Durham College receives more than $2 million in applied research funding Posted on November 5, 2018 at 10:01 am. Durham College (DC) is pleased to announce that its Office of Research Services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ORSIE) has been approved to receive $2.24 million in funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), through the council’s College and Community Innovation (CCI) Program and College and Community Social Innovation Fund (CCSIF). Two million of the funds will be used over five years to further enhance the capacity of the college’s Hub for Applied Research in Artificial Intelligence for Business Solutions (the AI Hub). Having already established itself as a leader in AI through a number of innovative applied research projects and the creation of the college’s new graduate certificate program, Artificial Intelligence Analysis, Design and Implementation, the grant will allow the hub to engage more faculty, students and industry partners in collaborative projects to improve business innovation, develop talent and contribute to local technological advancement. A second applied research grant, focusing on developing a unique and scalable housing model for youth living on their own in Durham Region, will receive $240,000 in CCSIF funding over a two-year period. Established in partnership with the Regional Municipality of Durham, Durham District School Board, Durham Mental Health Services and the John Howard Society of Canada, DC will work to develop a ground-breaking, youth-designed housing hub model, while also investigating best practices and determining ways to improve the coordination and collaboration of services for Trusteed Youth. This funding announcement comes as DC was recently named one of Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges by Research Infosource Inc., a Canadian research and development intelligence company. This is the sixth consecutive year the college has been included on the list, which is informed by data on research income, research intensity, research partnerships and projects at colleges across the country. The goal of the CCI Program is fostering partnerships between colleges and the private sector, to encourage business innovation, locally, regionally and nationally. CCSIF grants are intended to support college social innovation research projects in partnership with local community organizations. DC signs agreements to further international opportunities at two German post-secondary institutions Posted on November 2, 2018 at 3:49 pm. Durham College (DC) is pleased to announce the signing of two General Agreements of Cooperation (GAC) on October 31 with German post-secondary institutions Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU) and Technische Hochschule Nürnberg Georg Simon Ohm (THN). The GACs will provide opportunities to promote international development and stimulate educational, professional and intercultural activities and projects among students and employees within FAU’s Department of Mechanical Engineering, THN’s School of Engineering and DC’s School of Science & Engineering Technology. Moving forward, DC will work with FAU and THN to explore exchange opportunities for students, staff and faculty, facilitate curriculum exchange for distance learning and training programs, and identify opportunities for conducting applied research in industrial and community development and teaching and learning. This past summer, Dr. Elaine Popp, vice-president, Academic, at DC was part of the delegation from the Durham Region that traveled to Nuremberg, Germany to investigate business and educational development opportunities. On October 30, the Region, DC and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology welcomed the German delegation, including Dr. Jens Helbig from THN Institute of Chemistry Materials and Product Development, Alexander Nasarow from FAU’s Department of Mechanical Engineering and Dr. Michael Fraas, deputy mayor, Economic Affairs from the City of Nuremberg. Students encouraged to “paws” and cuddle with therapy dogs on November 5 Posted on November 1, 2018 at 3:22 pm. Durham College (DC) students have the opportunity to take a pause from their studies on Monday, November 5 for a quick cuddle session with therapy dogs in the Solace Centre at the Oshawa campus. Held twice a month in partnership with St. John’s Ambulance, the Paws and Cuddle event allows students the chance to spend quality time with a few furry friends to reduce stress and improve well-being. “Animal-assisted therapy offers a number of different emotional benefits to students,” says Heather Bickle, health promotion coordinator at the Solace Centre and organizer of the event. “It can lessen the symptoms of depression or anxiety, decrease feelings of homesickness, or just provide students with comfort during a stressful time. We’ve had great feedback from students who have found the event fun and helpful to their overall health.” Students can drop in to the Solace Centre anytime between 4 and 6 p.m. on Monday, November 5 for a friendly visit with the therapy dogs. The next Paws and Cuddle event takes place on Friday, November 23 at the same time. Programming offered