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Supply Chain students embrace experiential learning

Hands-on learning is a priority at Durham College (DC) and recently, students in the Supply Chain programs took advantage of two dynamic opportunities to put what they’re learning in the classroom to the test.

Global Manufacturing Sustainability SAP ERPSIM Challenge

In this competition, student teams managed a virtual manufacturing company using SAP S/4HANA – the same enterprise resource planning software utilized by businesses around the world.

Over three weeks, teams made critical real-time decisions in areas such as procurement, production, sales, inventory management, and sustainability initiatives. Their goal was to maximize their company’s financial valuation while maintaining sustainable business practices.

The DC team of Supply Chain Management – Global students Manik Badhwar, Deniesha Goldbourne, Ayokunle Ayodele, Ogooluwa Olafusi and Ravi placed sixth out of 22 teams from around the world.

“The competition was a great opportunity for me to apply the many concepts I had learned in my program,” said Badhwar. “It was one of the most memorable experiences of my time at Durham College—one I will never forget.”

For Supply Chain Program Coordinator Jennifer Souch, the team’s success in the competition was proof that their effort, dedication, and teamwork had paid off, and that her students are ready to launch successful careers.

“They demonstrated their ability to apply supply chain and enterprise resource planning knowledge in a practical setting,” said Souch. “Employers highly value hands-on experience and participating in a global competition of this caliber sets them apart in a competitive job market. It highlights their ability to make data-driven decisions, collaborate effectively, and adapt to complex business challenges—all essential skills for success in the industry.”

Collaborative Online Integrated Learning (COIL) initiative

DC and Inholland University partnered to give students a unique opportunity to collaborate with their peers on the other side of the world. Hundreds of students from each school took part in analyzing the fresh-cut flower and timber supply chains and providing actionable recommendations aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).Five students stand in front of a screen studying a chart.

By taking part in the project, our DC students enhanced their intercultural communication skills, gained experience working in diverse, virtual teams and strengthened their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

Working in concert with the SDGs was particularly helpful, as it challenged the students to consider real world problems that exist globally and how they might address them, according to Faculty Member Allana Persaud.

“Companies are looking for solution-oriented people. It’s one thing to know how to run a supply chain. It’s another thing to know how to proactively manage a supply chain with risk management, ensuring that you’re always looking ahead,” she said.

The initiative was an invaluable opportunity for experiential learning that will give the students an edge in the job market.

“If you’re in an interview and you’re asked about your experience, and you don’t have any, this project is something practical you can build upon,” said Chinasa Chukwuezue, one of the participating students.

Durham College hosts and sponsors epic ocean-themed FIRST Robotics Competition

More than 30 high school-aged teams embraced a thrilling, ocean-themed challenge at the FIRST Robotics Competition, which was hosted and sponsored by Durham College (DC) last weekend.

Around 1,200 high school students, parents, mentors and supporters from across Ontario converged in DC’s Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre on March 15 and 16 for the regional competition where teams looked to earn a spot in the Provincial Championships.

DC President Dr. Elaine Popp was on hand to welcome competitors at the opening ceremonies for the event.

“At DC, we are committed to fostering innovation and hands-on learning, equipping students with the skills needed to excel in today’s evolving technological landscape,” she said. “The FIRST Robotics Competition embodies these same values while providing participants with invaluable experience, lifelong friendships, and a passion for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).”

In the lead up to the competition, teams applied STEM knowledge and problem-solving skills to build and program 120-pound robots. Then, over the course of the weekend, teams deployed their robots in the alliance-based REEFSCAPE challenge aimed at encouraging them to explore STEM through the lens of sustainability and underwater ecosystems. During each match, two competing alliances used their robots to collect coral-themed pieces from human players and score them on the reef as well as dislodging and scoring algae-themed pieces.

