teamwork among board members; presides over executive and board meetings; and communicates board-stated positions and decisions.

Chatterton is the director of Refurbishment Support in the nuclear power plant refurbishment sector of Atlantic Nuclear Services Inc. Previously he was an operations manager with Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. (AECL), supporting the development of its new reactor designs and prior to joining AECL worked at Ontario Hydro as an authorized control room operator at the Bruce Nuclear Generating Station ‘A’. He also spent two years at the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant in Romania where he assisted and trained Romanian staff about placing power plant systems into initial service and worked at Ontario Power Generation, holding manager positions in Operations, Outage and Maintenance at the Darlington and Pickering ‘B’ Nuclear Power Plants.

In addition to the appointment of Chatterton to chair of the board, Pierre Tremblay will serve as vice-chair, also effective July 1, 2013 through to June 30, 2014.

The vice-chair assists the chair in his or her role and shares the responsibilities of the standing committee meetings and any special events. Tremblay is a well-respected and dedicated leader in the Canadian Nuclear industry who was most recently appointed deputy chief nuclear officer and executive vice-president, Canadian Nuclear Partners, OPG. A Canadian Nuclear business veteran, his extensive career at OPG has spanned over 35 years. 

Nine DC students to compete at Skills Canada – Ontario

Some of Durham College’s most technologically talented students will see if they have the skills to pay the bills at the 24th annual Ontario Technological Skills Competition (OTSC) from Monday, May 6 to Wednesday, May 8.

The event, featuring more than 1,900 elementary, secondary and post-secondary school competitors in more than 60 skilled trade categories, will take place at RIM Park in Waterloo, Ontario. This year, Durham will send nine students to compete in five different areas of competition.

Zachary Winch and Connor Saunders, both third-year students in the Computer Systems Technology program, will compete in the IT & Network Systems Administration category. Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Techniques (HVAC) students Jeffery Thackery and Dylan Severn will participate in the Heating Systems Technician contest, while Mitch Tempro and Jordan Best, second-year students in the Mechanical Technician – Mechanical Maintenance and Control program, will compete in the Industrial Mechanic Millwright category.

Also competing are Mike Mills and Mark Schubert, Tool and Die (Level 3 – Advanced) apprenticeship students in the Precision Machining category, while Plumber (Level 2 – Intermediate) apprenticeship student Donny Reid competes in the Plumbing competition.

Gold-medal winners in each category (except Heating Systems Technician) will be eligible to compete at the Skills Canada National Competition taking place from Wednesday, June 3 to Saturday, June 8 in Vancouver, BC. Last year, Durham College students took home two gold and two silver medals, including Plumber apprentice Ryan Voscek who eventually won the Plumbing category with a gold at the 2012 Skills Canada competition.

More than 30,000 spectators are expected at the three-day event. 

Durham Region Transit changes

Durham Region Transit (DRT) will be making route and fare changes that may impact your usage of the Universal Transit Pass (U-Pass).

The U-Pass offers  students savings and free use of any Durham Region Transit bus and selected GO Transit bus operating in Durham Region during the academic year, seven days a week. The cost for the U-Pass is included in your full-time student fees, providing transit service to students at a fraction of regular monthly student pass rates.

The changes will become effective on Saturday, June 29 and students are encouraged to view the DRT flyer or visit the DRT website for details.

DC hosts third annual Research Day on campus

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.”

DC graduates continue to impress employers

The results of the 2012-2013 provincial government’s Key Performance Indicators (KPI) surveys have been released and Durham College graduates continued to impress employers this year with an employer satisfaction rating of 95 per cent, the highest employer satisfaction of all colleges in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and the Eastern Region. In addition, Durham College has the highest graduate employment rate of all colleges in the GTA with 83.7 percent of our students finding employment within six months of graduation.  

DC and UOIT collaborative faculty and students receive series of provincial awards

Durham College and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) are extending their congratulations to several faculty members and students from the Durham College and UOIT Nursing – Collaborative (BScN) program and the Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) to BScN Completion Collaborative program, for their recent recognition by several provincial organizations.

This includes the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO), Registered Nurses’ Foundation of Ontario (RNFOO) and Council of Ontario University Programs in Nursing (COUPN).

On April 12 the Nursing – Collaborative (BScN) program received the prestigious RNAO Promotion in a Nursing Program Award at the RNAO Leadership Luncheon in Toronto, which is given to nursing schools that have made outstanding contributions to the nursing profession in Ontario. In addition, Dr. Angela Cooper-Brathwaite, an adjunct assistant professor with collaborative nursing program, received the RNAO’s Leadership Award in Political Action, which recognizes a registered nurse (RN) who initiates and partakes in political action that benefits the health of individuals/ clients or profiles or positively positions nursing.

“This overall recognition illuminates the tremendous support for our nursing program, our students and our partners from not only within the program, but across the whole Faculty of Health Sciences,” said Dr. Sue Coffey, director of the Collaborative BScN program, Faculty of Health Sciences, UOIT. “I’d also like to congratulate the faculty, staff and students associated with our award-winning collaborative nursing program.”