through DC’s Solace Centre aims to empower students to intentionally engage in their wellness by fostering their development of resilience and grit. The centre offers a wide range of programming and supports, with an emphasis on holistic education, harm reduction, personal welfare and social justice, believing in the inherent worth and potential for growth in all individuals. For more information on the Solace Centre and its programming, please visit www.durhamcollege.ca/solace Durham College once again named one of Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges Posted on November 1, 2018 at 9:13 am. Durham College (DC) has once again been named one of Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges by Research Infosource Inc., a Canadian research and development intelligence company. This is the sixth consecutive year the college has been included on the list, which is informed by data on research income, research intensity, research partnerships and projects at colleges across the country. DC’s Office of Research Services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ORSIE), which is responsible for facilitating all applied research at the college, has been hard at work in 2018. With a mandate to solve industry and social challenges through innovation and collaboration, ORSIE has launched two new research centres, undertaken 41 social innovation, artificial intelligence (AI) and other industry-led applied research projects and placed 60 student research assistants this fiscal year alone. “We are very proud to be recognized for our research efforts,” said Debbie McKee Demczyk, dean, ORSIE. “With the help of dedicated and talented faculty, students and industry partners, we are undertaking groundbreaking initiatives that further strengthen Durham College’s position as a leader in the applied research space.” DC’s Hub for Applied Research in Artificial Intelligence for Business Solutions (the AI Hub) is one such initiative. Now with a dedicated space on campus to conduct its research activities, the hub is designed to offer industry partners access to technical expertise, state-of-the-art facilities and platforms as well as student talent, helping businesses uncover insights while providing intelligent and autonomous solutions that increase productivity and growth. Thanks to $250,000 in funding, awarded through the Government of Ontario’s Colleges Applied Research and Development Fund and administered by Ontario Centres of Excellence, the AI Hub is studying how “narrow AI” can help small- and medium-sized enterprises uncover new insights while also providing intelligent and autonomous solutions that help increase their efficiency and development. The AI Hub will also offer applied research opportunities for students enrolled in DC’s new graduate certificate program,Artificial Intelligence Analysis, Design and Implementation. The first of its kind in Canada, the program launches in September 2019 and aims to make students employable even before they graduate. It is tackling the shortage of AI professionals by putting emphasis on hands-on learning and training, as students gain real-world experience while solving actual business problems through capstone projects, an optional work term and research with the AI Hub. In addition, ORSIE opened the doors to the Centre for Craft Brewing Innovation (CCBI) at DC’s Whitby campus. By providing access to expertise, state-of-the-art technology and micro-analytical services, the CCBI helps craft brewers experiment with new recipes and flavour profiles, propagate and maintain yeast strains and conduct scientific analyses to ensure the analytical and microbiological integrity of the beer, supporting this growing sector of the local economy. From helping to refine and add AI capabilities to the functionality of a distant healthcare delivery app to assisting in the development of an award-winning non-alcoholic craft beer recipe, ORSIE continues to prove why DC is a top research college year after year. For more information or to learn about ORSIE’s research capabilities visit www.durhamcollege.ca/research. DC professor helps create terrifying looks at Canada’s Wonderland’s Halloween Haunt Posted on October 31, 2018 at 2:57 pm. During the day you will find professional makeup artist Rachael Authors teaching in front of a group of students in Durham College’s (DC) new Cosmetic Techniques and Management program. At night for the month of October, she’s using her talents to create zombies, evil clowns and ghouls for Canada’s Wonderland’s annual Halloween Haunt, which she has done for the past 12 years. She recently brought that artistry to DC when she gave the college’s chief administrative officer (CAO), Dr. Scott Blakey, a Halloween-inspired monster makeover. While special FX makeup isn’t currently part of the course curriculum, Rachael incorporates a lot of those techniques into her classes. From colour matching to determining which tools to use and learning how to communicate with clients, the only real difference between both settings is the end result; one is decidedly less gory! Before joining DC Rachael worked as an occupational therapist, where she combined her cosmetics skills with