After two days of action-packed competition, three teams were named event winners of the FIRST Robotics Ontario District Competition at Durham College: W.A.F.F.L.E.S. from W.A.F.F.L.E.S. Community Robotics in Kingston, Knight Owls from Northern Secondary School in Toronto and Wild WYRE from IE Weldon Secondary School in Lindsay. The prestigious FIRST Impact Award, honouring the team that best represents a model for other teams to emulate and embodies the purpose and goal of FIRST, went to ACCN UMOJA from African Canadian Christian Network in Scarborough.

Sitting volleyball a hit at Durham College

The inaugural year of sitting volleyball at Durham College (DC) was a big success.

Earlier this month, DC hosted the 2025 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Women’s Volleyball National Championship. During that event, DC partnered with ParaSport Ontario for the inaugural college/university sitting volleyball tournament. Five teams competed, including DC and Ontario Tech University. At the end of a fun day of competition, the Lords topped their campus rivals to finish third.

“It’s the first time that sitting volleyball has been included at a national level,” said Joe Millage, a former Director of ParaSport and Head Coach of the Lords team.

He got the volleyball rolling last summer when he approached DC Athletics and Recreation Director Scott Dennis about incorporating the sport, and he’s been amazed by the support from the college.

“Normally, I have to plead with people to give it a try. It took him about 10 seconds to say, ‘we’re in’,” said Millage. “Durham College truly embodies the spirit of inclusiveness.”

DC’s new team in the exciting and accessible sport hit the practice court last fall, and interest has been steadily growing ever since. Over the course of the season, the team grew from a handful of athletes to almost 30.

Recreation Therapy student Ashley Green was the first one on the court. With years of experience in the sport, she was eager to share it with her fellow DC students, and she helped lead the way for the team throughout the year.

“It’s been a great season and a lot of fun getting to play competitively and meeting a lot of new people along the way,” she said. “We had good turnouts for the practices each week, and everyone had good sportsmanship. “

The growing sport will continue to have a home at DC. The Ontario Volleyball Association is recruiting their first provincial sitting volleyball team, and the camp is scheduled to be held here in June.

Next season, the Lords will return to the court, and Green can’t wait.

“I’m looking forward to continuing to play, and I hope to make DC proud.”

Silent Voices heard at Durham College

A powerful new documentary made its debut at Durham College (DC) this month.

Silent Voices sheds light on the critical issue of mental health in Black communities by telling the stories of six individuals from different age groups and walks of life. In emotional interviews, they share their experiences of the racism and systemic barriers they’ve faced in their lives. Stories like these often go unheard, which is reflected in the name of the film.

It was a passion project for Dr. Crystal Garvey, a Faculty Member in the Nursing – Collaborative Bachelor of Science (BScN) program at DC, who co-produced it with Visual Redux with in-kind work from Vanceworld Media.

On March 6, the documentary premiered during a special event at DC’s Centre for Innovation and Research (CIR) that also included a panel discussion with mental health professionals.

“It was overwhelming, in a good way,” said Garvey of the event. “I’m just grateful and humbled that it was well received. It’s very important to have the community come together, because I’m sharing their voice.”

Borne out of a desire to bring awareness to Black mental health, the documentary was produced over the last two years with the support and insights of Garvey’s DC colleagues.

The completion of the documentary dovetailed perfectly with Garvey’s role as lead researcher of a project at the CIR’s Social Impact Hub; ‘Bridging the gap: Developing Culturally Responsive Mental Health Care with and for Black Communities.’ Last year, the project received a $360,000 federal grant from the College and Community Social Innovation Fund (CCSIF), funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).

“This is where preparation met opportunity, because I had this documentary sitting on a shelf, and I wasn’t sure what to do with it, but I knew that I wanted to spread awareness,” she said. “When we launched this research project about Black mental health, it was the perfect opportunity to use this piece and platform to bring awareness. That’s how this event came about.”

Attendees from DC and the wider community filled the event space at the CIR, including Mojgan Rezvani, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences. Speaking before the screening, she set the stage for the impactful documentary and credited Garvey for the passion and commitment that made it possible.