Several RPN to BScN Completion Collaborative program students were also honoured for their positive contribution to nursing education including:

  • Bahar Karbalaei, a fourth-year student, who received the RNFOO Gala Post-Diploma Scholarship and COUPN 2013 Excellence in Professional Nursing Practice at the Undergraduate Student Level Award.
  • Mary Michalski, a first-year student, who received the RNFOO Undergraduate Scholarship.
  • Wei Wang a fourth-year student, who received the RNFOO Mary Brunning Harkin Scholarship.

“On behalf of Durham College I extend my sincere congratulations to everyone – faculty, administrators and students – in the collaborative nursing programs for this wonderful recognition,” said Susan Sproul, dean, Durham College School of Health & Community Services. “It is a true reflection of our commitment to delivering a nursing program designed to graduate professional nurses committed to excellence and innovation in assessing and meeting the nursing needs of society as well as the dedication of our students to acquiring the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to practise as safe and competent nurses.”

The Nursing – Collaborative (BScN) program is also acknowledging its community partner the Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Services for receiving the 2013 COUPN Agency Recognition Award. Letters of support from Dr. Ellen Vogel, dean, UOIT Faculty of Health Sciences and Dr. Wendy Stanyon, a professor with the Nursing – Collaborative (BScN) program and a long-time research and practice collaborator, were submitted to COUPN in support of the Ontario Shores nomination.

Toronto gallery hosts DC design show

A designer’s job is to know good design from bad and pay attention to every detail, no matter how small, while creating unique ideas and displaying them for the reaction of others. The result of all this meticulous work – having your work presented in the 12th annual graphic design show held every April at the Creative Blueprint Gallery in the Foundry Buildings in Toronto, Ont.

This year’s exhibit – Beyond Black and White – opened on April 18 and will run until Tuesday, April 30. Showcasing recent work from Durham College Graphic Design students, the concept of the show is to “…symbolize the design process from the beginning to end, with just paper and a pencil or a product printed in full colour,” as stated by Emily Neuman, second-year Graphic Design student. 

Neuman, along with classmate Dana Snow, created the poster for this year’s annual event. The Beyond Black and White concept is reflective of the decisions designers make from typographic choices, colours, materials, etc. Creative videos from the design program’s annual Crow Awards category will also be shown.

“Dana and I worked together to come up with the final concept for the show,” said Neuman. “It was a wonderful opportunity to have our work chosen to represent Durham College and to be able to work together and with our teachers to bring our ideas to a final printed piece.”

The unique opportunity to have their work displayed in a Toronto gallery gives Durham College students a distinct advantage to finding field placements at agencies and studios during the school year and potential job opportunities after graduation.

Admission is free and the exhibit is open to the public. 

Just Mess With It – student art exhibit

Art enthusiasts will have the opportunity to view the fine works created by the talented students of the Foundations in Art and Design and Fine Arts – Advanced programs at the 11th annual Juried Art Show.

Showcased at the Whitby Station Gallery from April 17 to Sunday, April 28 the students’ works include paintings, drawings, photographs, digital art, videos and various 3D creations.

“This is a great opportunity for our students to participate in the process of showing their work in a professional environment,” said Herb Klassen, professor and program co-ordinator of the Foundations in Art and Design program. “We very much appreciate the contribution the Station Gallery is making to the education and development of the up and coming members of Durham Region’s artistic community.”

The theme of this year’s show – Just Mess With It – reflects the belief that modern life needs to be messed with in order to cope with the rapid changes imposed on society.

“We were able to reflect on our accomplishments and progress and then share our creations,” said participating student Kevin Cormier. “Having our work displayed in a local gallery allows us a taste of what it is like to be an artist.”

The official reception and presentation of awards will take place at the gallery on Thursday, April 25 at 7 p.m. The exhibition benefits the students as they prepare to take the skills they’ve learned in the classroom and apply them to future opportunities, according to Klassen.

 “Having work on display in a professional gallery has a profound impact on the confidence of the emerging artist and/or designer.”

International student gives back to campus community

Zain Shafique is not your average college student. When his birth country of Pakistan was hit by floods, Shafique chose to volunteer with UNICEF to help victims. After aiding his countrymen, he decided to study abroad in a country with a much different culture and climate, a decision that turned out to be a great one.   

Since arriving at Durham College in 2012, he has been elected as the Board of Governors’ student representative; serves as an international student mentor and; hosts his own radio show on Riot Radio. All that on top of his academic studies in the college’s Computer Programmer Analyst program.

“The one and only factor that motivated me is my mindset of giving back to society as much as I can in order to make a positive difference,” said Shafique.

The focus of his radio show, Culture Shake with Zain, is to reach out to international students and raise their awareness of the activities and opportunities available to them at Durham College. Shafique encourages students to get out of their dorm rooms and take advantage of what the campus and surrounding area have to offer.

“I know that there is still a huge population of students that do not know about the different activities which are present on the campus,” said Shafique. “It is really beneficial for them to know how to get involved.”

While behind the microphone Shafique draws on the experience he obtained while working in Pakistan as part of UNICEF where he was part of Achay Dost, a radio show for the Youth of Pakistan. On Culture Shake, he stresses that international students need to embrace the diversity of the people and experiences that Canada has to offer and get out of their comfort zone and try new things. 

Minister Chiarelli tours Durham College Whitby campus

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.”