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DC hosts Kenyan education delegation

In early November, as part of its participation in the Kenyan Education for Employment Program (KEFEP), Durham College (DC) hosted four days of workshops for delegates from five Kenyan national polytechnics. The delegation’s visit to Ontario marked the beginning of Durham’s KEFEP partnerships, facilitated through Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan).

In addition to a workshop hosted by Algonquin College, one of DC’s Canadian partners, touching on the Greening of Technical Vocational Education and Training, a diverse, cross-sectional group of DC employees delivered workshops on the following subjects:

  • Leadership and Change Management
  • Gender Mainstreaming
  • Industry Engagement and Program Advisory Committees

The Kenyan delegation also had the opportunity to connect with members of the DC leadership team (DCLT), including president Don Lovisa, Dr. Elaine Popp, vice-president, Academic; Mark Herringer, dean, International Education; and Moreen Tapper, dean, Centre for Academic and Faculty Enrichment. During a roundtable discussion, DCLT participants shared personal stories of their career development, as well as experiences with change management and leading teams through organizational transitions. Their Kenyan counterparts then shared details of their own experiences in connection with the evolution of Kenya’s post-secondary education system, including the recent change to college-led responsibility for curriculum development.

KEFEP is a five-year initiative focused on strengthening and supporting technical and vocational education and training in Kenya. It is funded by the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada and facilitated by CICan. DC has been contracted on two separate KEFEP project with different mix of Kenyan and Canadian partners, to work together to achieve the overarching KEFEP goals through a partnership of 3.5 years. A vital component of DC’s internationalization strategy and efforts, partnerships such as KEFEP are great examples of partner-driven capacity-building projects that work towards sustainable results and professional development opportunities for all parties.

Durham College alumnus wins Ontario Premier’s Award

Durham College (DC) alumnus Brent Lessard has received provincial recognition for the leadership role he is playing in revolutionizing the future of transportation. The 2014 graduate of DC’s Mechanical Engineering Technology program was announced as the recipient of a Premier’s Award for recent graduates on November 27 at the annual gala that celebrates outstanding graduates from across the Ontario college system.

“I am incredibly honoured to receive the Premier’s Award,” said Brent. “I’ve been able to apply so much of what I learned at DC, including being exposed to diverse thinking during my studies, which has been a source of inspiration in my work. I also continue to draw on the importance of fostering a sense of community, which the college certainly did. It’s something that I have carried with me as I helped create the rLoop concept.”

rLoop, a non-profit, crowd-funded and sourced, online think tank and talent resource, was founded in 2014, a year after Brent graduated, and is focused on the development of a conceptual, high-speed transportation system called Hyperloop. Initially proposed by Elon Musk, chief executive officer at Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX), the system involves the propelling of passenger or cargo-boarded pods in a low-pressure tube using sustainable and cost-efficient energy, in order to transport people from one place to another at the speed of sound.

Within the framework of rLoop’s commitment to innovation, Brent successfully connects and integrates the expertise of his colleagues, who live in various countries and time zones, speak different languages and embrace differing and unique cultures, to lead the development of a technology prototype with the potential to change the way we live and conduct business in Ontario, Canada and around the world.

His dedication has enabled him to propel the rLoop team, which is now comprised of 1,100 members from more than 50 countries, to greatness several times in the last three years.

In January 2016, he proudly guided his colleagues at the first SpaceX Hyperloop Pod Design Competition where they were awarded the Best Non-Student Hyperloop Design Award and earned a spot to compete as one of 30 teams at the SpaceX Hyperloop Pod Competition, which took place in January 2017, in California. There, under Lessard’s direction, rLoop had the opportunity to test its Hyperloop prototype on the mile-long SpaceX track before receiving the SpaceX Hyperloop Innovation Award.

Lessard and his team were asked to return to the Hyperloop Pod Competition II in August 2017, where they tested the vehicle in the vacuum of the Hyperloop tube and achieved several Hyperloop firsts, including the first Hyperloop Pod demonstrating static levitation in a vacuum and the first Hyperloop Pod with pressure vessel tested at vacuum, capable of sustaining human life.

“Brent is a cutting-edge thinker who embodies the qualities that make a college education great – collaboration, innovation, entrepreneurship and learning through doing,” said Don Lovisa, president, Durham College. “As he and the rLoop team work toward revolutionizing the way we travel, DC’s students, employees and more than 82,000 alumni are incredibly proud he is representing the college and Canada on the international stage.”

Brent was one of 118 college graduates nominated for this year’s awards, including one other from DC, and is the sixth alumni from the college to win.

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.websiteredesign.durhamcollege.ca/alumni.

DC welcomes students back to campus

Durham College (DC) employees are welcoming students back to campus in a variety of ways as the fall semester resumes. On November 21, the Aboriginal Student Centre held ‘welcome back’ smudging ceremonies to help reconnect the campus community by bringing students and employees together to release negative energy and restart the fall semester in a good way.

On November 22, DC employees staffed locations at the Oshawa and Whitby campuses and Pickering Learning Site to help students fuel up for their return to class by providing them with healthy lunches on behalf of the college.