“This is more than just a film. It is a testament to the lived experiences, the systemic challenges and the strength found in sharing our stories,” she said. “Dr. Garvey is the visionary behind this project, driving its creation, shaping its impact, and ensuring that black mental health is not only acknowledged, but actively prioritized. Through this powerful documentary, we explore the deep intersections of culture, race and mental health, conversations that are too often left unheard.”

Engineering brilliance on display at DC Innovation Showcase

The ingenuity and dedication of Durham College (DC) students was on full display at the 2025 DC Innovation Showcase last week.

Organized by the DC Engineering Club and held in the Centre for Innovation and Research (CIR), the event challenged students to present innovative projects aimed at addressing climate change, while competing for over $5,000 in prizes.

Members of the DC community and industry professionals attended, engaging with students about their cutting-edge projects and the real-world applications they have.

“Events like these are my favourite because they are student-led. This showcase is a reflection of not only the passion and the dedication that our students bring to their studies here at DC, but live demonstrations of the solutions they envision and test for societal challenges,” said Dr. Jean Choi, Vice President, Academic and Students. “This powerful platform allows students to showcase their incredible work while cultivating meaningful connections and building on the knowledge they have learned in labs, classrooms and work placements.”

A panel of industry professionals evaluated the prototypes based on criteria such as creativity, feasibility, and potential impact.

The top prize in the individual category went to Mechanical Engineering Technology student Nathan Colburn for his full carbon fibre bike frame.

“A lot of us in the Mechanical Engineering program work on tons of different things outside of school. This is an opportunity to show off what we can do,” he said. “It’s fun being able to show everyone different concepts and ideas.”

In the group category, the team of Mechanical Engineering Technology students Douglas Aubrey-Sleeper, Joshua Dervent, and Wyatt Martorino took the gold for their ‘KERS Bike.’ By incorporating a kinetic energy recovery system (KERS), it can operate like an electric bike without the use of a battery.

“We’re just happy that we showed up and got good feedback from everybody. We were really happy with the experience,” said Aubrey-Sleeper.

With so many creative and boundary-pushing projects on display, the event lived up to its name as a showcase for the talented future professionals at DC.

“It was inspiring to see innovative projects tackling real-world challenges, with valuable interdisciplinary collaborations that brought together diverse perspectives,” said Tania Clerac, Executive Dean, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Information Technology. “Our students truly showcased the power of innovation and their potential to make a lasting impact on society. I’m proud of the amazing work and excited for what’s to come!”

Here are the complete results of the competition.

Individual Category

  • Gold Winner – “CFG-01” by Nathan Colburn, Mechanical Engineering Technology
  • Silver Winner – “Arduino Dual Plant Hydration System” by Jack Koebel, Mechanical Engineering Technology
  • Third-year Finalist – “CFG-01” by Nathan Colburn, Mechanical Engineering Technology
  • Second-year Finalist – “Roll Up Charger” by Braiden Daschuk, Mechanical Engineering Technology
  • First-year Finalist – “Thermal Battery Optimizer” by Thomas Heine, Electronics Engineering Technology

Group Category

  • Gold Winner – “KERS Bike” by Douglas Aubrey-Sleeper, Joshua Dervent, and Wyatt Martorino, Mechanical Engineering Technology
  • Silver Winner – “Fire Barrier” by Ridley Singh and Dash Darbyson, Mechanical Technician – Elevating Devices
  • Bronze Winner – “Medical Robot” by Xie Zonghuo, Brendan Mcbride and Ryan Groskopf, Electronics Engineering Technology

DC students get the skills and experience employers want

Experiential learning is a priority at DC. Read about some of the amazing experiences our students have to gain invaluable hands-on learning, all before graduation.

Durham College, volleyball players shine on national stage

Last week, Durham College (DC) played host to the best collegiate volleyball players in Canada.

The 2025 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Women’s Volleyball National Championship took over DC’s Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre as seven of the country’s best teams travelled to the Oshawa campus for the annual tournament.

As hosts, the Lords were guaranteed a spot and put in a competitive showing over three games. They defeated the Mount Allison Mounties in straight sets and dropped games to two teams who went on to win medals: the tournament champion Lakeland Rustlers and the bronze medalist Vancouver Island University Mariners.

