Durham College teams up to protect bees Posted on November 3, 2021 at 10:29 am. By Leah Drewette, second-year Public Relations student and brand ambassador, FastStartDC Named a BeeCity for a third consecutive year, the City of Oshawa and its branch of education and research partners, TeachingCity, worked with Durham College (DC) to raise awareness and empower social action to support and protect pollinators. TeachingCity collaborates in applied research and experiential learning to tackle urban issues affecting the City of Oshawa. As an education partner of TeachingCity, DC rallied its interdisciplinary team of faculty members from the School of Science & Engineering Technology (SET), students from the Architectural Technology and Environmental Technology programs and the college’s entrepreneurship centre, FastStartDC, to investigate the impacts of introducing an urban beekeeping program in Oshawa and deliver an awareness campaign on the importance of pollinators. It was the perfect opportunity for FastStartDC’s student team to help achieve the city’s goals of advancing its Bee City designation. Social enterprise and EnactusDC project 3eeHive supported the initiative by running the campaign through their platforms. As strong advocates for pollinator habitat restoration, 3eehive sells branded apparel equipped with plantable paper tags that feature wildflower seeds for consumers to plant in their own backyards. The team’s work was celebrated at the 2021 Oshawa Peony Festival, held virtually for the second year in a row from June 1 to June 27. With the support of FastStartDC, DC students developed and executed a digital marketing campaign to raise awareness among Oshawa citizens on the importance of pollinators and what you can do to help. The campaign also included hand-delivering wild-flower seed packets to Oshawa residents, encouraging Oshawa residents to sign the Pollinator Pledge and producing a video for the Oshawa Peony Festival. The video, produced by Meagan Secord, a FastStartDC work-study student from the college’s Photography program, offers interesting facts and presents fun and informative quizzes pertaining to plants and pollinators and highlights the efforts of individuals and groups, including the Oshawa Garden Club, local biologists and private business owners who are all doing their part. “The experience from the very start has been incredible,” said Cullen Smith, an Entrepreneurship and Small Business program student researcher at Durham College. “It is a joy to work with such talented, passionate and motivated people.” With 25 DC students involved in the project, the digital campaign boasted an online community reach of 17,000 people and 1,100 “likes.” The research and literature review aspects of the project will help to guide policy in the city with respect to urban beekeeping. “I am grateful to have worked on a project of this nature,” shared Shane Kenyon, a DC student enrolled in Environmental Technology program. “I have learned a lot about what we can do as citizens to help encourage conservation.” To hear testimonials from DC students involved with the project, view the TeachingCity – Bee City Challenges: Urban Bee Keeping and Pollinator Campaign video. For more information about TeachingCity Oshawa initiatives, view the 2020/2021 Progress Report. DC faculty Brian Legree wins Exemplary Leadership Award for innovation in journalism studies Posted on November 1, 2021 at 9:23 am. Durham College (DC) would like to congratulate Brian Legree, professor, School of Media, Art & Design (MAD), and award recipient of the Chair Academy’s 2021 Exemplary Leadership Award. The award recognizes achievements that advance academic and administrative leadership in higher education organizations. For 30 years, the Chair Academy has hosted the International Leadership Conference as an opportunity for leaders from all levels to share ideas, issues and challenges faced in the higher education sector. Each year, award recipients are honoured at the Chair Academy Conference Awards Gala. This year’s event, set to take place on November 18 in Scottsdale, Arizona, will recognize both 2020 and 2021 award recipients and the incredible impacts they’ve made to education. Nominated for his work as program co-ordinator of DC’s Journalism – Mass Media program, Brian successfully introduced the “working newsroom” concept in 2018 as a teaching and learning model that combines work-integrated learning, collaboration with community partners and international opportunities to provide students with a rich educational experience. “Brian’s ability to uncover and incorporate innovative methods that support the study of journalism has truly been inspiring,” says Greg Murphy, dean, School of Media, Art & Design. “As the industry continues to evolve in response to digital technology, Brian has demonstrated that journalism programs are worthy of continued investment at a higher education level, and we are very fortunate to have his sense of perseverance and passion at