Limerick Institute of Technology articulation agreements

Durham College (DC) and the Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT) have signed nine articulation agreements to provide new degree pathways for DC students. Graduates of several of the college’s two- and three-year programs will now be able to enter LIT bachelor programs with advanced standing, allowing them to earn a degree in as little as one academic year.

The agreements will provide qualified graduates from DC’s Centre for Food (CFF) and schools of Media, Art & Design (MAD) and Business, IT & Management (BITM) with the opportunity to pursue degrees at LIT including:

  • Business Studies with Sports Management – Bachelor of Arts
  • Digital Animation Production – Bachelor of Science
  • Graphic Design Communication – Bachelor of Arts
  • Business Studies with Sport Management – Bachelor of Arts
  • Music Technology and Production Bachelor of Science
  • Culinary Arts – Bachelor of Arts
  • Business  with Enterprise & Innovation – Bachelor of Business
  • Business Studies with Event Management – Bachelor of Arts
  • Creative Broadcast & Film Production – Bachelor of Science

DC graduates will be able to build on the knowledge and skills acquired through their diploma program while gaining an international experience as they study abroad. LIT is one of the fastest growing degree-granting colleges in Ireland, with over 6,500 students learning across five state-of-the-art campuses in Limerick and Tipperary.

The relationship between the two schools has been growing steadily over the past year. Most recently LIT president Vincent Cunnane visited DC, touring both the Oshawa and Whitby campuses and meeting with faculty members and members of the college’s Academic Leadership Team, including Dr. Elaine Popp, vice-president, Academic; Marianne Marando, executive dean, BITM; and Tony Doyle, associate dean, CFF.

Previously, DC sent five faculty members to LIT for a week of professional development and in February, 22 MAD students traveled to Ireland with another three faculty members. As part of their cross-country trip they visited LIT’s School of Art & Design in Limerick to learn about further education options available to them. The group visited LIT’s Clare Street campus, a refurbished convent and chapel where fine arts bachelor’s degree programs are taught including Painting, Printmaking and Contemporary Practice, Sculpture & Combined Media, and Photography and Lens Based Media.

DC offers students more than 450 academic pathways through agreements with institutions in Ontario, across Canada and around the world.

DC named one of Canada’s top 50 research colleges for fifth consecutive year

Durham College (DC) announced today that it has once again been named one of Canada’s top 50 research colleges by Research Infosource Inc., a Canadian research and development intelligence company. This is the fifth consecutive year the college has been included on the list, which is informed by data on research income, research intensity and research partnerships and projects at colleges across the country.

DC’s Office of Research Services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship or ORSIE, has a mandate to solve industry and social challenges through innovation and collaboration. Operating under four research themes – cultivating healthy lives and resilient communities, advancing agriculture, agri-business and tourism, enabling technologies of the future and enhancing scholarly teaching and learning – researchers and students collaborate with industry and community partners to develop real-world solutions to challenges faced by small-to-medium-sized enterprises and community organizations.

Under the theme of enabling technologies of the future, DC is leading the way helping companies and organizations plan, develop, and implement state-of-the-art artificial intelligence (AI) systems and practices into business solutions. Through the establishment of the AI Hub, the college is assisting small and medium-sized enterprises to create products, services, and processes that have commercial value, enabling them to scale and compete through AI-enabled systems and management practices. Faculty researchers and students are working alongside industry partners in developing the solutions.

ORSIE is also offering AI workshops and a boot camp for DC students, focusing on the foundations of AI to enhance their skills.

Students gain experience under pressure in 48-Hour Film Challenge

Here’s the pitch: make a western featuring a mop and a character who is a super geek with a love for Velcro. While it may not be your typical Hollywood fare, it’s the concept behind “Strung Out”, the winning film of the second annual 48-Hour Film Challenge at Durham College (DC). This quirky but fabulous project is the high moment of the academic year in the School of Media, Art & Design (MAD), and is the biggest competition of its kind in Canada.

Beginning at noon on October 10, more than 500 MAD students from seven programs were challenged with creating original short films in only two days. Teams were each given a genre, line of dialogue, prop and character type that had to be included in their final submissions. Films were due by noon on October 12 and then stitched together by faculty and staff for a private screening at the Cineplex Odeon Theatre in Oshawa.

The film crew for this year’s best picture winner – Fynn Badgley, Zen Egyed, Muhammad Muntasir Kaudeer, Judy Krajcik, Matthew Ledrew, Narendiren Loganathan, Nicole Potter, Jordan Rivoire, Kendall Schofield, Ashlyn Van De Ven – will now have their names engraved on the prestigious “Deanie Award”, a trophy featuring a miniature likeness of MAD executive dean Greg Murphy.

A jury of industry professionals chose the winners in all categories. They were: John Arkelian, director, Cinechats Film Program; Andy Malcolm, foley artist, Footsteps Studio; Eileen Kennedy, film liaison for Durham Region; Catherine Richards, director of culture and recreation, City of Oshawa; and Katie Boone, manager, International Projects and Partnerships, DC.

