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Durham College launches fifth applied research centre, the Social Impact Hub

It’s been estimated that Canadians are paying more to ignore Canada’s housing problem than they would to fix it, inflating costs related to health care, justice and other taxpayer-funded services. So, how do we fix an issue that is costing both those experiencing homelessness, and those that are not? The simple answer is through social innovation.

Over the last several years, through funded collaborations with community partners, Durham College (DC) has developed a distinct cluster of 14 valuable applied research projects focused on social innovation, receiving $1,324,544 in overall funding. These projects tackle everything from homelessness and mental health, to equity and accessibility, training and more.

Last week, following the successful launch of DC’s four previous applied research centres, the Office of Research Services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ORSIE) announced the opening of its new Social Impact Hub at a virtual event alongside numerous DC researchers, President Don Lovisa and John Henry, chair and CEO of The Regional Municipality of Durham and project partners.

“As a leading post-secondary institution and applied research centre, we are committed to exploring and developing solutions to the barriers our communities face,” said Don Lovisa, president, DC. “The applied research being completed at Durham College underscores the importance of innovation and ingenuity, and I am incredibly excited to see how the Social Impact Hub will help address the gaps and inequalities that exist within our society through this lens.”

Social innovation refers to a process, initiative or product that seeks to address a societal challenge by improving upon or redesigning the systems that make up our society. This type of work involves collective action through community partnerships, leading to valuable outcomes that benefit groups of people, not just the individual.

“Our researchers are passionate and committed in their drive to impact the lives of people in our community,” said Debbie McKee Demczyk, dean, ORSIE. “I’m very proud to be launching the Social Impact Hub, to recognize their work and create a forum for ongoing dialogue and meaningful partnerships that lead to change.”

By leveraging faculty expertise, student talent and strong community partnerships, researchers at the Social Impact Hub will continue their work to identify creative solutions to complex social challenges through leading-edge social innovation projects and initiatives.

Ongoing projects at DC in this area of research include:

  • Building Bridges Together: Co-production of Financial Empowerment Strategies with People Experiencing Low Income
  • Innovation Through Co-production: A Holistic Approach to Supporting Social Competency in Pre-school Children
  • Enriching Firefighter Training Through the Development of a Novel Virtual Reality Training Simulation for Personalized Precision, Skill and Resilience Training
  • Enhancing Virtual Mentorship to Reduce Social Isolation of Youth
  • Support for Parents with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

DC researchers have also completed a number of projects, including the unique Co-design of a Youth-led Housing Hub: Developing a Unique and Scalable Housing Model for Youth Living on Their Own in Durham.

For more information on the Social Impact Hub, please visit www.durhamcollege.ca/socialimpacthub or to collaborate or connect with the hub, please email socialimpacthub@durhamcollege.ca

ORSIE provides support for applied research through access to funding opportunities, faculty expertise, state-of-the-art research facilities, and student learning experiences. In partnership with industry and community agencies, projects are carried out by DC faculty experts and students and administered by ORSIE. Since its inception in 2009, ORSIE has undertaken 360 research projects and initiatives. To connect with ORSIE, please reach out online.

Durham College recognizes the class of 2021

Durham College (DC) pride is at an all-time high as it celebrates the class of 2021. While a physical convocation ceremony wasn’t possible, graduation festivities are in full swing as friends, families and the entire college community have come together to celebrate the hard work of its more than 3,800 graduates.

They will be invited to attend an in-person ceremony when it is safe to do so, however it was important to mark the completion of the students’ credentials once the semester ended, so the college has created a dedicated Convocation Recognition Website.

Filled with elements typically seen at convocation, the site features:

  • Messages of congratulations from DC’s chair of the Board of Governors, president, and executive vice president, Academic, as well as the deans from each academic school.
  • 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 a college alumni, including details about special benefits for DC grads.
  • Digital DC swag so #DCGrad2021 pride can be shared online.

In addition, the site acknowledges this year’s Alumni of Distinction winners. The Alumni of Distinction award honours the extraordinary contributions DC graduates make to society while achieving career success. Congratulations to Tamara Dus (Registered Nursing, 1996), Caroline Wright (Sport Management, 1996), Thomas Coughlan (Business Administration – Accounting, 2005) and Stuart Petrie (Mechanical Engineering Technology, 2014).

