DC Recognizes Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Durham College (DC) recognizes the 10th anniversary of Orange Shirt Day and the third National Day for Truth and Reconciliation through remembrance, reflection and action around the history and impact of residential schools on First Nations, Inuit and Métis families and communities.

“As an organization, DC is committed to reconciliation, with the goal of building respectful, reciprocal relationships that contribute to better educational outcomes for all students,” said Don Lovisa, president, Durham College. “And, as an education institution, we are committed to providing space for meaningful conversations and reflection on the impacts of residential schools and their legacy as well as sharing resources for our DC community to learn more about the history of Indigenous Peoples, and ways to take meaningful steps towards reconciliation.”

Together with Ontario Tech University, Durham College is hosting Recognizing Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, in The Rotary Global Classroom on September 29. Employees and students were invited to participate and hear from speakers Kevin Lamoureux, award-winning scholar from the University of Winnipeg; Elder Dorothy Taylor, a Mississauga Ojibwe Elder from Curve Lake First Nation; and Elder Dr. Shirley Williams, who is Midewiwin and a member of the Bird Clan from the Wikwemikong Unceded Territory on Manitoulin Island.

In recognition of this important day, today, the Every Child Matters flag has been raised to honour children who attended residential schools. Tomorrow, the flags at the Whitby and Oshawa campuses will be lowered to half-mast and, at sundown, the DC sign and Connect sculpture at the bus loop at the Oshawa campus, and the atrium at the Whitby campus main building, will be illuminated orange.


Students welcome prominent Indigenous journalist to Rotary Global Classroom

With the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation approaching on September 30, Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) reporter Priscilla Wolf joined Durham College (DC) students for a discussion about Indigenous issues. 

Appearing virtually in The Rotary Global Classroom on September 26, Wolf fielded questions from the assembled students and shared stories from her life and career as an Indigenous woman who is committed to representing her community.

“I love working at APTN because we get to tell our stories from our point of view. Indigenous stories,” she said. With the benefit of her lived experience and knowledge of her culture, she tells those stories with empathy and integrity. While stressing that journalists of all backgrounds can and should cover Indigenous issues, she acknowledged that being a member of the community makes her work that much more personal.

First recognized in 2021, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation brings those issues to the forefront, particularly the history of residential schools. While those harsh truths must be acknowledged, Wolf sees the growing recognition as a positive step towards reconciliation.

“I think it’s important, because it shows how we’ve changed and how we’ve improved. It’s not just about how badly Indigenous people were treated. It’s also showing how the relationship has evolved with the Canadian government, and how Indigenous people have thrived and are still thriving today.”

Journalism professor Joanne MacDonald was pleased to see her students make the most of a unique opportunity to hear from someone as experienced and accomplished as Wolf.

“Hearing from frontline journalists in Canada is a pretty amazing experience. Students asked great questions, they listened and I think they learned a lot,” she said. “Diversity makes for better journalism.”

The event was part of the Voices in Journalism series. Every year, first-year Journalism students work with Durham Region’s CityStudio to produce a handful of events where speakers from across Canada and beyond share their wisdom and experience in panels on equity, diversity and inclusion in journalism.

It’s an invaluable opportunity for future journalists like Ganga Rajesh, who helped to moderate the event, and Gage Patte, who took a leading role in it.

“It’s important to learn from someone who’s had so much experience in the field. We’re going into the news industry, so we have to consider all these different perspectives and these different experiences that people we’re going to be working with have been through,” said Patte.  

As an international student who is just beginning to learn about the complicated history of Indigenous people in Canada, Rajesh was grateful for the chance to benefit from Wolf’s firsthand experience.

That sentiment was shared by their classmate, Simran Deb.

“I think that as journalists, it’s really important to listen to Indigenous voices,” she said.


Durham College expands capacity to support clients with commercialization efforts

Durham College (DC) is helping small businesses and startups take the next steps to bring their products and services to market, as a result of a $300,000 grant from Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON), expanding DC’s capacity to foster innovation and entrepreneurial growth in Ontario.

This new funding will further expand the intellectual property advisory services from DC’s Office of Research Services, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship (ORSIE). More than 50 business clients are expected to take advantage of the tailored resources and mentorship to help them navigate the complexities of intellectual property and commercialization. DC students participating in FastStart, the college’s on-campus Entrepreneurship Centre, will have expanded opportunities to learn about intellectual property so that they can protect and leverage this vital business asset.

