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MRC Studio becomes DC’s second Technology Access Centre with new grant

The Mixed Reality Capture (MRC) Studio at Durham College (DC) has been recognized as a national leader in extended reality (XR) innovation, receiving a $1.75-million Technology Access Centre (TAC) grant from the federal College and Community Innovation (CCI) program.

The funding will provide $350,000 annually over the next five years supporting their work with industry partners to develop immersive XR solutions that are transforming training, simulation, and workforce development across multiple sectors.

While XR technologies have traditionally been associated with gaming and entertainment, their applications are expanding into fields such as advanced manufacturing, energy, defence and hazardous workplace simulation. Through the MRC Studio, DC researchers are helping organizations leverage these technologies to create engaging, hands-on learning experiences that improve training outcomes and operational readiness.

“This recognition amplifies our reputation as a centre of excellence and shows potential clients that our teams are at the leading edge of the very advanced technologies that they’re working with,” said Debbie McKee Demczyk, Associate Vice President, Innovation and Research.

Jason Hunter, Senior Manager of the MRC Studio, noted they have already been working with industry partners to transform traditional learning materials into immersive, hands-on XR experiences that improve engagement and practical training outcomes.

“We are seeing broader adoption of the technology, and have adapted our services and expanded our efforts to help organizations leverage its potential,” he said. “We’re getting really good traction from our partners who are finding new ways for XR to engage their clients in training.”

The new grant is a perfect complement to the $1.886 million funding the MRC Studio received earlier this year from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) – College Fund and the Ontario Research Fund (ORF) for the building of a state-of-the-art immersive research stage.

“That grant equips us well from an infrastructure point of view. We have the equipment and the expertise, and now through Tech Access Canada we can maintain that expertise and start to deliver long-term projects with partners,” explained Hunter.

With this funding, the talented professionals at the MRC Studio will continue to develop their skills as they contribute to the business community, while offering terrific experiential learning opportunities for DC students to work with emerging technologies and contribute to research projects.

This is DC’s second TAC designation — The AI Hub also received TAC funding in 2023.

Learn more about the MRC Studio and Durham College’s applied research initiatives.

ZenFri and Durham College develop app to dig deep into museum collections and archives

A creative collaboration between ZenFri and the Mixed Reality Capture Studio is re-imagining the museum experience and leveraging technology to expand the stories curators share with visitors. 

ZenFri is a creative arts and technology studio focused on innovative storytelling, incorporating augmented reality, virtual reality, film, games and more. They are working with the Mixed Reality Capture (MRC) Studio at Durham College to develop Artefacta, a mobile application that allows users to interact with museum content on their own device. 

“Every museum has a little bit of text on the wall that’s geared towards a general audience, but they often have huge archives of stories that they just have no space to tell,” explains Corey King, ZenFri studio head and co-founder.  

But technology presents an opportunity to break those space limitations allowing users to explore a museum’s archive and collections further based on their own interests and curiosity. 

“Now, the text on the wall can become an access point to deeper conversations about that content based on documents that the curators approve,” said King. “It’s about trying to give the museums more power and more voice.” 

MRC Studio senior manager Jason Hunter said museum visitors can use Artefacta to customize their experience. 

“They can scan an item and perhaps watch a documentary about it or link to a story about how it was cleaned up or when it was excavated,” he said. “There are all kinds of different pieces of media that can go along with that – photo and video are sort of the two traditional ones you might think of, but then it goes beyond that to 3D scans of objects or site recreations.” 

The app is focused on accessibility. 

“What Artefacta does is it makes it so that that a museum’s text can be translated into a lot of different languages, it makes so that that text can be spoken,” said King. “If you have difficulty reading or you’re a young kid, you can just turn it on so that every piece of text you look at gets read to you. And you can ask questions back and that’s where we dive into the archival material.” 

Hunter said people often think of gaming in connection to extended reality (XR), but Artefacta is proof of broader possibilities. 

“We’re really proud of this project because it takes the grassroots framework of what XR development is and puts it into a completely different context, which is education and cultural preservation,” he said. “At MRC, we’re interested in exploring how XR content can be used in sectors where people aren’t traditionally thinking of using it.” 

Artefacta uses AI and data on localized computers on the museum’s premises which means the museum’s data is protected. 

“The knowledge of the curators isn’t being fed to a large language model and the data remains in-house,” said Hunter. 

He sees the collaboration with ZenFri as a great example of an applied research success story where a product was brought from the development phase to a protype to a pilot project that is ready to be launched. The next step is testing Artefacta in Canadian museums and MRC will continue to support ZenFri as they move to commercialize the product. 