It was an effort to be proud of according to Scott Dennis, Athletic Director.

“It was great to get a win on the board as the host school. There’s always a lot of pressure to get that win, and they were able to pull it off,” he said.

It was a fitting end for the team, after they were eliminated from the Ontario College Athletic Association (OCAA) playoff race earlier than they would have liked.

“They rebounded and really proved that they belonged on the national stage.”

For the athletes on the team, competing in the National Championship on their home court was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and they made sure to soak it all in.

“Competing at nationals was an unforgettable experience. The energy from all the fans and the atmosphere on the court was incredible, and it’s something I’ll always remember,” said Brooke Young, a four-year veteran of the team. “What made it even more special was sharing that experience with my teammates. It was on a whole new level and it’s something I am determined to reach again next season.”

As hosts, DC received rave reviews. For afternoon games, students from local elementary schools were invited to attend and cheer on the athletes. The evening games were a hot ticket and the finals sold out, thanks in part to the nearby Humber Hawks making it to the gold medal game.

The Championship was complemented with additional events like a sitting volleyball tournament, a community skills clinic and tournament, and a CCAA Women in Sport Leadership Conference.

“We wanted to make it a celebration of volleyball,” said Dennis.

The multi-day event was just that, and DC head coach Tony Clarke was pleased to see it come together.

“Hosting the national championship was an amazing opportunity for the college and our community. Bringing the top teams across the country to showcase their talents was awesome,” he said. “Our athletes were grateful to be part of the event. Thank you to the host committee and Durham College athletic staff for creating memories that will last a lifetime.”

Durham Lords Men’s Basketball team wins OCAA championship, CCAA silver

For the first time in almost 30 years, the Durham Lords Men’s Basketball team are Ontario champions.

Earlier this month, our Durham College (DC) Lords tore through the competition at the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) championships to win their first Men’s Basketball title since 1997.

“Winning this championship is an incredible moment for our program, our players, and our school. To bring home gold is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and resilience of this team,” said Head Coach Desmond Rowley.

Their journey to OCAA victory began at home in February, when they defeated the Fanshawe Falcons in a qualifying match and then got past the Mohawk Mountaineers in the quarter-finals. At the OCAA tournament in Etobicoke in March, they topped the St. Clair Saints in the semi-finals by a score of 85-80 before meeting the Humber Hawks in the gold medal game, where they won 67-61.

Mark Stoop was named the championship MVP thanks to his stellar performance in the final game, leading the Lords with 20 points and 10 rebounds while adding three steals, three assists, and a block.

The Lords hosted last year’s OCAA championships, and claimed the bronze after falling short against Humber in the semi-finals. That made this victory even sweeter, according to Scott Dennis, Athletic Director.

“This championship means everything to our program. Our team came into this season with a sense of unfinished business. To bring an OCAA title back to Durham College for the first time since 1997 is a testament to their hard work and belief in each other,” he said. “Desmond has built this program into a championship contender year-after-year. We couldn’t be prouder of this group and what they’ve accomplished.”

The Lords will be back in action soon as they head to Quebec next week to compete in the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) National Championship.

“We’ve faced adversity, we’ve grown together, and now we’ve earned the right to compete on the national stage in Montreal,” said Rowley. “I couldn’t be prouder of these guys, and we’re not done yet.”

Update – March 17, 2025

The Lords made the most of their trip to the National Championship in Montreal and made Durham College proud by bringing home the silver medal.

After victories over the University of New Brunswick-Saint John Seawolves and Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf, they reunited with their provincial rivals, the Humber Hawks, in the gold medal game. In a competitive outing, the Lords fell just short by a score of 76-70.

“We are incredibly proud of this team for not only winning the OCAA Championship but also earning a silver medal on the national stage,” said Scott Dennis, Athletic Director. “To bounce back after a tough loss just one year ago and show this level of resilience speaks volumes about their character and determination. They’ve set a new benchmark for Durham College basketball, and we are excited for the future.”

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