Durham College (DC) announced today that it 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 fifth consecutive year the college has been included on the list, which is informed by data on research income, research intensity and research partnerships and projects at colleges across the country.

DC’s Office of Research Services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship or ORSIE, has a mandate to solve industry and social challenges through innovation and collaboration. Operating under four research themes – cultivating healthy lives and resilient communities, advancing agriculture, agri-business and tourism, enabling technologies of the future and enhancing scholarly teaching and learning – researchers and students collaborate with industry and community partners to develop real-world solutions to challenges faced by small-to-medium-sized enterprises and community organizations.

Under the theme of enabling technologies of the future, DC is leading the way helping companies and organizations plan, develop, and implement state-of-the-art artificial intelligence (AI) systems and practices into business solutions. Through the establishment of the AI Hub, the college is assisting small and medium-sized enterprises to create products, services, and processes that have commercial value, enabling them to scale and compete through AI-enabled systems and management practices. Faculty researchers and students are working alongside industry partners in developing the solutions.

ORSIE is also offering AI workshops and a boot camp for DC students, focusing on the foundations of AI to enhance their skills.

Here’s the pitch: make a western featuring a mop and a character who is a super geek with a love for Velcro. While it may not be your typical Hollywood fare, it’s the concept behind “Strung Out”, the winning film of the second annual 48-Hour Film Challenge at Durham College (DC). This quirky but fabulous project is the high moment of the academic year in the School of Media, Art & Design (MAD), and is the biggest competition of its kind in Canada.

Beginning at noon on October 10, more than 500 MAD students from seven programs were challenged with creating original short films in only two days. Teams were each given a genre, line of dialogue, prop and character type that had to be included in their final submissions. Films were due by noon on October 12 and then stitched together by faculty and staff for a private screening at the Cineplex Odeon Theatre in Oshawa.

The film crew for this year’s best picture winner – Fynn Badgley, Zen Egyed, Muhammad Muntasir Kaudeer, Judy Krajcik, Matthew Ledrew, Narendiren Loganathan, Nicole Potter, Jordan Rivoire, Kendall Schofield, Ashlyn Van De Ven – will now have their names engraved on the prestigious “Deanie Award”, a trophy featuring a miniature likeness of MAD executive dean Greg Murphy.

A jury of industry professionals chose the winners in all categories. They were: John Arkelian, director, Cinechats Film Program; Andy Malcolm, foley artist, Footsteps Studio; Eileen Kennedy, film liaison for Durham Region; Catherine Richards, director of culture and recreation, City of Oshawa; and Katie Boone, manager, International Projects and Partnerships, DC.

The film challenge brings together students from DC’s programs in Advanced Filmmaking, Broadcasting for Radio & Contemporary Media, Contemporary Web Design, Interactive Design, Media Fundamentals, Photography and Video Production, along with mentoring staff and faculty. It is an event designed to help students meet and collaborate across program boundaries and to form a community of emerging content creators. It also provides students with an opportunity to flex their creativity and develop the so-called “soft skills”, such as communication, teamwork and problem solving, which are vital to achieving success after graduation.

This year’s student films can be viewed on the challenge’s website and MAD YouTube channel.

On October 26, more than 1,100 students received their credentials during this year’s Fall Convocation; friends, family and the college community were on hand to celebrate the achievement. Whether beginning their career or pursuing further education, these individuals have graduated knowing they have the skills they need to succeed.

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.

In honour of the college’s 50th anniversary in 2017, two alumni from DC’s first graduating class in 1969 also attended convocation; John Krezanowski graduated from the college’s Mechanical Engineering Technician program and Ron Hooper graduated from the college’s Marketing program. Ron is also an Alumni of Distinction award recipient.

As part of the college’s commitment to building on its positive reputation, the outstanding contributions and exemplary service of retired employee Margaret Greenley was recognized through the honorary designation of vice-president emeritus.

A video of the entire ceremony is now available.

Durham College (DC) is excited to share the news about our recent Readers’ Choice award wins. We would like to thank those who supported and voted for us in the categories below: 

• Continuing Education – Diamond
• Trade School – Diamond
• Durham College Employment Services – Diamond 
• Bistro ’67 Restaurant – Diamond
• Kid’s Camps – Gold

We are proud to serve our communities by providing quality education and services in a variety of areas including full- and part-time post-secondary and continuing education courses and programs and employment services.

The annual Readers’ Choice nominees are chosen by local residents who select their favourite businesses for the products and services they offer in the Ajax, Pickering, Whitby, Oshawa and Clarington areas.

On October 22, under warm, sunny skies, Team Durham College (DC) once again pounded the pavement at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, half-marathon and 5K to raise funds for the new Centre for Collaborative Education (CFCE).

More than $17,500 was raised thanks to the fundraising efforts of Team DC, individual participants and the kindness of the family, friends and organizations who sponsored them. Additional matching funds were generously provided by silver sponsor the Durham College Alumni Association and participant sponsor Mason Bennett Johncox. Donations can be made until Tuesday, October 31, for those who still want to support the team.

This is the second year that employees, students and alumni banded together to participate in the Building Something Amazing campaign’s Run for DC in support of the CFCE and the promise of collaboration and innovation that it brings.