King described the process of working with the MRC Studio as seamless. 

“They felt like an extension of my team in a real way,” he said. “I talked to them like my team, I set priorities, I reviewed things and it felt very natural. What they actually delivered was more than what I was anticipating they would deliver.” 

Durham College helping business prepare for Canada’s defence spending boom

With Canada making a generational investment in defence spending, there are substantial new opportunities for businesses and Durham College (DC) is well-positioned to support their success. 

Members of DC recently attended an Invest Durham event — Building Durham Region’s Defence Industrial Base — which brought together the private sector, government and post-secondary institutions.  

The event’s keynote speaker was Bernie Derible, Ontario’s first Military and Defence Representative — a role created by the government to promote the province’s defence industry in global markets, attract new defence investment to the province and help Ontario companies take advantage of growing export opportunities.  

“Focusing on defence requires collaboration across sectors, and Durham College has an important role to play in supporting the skilled workforce, learning, and innovation needed to help our region respond to these emerging needs,” said Dr. Elaine Popp, DC President. “Through our academic programs, research and development, compliance expertise, corporate training and innovation initiatives, we are helping develop the talent, skills and business capacity needed to leverage this opportunity while advancing Durham Region’s role as a strong contributor to provincial and federal priorities.” 

Debbie McKee Demczyk, Associate Vice President, Innovation and Research at DC, explains that the college is part of an innovation ecosystem ready to support small and medium businesses looking to expand into the defence sector.  

“Durham College has great strengths in research and development, and we’ve been offering R&D services to small and medium enterprises (SME) for the last 15 years,” she said. “We currently have three mature research centers across the AI Hub, the Mixed Reality Capture Studio, and the Centre for Cybersecurity Innovation, who all possess expertise in their particular fields to support companies to innovate and to address problems.” 

As well, DC’s Corporate Training Services is ready to work with businesses to upskill and reskill their workforce, helping to keep companies competitive and ahead of industry demands. 

A panel discussion at the Invest Durham event on building defence-ready capacity featured Sushant Katare, Senior Cybersecurity Manager at DC’s Centre for Cybersecurity Innovation, and Doug Hart, Business Manager and Strategist for DC Corporate Training Services. It was moderated by DC’s Robin Young, Executive Director, Business and Workforce Development. 

“Working collaboratively to advance the defence sector in Durham Region is how we will rapidly increase capacity,” said Sandra Austin, Commissioner, Community Growth and Economic Development – Invest Durham. “Post-secondary institutions like Durham College are critical to this, as research and innovation, workforce development, and specific expertise such as cybersecurity each play a role in advancing our regional economy. Durham College will play a key role in how we secure Durham Region’s meaningful participation in this provincial and national priority.”  

In his keynote address, Derible emphasized the importance of what has been called a generational moment. 

“What we’re going through right now is a gigantic nation-building, growth-mindset exercise,” he said, adding that he believes Prime Minister Mark Carney has under-estimated the 125,000 new jobs that will be created and Ontario stands to gain 50,000 jobs alone. 

He also described the development of the defence sector as a sovereignty issue in Canada, a point that McKee Demczyk describes as vitally important given global shifts. 

“Protecting what we have, protecting our infrastructure and our intellectual property from foreign interference, those needs have never been stronger than they are right now,” she said. “Those are conversations that Durham College is actively involved in, and we want to make sure that we not only protect ourselves, but we help our small and medium enterprises and companies in this space so they know how to protect themselves as well.” 

She adds that DC is ready to provide top-notch professional services for businesses entering the defence sector. 

“We work with the pace of the industry,” she said. “Our delivery times are very much aligned with industry requirements, and we have certified professionals to work with you to identify your business needs and deliver solutions.” 

Learn more about Research, Innovation and Training Services (RITS) at Durham College.

Durham College’s AI Hub brings home insights from inaugural UN Global Dialogue

Durham College’s (DC) AI Hub has a new global perspective following the inaugural United Nations (UN) Global Dialogue on AI Governance in Geneva, Switzerland, this summer.

For DC’s Saba Siddiqi, Manager – R&D and AI Governance, who attended the event to contribute perspectives from applied AI practice and engage with international stakeholders, being part of the global conversation was an opportunity to learn from different approaches to governance and consider how those viewpoints can inform the practical work of the AI Hub.

