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Faculty researchers share initiatives at Whitby Fall Research Showcase

On November 23 Durham College (DC)’s Office of Research Services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ORSIE) welcomed faculty researchers to its Whitby campus to share their current and future applied research initiatives at its Whitby Fall Research Showcase. Projects in the areas of agriculture, craft brewing and new energy technology were highlighted.

“There are some amazing applied research projects taking place at the college’s Whitby campus,” said Debbie McKee Demczyk, director, ORSIE. “This showcase was our chance to share the work being done by faculty with the support of our students, as we partner with industry and local businesses to provide innovative solutions and advance the research agenda in a number of unique areas.”

Agricultural research projects:

Dr. Ross Stevenson, faculty researcher from the School of Science & Engineering Technology, discussed his project to find a suitable variety of okra that can be grown locally, which, given the increasing demand for growing ethno-cultural vegetables, brings research opportunities to Durham College.

Greg Moran, faculty researcher and research co-ordinator from the School of Skilled Trades, Apprenticeship & Renewable Technology and Shane Jones, faculty researcher from the School of Science & Engineering Technology, shared their cold-frame technology research, which will allow fresh vegetables and greens to be grown year round, even during cold Canadian winters.

Dr. Riaz Shah, faculty researcher from the School of Science & Engineering Technology, spoke about the pest management research that he is planning with local apple growers and also discussed the research equipment he will be using including a reach-in incubator and Potter Spray Tower.

New energy technology:

Faculty researchers Lauren Fuentes and Phil Jarvis from the School of Science & Engineering Technology, shared details about research being undertaken at the Whitby campus’s Smart House project, while faculty researcher Dr. Ali Taileb from the School of Science & Engineering Technology announced a new energy technology project and discussed the type of research this will support; Ray King, principal inventor at Dynacurrent Technologies Inc. was also on hand to discuss where the new energy technology will lead.

Craft brewing:

Chris Gillis, manager of applied research business development, ORSIE, shared his work with the craft beer industry, outlining their specific research needs, while illustrating how DC’s new brew line capabilities will help in supporting craft brewers.

For more information about applied research at DC, please visit ORSIE’s webpage.

Lindsay Panchan breaks DC women’s basketball single game scoring record

It was all Lindsay Panchan at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre on November 20.

The second-year Sport Business Management student led the Durham College (DC) women’s basketball team with 41 points in their 66-64 victory over the Algonquin Thunder, in the process breaking DC’s record for most points in a single game.

The previous record of 38 points was set by Jenn Hevey on October 16, 1998 against Georgian College when the Lords defeated the Grizzlies 75-26. 

“I’m extremely happy to find out I broke the record here at Durham College, but we aren’t even halfway through the season,” said Panchan. “I’ll take a little bit of time tomorrow to enjoy it, but Monday we’re back in the gym preparing for our next game and that’s where our focus is right now.”

The loss was Algonquin’s first of the season and only their fourth in the last seven years against DC, having won their last 17 head-to-head match-ups, dating back to January 12, 2007.

Panchan and Brittany Walters were the Lords lone scorers after the opening quarter as Algonquin was ahead 16-10. In the third, Panchan had 11 of DC’s 21 points as they took a 48-46 lead into the final 10 minutes.

Algonquin had a shot for the win in the dying seconds, but DC held on for the victory after Walters gave the Lords the lead in the final minute, making a pair of free throws to put them ahead for good.

Panchan also added 11 rebounds for the double-double, while Walters finished the game with 10 points.

Durham College partners with Hau Giang Community College in Vietnam

Durham College (DC) has signed a five-year contract with Agriteam Consulting Ltd, to work with Vietnam’s Hau Giang Community College (HGCC) to develop a technical vocational program in the sector of post-harvest production. Funded by the Government of Canada, the partnership sees DC’s School of Science & Engineering Technology and Centre for Academic and Faculty Enrichment (CAFÉ) working with HGCC to share its expertise with programs in the areas of food and pharmaceuticals, agriculture and food sciences.

Four high-level officials from HGCC recently travelled from Hau Giang Province, Vietnam on a one-week study tour to observe DC’s facilities and gain a deeper understanding of DC’s post-harvest programs and best practices in curriculum development.

“It was an honour to host the rector, vice-rector and dean from HGCC,” said Mark Herringer, executive director, International Education. We’re looking forward to many more opportunities for both institutions to work together as DC shares its experiences combining the areas of science and technology with post-harvest production. As we’ve discovered, when you bring together multiple disciplines it leads to innovative solutions that help our partners, employees, students and wider community flourish.”

In addition to working with HGCC to address its specific needs, the project team will also be lending its expertise to assist in developing a new program model that can be adapted for use at the national level in Vietnam. Two other Canadian colleges are also taking part in the project, having partnered with additional Vietnamese institutions. Work will be ongoing until September 2019.

Durham College alumna wins Premier’s Award

Durham College (DC) alumna Debbie Low has been honoured on the provincial stage for her passion for sports and dedication to empowering Canadians who live with a disability. The 1985 graduate from DC’s Sports Administration program was announced as the recipient of a Premier’s Award on Monday, November 16 at a gala celebrating outstanding graduates from the Ontario college system. 