The DC Alumni Association (DCAA) is also helping celebrate the graduates by providing free, DC-branded lawn signs for display at their homes so they can proudly mark their achievement.

“Given the circumstances of the past year, this class of students has displayed an incredible amount of perseverance,” said Don Lovisa, president, Durham College. “Amidst a lot of challenges and change they have completed their post-secondary education, which is anchored in transformative, hands-on learning, innovation and courses that responded to current trends. As a result they have developed flexibility, resilience and a sense of purpose, which will certainly serve them well throughout their careers. On behalf of the entire college community, I want to congratulate each and every one of them.”

DC inspires Kedron P.S. students with mentorship program and robotics lab tour

The School of Science & Engineering Technology (SET) at Durham College (DC) is supporting community outreach efforts by partnering with Kedron Public School in Oshawa to offer an interactive mentorship program to students in Grades 6 through 8.

For more than seven years, Beau James, professor and program co-ordinator of SET’s Electromechanical Engineering Technology (EMTY) program, has helped grow the project across a number of classrooms in Durham Region. The project began when he hosted a tour of DC’s Robotics Lab for Grade 7 students from Lakewoods Public School as a way to introduce them to the college’s engineering programs.

In 2019, the partnership moved to Kedron P.S. and the project planned to provide access to interactive workshops across diverse disciplines, such as carpentry, bike repair and robotics, and pair them to a specific DC program. It wasn’t long before robotics became the focus with its own workshop series, led by Beau and Andrew Davis, a student from DC’s EMTY program.

On a weekly basis, Andrew connected with students to teach them how to build and program a robot – a project that developed into an exciting competition in which students designed a robot that would be used for a sustainability initiative. The series ended with a final wrap-up day, where students presented their robot designs and functions to Beau and other academic leaders.

Over the last year, as elementary schools transitioned between in-person and online learning as a result of the pandemic, DC adapted its efforts to ensure the partnership was still supported. On March 31, Beau and lab technologist, Steve Knihnisky led the first Virtual Robotics Work Cell Tour – a live-streamed tour of DC’s Robotics Lab that covered topics corresponding to the students’ recent Mechanical structures unit.

Leveraging the DC Integrated Manufacturing Centre’s (IMC) live Internet Protocol (IP) camera, Beau highlighted the main components of the robot and illustrated how to move the robot around the workcell using an industrial joystick (teach pendant). The demonstration completed with cycling the robot automatically to move through various pre-programmed positions in space, on its own. Live streaming while moving through areas of the lab allowed Beau to lead the tour while continuing to engage with the class. Students were given the opportunity to submit questions via the chat feature.

“The college’s partnership with Kedron Public School exemplifies what community outreach is all about,” says Dr. Rebecca Milburn, executive dean of the Schools of Science & Engineering Technology and Skilled Trades, Apprenticeship & Renewable Technology. “Beau’s ability to engage with the students and bring post-secondary awareness into the classroom at such an impressionable age allows the opportunity for youth to see what’s available to them. As a leader in post-secondary education, Durham College is proud to play a role in inspiring the leaders of tomorrow.”

The tour left a lasting impression on many Kedron students. One student in particular, was fascinated to see how the different robotic components worked in relation to the joints in our own bodies, inspiring him to create his own robot prototype drawing.

Image for Robotics N&N - student drawing.
A robot prototype drawing by a Grade 6
student inspired by the Robotics Work Cell Tour.

“My student’s parents were beyond thrilled when he told them he wants to study robotics at Durham College one day,” said Kimberley Whyte, Grade 6 teacher, Kedron P.S. “Since then, he has continued to design a number of inventions and prototype drawings. It’s amazing to see the enthusiasm sparked by this tour.”

An added benefit of transitioning to a virtual learning model this year was the ability to expand “classroom” capacity to allow additional students from four classes to attend. Kedron P.S. students were excited to see inside a real robotics lab, one that is within walking distance from many of their homes.

“The virtual tour demystified some of the mystery about college, “said Terri Pellerin, Grade 8 teacher, Kedron P.S. “When the students saw how much Professor James enjoyed his work, it offered a glimpse into some of the incredible career possibilities that are available in the robotics field. We are very grateful to collaborate with Durham College and look forward to future learning opportunities.”

Beau and his team at SET are already looking at ways to continue fostering this partnership, with plans for a third phase that will extend the workshop series beyond robotics.

