Durham College and UOIT earn prestigious Silver Award of Excellence for state-of-the-art Mobile Learning program
November 6, 2006
Canadian Information Productivity Awards Gala honours national IT leaders for delivering world-class innovation for benefit of society
OSHAWA, Ont. - Durham College and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology's (UOIT) state-of-the-art Mobile Learning program has earned a prestigious Silver Award of Excellence in the category of Organizational Transformation from the Canadian Information Productivity Awards (CIPA) program.The announcement was made November 1 at the 2006 CIPA Gala Banquet, attended by more than 1,000 people. The awards recognize and celebrate excellence by Canadians and Canadian organizations that demonstrate an ability to innovate, lead and implement world-class information technology initiatives that improve productivity and efficiency in an increasingly competitive global landscape. CIPA is Canada's oldest and largest IT awards program and the premier showcase for Canadian IT and innovation.
"We are incredibly honoured to receive this Silver Award of Excellence and to be chosen from such a visionary field of award finalists that truly represent our country's IT leaders," said Gerry Pinkney, vice-president of Information Technology for Durham College and UOIT. "This national recognition confirms the importance of being leading edge in the delivery of postsecondary education. At UOIT and Durham College, we offer our students a distinct educational advantage through our Mobile Learning program."
Durham College and UOIT's Mobile Learning program uses technology to transform each institution, including giving students and faculty access to teaching and learning opportunities that would not otherwise be possible. The program provides faculty with a platform for using innovative technology to further course delivery and enriches and reinforces the learning experience for students.
"The Silver Award of Excellence is directly attributed to our faculty members' commitment to using our technology to deliver our courses and to our staff working with students on a daily basis, all to provide exceptional learning opportunities for our students," said Pinkney. "Our Mobile Learning program ensures equal opportunity for our students to access faculty and course materials, giving them every reason to succeed."
Pinkney noted Prime Minister Stephen Harper had a message delivered to the Gala audience that stressed the importance of the CIPA awards in fostering IT innovation and in helping ensure Canada continues to be a global leader well into the future.
Durham College and UOIT operate as two separate academic institutions that uniquely share one campus and co-operate within a shared services model.
The university opened its doors in fall 2003 and provides a leading-edge learning environment that allows students to connect with professors and peers any time and from anywhere through the use of high-end laptops loaded with program-specific software that enables them to conduct research, make presentations, and access course material. Professors develop sophisticated course content using a powerful campus-wide online learning management system ensuring all students have equal access to the same technology, resources and services, in or outside the classroom. Although several colleges and universities offer academic programs that require students to purchase a laptop, UOIT is Ontario's only laptop-based university and one of the few academic institutions in Canada that bases program delivery on technology standards, requiring all students be part of the Mobile Learning program.
Durham College students utilizing the Mobile Learning program use a current laptop computer and curriculum-based software on and off campus, allowing them to make quality computer-based presentations, conduct Internet research, work electronically on their own and with other students, and have electronic access to a range of online resources. Almost one-third of the college's academic programs are part of the Mobile Learning program, including courses offered through the Schools of Design and Communication Arts, which integrate top-level graphic design and media software with state-of-the-art Macintosh laptops - providing students with anywhere, any time access to the latest educational tools needed to succeed.
Finalists for the annual CIPA awards were selected from entries submitted by public and private organizations of all sizes and types across Canada. CIPA promotes best practices from these organizations as examples for other Canadian organizations, highlighting ways to transform operations through the adoption of new processes and technologies. Above all, the awards prove year after year that Canada is a growing hub for global innovation.
About Durham College
For close to 40 years, Durham College has provided high-demand programs, professors with real-world experience, the latest technology, and an unwavering commitment to student success. Number one in the Greater Toronto Area based on a combined ranking in the areas of student, graduate, and employer satisfaction; graduate employment; and graduation rate for seven years running according to the provincial government's indicator surveys, the college also has the highest graduate employment rate - 93.1 per cent - of all six GTA colleges. The college has close to 6,000 full-time and 23,000 part-time students enrolled in over 100 programs and courses and over 1,500 apprentices. For more information, visit the website at www.durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.2000.
About UOIT
As an innovative university, UOIT delivers a leading-edge learning environment that uniquely combines academic knowledge, research opportunities, hands-on skills and a vibrant student life. UOIT's 4,300 students are taught by professors who are experts in their fields from around the world. As Ontario's first laptop-based university, UOIT offers more than 30 challenging undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the fields of Business and Information Technology, Criminology, Justice and Policy Studies, Education, Engineering, Health Sciences, and Sciences. UOIT's commitment to research excellence has resulted in millions of dollars in grants and awards, including several Canada Research Chairs. To find out more, visit www.uoit.ca or call 905.721.8668.
About the Canadian Information Productivity Awards
CIPA is Canada's oldest and largest awards program in the field of information technology and the premier showcase for Canadian IT and innovation. It is supported by Managing Sponsor CGI Group Inc., and leading industry technology companies Hewlett-Packard (Canada) Co. and CA Canada, as well as: IDC Canada, research partner; Rogers Communications Inc., IT World Canada and High Road Communications, media partners, and allied technology associations CATA, CHITTA, CIPS, COACH, CME, FiQ and ITAC.
The mission of CIPA is to recognize and celebrate excellence that fosters innovation and enhanced global competitiveness in Canada. This is achieved through recognizing organizations that have successfully developed and implemented innovative IT-based projects in the areas of customer care, operations and efficiency, organizational transformation and exceptional innovation that achieve significant productivity gains for their organizations. Winners of the annual competition gain national and international recognition at the CIPA Gala Banquet, through extensive media exposure and on www.cipa.com.
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
905.721.8668 ext. 2513
alison.rosnak@dc-uoit.ca