The event brought together governments, stakeholders and experts, including representatives from more than 170 countries, to discuss international cooperation, share best practices, and explore both the challenges and opportunities of AI use to support social, economic and development priorities. Discussion topics focused on ethics, equitable access to technology, and sharing knowledge and resources.

Siddiqi noted that the discussions in Geneva placed AI governance questions in a broader global context, highlighting differences in access to capabilities, infrastructure, skills and opportunities across countries, and underscoring the importance of making these conversations more accessible and practical for organizations, educators, and communities.

“One of my biggest takeaways was that it is not only about managing risk; it is also about access, representation, and ensuring that people and communities have the capacity to participate in and benefit from AI development,” shared Siddiqi. “Hearing how different countries are approaching AI reinforced the importance of human judgement, inclusion, and context.”

These insights will help inform DC’s work with industry partners, researchers, and students. Responsible practices are already rooted throughout the centre’s projects, from defining a problem and selecting an appropriate approach to evaluating a solution and considering how it may be used in practice. This work reflects the importance of translating high-level principles into practical guidance that helps organizations make responsible decisions throughout the AI lifecycle.

As the UN’s global discussion on this topic continues next spring, Siddiqi hopes to build on what she learned in Geneva and continue connecting broader governance principles with practical guidance and applied research, as the AI Hub continues to support innovation and research at DC and beyond.

Learn more about the AI Hub.

Session recordings and resources, such as the preliminary report, are available on the UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance website.

New name, stronger connection: DC introduces RITS

Durham College (DC) has brought together its applied research, institutional research, co-op, and corporate training teams under a new name – Research, Innovation and Training Services (RITS) – reflecting their evolution and growing role in helping industry and community partners leverage DC’s talent, expertise, and capabilities.

“RITS combines Corporate Training Services’ strengths in business development and relationship management with the specialized technical expertise and research capacity of DC’s five research centres,” said Debbie McKee Demczyk, Associate Vice President, Innovation and Research. “Together, the team provides a single point of connection for our partners and creates measurable impact for people, organizations, and communities.”

As industry needs continue to evolve, RITS is focused on strengthening partnerships and forging new opportunities in priority areas including AI, immersive simulations, defence, and nuclear and energy sectors. Through these areas of focus, RITS leverages DC’s talent, technology and applied expertise to address real-world challenges and contribute to economic and community development.

RITS’ integrated approach also supports dynamic learning opportunities for students and employees while helping organizations and communities access the specialized knowledge, training and innovation they need to grow.

To learn more about RITS services or to explore partnership opportunities, visit the new RITS website.

Durham College joins Canadian Nuclear Association to support Canada’s energy workforce

Durham College (DC) has joined the Canadian Nuclear Association (CNA) as an affiliate member, strengthening its role in preparing the skilled professionals needed to support Canada’s growing nuclear sector and providing new opportunities for collaboration with industry leaders on education, skills development, and long-term workforce planning.

DC supports the development of the expertise and skills needed across clean energy through specialized academic programs, corporate training, applied research, and immersive learning experiences. The membership complements DC’s leadership role in the Canadian Clean Energy Workforce Consortium and builds on long-standing partnerships with organizations including Ontario Power Generation, Bruce Power, Ontario Tech University, and a broad network of regional nuclear suppliers.

“Education has an important role to play in preparing people with the skills employers need today and into the future,” said Robin Young, Executive Director, Business and Workforce Development, Corporate Training Services at DC. “Our partnerships with industry allow us to respond quickly to changing workforce demands and create learning opportunities that connect students and professionals with meaningful careers. Joining the Canadian Nuclear Association strengthens those connections so we can contribute to the future of the sector.”

As part of the CNA membership, Young will serve on the CNA Workforce Planning Advisory Council, bringing the college’s expertise to national discussions on future skills needs and workforce planning.

“We are pleased to welcome Durham College as an Affiliate Member of the Canadian Nuclear Association,” said George Christidis, President and CEO, CNA. “As Canada’s nuclear sector continues to grow, partnerships with leading educational institutions are essential to building the skilled workforce needed to support the industry’s future. We look forward to working with Durham College to strengthen talent development and help prepare the next generation of nuclear professionals.”

Through this partnership, Durham College looks forward to helping strengthen Canada’s nuclear workforce and contributing to a skilled, adaptable talent pipeline that will support the sector’s continued growth.

International partnership with Durham College and the University of the Highlands and Islands advances renewable energy education and workforce development

Canada’s growing investment in renewable energy infrastructure is increasing demand for skilled professionals with the expertise to plan and deliver complex energy projects. To meet this need, Durham College (DC), in partnership with the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) in Scotland, is launching an online training module that provides learners the skills needed to manage renewable energy projects from planning through implementation.