working one-on-one with clients teaching application tips and techniques as part of self care. She has also worked freelance for companies including Dior and Sephora. Her background is a great example of the depth and breadth of opportunities available within the cosmetics industry and she loves being able to help train the next generation of makeup artists. Using a holistic approach, the Cosmetics Techniques and Management program offers hands-on training, covering both the fundamental and advanced aspects of the industry. Courses range from cosmetic application techniques to skincare analysis and creative styling, as well as retail management and marketing for makeup artists, business communications and entrepreneurial cosmetic event-planning skills. Students also have the opportunity to hone their skills by working onsite in the fully operational Durham College Spa. Watch Rachael in action as DC’s CAO sits down in her makeup chair, transforming from desk-side administrator to DC’s own roaming zombie. Durham College recognizes student achievement at 2018 Fall Convocation Posted on October 26, 2018 at 8:33 am. On October 25, more than 550 Durham College (DC) students received their credentials during this year’s Fall Convocation ceremony, with friends, family and the college community cheering them on. “Convocation is an opportunity for our students, along with their families and the college community, to come together to recognize the hard work and dedication that has led to the completion of their credential,” said Paul Bishop, executive director, Strategic Enrolment Services and registrar, Durham College. “It’s a celebration not only of their academic success but also what’s to come. Each student graduates with the skills they need to succeed and we have every confidence their futures will be bright.” Held at the Tribute Communities Centre in downtown Oshawa, graduates from the Centre for Food and schools of Business, IT & Management; Continuing Education, Health & Community Services; Interdisciplinary Studies; Justice & Emergency Services; Media, Art & Design; Science & Engineering Technology and Skilled Trades, Apprenticeship & Renewable Technology received their diplomas and certificates. Manjula Selvarajah, a freelance journalist, technology columnist for CBC Radio and producer for local CBC Radio shows, as well as a 2014 graduate of DC’s Journalism – Print and Broadcast program (now known as Journalism – Mass Media), Alumni of Distinction Award recipient and Premier’s Award nominee, addressed the graduates during the ceremony. DC Culinary Management students take home awards in 2018 Student Chef Challenge Posted on October 25, 2018 at 12:35 pm. On October 23, two teams of second-year students in Durham College’s (DC) Culinary Management program took home multiple awards at the 2018 Student Chef Challenge, hosted at DC’s W. Galen Weston Centre for Food. Sponsored by Ontario Sheep Farmers and Mushrooms Canada, the challenge brought together students from DC, Fleming College and Centennial College to prepare and present three internationally-inspired lamb and mushroom dishes to a panel of industry judges. Students worked with faculty mentors to guide them through the finer aspects of butchery – an essential skill required of today’s culinary arts professionals – and were provided with high-quality ingredients, including fresh mushrooms from Gordon Food Service (GFS), to test their expertise in recipe development techniques. DC’s Team A, comprised of second-year students Kacey Payne, Sharon Nanninga and Patrick Eckert won second place overall in the competition. Team B’s Kinsley Moore, George Donovan, and Caden McBeth won the award for Best Butchery Skills and were presented with a set of high-quality butcher knives from Canada Cutlery Inc. This exciting experience for students went above and beyond regular classroom learning, giving them the opportunity to receive valuable feedback from judges and begin building a name for themselves in the industry. All recipes from the competition will be featured in a future cookbook jointly-published by Ontario Sheep Farmers and Mushrooms Canada, with the students receiving credit for their contributions. DC hosts Young Women in Science, Technology and Trades Conference Posted on October 25, 2018 at 8:56 am. On October 22 and 23, Durham College (DC), in partnership with Ontario Power Generation, hosted over 550 girls in Grades 7 to 9 from several regional school boards for a program of exploration and inspiration aimed at connecting young women with careers in science, technology and skilled trades. The two-day conference featured keynote presentations from serial inventor and speaker Ann Makosinski and entrepreneur and HGTV designer Jo Alcorn. Students participated in hands-on workshops while taking advantage of DC’s industry-grade facilities and innovative learning spaces. “This conference has been a fantastic way for us to introduce the next generation of women to careers in science, technology and the skilled trades, helping them to discover new skills and capabilities,” said Don Lovisa, president, Durham College. “By doing this early in their academic career, these students are able to see the