Durham College.” Anyone who has crossed paths with Brian, whether as a student or a colleague, has likely heard his mantra: “It’s a good day for journalism.” The DC community shares Brian’s sentiment today, and offers their congratulations on receiving this momentous award. For more information about the Exemplary Leadership Award, please visit the Chair Academy’s website. Durham College continues to recognize the class of 2021 Posted on October 29, 2021 at 12:38 pm. Durham College (DC) is continuing to celebrate the achievements of the class of 2021 with a virtual celebration and lawn sign pick-up event for all fall graduates. While a physical convocation ceremony wasn’t possible this year, festivities are once again in full swing as friends, family and the entire college community come together to celebrate the hard work of its more than 1,300 graduates. Filled with elements typically seen at convocation, like messages of congratulations from DC’s leadership team and Board of Governors, as well as important information about alumni perks and benefits, the college’s Convocation Recognition Website officially launched on October 28 as a celebratory send-off for students who have achieved their credential. While grads will be invited to attend an in-person ceremony when it is safe to do so, it was important to mark the completion of their credentials once the semester ended. The site also features: The names and programs of all graduating students. The names of student award winners. Virtual shout-outs and recognition for grads submitted by family, friends, faculty and more. A list of frequently asked questions related to graduation. Links to order DC merchandise, from grad rings to flowers. Information about life as college alumni. Digital DC swag so #DCGrad2021 pride can be shared online. Acknowledgement of the Alumni of Distinction awardwinners for 2021. The DC Alumni Association (DCAA) also celebrated graduates with two days of exciting events centered around the pick-up of a free, DC-branded lawn sign for display at graduates’ homes to proudly mark their achievement. “On behalf of the entire college community, I’d like to extend congratulations to each and every one of our fall graduates on their incredible achievements, as well as the resilience and perseverance they’ve shown during a particularly challenging year,” said Don Lovisa, president, Durham College. “These graduates are job ready with an education grounded in transformative, hands-on learning and innovation that has prepared them to meet the world head-on. We couldn’t be more DC proud of them.” DC part of the EaRTH District, a new green technology hub Posted on October 28, 2021 at 4:11 pm. As the global climate crisis accelerates, Durham College (DC), Centennial College, the University of Toronto Scarborough, Ontario Tech University and Trent University, have joined together to advance clean, green, sustainable solutions with the launch of the Environmental and Related Technologies Hub (EaRTH District) in the eastern Greater Toronto Area. Dedicated to fueling sustainable, resilient communities locally and around the world, the EaRTH District will develop the region’s sustainable technology sector through research, academic programming and commercialization of advanced technology. The consortium will also work with the public and private sectors, as well as Indigenous communities. The EaRTH District will leverage the five partner institutions’ unique expertise, assets and training in environmental sciences, advanced technology, and related emerging sectors. It also will be the catalyst for collaboration with joint research initiatives, new academic programs and pathways, and access to existing resources across institutions. For its part, DC is contributing to EaRTH through its leadership and experience in sustainable farming and horticulture, along with its commitement to exploring unique environmentally friendly power solutions. “Supporting the EaRTH District allows Durham College to use its expertise by cultivating sustainability from the ground up, thanks to our focus on urban agriculture practices, research, education and training, as well as clean energy innovation,” said Don Lovisa, president. “We are excited to be part of this dynamic initiative and look forward to the opportunities its focus on green technology will create for our students and for the broader community.” For more information about EaRTH, its partners and areas of focus visit www.EaRTHdistric.ca. For more information about DC’s involvement visit www.durhamcollege.ca/earth. DC virtually hosts girls in grades 7 and 8 for the Young Women in Science, Technology and Trades Conference 2021 Posted on October 27, 2021 at 4:05 pm. On October 26, Durham College (DC) once again hosted the Expand The Possibilities: Young Women in Science, Technology and Trades (YWSTT) conference, which saw more than 1,000 students in Grades 7 and 8, from five school board across Ontario, virtually come together for a morning of exploration