DC team places third in supply chain case competition

Durham College (DC) students from the Supply Chain and Operations – Business diploma program showed off their skills at the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM) Toronto Student Case Competition in late October. There were 18 teams from Greater Toronto and Hamilton-area colleges and universities, and the DC Team placed third in their category.

Eight students from the program’s second and third year represented DC in two teams, each showing creativity, critical thinking and collaboration in the three-hour match. Although students receive the scenario for the case two days ahead of time, the problem to be solved only arrives on the day itself, when teams are sequestered into rooms to hash out their solutions. Held at George Brown College, the goal after three hours was to create an eight-minute presentation that introduced their solution to the problem, calling on students’ public speaking skills in addition to their classroom learning.

Gliza Domondon, a team member who participated alongside classmates Gokul Ramasamy, Rodney Lachapelle, and Pratik Adhikari, said that the team decided to take a relaxed approach to the challenge, in part because they initially felt overwhelmed with the calibre of the competition. “We decided that at the end of the day you win or lose, but at least you learn a lot,” she said, adding that it was her first case competition.

While the team had discussed the company over a group chat after they received the scenario, the time constraints on competition day meant that they had to get down to business right away. After discussing possible solutions, they selected one conventional and one riskier one. To make the most of their time, they divided up parts of the presentation and got to work immediately.

While Domondon said she’s dealt with case studies in various classes before, the competition problem was more detailed, and the time pressure really called on the team’s organizational and collaboration skills plus their ability to think on their feet.

Program Coordinator Reza Mofid said those are exactly the competencies he hoped the team would find in this extra-curricular. “The experience provided our students with valuable insights and practical applications of their learning. Their ability to think critically and collaboratively under pressure showcased the quality of education we strive to provide.”

For Domondon, who at 39 is a mature student who already works full-time in logistics for Amazon, the experience was yet another positive aspect of a program that she says has been a really useful complement to her career.

“I’ve had so much fun, learning with my classmates,” she said. “I’d recommend the case competition to other students, for us it’s a learning experience you can’t get in other places, a real-life situation where you can apply all the knowledge you get in college.”


“We actively identify workforce trends and stay ahead of them”: How Durham College develops new programs to meet industry need

DC launches four new programs in fall 2024

This September, Durham College (DC) will welcome the first intakes of students in four new programs, designed to prepare them for today’s competitive job market with the skills and industry-specific knowledge they need to succeed.

The Law Clerk diploma, Professional Selling and Business Development graduate certificate , Clinical Bioinformatics graduate certificate, and the Public Relations graduate certificate programs are DC’s newest offerings – contributing to the college’s impressive repertoire of more than 145 programs, all developed to meet employer and industry needs.

“There is a heightened demand for professionals in these fields and we are proud to develop programming with a forward-focused perspective that prepares students to be career-ready in these industries,” said Dr. Jean Choi, Vice President, Academic and Students at DC. “We actively identify workforce trends and stay ahead of them by following a rigorous program development process that includes labour market analysis and consultation with industry professionals and leaders.”

DC’s new Clinical Bioinformatics graduate certificate program is addressing the growing demand in the health sciences, particularly in emerging fields like genomics and proteomics. These fields, which have evolved from advancements in gene sequencing, enable scientists to use big data to identify and analyze diseases and disorders, leading to the development of targeted drug therapies and precision medicine.

“Research indicates a significant need for experts in clinical bioinformatics who can effectively utilize genomic and proteomic data to improve healthcare quality and patient outcomes,” said Choi.

Graduates of this program can pursue careers in clinical data analysis, clinical research, or genetic counseling within the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries.

“We also know that there are increasing employability rates in the public relations sector and legal fields, and in the sales industry the acceleration of digital trends has elevated the need for sales professionals to adopt new strategies to drive business success,” Choi added.

As industries rapidly evolve and employer needs continue to shift, DC remains committed to a proactive approach to program development. The college is preparing students who will fill labour shortage gaps and support growth across sectors, enabling graduates to take on rewarding careers in new and evolving fields.

Discover more than 145 in-demand programs by visiting DC online today.