Niagara Knights to host 51st Athletic Awards Banquet in online celebration

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The Niagara College Knights will be celebrating their year of success in the 2019-2020 season with the 51st edition of the Knights Athletic Awards on Thursday, April 16. In what would traditionally be an evening of celebrating the year’s accomplishments at a banquet hall, Athletics and Recreation has teamed up with NC’s Broadcast, Television, Radio and Film (BRTF) program to bring the celebration live to the comfort of your living room.

The awards show honouring the accomplishments of Knights athletes will air at 10 a.m. on Thursday, live streaming from Niagara College’s Facebook page. Winners will also be shared through the Knights social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

BRTF has always been a vital partner to Athletics and Recreation, and this year is no exception. On top of the high quality game-day broadcasts they produce, BRTF program coordinator Peter “Dutch” VandenBerg and his students were instrumental in bringing Athletics and Recreation’s visions together on numerous high profile projects this year.

“We have always enjoyed collaborating with Dutch VandenBerg and the BRTF crew to present our regular season games and other various projects such as our new Knights logo launch,” said associate director, Athletics and Recreation, Michele O’Keefe. “To work on this virtual athletic banquet with them has been tremendous – to be able to deliver an event to celebrate our varsity teams, athletes, coaches, staff as well as our recreation activities is a wonderful gift and is a demonstration of our NC DNA.”

O’Keefe knows the value of a partnership, spending time this year building relationships with various departments across NC’s campuses.

“The highlight of working apart has been re-imagining Knights Athletics and Recreation,” said O’Keefe. “It is natural for people who work in sport to enjoy working in partnership. And in the 2019-20 season, we worked with many programs at NC – BRTF, the Student Administrative Council, Student Services, the Book Store, Learning Enterprises, to name but a few. To be able to build the profile of NC Athletics and Recreation is only possible when we work with our creative and willing colleagues.”

NC will be presenting over 70 individual awards Thursday morning, including:

  • 30 OCAA All Academic Honours;
  • Five CCAA Academic All-Canadians;
  • Two Fourth-Year Recognition awards;
  • Eight Team Scholastic Honour awards;
  • Eight Team Leadership awards;
  • Eight Rookie of the Year awards.

The 10 most prestigious awards will also be presented, including the Knights Male and Female Athletes of the Year for 2019-2020.

Niagara College offers more than 130 diploma, bachelor degree and advanced level programs; as well as more than 600 credit, vocational and general interest Part-Time Studies courses. Areas of specialization include food and wine sciences, advanced technology, media, applied health and community safety, supported by unique learning enterprises in food, wine, beer, distilling, horticulture and esthetics. For more information visit niagaracollege.ca.

 

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Media inquiries, please contact:

 

Lindsay English
Communications and Events Coordinator
Athletics and Recreation, Niagara College
Cell: 905-932-0354
[email protected]

Niagara College’s Spring Open House goes virtual

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As Niagara College continues to adapt in an extraordinary time, it has also turned to the virtual world to give future students a glimpse at college life.

With the cancellation of NC’s annual Spring Open House in March due to COVID-19, staff quickly mobilized to offer the NC experience online. Re-launched on April 6, NC’s Virtual Spring Open House offers a look inside both the Welland campus and the Daniel J. Patterson campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake, with 360 degree views of the grounds and facilities narrated by a virtual tour guide. Future students can walk the vineyards, see inside labs, classrooms, learning enterprises, student centres, eateries, athletic facilities, residences and more.

“Just as we’ve found creative ways to move programs and services to online and remote delivery for our current students, our staff has been innovative in creating a way for our future students to experience Niagara College virtually,” said Niagara College president Sean Kennedy. “Given the current circumstances, we are pleased to offer a way to see inside our world-class learning environments and connect with our people, as we all look to the better days that lie ahead.”

With over 3,800 guests expected to attend the March event on campus, the new virtual tour offers a live chat feature to connect future students with campus experts from the comfort and safety of their homes. Prospective students can connect with representatives from Enrolment Services and Student Recruitment to discuss programs, admissions, tuition and fees, and more.