DC leads Canadian consortium in launching training modules as part of Pacific Alliance Education for Employment Program technical assistance

As part of its participation in the Pacific Alliance Education for Employment Program (PA-EFE), Canadian consortium A.08, project lead Durham College (DC), alongside Fanshawe College and Vancouver Island University, recently delivered the first of a series of training modules to 50 participants representing the ministries of education for Chile, Columbia, Mexico and Peru, as well as other key stakeholders.

Designed to focus on skills development, the Canadian consortium has committed to teaching representatives tips and strategies so they can develop and implement marketing campaigns to promote Technical and Vocational Education and Training in the four countries, with a specific focus on reaching women and marginalized populations.

Additional modules are planned for the coming months, giving the participants opportunities to share experiences, learnings, best-practices and resources between their various networks.

Funded by Global Affairs Canada and administered by Colleges and Institutes Canada, the PA-EFE program involves more than 1,500 employers and learners engaging in dialogue on educational best practices and how to strengthen institutional management. In addition, 105 trainers are able to access pedagogical strategies. Focus areas include training approaches, competence-based education, and leadership instruction.

To learn more about DC’s international initiatives, visit the International Education office website.

 

DC’s AI Hub hosts second Enable AI Summit for 230 industry professionals

On June 3 and 4, the Durham College (DC) Hub for Applied Research in Artificial Intelligence for Business Solutions (the AI Hub) held their second Enable AI Summit – this time virtually from the City of Oshawa– for more than 230 attendees.

The first conference of its kind held in the Durham Region, the two-day event featured panel discussions and keynote sessions demonstrating how AI has supported organizations across Canada as they’ve navigated the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The event brought together industry leaders from across the region, authorities on AI from various municipalities and associations, as well as subject matter experts and talent from DC, to explore topics from computer visioning technologies and telemedicine, to predicting models and Blockchain.

Sessions included:

  • Predicting User Behaviour
  • Expert Systems for Improving Learning Outcomes
  • Natural Language Processing in Healthcare
  • Touchless Authentication and Vision Models
  • Hacking Smart Contracts with Machine Learning
  • From DC to Industry: Alumni Panel

DC President Don Lovisa, along with City of Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter and Town of Ajax Mayor Shaun Collier delivered opening comments on innovation and the digital transformation that is shaping our present and future by finding sustainable ways to tackle real-world problems.

Ramzi Abdelmoula, managing engineer, AI innovation at General Motors, gave the keynote address about the potential of AI to transform and bring benefits to our lives while numerous industry experts joined the panel sessions, including representatives from BlokSec, ShiftLink, GroundLevel Insights, Health Espresso, BMO, ConnexHealth, and Precise ParkLink.

Panel discussions provided insight on how to develop the cutting-edge skills required to adopt and apply AI to business strategies to accelerate sustainable economic growth. Tushar Singh, CEO and founder of Minute School, gave the closing address at the end of the two days.

Housed within the Office of Research Services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the AI Hub offers industry partners access to technical expertise, state-of-the-art facilities and platforms, and student talent to uncover business insights while providing intelligent and autonomous solutions that increase organizational productivity and growth.

DC receives $184,000 in funding to launch “Better Together Series” mental health initiative

Durham College (DC) is pleased to receive $184,000 in funding as part of the Ontario government’s Roadmap to Wellness initiative, which will support eight mental health-related projects at select colleges, universities and Indigenous Institutes.

In partnership with Ontario Tech University and Ontario Shores, the funding will be used by the Campus Health and Wellness Centre to support students from both institutions through the “Better Together Series” – a collaboration of creative workshops, volunteer opportunities and informational sessions supporting a multi-dimensional framework to address the social Isolation and grief resulting from COVID-19.

“Durham College is excited to receive these funds and work with our partners Ontario Tech University and Ontario Shores to foster social connectedness and mitigate grief among students from our campus,” says Darlene Heslop, director, Campus Health and Wellness Centre. “Funding for projects like this is incredibly important as we look to support students during these challenging times.”

Grounded in identity, shared interest, meaningful relationships, involvement and belongingness, the “Better Together Series” will employ action-based activities and integrate mental health education to foster social growth, resilience and promote the wellness of students on- and off-campus through the Campus Health and Wellness Centre.