designed to connect them with careers in science, technology and skilled trades designed to encourage girls to pursue careers in science, technology and skilled trades. Beginning with an inspiring keynote presentation from Gitanjali Rao, who has been recognized as America’s Top Young Scientist and one of Forbes “30 Under 30 in Science”, as well as TIME’s “Top Young Innovator” and “Kid of the Year” for her innovations and STEM workshops, the students then participated in hands-on workshops. Each workshop was led virtually by DC faculty and employees, along with active facilitation on the part of the classroom teachers, and featured a variety of engaging experiments and challenges. Examples included coding a Bristlebot; making bath bombs with household ingredients; building a pasta tower and discussing social media safety. This is the third time DC has hosted the conference, which was the largest to-date, and it couldn’t have been done without the generosity and support of community sponsors General Motors of Canada, Gerdau, Ontario Power Generation, RESCON and Black & McDonald. More information about YWSTT, as well as a unique post-conference plant growing competition for the attending classes to participate in over the next month and a half, is available online. OPG renews support for Durham College, Ontario Tech with $5-million investment Posted on October 20, 2021 at 1:57 pm. Ontario Power Generation (OPG) will continue its decade-long collaboration with Durham College (DC) and Ontario Tech University through a new $5-million investment. “It’s important for us to invest in the next generation of talent to help power Ontario’s energy workforce,” said Ken Hartwick, OPG president and CEO. “This is a dynamic time for the energy industry, as we move toward electrification and efficient economy-wide decarbonization. We know this partnership will ensure the right people with the right skills are ready to be the generation to power the future to meet Ontario’s increasing electricity needs.” The funding will assist in recruiting and retaining students—including those currently under-represented in the industry, such as women and Indigenous people—to build a diverse population of potential employees for the energy sector in skilled trades, science, engineering and technology. Much of this will focus on technology development in the energy sector for climate change initiatives, including: Electrification, particularly in the transportation sector New nuclear, including small modular reactors Renewable generation projects The funding will be provided in annual installments over five years. “As a leader in post-secondary trades and technology education, we are preparing our students to be career-ready as they pursue a future in highly specialized sectors that are facing a critical labour shortage,” said Don Lovisa, president, Durham College. “Continuing our partnership with OPG will support innovative capital projects that enhance our training facilities, as well as provide vital financial support for traditionally underrepresented groups in skilled trades, technology and science careers.” The partnership also focuses on research and development to support OPG’s Climate Change Plan, as well as digital and data innovation including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, augmented and virtual reality. “Ontario Tech University deeply values its foundational partnership with OPG, whose investment in our innovative programs and high-tech research infrastructure helps prepare career-ready graduates who excel in the changing energy landscape,” said Dr. Steven Murphy, president and vice-chancellor, Ontario Tech University. “The partnership has always been a natural fit, with energy making up the university’s greatest applied research strength. We look forward to charting a bold energy future for Canada with OPG in the years to come.” The three partners have long collaborated to meet the need for career-ready energy sector workers and provide training opportunities to OPG employees to build skills through industry-related college and university programs. A recent donation through OPG’s Centre for Canadian Nuclear Sustainability supported construction of DC’s new Centre for Skilled Trades and Technology at its Whitby campus and highlights OPG’s ongoing commitment to the development of skilled trades and training. OPG has also worked with Ontario Tech to assist the university in establishing industry-responsive and market-driven academic programs, including micro-credentials and upskilling opportunities. Under the terms of the renewed partnership, the college and university will work together on the implementation of bridging programs between the two institutions to produce graduates with a greater range of technical skills and knowledge. Recognizing Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Posted on October 6, 2021 at 11:27 am. On September 30, Durham College (DC) recognized Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation by