UOIT/Durham College Solar Vehicle Team secures first gold-level sponsorship
July 31, 2006
OSHAWA, Ont. - The UOIT/Durham College Solar Vehicle Team announced today that it has received its first gold-level sponsorship, a $15,000 grant from the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation.
The Solar Vehicle Team is a student-run initiative that launched publicly in the spring of 2005 to join students, local governments, businesses, and community organizations together to fulfill a common goal of building a solar-powered vehicle to create awareness around renewable energy.
The grant was awarded through the Durham Region chapter of the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, which supports the efforts of Canadians who are dedicated to the well-being of our environment.
It will provide financial support for the design and construction of a competition-worthy solar vehicle that will represent UOIT/Durham College and the community at the 2007 North American Solar Challenge (NASC). Part of the team's goal is to educate students and the general public about the need for renewable energy sources while promoting environmental sustainability.
The 2007 NASC is a North American competition that takes place every two years during the month of July. It sees various teams design, build and race solar-powered cars across the U.S. and Canada, while promoting a greater understanding of solar energy technology. The event also provides a hands-on opportunity for students and engineers to develop and demonstrate their technical and creative abilities.
The Solar Vehicle Team has been involved in an ongoing fundraising campaign since its inception, including the launch of its Adopt-a-Cell program earlier this year. Thanks to the support of generous sponsors such as the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, the team has raised approximately $56,000 to date - close to half of its goal of $120,000.
"On behalf of the UOIT/Durham College Solar Vehicle Team, I would like to thank the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation for their generous financial support of our solar vehicle initiative," said Samveg Saxena, president and founder of the UOIT/Durham College Solar Vehicle Team and UOIT student. "We are committed to building a vehicle that is ready to compete in the 2007 NASC, and the invaluable support of our sponsors will ensure we're ready to take our place at the starting line."
The team has been working on the design and construction of solar vehicle prototype made from wood and metal with construction of the official vehicle made from carbon fibre slated to begin near the end of summer.
To learn more about the UOIT/Durham College Solar Vehicle Team or to make a donation please visit www.uoitsolarcar.ca.
About UOIT
As the province's newest university, UOIT provides a unique combination of academic knowledge, vibrant student life, leading-edge research, and hands-on skills. As Ontario's first laptop-based university, UOIT offers career-focused undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the fields of business and information technology, sciences, engineering, nursing, social science, and education. The university is committed to research excellence and has attracted significant research grants and awards including a Tier 1 Research Chair. Sharing facilities and selected services with Durham College, UOIT has attracted over 3,000 students since its inception in 2003. To find out more, visit www.uoit.ca or call 905.721.8668.
About Durham College
For close to 40 years, Durham College has been committed to providing job-focused programs, accomplished professors, quality-driven innovation, student success and superior accountability. Our college has ranked first in provincial indicators for student satisfaction in the GTA for seven years running, and at a 93.1 per cent grad employment rate, we have the highest ranking of the six GTA colleges. We've got over 5,800 full-time and 23,000 part-time students enrolled in just under 100 programs, as well as about 2,000 apprentices. For more information, visit our website at www.durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.2000.
The Solar Vehicle Team is a student-run initiative that launched publicly in the spring of 2005 to join students, local governments, businesses, and community organizations together to fulfill a common goal of building a solar-powered vehicle to create awareness around renewable energy.
The grant was awarded through the Durham Region chapter of the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, which supports the efforts of Canadians who are dedicated to the well-being of our environment.
It will provide financial support for the design and construction of a competition-worthy solar vehicle that will represent UOIT/Durham College and the community at the 2007 North American Solar Challenge (NASC). Part of the team's goal is to educate students and the general public about the need for renewable energy sources while promoting environmental sustainability.
The 2007 NASC is a North American competition that takes place every two years during the month of July. It sees various teams design, build and race solar-powered cars across the U.S. and Canada, while promoting a greater understanding of solar energy technology. The event also provides a hands-on opportunity for students and engineers to develop and demonstrate their technical and creative abilities.
The Solar Vehicle Team has been involved in an ongoing fundraising campaign since its inception, including the launch of its Adopt-a-Cell program earlier this year. Thanks to the support of generous sponsors such as the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, the team has raised approximately $56,000 to date - close to half of its goal of $120,000.
"On behalf of the UOIT/Durham College Solar Vehicle Team, I would like to thank the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation for their generous financial support of our solar vehicle initiative," said Samveg Saxena, president and founder of the UOIT/Durham College Solar Vehicle Team and UOIT student. "We are committed to building a vehicle that is ready to compete in the 2007 NASC, and the invaluable support of our sponsors will ensure we're ready to take our place at the starting line."
The team has been working on the design and construction of solar vehicle prototype made from wood and metal with construction of the official vehicle made from carbon fibre slated to begin near the end of summer.
To learn more about the UOIT/Durham College Solar Vehicle Team or to make a donation please visit www.uoitsolarcar.ca.
About UOIT
As the province's newest university, UOIT provides a unique combination of academic knowledge, vibrant student life, leading-edge research, and hands-on skills. As Ontario's first laptop-based university, UOIT offers career-focused undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the fields of business and information technology, sciences, engineering, nursing, social science, and education. The university is committed to research excellence and has attracted significant research grants and awards including a Tier 1 Research Chair. Sharing facilities and selected services with Durham College, UOIT has attracted over 3,000 students since its inception in 2003. To find out more, visit www.uoit.ca or call 905.721.8668.
About Durham College
For close to 40 years, Durham College has been committed to providing job-focused programs, accomplished professors, quality-driven innovation, student success and superior accountability. Our college has ranked first in provincial indicators for student satisfaction in the GTA for seven years running, and at a 93.1 per cent grad employment rate, we have the highest ranking of the six GTA colleges. We've got over 5,800 full-time and 23,000 part-time students enrolled in just under 100 programs, as well as about 2,000 apprentices. For more information, visit our website at www.durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.2000.
About Ontario Tech University
A modern, forwarding-thinking university, Ontario Tech advances the discovery and application of knowledge to accelerate economic growth, regional development and social innovation. We inspire and equip our students and our graduates to make a positive impact in a tech-focused world. For us, it’s not only about developing the next tech breakthrough. Understanding and integrating the social and ethical implications of technology differentiates us as university. Learn more at ontariotechu.ca.
Media contact
Allison Rosnak
Communications and Marketing
Ontario Tech University
905.721.3111 ext. 2513
allison.rosnak@dc-uoit.ca