Registration is now open for the Renewable Energy Project Management module, which is designed for both those entering the energy sector as well as working professionals. Delivered entirely online with flexible start dates, participants can begin at any time and progress at their own pace. Covering the full project lifecycle, participants will build practical skills in stakeholder engagement, budgeting, risk management, and project planning using industry-standard tools in less than 12 weeks. Upon successful completion, learners will receive a dual-branded Acknowledgement of Completion from both DC and UHI.

“Canada’s clean energy transition depends on more than new technology. It requires a workforce with the skills to turn ambitious projects into reality,” said Robin Young, Executive Director, Business and Workforce Development, Corporate Training Services at DC. “DC is uniquely positioned to bridge skill gaps with our specialized training facilities, industry-aligned curriculum, and deep ties to Canada’s energy sector needed to meet the growing demand for skilled talent.”

The module will be created by specialist colleagues at UHI Moray on behalf of UHI, reflecting the university partnership strengths, drawing on UHI Moray’s expertise in energy education. This collaborative approach ensures a globally informed curriculum that reflects current industry practices and the evolving needs of the energy sector across Canada and the United Kingdom.

“This exciting module draws on the strength of international collaboration in addressing the skills needed for the transition to a low-carbon economy,” shared Professor Su Bryan, Dean of Science, Health and Environment at UHI. “Our partnership with Durham College combines complementary expertise and industry insights to create flexible learning to support energy transition.  This programme will be delivered by our specialist colleagues at UHI Moray. It reflects the collective expertise and shared ambition of the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) partnership to provide accessible, high-quality education with global relevance.”

The module marks the first initiative to emerge from DC’s partnership with UHI, bringing together international academic expertise with input from leading energy sector organizations, including Ontario Power Generation (OPG), Statkraft, and SSE Renewables Ltd.

“Demand for clean, reliable renewable power continues to grow, and so does the need for skilled professionals who can help deliver complex energy projects,” said Mike Woodcock, Vice President, Operations, Ontario Power Generation. “OPG’s renewable assets have supported Ontario’s energy needs for generations, and continued investment in upgrades, redevelopment and optimization is essential to meeting future demand. Modules like this play an important role in building the workforce needed to lead renewable energy projects and support the province’s energy future.”

Registration is now open, and learners can start as early as September 14, 2026. As a self-paced module with continuous intakes, participants can register at any time and choose their preferred start date.

More information is available on the Renewable Energy Management Module webpage and on the Skills for Jobs Canada website.

Making an impact: Amanda Cappon’s applied research journey

Amanda Cappon never expected applied research to become such an important part of her work — but today, the Durham College (DC) faculty member is helping create meaningful change in the community through collaborative research initiatives. 

“Applied research means I get to interact with people and hear the stories of those living through these experiences — and understand the impact it has on clients and organizations,” said Cappon. “That is research I love and want to get behind.” 

Cappon’s passion for applied research, however, was unexpected. Her introduction to research prior to her time at DC was discouraging, and it wasn’t until she met colleague Lorraine Closs (retired) and discovered DC’s Social Impact Hub that her interest was piqued. The Social Impact Hub supports researchers in community-engaged research projects leveraging faculty expertise, student talent and strong community partnerships. 

That experience became a turning point; reshaping Cappon’s understanding of what research could be. Through this work, she discovered how applied research at DC connects students, faculty and community partners to create practical solutions for real-world challenges. 

Through her work with DC’s Social Impact Hub, Cappon co-led a multi-year research project with a diverse and inclusive steering committee titled Raising Resilient Families: Empowering Parents with Cognitive Challenges. The primary community organization and partner for this project was the Starfish Parent Support Program,  The project combined research evidence with lived experience to develop meaningful supports and resources for parents with cognitive challenges, including a post-birth advocacy document, parent and peer-led support groups and offered specialized training (the Step-by-Step Parenting Program) for social service and child protection workers to have increased awareness of how to best support parents who have cognitive challenges. 

“Applied research is exactly what it sounds like — research that is directly applied to support those impacted,” Cappon exclaimed. “As can be imagined, this is a population of parents who experience widespread stigma and discrimination. This was important work for me.”

The project has already created lasting change in the community. The EarlyOn now offers dedicated programming times exclusively for parents with cognitive challenges and their children. During these sessions, DC’s Early Childhood Education students provide hands-on support to parents and families, creating an inclusive and supportive environment. 