hosting a number of events to help foster understanding and a commitment to change. These included the sharing of personal pledges from DC students and employees online and in-person, and a screening of the film Indian Horse. The Naanaagide’endamowin Courtyard In addition, members of the campus community gathered in the courtyard of the Centre for Collaborative Education for a special ceremony to signal its transformation into an outdoor education space dedicated to Indigenous education. Dr. Elder Shirley Williams began the event by offering an opening prayer before announcing the space’s Anishnaabemowin name. Now known as the Naanaagide’endamowin Courtyard, which means The Art of Thinking, plans for further Indigenization were also revealed, including the creation of gardens to grow Sacred Medicines, and the installation of QR codes near the various elements throughout the courtyard, which will link to the First Peoples Indigenous Centre webpage and provide information about Indigenous Ways of Knowing. One element already in place was a newly planted weeping willow tree to commemorate the Indigenous children who did not make it home from Indian Residential, Day and Industrial Schools. Long recognized for its pain-relieving medicinal properties, the weeping willow signifies strength. Its pliable limbs can bend without breaking, signifying the resilience and adaptability of Indigenous communities. The hope is that the DC community, sheltered under the branches of the weeping willow, will use the courtyard for reflection and quiet contemplation on the lives that were forever altered by the Indian Residential School system, remembering those children who never returned to the loving care of their communities. It will also serve as a place where individuals can review the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, considering what they can do personally and professionally to ensure that the calls to action are fully realized. For more information about the First Peoples Indigenous Centre at DC visit www.durhamcollege.ca/fpic. Durham College launches The Barrett Centre of Innovation in Sustainable Urban Agriculture Posted on September 27, 2021 at 4:05 pm. When it comes to food and farming in Canada, there are a number of challenges to consider, both within the industry and broader community. There are opportunities to adopt more sustainable and regenerative practices, and address potential skills gaps – the Canadian Agricultural Human Resources Council predicts 123,000 agricultural jobs will go unfilled by 2029 – with Ontario accounting for the majority of Canada’s agricultural labour gap. There are also concerns about food access issues and food insecurity – according to the Dieticians of Canada, one in eight Canadian households do not have enough money to buy safe, nutritious food. To combat these challenges, while championing excellence and innovation in urban farming, Durham College (DC) is pleased to announce the official launch of The Barrett Centre of Innovation in Sustainable Urban Agriculture (The Barrett Centre). Established thanks to a $5-million donation from The Barrett Family Foundation, its vision is to become an internationally recognized hub of excellence in urban agriculture practices, research, education and training. “The Barrett Centre is an amplification and expansion of all the expertise we’ve gained bringing the field-to-fork philosophy to life each and every day in our food, farming and horticulture programs”, said Don Lovisa, president, Durham College. “The knowledge and experience gained from turning unused fields into a vibrant crop-bearing farm serves as a solid foundation for what The Barrett Centre will accomplish, and we are looking forward to continuing to lead the way together, with The Barrett Foundation, our students, faculty and the community.” At the heart of the work will be the building of a dynamic new urban farm that will be developed as a community-inspired living lab in the coming years. In addition, the centre will: Enhance the existing urban farm at the Durham College Whitby campus. Become a source for information, support and coaching for traditionally underserved and marginalized communities when it comes to urban agriculture initiatives including food security. Create a comprehensive and connected array of educational programs and materials in urban agriculture will be to meet growing employment needs. Create dozens of new opportunities in the years ahead for students to gain experience working on urban farms and in roles supporting the operations. Become home to a team of highly respected experts working to establish it as an internationally recognized hub of knowledge around sustainable urban agriculture. “Our goal as a foundation is to partner with organizations that positively impact communities, locally and globally,” said Bob Barrett, The Barrett Family Foundation. “With its focus on sustainable agriculture, coupled with student learning and research, The Barrett Centre stands to do just