“By enhancing our services and providing commercialization expertise at DC, we’ll be able to educate our clients and student entrepreneurs on developing an intellectual property strategy and increase their understanding of the commercialization process – steps that are crucial to the long-term success of their products and services,” said Debbie McKee Demczyk, dean, ORSIE. “With the support of IPON, our office will continue to serve as a hub for innovation, fostering economic growth and creating opportunities for our clients, students and faculty to succeed.”

Training in intellectual property literacy will also be available, eliminating barriers clients face when navigating the process by themselves, often affecting their impact and profitability. A limited number of high-potential clients will also have access to financial support to cover costs related to filing and regulatory fees and to procure legal services.

 Community members, business owners, start-ups and students can benefit from DC’s IP expertise during ORSIE’s first TechTalk event on Friday, October 27 at the Oshawa Campus.

DC is among seven post-secondary institutions to receive the funding. IPON’s $2-million pilot project is part of the Commercialization Mandate Policy Framework, an initiative aimed at helping post-secondary institutions advance their research and innovation efforts for the benefit of Ontario.

For more information or to access advisory services, contact Joshua Cohen, Commercialization Specialist at DC, or visit us online to learn more about ORSIE and the college’s applied research services and projects.


Durham College and OACETT launch free student membership pilot

Durham College is partnering with the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT) to undertake a six-year pilot program to determine the value of offering free memberships to students in engineering and applied science programs.

The pilot project will follow a single cohort of students through their two- or three-year college program, as well as the three-year period following graduation. Durham College recognizes the value employers place on professionals with a certification and that OACETT members and graduates from engineering and applied science programs go on to earn their certification as a Certified Technician (C.Tech) or a Certified Engineering Technologist (C.E.T.).

“We recognize the value of having industry certifications and the advantage they give graduates in a competitive job market,” said Tony Doyle, executive dean of Science, Engineering and Information Technology, at Durham College. “That’s why we are proud to introduce students to the OACETT and its certifications early in their studies to offer them opportunities to gain additional skills, training and mentorship that will help kick start their careers. We are thankful to OACETT for selecting us to partner with them on this pilot project.”

The pilot program will also include offering OACETT’s Professional Practice Exam (PPE) – one of the requirements for certification – while the students are still studying at DC, giving participating students advanced standing in achieving their C.Tech or C.E.T.

“There are two schools of thought about student membership in associations,” said Cheryl Farrow, CEO of OACETT. “One theory is that when students have to pay even a nominal fee, they are more personally committed and are more likely to convert to full membership upon graduation.  Another theory is that if membership is free, there is the potential to sign up more students, and even if not all of them become engaged, there still may be more that convert to full membership than from the smaller number of paid student members.”

The pilot will be available to students in the following programs:


Farm fresh and accessible year-round: Durham College’s innovative indoor farm supports local food security

The Barrett Centre Indoor Farm has practical applications in urban and northern settings where it’s tough to grow fresh food.

Even on the coldest day of the year, fresh produce will be ripe for the picking and ready to be shared with the community from a new and innovative indoor farm located at Durham College’s (DC) Barrett Centre for Innovation in Sustainable Urban Agriculture (Barrett Centre) in Ajax.

The Barrett Centre Indoor Farm is a hydroponic growing unit manufactured by Growcer in Canada. Think shelves and bunk beds for plants inside an 18-foot structure similar to a shipping container.

“The Barrett Centre Indoor Farm is a great new addition to our Ajax Urban Farm,” said Barrett Centre partnership manager Brenna Bizley. “This indoor farm will allow us to grow produce year-round, helping to address some of the barriers to fresh food and food security that exist in our community, especially in the winter months.”

The unit was delivered in August, and the team is now working on producing the first crop.

Similar hydroponic units have generally been used to grow leafy greens like lettuce as well as herbs. But in this case, two different crops can be grown at a time and part of the research aspect for the project involves experimenting with different types of fruits and vegetables.

A key feature for the indoor farm is that it is accessible for people who use mobility devices.

“At the Barrett Centre we’re trying to support traditionally marginalized and underserved populations,” said Bizley. “Someone who has mobility issues and is interested in the agriculture industry may think that’s not a viable career option because there’s uneven terrain but what we’re trying to demonstrate is that actually anyone can come and work in the agriculture industry using this unit as an example.”

The indoor farm is only the second AODA-compliant farm in Canada and Growcer worked directly with the Rick Hanson Foundation to design the Osiris Access unit.

For the Barrett Centre, the goal is to address food insecurity and demonstrate options that can serve urban communities without access to farm land.

“You could put something like this in a parking garage in an apartment building and you could grow food in there that could help feed the residents,” said Bizley.

It could also benefit northern communities with short growing seasons.