“I am incredibly touched and honoured to not only be nominated but to also receive the Premier’s Award for community services,” said Low, who was awarded the honour in the community services category. “Attending the Sports Administration program at DC was one of the most important decisions I made in setting me on the career path to where I am today. My full-year placement and the mentorship and coaching I received from the faculty gave me the skills and confidence I needed to succeed in the very competitive sporting industry; an industry that has also given me the opportunity to give back to the local community and champion the rights of athletes with disabilities so they too can achieve their dreams.”

Helping individuals with disabilities inspired Low to make a significant impact in the athletic community and helped her stand out amongst other provincial nominees. Since graduating from DC, she has implemented numerous programs, along with developing the operational plan for Canada’s team at the 2004 and 2008 Paralympic Games. Over the past 10 years, she has remained a leader in the sports industry as CEO of the Canadian Sport Institute of Ontario (CSIO), as well as serving on committees and boards for many not-for-profit organizations that support the success of athletes with a disability.

“It was truly an honour to be present when Debbie received recognition for her career success before a crowd of some of the most influential leaders in Ontario, said Don Lovisa, president, Durham College. “The entire college community is very proud of her. She is an excellent role model for our students and our more than 73,000 alumni.”

Low was one of 116 college graduates nominated for this year’s awards, including two others from DC, and is the fifth alumni from DC to win a Premier’s Award. Each year the Premier’s Awards are presented to acknowledge the social and economic contributions that college graduates make to the province and throughout the world. Chosen from nominations submitted by Ontario’s 24 colleges, the award recipients have demonstrated outstanding career success related to their college experience and have made a significant contribution to their community.

For more information about the DC alumni community please visit www.durhamcollege.ca/alumni.

Durham College welcomes community to annual Fall Open House

Durham College (DC) offered more than 3,600 prospective students, along with their friends, families and the broader community, an opportunity to experience the college first-hand during its annual Fall Open House on November 14.

Doors were open at the Oshawa and Whitby campuses, and the Pickering Learning Site, providing visitors with the opportunity to explore the facilities, take guided tours, check out support services and visit individual program classrooms and labs to speak with professors and students.

Durham College President Don Lovisa was also on-hand to answer questions and meet with potential students and their families. Guests also had the chance to meet members of Team Experience and win prizes including a GoPro camera.

“It was wonderful to be able to talk with so many potential students and their families,” said Lovisa. “Events like Open House give us the opportunity to share the DC experience with prospective students, their families and our community. We hope to see many of those who attended in our classrooms in the future.”

For those considering attending DC, there are over 140 market-driven programs to choose from, including ten new programs beginning in 2016:

For more information about Durham College, please visit www.durhamcollege.ca.

 

 

 

 

DC is home to 523 international students from around the world

The semester is in full swing and Durham College (DC) is pleased to be providing post-secondary education for 523 international students from 49 countries around the world.

As the latest numbers indicate, Canada and DC continue to be popular choices for students looking to study abroad, allowing for both personal and educational development. In addition to the value of experiencing another culture, the college system is well-established and has been designed to help students succeed. Canadian-earned qualifications are valued around the world and it’s also more cost-effective to study in Canada, with tuition rates considerably lower than many other countries.

International students at DC also have the opportunity to work both on- and off-campus, allowing them to earn while they learn. Upon graduation they can also apply for a post-graduate work permit to gain valuable work experience within the country.

“We’re so pleased an increasing number of students choose DC for their post-secondary studies,” said Larissa Strong, manager, International Student Support, International office. “We have a number of programs and services available to them to ensure they feel welcome and supported while also receiving a high-quality post-secondary education.”

Those services begin the moment international students arrive in Canada, including free airport pickup. A two-day, tailored student orientation is also hosted to ensure that the school year starts off strong. Other supports include access to Student Academic Learning Services (SALS), who offer peer mentoring, teach subject-specific learning skills and provide English-as-a-second-language support. Workshops, clinics and one-to-one consultations are also hosted.

The International Office provides advice for students regarding adapting to Canada and the college educational system, accessing healthcare, entering the Canadian labour force, and immigration issues related to students.

For more information about international students studying at DC please visit www.durhamcollege.ca/international.

DC makes its mark at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair

It’s a time-honoured event that brings the country to the big city and once again Durham College (DC) is making its mark at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.

Sharing culinary expertise

This year Centre for Food (CFF) Chair David Hawey is providing his culinary expertise as he spends four days judging the semi-final and final competitions of the Egg Farmers of Ontario Road to the Royal chef challenge and the Toronto Invitational Chef Competition at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.

“It’s a huge honour to be asked to participate,” said Hawey. “The focus of these competitions is on showcasing the ingredients and using local produce whenever possible, which is closely aligned to the CFF’s own field-to-fork philosophy. It’s nice to see top calibre chefs bringing the philosophy to life and I am pleased to contribute my expertise.”

Culinary students also appeared on-stage on November 7 and 8, as part of a partnership with the Ontario Apple Growers. Under the guidance of Hawey they developed one sweet and one savoury apple-based appetizer and demonstrated how to prepare them in front of a live audience.