The online chat is open Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The virtual tour also offers a deep-dive into over 130 programs, degree and transfer information, as well as program-specific videos at niagaracollege.ca/openhouse, all in one place. Students can also apply via the site for Fall Term 2020 or confirm their offer of admission.

Until May 1, Student Recruitment is holding a weekly draw for two $100 Amazon gift cards for those who register.

Niagara College offers more than 130 diploma, bachelor degree and advanced level programs; as well as more than 600 credit, vocational and general interest Part-Time Studies courses. Areas of specialization include food and wine sciences, advanced technology, media, applied health and community safety, supported by unique learning enterprises in food, wine, beer, distilling, horticulture and esthetics. For more information visit niagaracollege.ca.

 

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Media inquiries, please contact:

 

Jessica Torok
Communications Specialist
Niagara College
Cell: 519-809-7634
[email protected]

 

Michael Wales
Manager, Communications
Niagara College
Cell: 905-328-4101
[email protected]

 

 

 

Niagara College’s Spring Open House goes virtual

/in

As Niagara College continues to adapt in an extraordinary time, it has also turned to the virtual world to give future students a glimpse at college life.

With the cancellation of NC’s annual Spring Open House in March due to COVID-19, staff quickly mobilized to offer the NC experience online. Re-launched on April 6, NC’s Virtual Spring Open House offers a look inside both the Welland campus and the Daniel J. Patterson campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake, with 360 degree views of the grounds and facilities narrated by a virtual tour guide. Future students can walk the vineyards, see inside labs, classrooms, learning enterprises, student centres, eateries, athletic facilities, residences and more.

“Just as we’ve found creative ways to move programs and services to online and remote delivery for our current students, our staff has been innovative in creating a way for our future students to experience Niagara College virtually,” said Niagara College president Sean Kennedy. “Given the current circumstances, we are pleased to offer a way to see inside our world-class learning environments and connect with our people, as we all look to the better days that lie ahead.”

With over 3,800 guests expected to attend the March event on campus, the new virtual tour offers a live chat feature to connect future students with campus experts from the comfort and safety of their homes. Prospective students can connect with representatives from Enrolment Services and Student Recruitment to discuss programs, admissions, tuition and fees, and more.

The online chat is open Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The virtual tour also offers a deep-dive into over 130 programs, degree and transfer information, as well as program-specific videos at niagaracollege.ca/openhouse, all in one place. Students can also apply via the site for Fall Term 2020 or confirm their offer of admission.

Until May 1, Student Recruitment is holding a weekly draw for two $100 Amazon gift cards for those who register.

Niagara College offers more than 130 diploma, bachelor degree and advanced level programs; as well as more than 600 credit, vocational and general interest Part-Time Studies courses. Areas of specialization include food and wine sciences, advanced technology, media, applied health and community safety, supported by unique learning enterprises in food, wine, beer, distilling, horticulture and esthetics. For more information visit niagaracollege.ca.

 

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Media inquiries, please contact:

 

Jessica Torok
Communications Specialist
Niagara College
Cell: 519-809-7634
[email protected]

 

Michael Wales
Manager, Communications
Niagara College
Cell: 905-328-4101
[email protected]

 

 

 

From Niagara College to Steam: Six Pillars Studios launches first video game, The Fallen

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A new video game, which originated as a student project at Niagara College, is now available on Steam – one of the biggest video game platforms on the planet.

It’s a new fantasy melee combat game called The Fallen where players become knights who must reclaim their honour by defeating the Guardians standing before their vindication.

For a group of Game Development students who embarked on creating the game for their third-year capstone project in September 2018 – most have since graduated from the College – it’s a dream come true.

“When we first started the program, this was an achievement none of us could have imagined,” said Andrés Coimbra Castedo, one of the game’s artist/developers who graduated from the program in 2019.

Andrew Chiarelli, Philip Ellis, Andrés Coimbra Castedo and Emma Perretta attend the official opening of the Marilyn I. Walker Centre of Excellence in Visual Arts & Technology in October 2019 where they gave attendees a sneak preview of their video game, The Fallen.