“We’re very excited to share this indoor farm and innovative growing practices with the community. We hope to inspire a new generation of urban farmers to explore innovative ways to grow food in urban settings.”

As part of work-integrated learning opportunities, DC students are involved in all aspects of the Barrett Centre. Students from the Horticulture – Food and Farming program and the Horticulture Technician program also visit the site on field trips to learn more about hydroponics and indoor growing.

Bizley adds that the Barrett Centre is community-focused and she’s working with high school and elementary school teachers to arrange for trips to the farm.

Food grown in the indoor farm will also benefit community groups like Community Care Durham and it may be used in food literacy and cooking classes.

“We’re really trying to get feedback from the community about what they need and what they want to see at the farm because at the end of the day, the farm is meant to serve the community that it’s in,” said Bizley.

Learn more about the Barrett Centre’s sustainable and innovative initiatives online.


Students participate in RBC grant program in support of urban agriculture

Eight Durham College (DC) students launched innovative urban agriculture projects this year, thanks to $5,000 in funding each from the RBC Urban Agriculture Work Integrated Learning Program.

The new grant program is a partnership between RBC and DC’s Barrett Centre of Innovation in Sustainable Urban Agriculture and aims to raise awareness of this critically important field which encompasses any farming or food production done in an urban area, such as aquaponics, aeroponics, rooftop farms and community gardens.

Students from a wide range of DC’s programs submitted ideas, bringing their unique expertise and experience to promote urban agriculture. Some project examples include:

  • The expansion of the DC Farmer’s Market, led by Horticulture – Food and Farming student Natalie Cox.
  • A community seedling program that provides seeds to promote planting in urban spaces, from Graphic Design student Labiba Raisa.
  • A micro-garden system allowing clients to build their ideal 12’x12′ garden, led by Horticulture – Technician student Matthew McCready.

“With food insecurity a growing concern around the world, it’s more important than ever to develop alternative methods of food production,” said Brenna Bizley, partnership manager, Barrett Centre. “The RBC Urban Agriculture Work Integrated Learning Program is an amazing opportunity for Durham College students and graduates to develop, launch, or scale a project or business related to urban agriculture and make positive contributions to the community. We are grateful for RBC’s support and vision.”

“What an amazing opportunity for students to learn about urban agricultural skills alongside industry experts,” said Andrew Staniforth, RBC Vice-President, Business Financial Services Agriculture. “The RBC Urban Agriculture Work Integrated Learning Program will help students develop the critical sought-after skills and experience needed for jobs of the future and at the same time help address food insecurity in our communities.”

The projects are underway and the students must submit their final report by October 1.


DC welcomes more than 3,900 new first-year students during 2023 Fall Orientation

Durham College (DC) welcomed more than 3,900 students to Fall Orientation this month to mark the beginning of a new year and educational journey.

Students participated in program orientations as well as a variety of fun events to help them adjust to college life. New students had the opportunity to meet employees and faculty members, discover campus services and learn more about their new programs all while making connections and friendships with fellow attendees. Nearly 1,600 international students also received programming to assist with adapting to the Canadian classroom, part-time employment opportunities and more.

Following both campus program orientations, students enjoyed DC Fest where they received new DC swag, enjoyed live music and indulged in free food truck fare before cheering on the Durham Lords as they went toe-to-toe with the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks at Campus Cup.

Fall orientation events also included a DC movie night, axe throwing, foam party, yoga session, plus so much more. Did you miss out on some of the fun? Don’t worry, we’re just getting started! Check out these five ways to get involved on campus this fall.


Durham College serves up unique student learning opportunities at Harvest Dinner

Community members will once again enjoy an evening under the stars as Durham College (DC) hosts the seventh Harvest Dinner at the W. Galen Weston Centre for Food (Weston Centre) on Thursday, September 21.

This signature event is a unique opportunity for students and employees in the Faculty of Hospitality & Horticultural Science and Weston Centre to come together to create an unforgettable dining experience.

With a special focus on student engagement, the Harvest Dinner’s hands-on opportunities allow students from DC’s horticulture, culinary, event management, hospitality and tourism programs to be active participants in their learning, under the guidance of Andrew Guay, Weston Centre field supervisor and Bistro ‘67’s executive chef, Raul Sojo.

To prepare, Horticulture – Food and Farming and Horticulture Technician students have tended to and harvested the fields where many components of the meal were grown and will be brought to life by Culinary Management and Culinary Skills students in the Bistro ’67 kitchen and Weston Centre labs and classrooms. On the day of the event, students will set up the impressive harvest table – fit to accommodate more than 100 guests and spanning the length of the garden path – as part of the experiential learning component of the Special Events Management program, before joining fellow Hospitality – Hotel and Restaurant Operations, Hospitality Skills and Tourism – Destination Marketing students to provide exceptional service and execution of the event.