The project wrapped in January and was nominated for the 2026 Community-Based Research Canada Award of Excellence in Community-Campus Research Partnership. “To me, this nomination means that others value the research we have done and the community collaboration we demonstrated throughout the project,” Cappon said.

Today, Cappon brings those experiences back into the classroom. She encourages students to participate in applied research opportunities that help them build practical skills while contributing to initiatives that make a difference. Her journey reflects how applied research at DC can transform perspectives and is driving meaningful impact in our communities. 

Colleges and Institutes Canada recognizes DC for excellence in Applied Research and Innovation

Durham College (DC) has been honoured by Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) with their coveted Award of Excellence.

During today’s 2026 CICan Connections Conference in Ottawa, we received the Gold Program Excellence Award for Applied Research and Innovation.

The award recognizes the significant growth of DC’s research centres over the last five years, and the national recognition and industry partnerships our Office of Research Services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ORSIE) continues to foster.

“We have five high-performing research centres that are really recognized in their fields,” said Debbie McKee Demczyk, Associate Vice President, Innovation and Research. “I am immensely proud and grateful to work with our team of superstars. These are people who care deeply about our community. They care about success and excellence, and they care about providing students with great opportunities to work on amazing projects.”

Each of DC’s research centres played a key role in earning this award, according to McKee Demczyk.

  • “The AI Hub is a Technology Access Centre – supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada – that has become very well known, not only locally, but also nationally. We’ve earned a lot of respect in that ecosystem.”
  • “The Mixed Reality Capture Studio is doing a fabulous job of carving out a space for themselves, and expanding virtual production capabilities with a new LED research stage to meet growing demand in a number of sectors. It’s really a centre of excellence.”
  • “There is tremendous promise in the work the Centre for Cybersecurity Innovation can do in support of the defense sector. We’re very strongly positioned to help organizations enter the defense space or become more prepared to be part of that defense supply chain.”
  • “The Centre for Craft Beverage Innovation is serving a lot of needs that are complementary to small business and entrepreneurship and the tourism focus of Durham Region.”
  • “The Social Impact Hub is making a difference right here in our community by collaborating with organizations to develop new approaches to serving their clients.”

Although the work of our research centres speaks for itself, there’s no denying the value of receiving an award from CICan.

“It’s really a stamp of credibility. Our clients know that we do good work, but when they hear that we’ve won this gold award, it’s just another way of recognizing that they made the right choice in coming to us. They take great pride in knowing that they’ve worked with a top of class research centre,” said McKee Demczyk.

That pride can be shared by everyone at DC.

“We’ve got a pretty awesome applied research enterprise here at Durham College.”

Durham College and Ayrshire College advance international partnership through immersive training innovation

Durham College (DC) and Ayrshire College are strengthening their international collaboration through a project that emphasizes workforce development, learning innovation and industry-focused education.

At the centre of this project is a 3D mixed-reality model of a Boeing turbine engine, managed by DC’s Corporate Training Services and developed by DC’s Mixed Reality Capture Studio (MRC). The interactive model allows students to explore the engine in detail, virtually disassembling components to better understand how the technology is built, maintained and serviced.

“Our partnership with Ayrshire College demonstrates how collaboration can transform workforce development. Together, we are creating immersive learning experiences that give learners a deeper understanding of complex systems, while preparing them for the evolving demands of industry,” said Robin Young, Managing Director, Business and Workforce Development, Corporate Training Services at Durham College.

The model was developed after Ayrshire College secured funding in 2025 to enhance programming through advanced learning technologies, with DC working closely with partners in Scotland to bring it to life. A DC delegation recently travelled to Scotland to meet with Ayrshire College partners and participate in a funders’ event celebrating the launch.

During the visit, representatives from both colleges also identified priority areas for future work, with a focus on initiatives that respond to evolving industry and labour market needs.

“Partnerships like this are vital in ensuring our learners are equipped for the future world of work,” said Alistair Rodgers, Director of Enterprise Development, Ayrshire College. “Working with Durham College allows us to bring innovation to life through immersive, industry-relevant learning that enhances both skills development and learner experience. This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to delivering high-quality education that responds to the needs of employers, supports economic growth, and creates meaningful opportunities for individuals and communities both locally and globally.”

Established in 2025 through the Scottish Educational Exchange Programme (SEEP), the partnership enables both colleges to pursue joint initiatives in applied research, skills development and industry engagement. By combining their expertise in workforce training and immersive technologies, they are creating new opportunities for learners and strengthening the global exchange of knowledge.