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Linda Roote, associate dean of NC’s School of Media Studies, applauded the team’s accomplishments.

“There’s no greater testament to the success of our Game Development program than the achievements of our graduates and students,” said Roote. “The Fallen is an example to all students that when they apply the skills and knowledge they gain through their studies, along with their own ingenuity and hard work, they can achieve their dreams.”

The quest was challenging for the group, now known as Six Pillars Studios – comprised of eight 2019 graduates of the program and one current student. Coimbra noted that it required a great deal of time and effort, even after the majority of the group had graduated, into the summer of 2019 and beyond.

“Thankfully, the College supported us, and granted us the use of their labs throughout the summer to further develop our game,” said Coimbra. “Additionally, we were able to expand our team, allowing us more flexibility when solving problems, and greatly improved our coordination, communication and discipline.”

Emma Perretta, a current student who is also one of artist/developers behind The Fallen, looked back on creating the game and recognized the value of working with a team, navigating different ideas and bringing them into fruition.

“I now have the experience in utilizing multiple software to better support my art, therefore, giving me confidence and insight on developing my skills,” said Perretta. “Niagara College gave me an unparalleled experience to complete a professional video game, which is now released. I wish to continue learning and adapting new techniques in the field of game development.”

Because putting the final touches on a game can be daunting, the fact that the students took their project all the way to distribution and a launch on Steam is an amazing accomplishment, noted NC Game professor Conor MacNeill. He pointed out that Steam has been a marketplace for independent developers to push new ideas, and it has been a catalyst for the birth of many new styles, games and genres.

“In the gaming world, all it takes is for one influential streamer to play the game and you could see a massive spike in interest from their followers,” said MacNeill. “By putting themselves out there on Steam, our students have given streamers around the world the opportunity to play their game.”

The College’s School of Media Studies got a sneak peek at The Fallen in late October, when the group presented their video game trailer at the official opening of NC’s Marilyn I. Walker Centre of Excellence in Visual Arts & Technology. While an official game launch for The Fallen was scheduled to take place at the same location in late March, the event was cancelled due to the campus closure during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Their plight is currently shared by many in the gaming industry, as the cancellation of major conferences is affecting thousands of studios who have tied the release dates of their games around industry events.

“Dealing with the impact of the coronavirus outbreak will require innovation and adaptation, which are at the core of the gaming industry itself,” said MacNeill.

The development team behind Six Pillars Studios includes programmers Andrew Chiarelli (Dunnville), Philip Ellis (Niagara Falls), and Duncan Brudlo (Oakville); as well as artists Kristopher McArthur (St Catharines), Andrés Coimbra Castedo (Bolivia/St Catharines), Emma Perretta (Niagara-on-the-Lake), Doug McKay (Dunnville), Cole Robertson (Greenbank, ON/ Claremont, ON), and Mathieu A. Chartrand (Lafontaine, ON /Gatineau, QC).

For more information about The Fallen or Six Pillars Studios, visit thefallengame.com.

The Fallen is available for free download on Steam. To download, visit store.steampowered.com/app/1251060/The_Fallen/

NC’s three-year intensive Game Development diploma program prepares students for careers in the digital game and interactive media industry. Students learn industry skills such as game programming and scripting, digital art production techniques, game design principles and game production practices.

NC also offers two dual-credential game programs with Brock University. A Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Game Design grants a four-year Bachelor of Arts-Game Design degree from Brock University and a three-year Advanced Diploma in Game Development from NC (completed in four years); a Bachelor of Science (Honours) Game Programming grants a four-year degree from Brock and a three-year Advanced Diploma in Game Development from NC (completed in four years).

Niagara College offers more than 130 diploma, bachelor degree and advanced level programs; as well as more than 600 credit, vocational and general interest Part-Time Studies courses. Areas of specialization include food and wine sciences, advanced technology, media, applied health and community safety, supported by unique learning enterprises in food, wine, beer, distilling, horticulture and esthetics. For more information visit niagaracollege.ca.