that. We are really looking forward to seeing all the great work that will be achieved.” For more information about the Barrett Centre of Innovation in Sustainable Urban Agriculture visit www.durhamcollege.ca/barrettcentre. Durham College kicks off 2021-2022 academic year Posted on September 22, 2021 at 5:22 pm. This fall, more than 11,400 full-time post-secondary and apprenticeship students have chosen Durham College (DC) as the next step in their academic journey, helping them get job-ready through the best in innovative and transformative education. Included in that number are more than 5,500 first-year students, and 2,000 new and returning international students from 74 countries. Another 7,000 students are also gaining new skills and knowledge via part-time studies. With the increase in vaccination rates across Ontario leading to the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, approximately 65 per cent of DC students are also joining their peers on campus this fall, with 73 per cent of programs offering an in-person component this semester. “We are thrilled to kick off this academic year by welcoming students to our on-campus and virtual learning spaces,” said Dr. Elaine Popp, executive vice president, Academic. “Whether studying face-to-face, remotely or a combination of both, Durham College is preparing students to be leaders in their chosen field by helping them develop an exceptional theoretical foundation of knowledge and providing access to unique and interactive experiential learning opportunities. We can’t wait to see what amazing things our students accomplish.” This year’s cohort of students includes the inaugural class of DC’s Honours Bachelor of Artificial Intelligence degree program, Behavioural Science Technician diploma program and Pharmaceutical Science graduate certificate program. The college is also significantly expanding its industrial trades training capacity, with students in select programs excited to begin their year learning in the brand new 60,000 sq. ft. Centre for Skilled Trades and Technology at the Whitby campus. The facility, which includes a double-height shop lab, new classrooms and student touchdown spaces, among other features, is home to DC’s post-secondary Electrical Engineering Technician, Electrical Techniques, Mechanical Technician – Elevating Devices and Mechanical Techniques – Plumbing programs, and the Electrician – Construction and Maintenance, Elevating Devices Mechanic and Plumber apprenticeship programs. “The energy on campus is unmistakeable – students and employees alike are excited for the fall semester to be under way and we’re all looking forward to a rewarding year ahead,” said DC President Don Lovisa. “We are optimistic that the winter semester will see most of our students back on campus, and are continuing to lead the way as an institution where students can dive into a fully immersive educational experience that supports them on their path toward a meaningful career.” First-year students welcomed to DC through virtual and in-person Orientation activities Posted on September 20, 2021 at 2:40 pm. Durham College (DC) welcomed a new cohort of first-year domestic and international students to campus last week for the fall semester through a mix of virtual and in-person Orientation activities to kick off the 2021-2022 academic year. Designed to help new students transition to college, Orientation is a time-honoured tradition that provides the opportunity for first-years to meet staff and faculty, explore student services, get to know the college’s Oshawa and Whitby campuses, and learn more about program expectations, all while developing new friendships. Festivities began with an in-person Campus Kit pick-up event, where students could take a campus tour, enjoy a refreshing treat, meet members of the Durham College Student Association (DCSA), and attend an in-person Ask a Student, or parent and family session. It was followed by virtual Orientation for International students and online program welcome sessions with faculty and school leadership teams. Later in the week, DC celebrated the fall semester through a number of exciting social events to help students meet new friends, discover opportunities to get involved on campus, and make the most of their time at DC. Events included the First Day of School Smudge and Prayer, an International Student Social, DCSA Picnic Party, DC’s Price is Right Challenge, Virtual Deal or No Deal, DCSA Movie Night, Virtual Pride Collective Trivia Night, Yoga on the Lawn, the Get Involved and Service Fair, and more. Closing out Orientation on September 15, all new and returning students were invited to show their DC pride at the 2021 Campus Cup, an annual exhibition soccer match between DC and its campus partner, Ontario Tech University. With great participation in the various virtual and in-person sessions and activities, Orientation 2021 was an exciting start to a new academic year. « 1 … 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 … 160 »