The “Better Together Series” launched in May, and is available to the general student population, while being mindful of the unique vulnerabilities of 2SLGBTQ+, Indigenous and other multicultural students who experience mental health disparities which may be exacerbated by COVID-19 restrictions.

For more information, please contact the Campus Health and Wellness Centre at cwhc@durhamcollege.ca.

DC faculty member wins 2021 Challenge Award from the American College of Clinical Engineering

Durham College (DC) professor Richard Tidman has been recognized with the 2021 Challenge Award from the American College of Clinical Engineering (ACCE) for his leadership in developing the first Health Care Technology Management – Honours Bachelor (HCTM) degree to be offered in North America.

A long-time faculty member, Tidman used his 35 plus years of expertise to create and launch the HCTM program at DC, which also has the distinction of being the first degree to be offered at the college.

Developed in response to the growing demand for professionals with a hybrid skill set that combines life sciences, medical technology and business acumen, the core of the program is comprised of six streams of study covering science and technology; medical equipment and clinical systems; mathematics and quantitative methods; management; research and design; and the health care industry, professionalism and ethics.

The first class of graduates will be available for hire in 2022, ready to use their unique qualifications to influence positive patient outcomes, address effective and safe use of innovative technologies, and ensure financial stewardship for their employers.

The Challenge Award is one of nine annual honours bestowed upon individuals and organizations as part of the ACCE Advocacy Awards, which were started in 1994 to recognize outstanding people in various aspects of the health care technology profession,

Congratulations to Professor Tidman for leading the way in this dynamic field.

DC grad launches inclusive bandage brand Heal in Colour

For Tianna McFarlane, a Durham College (DC) Supply Chain and Operations – Business (formerly Business Operations) alumna, starting her own company had always been a lifelong dream – but the opportunity to create something significant didn’t present itself until 2019, when she was inspired during a simple trip to the drugstore to buy bandages.

As she searched for one that could cover a cut on her own leg, the lack of products for people of colour was striking. While there were plenty of nude, pink and even purple colours, there was nothing that she felt would blend in with her skin tone.

“In that moment I knew I had an opportunity to bridge the gap and create my own brand of adhesive bandages for Black and brown skin,” recalls Tianna, who spent the next two years laying the groundwork for her company Heal in Colour.

Finding a trustworthy and reputable manufacturer was her first test as an entrepreneur. Creating bandages in these shades has rarely been done, and never in Canada – because of that, finding a manufacturer who could create the product was challenging. She also faced additional barriers in the shipping industry, which was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

As Tianna worked to get her product to market, she leaned into grit and perseverance, as well as the knowledge gained during her time at DC, to make her dream a reality. Her project management training aided in the creation of timelines and action plans to keep the project on track, and she analyzed the seven Ps (product, price, promotion, place, packaging, positioning and people) to determine a strategic launch and marketing plan to reach her target audience.

The hard work paid off quickly, with Tianna receiving impressive news coverage soon after the product launch in April, and already more than $3,500 in sales. With Heal in Colour now available in the Canadian and U.S markets, consumers across the continent are already rallying around this innovative new product.

“We’re revolutionizing the way people shop for bandages, and it’s already had such a powerful impact,” explains Tianna. “I’ve had teachers reach out to express how happy they are to be able to give their students bandages that match their skin tone. It’s something so small, but will hopefully lead to something much larger.”

Tianna is continuing to dedicate herself to making Heal in Colour a household name – with a strong growth and expansion plan already in place to offer new products in the near future, such as athletic wraps and waterproof bandages. She also hopes to provide bandages to hospitals, long-term care facilities, universities and colleges, elementary schools, daycares and more.

“At the end of the day, I hope Heal in Colour will inspire others to be innovative and create products that promote inclusion,” says Tianna. “It’s our goal to encourage young Black women by showing them that they too can bring their own ideas to life through hard work and determination.”

Heal in Colour’s bandages are currently available for purchase at www.healincolour.ca.

EnactusDC sparks recognition and collects awards at National Competition

Days before the 2021 Enactus National Exposition, members of Durham College’s (DC) Enactus team received candy delivered to each of their homes. This is just one small example of how Heather Brown, president of EnactusDC, kept the team spirit alive and thriving before this major event – and throughout the year.

It’s an approach that paid off with EnactusDC achieving its most successful year ever.