 

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The Fallen trailer:

https://youtu.be/UmqUizz2ozw

 

Link to photos:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/c83qe74fu3mm5ep/AABp7v3qstURUjTKFamG-wbYa?dl=0

 

Media inquiries, please contact:

 

Julie Greco

Communications Consultant

Cell: 905 328 2532

[email protected]

 

Michael Wales

Manager, Corporate Communications

Cell: 905 328 4101

[email protected]

 

Niagara College donates more than 30,000 personal protective items to front-line healthcare

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Niagara College sent the ultimate care package to the region’s healthcare workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic today – loading a truck with more than 30,000 items of personal protective equipment, with more on the way.

The supply of items was picked up from the Welland Campus on April 2 for donation to the Niagara Health Foundation. The hundreds of boxes contained items collected from various program areas and departments across the College’s two campuses, including: 23,000 gloves, 3,130 masks, 3,760 protective garments (gowns, polypropylene suits, hair covers, shoe covers and caps), more than 330 cleaning supplies (antiseptic towelettes, disinfectant), and almost 150 safety glasses and shields.

“We are extremely grateful to Niagara College for their support and generosity. This donation will provide our frontline workers with critical protective equipment to help them respond to COVID-19,” said Roger D. Ali, president and CEO of the Niagara Health Foundation. “These items will protect our healthcare professionals as they treat our friends, neighbours and loved ones.”

In addition to the equipment collected college-wide, the donation also included a supply of college-made face shields. The shields are being produced at a rate of 200 per day at NC’s Walker Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (Welland Campus) to help Niagara Health address a pressing need for supplies. NC’s Research & Innovation Division recently developed a method of producing the face shields on campus by using computer design tools and laser-cutting technology – which proved to be quicker and more cost effective than 3D printing.

Currently, the College’s Research & Innovation Division has committed to producing 7,000 face shields at no cost to Niagara Health, thanks to support from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) through its contribution to the NC-led Southern Ontario Network for Advanced Manufacturing Innovation (SONAMI).

“Niagara College has always come together to respond to the needs of our community – and, during these unprecedented times, we are committed to leveraging our innovative spirit to provide support in any way we can,” said Niagara College president Sean Kennedy. “We’re incredibly grateful for the ongoing efforts of Niagara Health, and those who are on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. They serve as role models for many of our students who are training to follow in their footsteps as the healthcare workers and first responders of tomorrow. They’re heroes to us all.”

Work is also underway at the College’s Teaching Distillery (Niagara-on-the-Lake campus) to address an urgent need for sanitizer. The Teaching Distillery has been producing a 70-percent-alcohol disinfectant for Niagara Health.

 

NC COVID-19 updates

Niagara College campuses are currently closed; students continue their winter term classes remotely until further notice. For the latest College updates regarding COVID-19, visit niagaracollege.ca/healthservices/coronavirus/

 

Niagara College offers more than 130 diploma, bachelor degree and advanced level programs; as well as more than 600 credit, vocational and general interest Part-Time Studies courses. Areas of specialization include food and wine sciences, advanced technology, media, applied health and community safety, supported by unique learning enterprises in food, wine, beer, distilling, horticulture and esthetics. For more information visit niagaracollege.ca.

 

PHOTO ABOVE:

From right: Katie McQuestion (Campus Safety and Emergency Management Coordinator), Pam Skinner (Senior Vice President, Corporate Services), and Gordon Maretzki (Centre Manager, Advanced Manufacturing, Niagara
College Research & Innovation) gather in front of the Applied Health Institute at NC’s Welland Campus on April 2 to help load boxes containing more than 30,000 personal protective equipment items that the College is donating to Niagara Health.

 

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Media inquiries, please contact:

 

Julie Greco

Communications Consultant

Cell: 905 328 2532

[email protected]

 

Michael Wales

Manager, Corporate Communications

Cell: 905 328 4101

[email protected]

Niagara College supports local healthcare efforts with made-in-Niagara solutions

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Niagara College is responding to an urgent need to protect the health and safety of the community, and those on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The College has an assortment of in-demand supplies earmarked for local healthcare – including made-in-Niagara solutions created right on its campuses in both Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Initiatives include face shields created in college research labs at the Walker Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre; the provision of personal protective equipment, including N-95 masks, gloves and gowns collected from departments college-wide; and the production of sanitizer in the Niagara College Teaching Distillery.

