Durham College faculty, staff, student researchers, industry collaborators and other guests joined the college’s Office of Research Services and Innovation (ORSI) on Thursday, May 1 for the fourth-annual Research Day on campus.

Designed to provide a first-hand look at the innovative applied research projects the college currently has underway, the event highlighted research in the areas of engineering technology, education, gaming, information technology, social innovation and agriculture.

With the college recently receiving funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada that will see ORSI develop new agricultural research projects that will assist local growers in tackling challenges related to pest management, crop integration and plant propagation, the event will feature a keynote presentation by Jim Sheehan, president, Durham Foods, who will discuss why the need to improve processes, create new systems and ultimately invest in research and development has never been so critical to small- and medium sized businesses.

“Since its inception, ORSI has created a strong applied research agenda for Durham College,” said Debbie McKee Demczyk, director, ORSI. “An agenda designed to respond to the significant business and industry need for practical solutions through applied research and innovation activities while remaining focused on providing unique and real-world experiences to students.”

The college also celebrated the success of ORSI; recognized all student and faculty researchers and its Research Advisory Committee and Research Ethics Board; and honoured the top student and faculty researchers of the academic year.

Philip Jarvis from the School of Science & Engineering Technology, was named the Top Faculty Researcher for 2013-2014 with Stephen Forbes from the School of Business, IT & Management, coming in second and Anna Rodrigues from the School of Media, Art & Design, finishing third.

In addition, Ryan King, a third-year Electronics Engineering Technology program student was named as the winner of the Top Student Researcher Award.

Steven Ruttle, a third-year student in the Electronics Engineering Technology program was named as the second place winner and Kenneth Gardner, a second-year Electronics Engineering Technology program student, finished third.

Providing an important link to the community through its support and advancement of institutional effectiveness and contribution to the economic performance of the region, ORSI offers a collaborative culture of engagement that is student-centered and community-focused.