“It was really exciting to share these recipes with fair goers,” said Kristin Atwood, a second-year student in DC’s Culinary Management program. “It was both challenging and fun to take the skills we were taught in-class and use them to develop the dishes.”

Sharing information

With over 300,000 visitors attending the Royal annually, it is also a great opportunity for DC to reach prospective students and their families. The college’s recruitment team is on-hand for the duration of the event to showcase the over 140 market-driven programs offered at the college. These include the extensive suite of field-to-fork programs offered at the CFF in the areas of baking, culinary, hospitality, events, food and farming and horticulture, as well as programs with a science and engineering focus including pharmaceutical and food sciences.

For anyone who wants to visit DC at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, which runs until Sunday, November 16, stop by booth 518 in Hall A.

Durham College hosts Cuban delegation

On November 3, Durham College (DC) welcomed a delegation of Cuban public officials including the Ambassador of Cuba to Canada, the Consul General of Cuba in Toronto and the First Secretary, Embassy of Cuba in Canada to its Whitby campus.  The tour was part of a larger visit planned by the City of Oshawa to showcase the City and broader region and further develop the relationship that exists between Cuba and Canada in the year of the 70th anniversary of uninterrupted diplomatic relations between the two countries.

While on campus, delegates were welcomed by President Don Lovisa and Vice-President, Academic Elaine Popp and taken on a tour of the college’s renewable energy labs, led by Mike McKenney, a professor in the School of Skilled Trades, Apprenticeship and Renewable Technology. The guests had the opportunity to observe the campus’ renewable energy equipment including the rooftop solar panels and wind turbines. The group also enjoyed lunch at Bistro ’67, DC’s green-certified teaching restaurant located in the Centre for Food.

“It was an honour to meet with the Ambassador and host the Cuban delegation,” said Lovisa. “We learned more about priorities for Cuba in terms of developing partnerships and economic development of the country, while also sharing the work we are doing academically in the areas of renewable energy and about how we partner with local businesses. Our impact and partnerships are broad and directly benefit our campus and communities.”

Click here for more information about DC’s renewable energy programs.

Participants chosen for the DC Fall Accelerator Program

On October 5, two Durham College (DC) students were chosen to participate in the Fall Accelerator program – putting their entrepreneurial ideas on the fast track to success. FastStart DC, along with the Spark Centre, is pleased to offer the accelerator to help students and graduates take their innovative ideas or business ventures to market faster while utilizing the professional services from an experienced support team.

Over the course of 10 weeks, Entrepreneurship and Small Business student, Rola AlNouno and Law Clerk Advanced student, Brittany Charlton will work to develop their businesses while capitalizing on the benefits of the program. These include a faster entry to market, reduced start-up costs and a focused work environment to learn in alongside seasoned professionals.

“I’m very excited about being a part of the accelerator,” said AlNouno. “Right now my business is at the idea stage. Surrounding myself with the right resources and influences will help me achieve my goals.”

This is the second time the Accelerator Program has been offered. After the success of the first run in the summer months, employees of FastStart DC and the Spark Centre were eager to offer this opportunity to more students and alumni.

The Fall Accelerator program began on Tuesday, October 13 and runs until to Friday, December 18. For more information on this initiative, visit the FastStart website.

DC hosts international partners from Peru

Durham College (DC) recently welcomed representatives from the Centro Experimental de Formación Profesional (CEFOP), a technical and vocational college in Trujillo, Peru, completing a second training mission to share best practices between both institutions.

Four management-level colleagues from CEFOP spent two weeks at DC learning about institutional procedures: recruitment of vulnerable youth, admissions, team work, performance evaluation and leadership training, while also exploring the strategies used to administer and run the Centre for Food’s (CFF) culinary programs and green-certified teaching restaurant Bistro ’67, all of which are based on the field-to-fork philosophy.

This latest mission is the second between both organizations, who are working together to examine practices that will help them excel at home and abroad. The first visit saw representatives from DC travel to Peru in July 2015 after the college was awarded a contract from Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan). With the goal of partnering with CEFOP, DC is sharing its experience and expertise in the areas of culinary arts and gastronomy, while also helping to update and enhance their curriculum, build industry linkages and assist CEFOP in providing its students with the skills they need to further promote and enhance the world-renowned and growing reputation of Peruvian cuisine.

“Our partnership with CEFOP not only gives us a chance to share our expertise but stands to have a great impact on the college, its students and the wider community,” said Mark Herringer, executive director, International Education. “It is also a great example of post-secondary institutions from across the globe working together to build expertise and improve the student experience.”

Driven by Katie Boone, international project manager with the college’s International Office, and David Hawey, chair of the CFF, the DC team is looking at options for adapting its field-to-fork philosophy for CEFOP’s urban center, reinforcing industry engagement strategies, highlighting the importance of inclusive management and student-centered teaching strategies and facilitating improvements to revenue generation activities of CEFOP.

The project is ongoing until March 2017 with several more visits planned between both institutions.

For more information about DC’s CFF please visit http://www.durhamcollege.ca/academic-schools/centre-for-food.