“At Niagara College, we’re training the healthcare workers and first responders of tomorrow, and we know there is no greater inspiration than the tireless efforts of those who are working within the healthcare system in the face of this unprecedented challenge,” said Niagara College president Sean Kennedy. “We’re leveraging our college’s innovative spirit to provide support in any way we can.”

Research & Innovation provides face shields

The College’s Research & Innovation Division is responding to the Niagara Health System’s increased demand for protective equipment. Two thousand face shields are being produced at the College’s Walker Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (Welland Campus) using laser-cutting technology and computer design tools.

The project is funded by the NC-led Southern Ontario Network for Advanced Manufacturing Innovation (SONAMI) through Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) contributions.

In addition to reaching out to assist local healthcare organizations, the College’s Research & Innovation Division has also approached Health Canada with an interest in assisting with additional projects related to COVID-19.

Teaching Distillery produces disinfectant

Stills at the Niagara College Teaching Distillery in Niagara-on-the-Lake have been running throughout the campus closure – but not to create its signature artisan small-batch spirits. Since March 16, staff members have been responding to an overwhelming demand for hand sanitizer by producing a 70% alcohol disinfectant, which can be used for hand sanitizer and surface wipes.

Departments donate surplus medical supplies

Staff from departments and divisions across the College have been taking stock of their inventory to identify urgently needed personal protective equipment that can be donated to local healthcare workers.

Thousands of masks (including N95 and procedural masks) and thousands of gloves, as well as hundreds of face shields, will be provided in the coming days.

The equipment was collected from various areas of the College – from Community and Health Studies, Trades and Technology, Campus Safety, Trades and Technology, Academic and Liberal Studies, the School of Environment, and Human Resources.

NC COVID-19 updates

Niagara College campuses are currently closed, students continue their winter term classes remotely until further notice. For the latest College updates regarding COVID-19, visit niagaracollege.ca/healthservices/coronavirus/

Niagara College offers more than 130 diploma, bachelor degree and advanced level programs; as well as more than 600 credit, vocational and general interest Part-Time Studies courses. Areas of specialization include food and wine sciences, advanced technology, media, applied health and community safety, supported by unique learning enterprises in food, wine, beer, distilling, horticulture and esthetics. For more information visit niagaracollege.ca.

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Media inquiries, please contact:

 

Julie Greco

Communications Consultant

Cell: 905 328 2532

[email protected]

 

Michael Wales

Manager, Corporate Communications

Cell: 905 328 4101

[email protected]

Niagara College supports local healthcare efforts with made-in-Niagara solutions

/in ,

Niagara College is responding to an urgent need to protect the health and safety of the community, and those on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The College has an assortment of in-demand supplies earmarked for local healthcare – including made-in-Niagara solutions created right on its campuses in both Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Initiatives include face shields created in college research labs at the Walker Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre; the provision of personal protective equipment, including N-95 masks, gloves and gowns collected from departments college-wide; and the production of sanitizer in the Niagara College Teaching Distillery.

“At Niagara College, we’re training the healthcare workers and first responders of tomorrow, and we know there is no greater inspiration than the tireless efforts of those who are working within the healthcare system in the face of this unprecedented challenge,” said Niagara College president Sean Kennedy. “We’re leveraging our college’s innovative spirit to provide support in any way we can.”

Research & Innovation provides face shields

The College’s Research & Innovation Division is responding to the Niagara Health System’s increased demand for protective equipment. Two thousand face shields are being produced at the College’s Walker Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (Welland Campus) using laser-cutting technology and computer design tools.

The project is funded by the NC-led Southern Ontario Network for Advanced Manufacturing Innovation (SONAMI) through Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) contributions.

In addition to reaching out to assist local healthcare organizations, the College’s Research & Innovation Division has also approached Health Canada with an interest in assisting with additional projects related to COVID-19.

Teaching Distillery produces disinfectant

Stills at the Niagara College Teaching Distillery in Niagara-on-the-Lake have been running throughout the campus closure – but not to create its signature artisan small-batch spirits. Since March 16, staff members have been responding to an overwhelming demand for hand sanitizer by producing a 70% alcohol disinfectant, which can be used for hand sanitizer and surface wipes.

