Durham College students gain hands-on learning experience through General Motors donation

Durham College’s Computer Systems programs have been strengthened through a donation from General Motors (GM). GM’s contribution of approximately 100 Cisco switches gives students access to industry-grade networking equipment, providing hands-on learning opportunities that mirror professional environments and enhance their career readiness.

By integrating this equipment into labs, virtualization environments, and capstone projects, students can build and troubleshoot real-world network infrastructures, collaborate on complex projects, and develop skills aligned with current job market demands.

What makes this story even more inspiring is how it came about. While completing a co-op placement at GM and assisting with a network upgrade, a Computer Systems Technology student recognized the potential impact the equipment could have at Durham College. That conversation sparked GM’s contribution, demonstrating how student initiative and industry collaboration can create meaningful opportunities.

This partnership with GM is more than hardware; it’s an investment in student success and workforce readiness. Durham College continues to provide students with experiences that prepare them for high-impact careers in IT and engineering.