UOIT officially opens downtown location
October 20, 2008
Residing at 11 Simcoe Street, the Faculty of Education opened its doors to 223 teacher candidates in UOIT's Bachelor of Education Primary/Junior and Intermediate/Senior programs and more than 60 faculty and staff on September 8.
The opening is another milestone for the revitalized downtown Oshawa core, as the building formerly housed a Scotiabank and then remained dormant for a few years before undergoing months of construction to become UOIT's newest leading-edge learning environment. The building boasts many of the features that all UOIT students have come to expect from the innovative university, including wireless Internet connections. Students are also benefitting from many new features, most notably, classrooms equipped with movable walls to provide larger spaces as required, innovative teaching technologies to help facilitate their learning and specialty classrooms for their science, art and drama studies.
The Teaching Resource Centre, located at the entrance of the building, offers students a wealth of resources in a room filled with sunshine through its two-storey floor to ceiling windows. Another exciting feature is the cafeteria on the lower level of the building with areas for gathering and conversation, as well as quiet rooms on upper floors for study and reflection.
This move is another indication of the incredible growth that UOIT has experienced in five short years and its commitment to meeting the needs of students. Compassionate and highly knowledgeable faculty prepare teacher candidates to take their positions as next-generation educators. UOIT graduates are highly sought-after for their unparalleled knowledge of how to incorporate technology into the classroom and for their specific strengths in core learning areas such as math, science and languages.
Quotes
"UOIT is extremely pleased to have a presence in downtown Oshawa," said Dr. Ronald Bordessa, UOIT president. "This move offers immense opportunities for UOIT to work with the community and foster new relationships, while providing students and faculty with an outstanding learning environment where they can excel."
"We are absolutely thrilled with our new home in downtown Oshawa," said Dr. Jim Greenlaw, dean of the Faculty of Education. "Our students are experiencing a true sense of community as they continue on their educational pathway to becoming our country's next-generation educators.
"It was a privilege to assist UOIT and Mr. Feroze Virani in this important initiative," said Councillor Louise Parkes. "I also want to extend my thanks to UOIT for strategically embracing sustainable development by infusing life into a building that has been dormant for many years. The students and Faculty of Education will bring their own special energy and experience into a downtown hungry for diversity and change."
"Today's event marks the fusion of two significant realities in our city; the excellence found at UOIT and the ongoing rejuvenation of downtown Oshawa," said Mayor John Gray. "Both ventures started out as ambitious visions but now UOIT and downtown Oshawa are considered destinations of excitement and opportunity. It is only natural that this partnership emerged. On behalf of all members of City Council and the people of Oshawa, I want to thank UOIT for their significant investment in our city's core."
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 5,000 students are taught by professors who are experts in their fields from around the world. As Ontario's first laptop-based university, the university offers a diverse array of challenging undergraduate and graduate degree programs through its faculties of Business and Information Technology; Criminology, Justice and Policy Studies; Education; Energy Systems and Nuclear Science; Engineering and Applied Science; Health Sciences; and Science. UOIT's commitment to research excellence has resulted in millions of dollars in grants and awards, including five Canada Research Chairs. To find out more, visit www.uoit.ca or call 905.721.8668.
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
Melissa Levy
Communications and Marketing
Ontario Tech University
905.721.8668 ext. 2513
melissa.levy@uoit.ca