The film challenge brings together students from DC’s programs in Advanced Filmmaking, Broadcasting for Radio & Contemporary Media, Contemporary Web Design, Interactive Design, Media Fundamentals, Photography and Video Production, along with mentoring staff and faculty. It is an event designed to help students meet and collaborate across program boundaries and to form a community of emerging content creators. It also provides students with an opportunity to flex their creativity and develop the so-called “soft skills”, such as communication, teamwork and problem solving, which are vital to achieving success after graduation.

This year’s student films can be viewed on the challenge’s website and MAD YouTube channel.

Durham College recognizes student achievement at 2017 Fall Convocation

On October 26, more than 1,100 students received their credentials during this year’s Fall Convocation; friends, family and the college community were on hand to celebrate the achievement. Whether beginning their career or pursuing further education, these individuals have graduated knowing they have the skills they need to succeed.

Held at the Tribute Communities Centre in downtown Oshawa, graduates from the Centre for Food and schools of Business, IT & Management; Continuing Education, Health & Community Services; Interdisciplinary Studies; Justice & Emergency Services; Media, Art & Design; Science & Engineering Technology and Skilled Trades, Apprenticeship & Renewable Technology received their diplomas and certificates.

In honour of the college’s 50th anniversary in 2017, two alumni from DC’s first graduating class in 1969 also attended convocation; John Krezanowski graduated from the college’s Mechanical Engineering Technician program and Ron Hooper graduated from the college’s Marketing program. Ron is also an Alumni of Distinction award recipient.

As part of the college’s commitment to building on its positive reputation, the outstanding contributions and exemplary service of retired employee Margaret Greenley was recognized through the honorary designation of vice-president emeritus.

A video of the entire ceremony is now available.

Gold and diamonds from Durham residents for DC

Durham College (DC) is excited to share the news about our recent Readers’ Choice award wins. We would like to thank those who supported and voted for us in the categories below: 

  • Continuing Education – Diamond
  • Trade School – Diamond
  • Durham College Employment Services – Diamond 
  • Bistro ’67 Restaurant – Diamond
  • Kid’s Camps – Gold

We are proud to serve our communities by providing quality education and services in a variety of areas including full- and part-time post-secondary and continuing education courses and programs and employment services.

The annual Readers’ Choice nominees are chosen by local residents who select their favourite businesses for the products and services they offer in the Ajax, Pickering, Whitby, Oshawa and Clarington areas.

Enbridge recognizes DC for energy conservation efforts

On October 24, Enbridge Gas Distribution (Enbridge) presented Durham College (DC) with a plaque and energy retrofit rebate cheque in recognition of the college’s successful energy conservation initiatives. Matthew Cannon, energy solutions consultant with Enbridge, made the presentation at the W. Galen Weston Centre for Food (CFF), Whitby campus, to DC Facilities Management department members Tanya Roberts, sustainability coordinator; Stephen Cassar, building automation technologist; Ryan Way, facilities maintenance technician; and Doug Crossman, manager, Mechanical Systems and Energy.

The efforts recognized by Enbridge fall under DC’s Conservation and Demand Management plan, which is part of the college’s overall commitment to reducing its carbon footprint. To reduce energy consumption on campus, DC recently implemented Demand Controlled Ventilation (DCV) in the CFF.

DCV allows the building’s systems to automatically adjust the amount of air exchange inside the CFF by controlling the amount of fresh air coming in and exhaust air leaving. This reduction in air exchange translates to lower energy usage by decreasing the amount of air that requires heating, cooling, humidification or dehumidification.

Environmental responsibility is a key focus for DC, which has been implementing changes to increase green activities and operationalize sustainability programs across the college.

Small businesses invited to tap into local controls, robotics and automation expertise

Small businesses looking for support with a marketing plan or with developing products focused on robotics, automation or controls are being invited to tap into local expertise.

Applications are now being accepted for an exciting grant program, which is a partnership between Durham College (DC), the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) and Spark Innovation Centre.

Through funding from the National Research Council Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP), local companies can tap into a variety of services to receive assistance with:

  • development of a business/marketing plan
  • modification of control software
  • prototype design/development

The re-launched program builds on the success of last year’s inaugural program, which assisted 11 local companies with technical and business challenges. Successful applicants will have access to leading research and testing facilities on the shared DC-UOIT Oshawa campus, such as the college’s faculty expertise and the university’s ACE Climatic Wind Tunnel.

To qualify, companies must be incorporated and have less than 15 employees. Projects are eligible for up to $10,000 of support. Applications are assessed on suitability for the program and each organization’s capacity to complete its project.

  • Deadline for applications: Tuesday, September 12.
  • Projects must be completed by Wednesday, March 15, 2018.
  • Interested companies can apply using the downloadable application form and following the submission instructions.

“This is an opportunity for local small businesses to access tremendous resources,” said Debbie McKee Demczyk, dean, Office of Research Services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, DC. “We look forward to once again partnering with small companies to help them solve their technical and business challenges and find ways to innovate and grow their businesses.”