Scotiabank makes $250,000 investment in youth skill building at Ƶ
May 31, 2022
The donation will support gateway programs focused on technology and entrepreneurship for students who have faced barriers to education Kelowna Secondary School Grade 12 student Kiana Nazembokaei has known for several years that she’s wanted to study computer programming. Having moved to Canada from Iran, Nazembokaei thought she’d have to wait until university to begin her learning journey. That all changed when she signed up and was accepted into Gateway to Tech, presented by Scotiabank, at Ƶ. The 17-week program i...
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OC celebrates Convocation in person next week
May 30, 2022
Keegan Pereira will be taking part in a momentous occasion next week, as he and his Ƶ peers cross the stage at the first in-person Convocation ceremonies to be held at OC since the pandemic began. Growing up in the region, Pereira has always known Ƶ will provide him with the educational opportunities he needed, especially when the Bachelor of Computer Information Systems Degree called to him. “I heard amazing things about the program,” he says about why he chose OC. “The widespread opportunity b...
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OC Business students embrace international study again
May 30, 2022
Business students from Ƶ are once again able to travel to Jyväskylä, Finland to experience an international summer school at the JAMK University of Applied Sciences. Finland’s education system is widely regarded as one of the best in the world. OC Business Professor Blair Baldwin, who has taught Services Design at JAMK for several summers, says working in Finland has helped him innovate and create new teaching methodologies.“JAMK employs experiential learning across its curriculum,” he says. “They stress cri...
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Enactus Ƶ tops the field, sets sights on national championships
May 27, 2022
Ƶ students will once again be competing for the Canadian title after qualifying for the Enactus National Exposition with a first-place finish in their league during the semi-final round. Enactus teams at post-secondary institutions across Canada competed virtually earlier this month, and Ƶ scooped up top position in the TD Entrepreneurship Challenge, and runner-up in the Scotiabank Climate Action Challenge for the Unusually Good Food Co. project. It also included national runner-up in Shaw and RBC acc...
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Ƶ names Honorary Fellows for 2022
May 24, 2022
Ƶ is bestowing its highest honour on three notable residents, each of whom has made unique and meaningful contributions through education, public service, mentorship and philanthropy. Dennis Gabelhouse, Clifford Serwa and Howard Soon have been selected by the College as its 2022 Honorary Fellows. “Each of these remarkable individuals have demonstrated exceptional commitment to supporting education opportunities for Okanagan learners,” said Ƶ President Neil Fassina. “They have contributed to the social...
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College honours Kathy Butler with Distinguished Service Award
May 18, 2022
The first executive director of the Ƶ Foundation, Kathy Butler, will be recognized with the Distinguished Service Award. “Kathy left a legacy of growth and development and a significant record of fundraising at the College,” says Neil Fassina, President Ƶ. “Under her guidance, and with the support of a team of dedicated volunteers and staff, she helped thousands of students achieve their education and career goals. Her leadership supported the college’s evolution in modern development practices, demon...
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Car crash couldn’t keep OC apprentice from winning B.C. gold
May 16, 2022
It takes a lot to throw Joey Bruno off his game. The third-year apprentice in the Auto Body and Collision Technician training at Ƶ was on his way to a Skills Provincials competition on April 22 when the car he was riding in rear-ended another vehicle. “I knew our car was a write-off, but I also knew I could fix it,” said Bruno. By sheer coincidence, he was heading to the Skills Automotive Collision Repair provincial competition, where he set to compete. Bruno arrived late and tried to put the ca...
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OC students amplify e-commerce studies with help of Shopify
May 13, 2022
Now a multi-trillion dollar a year industry, there is a lot more to e-commerce than just clicking a button to “add to cart.” Ƶ Business students got an inside look on how e-commerce works during BUAD 335 Open Learning Project, which brought practical experience into the classroom. Using an applied learning approach, Business Professor Pam Nelson integrated Shopify into the class curriculum, incorporating their state-of-the-art technology into real-world applications. Shopify gave OC students the opportunity to creat...
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Explore study options at College info sessions
May 9, 2022
Labour markets ebb and flow, but education will always serve you. B.C.’s Labour Market Outlook indicates that, of the one million expected job openings between 2021-2031, approximately 77 per cent will require some level of post-secondary education or training. That’s why Ƶ is hosting a series of information sessions this month, to encourage those who might be considering post-secondary education to explore their options now. “People of all ages are considering their options for a post-COVID world, and increasing...
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OC Alumnus cycles for charity in solo ride across Mexico
May 6, 2022
Nick Pelletier didn’t spend his recent trip to Mexico relaxing on the beach. The Ƶ Business Alumnus pedaled solo across Mexico in a 51-day trek, stopping at points with the highest and lowest elevation in the country, while raising awareness and funds for charity. The journey, which began in February, benefited charity: water, an organization that provides clean and safe drinking water to those without access. Pelletier, an ultra-endurance athlete and extreme adventurer, is no stranger to epic endeavors and likes...
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