“Harvest Dinner is the result of countless hours of creativity, collaboration and teamwork across all fronts and one of our most anticipated events of the year,” said Patrick Lernihan, general manager, W. Galen Weston Centre for Food. “The event offers so many benefits to our students, who get to be involved in the process from start to finish, and our community members, who continue to support the college and celebrate the Weston Centre’s passion for innovation.”

Upon arrival, guests will enjoy pre-dinner drinks, including Lords Ale, brewed by All or Nothing Brewhouse, and samples of a new IPA brewed on-site in the college’s Centre for Craft Brewing Innovation (CCBI). They will also have the chance to tour the Weston Centre’s Urban Farm gardens before gathering under strings of lights for the seasonally-inspired, multi-course meal.

Don’t miss your chance to attend Harvest Dinner 2023! Limited tickets are still available. Visit Eventbrite for details.


Pay Day Lottery funds new equipment for Durham College

Durham College (DC) has purchased new, state-of-the-art equipment to provide even more opportunities for innovative and hands-on learning thanks to the proceeds from the employee Pay Day Lottery.

Each month, DC employees have the option of buying up to six tickets ($5 each) in the lottery. The lucky winner gets half of the money collected, while the other half goes to the Student Experience Fund.

The Office of Development and Alumni Affairs has unveiled the equipment purchased with last year’s lottery proceeds, which includes:

  • Five emergency childbirth simulators for instructors and students in our nursing and paramedic programs.
  • A thermal imaging camera to aid in live fire training for firefighting students.
  • Two teaching robots for students in our automation and robotics courses and science programs. With many applications, these robots will be featured at events both on- and off-campus.
  • A micro-volume spectrophotometer for DNA and RNA quantification, to be used by students in microbiology-related courses within a variety of programs.

“The generosity of our DC family never ceases to amaze me,” said Linda Flynn, associate vice-president, Development and Alumni Affairs. “For just a few dollars every month, our employees make a tangible difference in our college by fostering an environment that encourages growth, innovation, and excellence. With their support, we are enhancing the learning experience and benefiting countless students for years to come.”

DC employees can register for the Pay Day Lottery online via ICE


Durham College’s Progressive Approach to Generative AI Tools

Durham College is leading the way by embracing artificial intelligence. Dr. Elaine Popp, executive vice president, academic, shares her thoughts on how AI is shaping how we work, teach and learn at DC.

In an era of rapid technological advancements, the emergence of generative artificial intelligence – or GenAI – tools has ignited a wave of innovation across industries. It is revolutionizing how we teach, learn and prepare post-secondary students at Durham College (DC) for their future careers.

Already outpacing traditional artificial intelligence’s ability to analyze data and make predictions, GenAI software can write essays, recommend computer code, draft exams and student assignments, generate graphics, and much more. At minimum, one of GenAI’s benefits is its ability to improve efficiency in instructional and administrative tasks, allowing faculty members to focus more on teaching and supporting students directly.

More broadly, this technology is being adapted by faculty into their teaching and learning practices in purposeful ways to enhance student learning and support the development of transferable skills in alignment with industry expectations.

With new technology like this, we need to be constantly curating resources to help harness its potential and be aware of its risks. DC’s Framework for Implementing Generative AI is a living document designed to help support faculty members use these tools, which focuses on five principles: Intentionality, Active Engagement, Responsibility for Accuracy, Ensuring Ethical and Legal Considerations, and Reflective Practice as an Evaluation of Learning.

As with any transformative technology, there are challenges, and we recognize the importance of authentic assessments, safeguarding against biases and ensuring data privacy. This framework will help address these concerns.

Beyond its use in teaching and learning, the College’s approach to GenAI and AI extends to our program development and applied research, ensuring our students are prepared to lead the way in constantly evolving industries. We offer an Honours Bachelor of Artificial Intelligence and a graduate certificate in Artificial Intelligence, Analysis, Design and Implementation. Students in these programs have opportunities to work with faculty and industry professionals in The AI Hub, DC’s applied research centre dedicated to supporting industry partners to uncover business insights while providing intelligent and autonomous solutions with the help of AI.

If we aim to provide our students with the best possible learning experiences, embracing the evolution of GenAI is not merely an option but a necessity. By nurturing innovation and responsible usage, DC is preparing students for the demands of tomorrow while contributing to the evolution of education in the digital age.

These are just some of the ways we are leveraging GenAI. How will it help you?