The annual Enactus National Exposition is a showcase of student-led, community-based entrepreneurial projects developed and implemented by Enactus student leaders and teams across Canada. Teams are celebrated and awarded for their dedication to nurturing positive impact on recognized social, economic and environmental issues affecting communities.

Heather made DC proud with her unwavering leadership and resiliency as she supported EnactusDC to exceptional accomplishments at the competition this year. While many Enactus teams forfeited their participation due to the pandemic, Heather rallied her team to its best-ever rankings despite the challenges faced in a virtual world.

Out of more than 75 participating colleges/universities, the Enactus DC team made the semi-final round, placing in the top 20 teams in Canada for its projects: 3eeHive, True Grit, rCycle and ConnectUs 4 Community (CU4C). The team also received the Impact Through Innovation award for its dedicated efforts during the week-long competition.

“We demonstrated commitment to sustainable change,” Heather said. “Because of that, we were recognized with this award.”

To acknowledge her hard work, dedication and leadership, Heather received the prestigious Enactus Canada Gold Community Service Leadership Digital Badge for devoting more than 1,000 hours to Enactus DC projects.

The Enactus DC team also celebrated the RBC Future Launch Project Accelerator Best Project Award for project CU4C, an initiative that empowers high school students from Grades 9 to 12 to create clubs that solve community issues as they relate to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. The project extends the mission “Connecting Us and Uniting Communities” into high schools to inspire and engage next generation leaders to foster positive impact in their own communities. This year, more than 300 students took part in the pilot project, and CU4C aims to grow to more than 30 new clubs in the upcoming academic year.

For an overview of the Enactus DC’s projects, check out its Annual Report and Website.

Enactus is an international non-profit organization dedicated to creating social change through entrepreneurship. DC’s chapter was introduced to the college in 2016 through FastStartDC, the college’s entrepreneurial centre, to create a club of student leaders looking to make a positive economic and social impact on society.

DC faculty Jay Fisher receives John Dobson Enactus Fellow of the Year award

Durham College (DC) is proud to share that Jay Fisher, a faculty member in the School of Business, IT & Management and lead faculty advisor for the EnactusDC team, has been recognized with a John Dobson Enactus Fellow of the Year award for his outstanding contribution in advancing entrepreneurial learning at the post-secondary level. The award was presented virtually at the 2021 Enactus Canada National Exposition.

Jay has played an instrumental role in weaving entrepreneurship into the fabric of the college, starting with introducing Enactus through FastStartDC. A business instructor at DC for nearly 12 years, in 2017 Jay led the EnactusDC team to the Regional competition and National Exposition in British Columbia. That same year, he was inducted as a John Dobson fellow and also received the Rookie Faculty Advisor of the Year award at Nationals.

Today, Jay continues to advise the EnactusDC team, coaching and mentoring hundreds of student entrepreneurs as they work to make their business ideas a reality. Recently, he coached the team in the 2021 Enactus Regionals Competition, where they placed first for Central Canada.

“The mentorship that the team and I have received from Jay has changed our lives,” says Heather Brown, president of EnactusDC. “The paths we walk now are stronger and more successfulbecause of his guidance and the positive impact it has had. Jay has instilled the confidence, awareness and drive it takes for students to become leaders. He fosters social consciousness and commitment to creating a better world, and always reminds us that what we do for the world is just as important as what we do for ourselves.”

Through his role with EnactusDC, Jay has also found new opportunities to introduce community partners to the college and Enactus organization, demonstrating an undeniable commitment to social innovation.

“The John Dobson Enactus Fellow of the Year award is well-deserved recognition of Jay Fisher’s outstanding contributions to the Enactus team and his persistent efforts in advancing entrepreneurship at Durham College,” says Debbie McKee Demczyk, dean, Office of Research Services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship. “As a John Dobson Enactus Fellow since 2017, Jay has led Durham College’s Enactus team with creativity, passion and commitment, and the students are fortunate to have a dedicated mentor and coach in Jay.”

Congratulations, Jay on the well-deserved recognition!

Enactus is an international non-profit dedicated to creating social change through entrepreneurship. DC’s chapter launched in 2016 through FastStart DC and is comprised of student leaders looking to make positive social impacts in the community.

For more information on how to get involved with EnactusDC, visit www.enactusdc.com.