Departments donate surplus medical supplies

Staff from departments and divisions across the College have been taking stock of their inventory to identify urgently needed personal protective equipment that can be donated to local healthcare workers.

Thousands of masks (including N95 and procedural masks) and thousands of gloves, as well as hundreds of face shields, will be provided in the coming days.

The equipment was collected from various areas of the College – from Community and Health Studies, Trades and Technology, Campus Safety, Trades and Technology, Academic and Liberal Studies, the School of Environment, and Human Resources.

NC COVID-19 updates

Niagara College campuses are currently closed, students continue their winter term classes remotely until further notice. For the latest College updates regarding COVID-19, visit niagaracollege.ca/healthservices/coronavirus/

Niagara College offers more than 130 diploma, bachelor degree and advanced level programs; as well as more than 600 credit, vocational and general interest Part-Time Studies courses. Areas of specialization include food and wine sciences, advanced technology, media, applied health and community safety, supported by unique learning enterprises in food, wine, beer, distilling, horticulture and esthetics. For more information visit niagaracollege.ca.

-30-

 

Media inquiries, please contact:

 

Julie Greco

Communications Consultant

Cell: 905 328 2532

[email protected]

 

Michael Wales

Manager, Corporate Communications

Cell: 905 328 4101

[email protected]

Reminder: Be a good neighbour

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Niagara College reminds students who are participating in St. Patrick’s Day festivities to celebrate responsibly and to be respectful neighbours.

Niagara College promotes positive and respectful relationships between students and the community through its Good Neighbour Guide. Distributed annually to communities in Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake, the guide is a resource for students, residents and landlords alike. It contains tips on how to be a good neighbour, and highlights various legal issues and bylaw references concerning noise, parking and more.

Please view the College’s online versions of the Good Neighbour Guide here.

Welland Campus Good neighbour Guide.    

NOTL campus Good Neighbour Guide.

Tips on being a good neighbour

  • Keep excessive noise to a minimum; this is one of the largest neighbourhood nuisances to residents and it can truly disrupt their right to peace and quiet. Music, partying, and alcohol abuse all lead to an increase in noise which can become intolerable.
  • Respect neighbours’ rights to peace and enjoyment of their property.
  • Party responsibly; if you need to let off steam or party large, visit a campus-sponsored event, pub or local popular commercial venue. If you decide to have a party at your off-campus house; talk to your neighbours about it, they may be more tolerant if informed. Keep all parties inside later in the evening and above all, keep the noise to a minimum and eliminate offensive behaviour.

Source: Niagara College Good Neighbour Guide

 

 

Message from NC President Sean Kennedy: evolution of the COVID-19 situation

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I am writing with regard to today’s COVID-19 developments, including the World Health Organization’s declaration of a pandemic, and Laurentian University’s decision to temporarily suspend classes due to a positive case in their community. While Ontario public health authorities still consider our risk to be low, I know that awareness and concern is rising, and I want to assure you that Niagara College is well positioned to respond should the situation or level of risk escalate locally.

As we have shared through regular updates and our dedicated webpage, we have been actively monitoring COVID-19 since late January, while liaising with public health authorities at all levels. We have assembled our Incident Management Team (IMT) under the leadership of senior vice president of Corporate Services Pam Skinner, and have been meeting regularly for over a month to review updates and implement recommendations and directives from public health, identify current and future risks and take college-wide action to ensure the health and safety of our students, employees and visitors.

Since the beginning of February, we have increased the number of hand-sanitizer stations college-wide, enhanced our education campaign, sharing preventative measures such as hand-washing and cough etiquette, and enhanced our cleaning services, including the use of hospital-grade disinfectant for cleaning all common areas and touchpoints on our campuses.

We have also followed the directives of Global Affairs Canada with regard to college travel, and cancelled upcoming work/study trips to countries that have been identified as being high risk.