possibilities for their future, giving them more opportunities to explore paths they may not have considered before.” A selection of unique programming was offered throughout the conference, including workshops that allowed attendees to write code, test out a welding simulator, build robots, create a sheet metal candle holder, patch and plug a tire and frame a wall. The students also had opportunities to perform scientific experiments in industry-grade laboratories that included conducting an acid-base titration and testing water to simulate how water plant operators test chlorine levels in our drinking water. Feedback from students highlighted the positive impact of hearing from two strong and successful female role models. The hands-on opportunities provided them with the chance to experience different career possibilities, expanding their knowledge and interests. Lords make history with fourth straight softball championship Posted on October 23, 2018 at 10:09 am. The Durham Lords women’s softball team reached a pair of milestones on October 20 by winning the 2018 Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) championship. Durham College (DC) not only became the first program to win a 20th OCAA league sport championship, it also became the first women’s softball team to win four straight OCAA gold medals. The Lords went undefeated in the four-team championship, defeating Humber College 8-3 before defeating St. Clair College twice by scores of 4-1 and 6-2. “The girls played well and when you have eight freshmen come in and everyone gets on the same page like they did, that is something special,” said DC head coach Jim Nemish. “They never wavered all year and all weekend, leading to a positive result.” Lords player Ashley Black was also named OCAA Pitcher of the Year on Thursday and was awarded championship MVP, while Emily Glendinning was named a championship all-star after throwing a complete game of her own against St. Clair. “This this was a complete team effort from the outfield, to the infield, to our role players off the bench,” said Nemish. “Everyone wanted to do their best for each other and that’s special. I’m proud of the girls and what they accomplished this season.” MAD students produce 50 short films in the 48-Hour Film Challenge Posted on October 16, 2018 at 10:48 am. Imagine having to write, shoot and edit a short film in under 48 hours. It may sound impossible, but for students from the School of Media, Art & Design (MAD) at Durham College (DC), this is just a regular assignment and the goal of the 3rd annual 48-Hour Film Challenge. On October 9, more than 400 MAD students spanning five programs were placed into 50 teams and each given a line of dialogue, prop and hero type that had to be included in their final submissions. Second-year and graduate-program students participating as veterans were also required to take on the role of producer or director to make the competition more challenging for them. On October 12, the films were screened at the Cineplex Odeon Theatre in Oshawa and judged by a panel of industry professionals. Members of the film crew for this year’s best picture winner, Butterfly Man, which includes Steve Donoghue, Thi Thu Hang Bui, Nicholas Eeuwes and Amy Fawcett, will now have their names engraved on the prestigious Deanie Award, a trophy featuring a miniature likeness of MAD executive dean Greg Murphy. The following films were also honoured at the screening: Dustin Time – Reluctant Hero category The High Road – Returning Hero category MeCycler – Anti-hero category Justice is Delivered – Accidental Hero category “This year’s challenge was very successful,” said Jennifer Bedford, a professor in both the Photography and Video Production programs for MAD. “Creative arts fields are known for having very tight deadlines and high expectations, and this challenge emphasizes the importance of producing great work under a lot of pressure. We’re thrilled that, for the third year in a row, we had a 100-per-cent success rate for all films being submitted.” The following industry professionals and DC employees comprised the jury which chose the winners in all categories: Eileen Kennedy, liaison, Durham Region Film Office; John Arkelian, film critic, Cinechats and ArtForum; Melissa Pringle, corporate and board secretary, Office of the President, DC; Janine Knight-Grofe, manager, International Education, DC; Marnie Mandel, cultural development coordinator, City of Oshawa; and Sandra Fox, foley artist, Footsteps Post-Production Sound Inc. The film challenge brought together students from DC’s programs in Advanced Filmmaking, Broadcasting for Radio & Contemporary Media, Media Fundamentals, Photography and Video Production, along with mentoring staff and faculty. The largest competition of its kind in Canada, the event is designed to help students meet and collaborate across program boundaries and form a community of emerging content creators. It also provides students with an opportunity to flex their creativity and develop so-called “soft skills,” such as communication, teamwork and problem solving, which are vital to achieving success after graduation. « 1 … 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 … 165 »