We’ll be sharing more detailed information with regard to college contingency planning over the next few days. In the meantime, I want to emphasize the importance of following the recommendations from public health to help prevent the spread of infection:

  • Stay home if you are sick. Return when you are well;
  • Wash your hands. Use soap and water or hand sanitizer;
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or into your sleeve;
  • Avoid shaking hands and close contact with people who are sick;
  • Avoid sharing personal items and clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

For more information, including specific recommendations for travelers to impacted countries, and resources from public health, please visit our dedicated COVID-19 webpage at https://www.niagaracollege.ca/healthservices/coronavirus/.

 

 

NC team stands up to university rivals, advances to finals at international business competition

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Four Niagara College students had good news to declare when returning from a cross-border business competition.

The NC team of four, fourth-year students in the Honours Bachelor of Business Administration – International Commerce and Global Development program placed second at the recent World Trade Center Buffalo Niagara (WTCBN) International Business Case Competition. NC was the only college to compete in the competition and was one of two teams selected to advance to the finals. In the end, NC scored only two points behind the first-place team, comprised of university students.

The second annual WTCBN competition was held on February 28 at Niagara University in Lewiston, New York. Eight teams on both sides of the border participated in the bi-national program, which included a case presentation, pitching and an awards ceremony, as well as a keynote speaker and a reception.

NC’s team – Christina Jones (St. Catharines), Andrea Lopez (Hamilton), Sasha-Gaye Robinson (Jamaica/St. Catharines) and Mariasole Taiocchi (Italy/St. Catharines) – competed against eight teams from universities and colleges in Canada and the U.S. They were given a real business case for an international corporation and faced the challenge of developing a technology strategy.

The competition served as a class assignment for the NC team. They spent two months preparing for the event with coaching from School of Business and Management faculty members Mark Parker and Navjote Khara, and strong support from associate dean Dawit Eshetu.

“Cross-border trade is significant for Canada and exposing students to the architects and players creates opportunity for students as well as the School of Business,” said Eshetu.

Eshetu noted this was the first time NC has participated in this competition and students benefitted in several ways. They were mentored by faculty and industry partners, developed their employability skills, had an opportunity to network with academics and practitioners in international business, and earned a co-curricular Be World Ready credit through the experience.

Students expressed how they valued being a part of the competition.

“I wasn’t sure what to expect but this competition really forced me to apply the knowledge I have gained from my coursework over the past four years. It also helped me to face my fear of public speaking and helped me feel more comfortable presenting,” noted Jones. “It was a really great experience for us to act as a team of consultants for the international company, and it was an honour to have them take an interest in our ideas for their business.”

Robinson noted that the weekly preparation with coaching from professors Parker and Khara was a great help. “I have developed more confidence in presenting and really got the chance to use all that I have learned at NC in a real life case which was extremely exciting,” she said. “I feel like I have really developed my public speaking which is excellent since I will be apart of the business world.”

She also valued the opportunity to work with her teammates.

“With our different cultures, educational background and real live experiences; we brought forth so many ideas. I am really happy to have them on my team,” said Robinson.

For Taiocci, it was an honour to have been selected by her professors to participate.

“It was a great experience in which I could practice all the international business knowledge that I acquired during my program and research skills that I have acquired while working at Research and Innovation at Niagara College,” she said. “I also think that it was good to have some real-world experience presenting in front of a room full of business professionals and faculty.”

Lopez said that she is very proud of the achievement and was thankful for the learning experience.

“This experience has helped me in furthering my presentation skills and gave me the experience to present in front of real-life clients,” she said. “I feel that the research skills which I have acquired while working at Research and Innovation at NC and the theory learned at school has aided me tremendously during this competition.”

Two external mentors also helped coach and evaluate students leading up to the competition, including Ron Hurst, president, Nitec Energy Services, and David D’Angelo, director of strategy and business development at the Niagara Falls Ryerson Innovation Hub/Spark Niagara.

 

Top photo: Students Sasha-Gaye Robinson, Andrea Lopez, Mariasole Taiocchi, Christina Jones stand proud as second-place winners at the World Trade Center Buffalo Niagara International Business Case Competition. Supplied photo: World Trade Center Buffalo Niagara