UOIT connecting with prospective students by embracing provincial initiative

Dozens of students from the Toronto District School Board and the York Region District School Board are getting a first-hand look at the research and development programs at University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT), thanks to a popular initiative being driven by the Ministry of Education in conjunction with the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.

Known as the Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program, UOIT and the Canadian Young Scientist Journal (CYSJ,http://www.cysjournal.ca/) are partnering to pair high school students with university researchers, allowing the students to focus their learning on a specific economic sector as they meet their diploma requirements. This research-based experiential learning program also assists in the students' post secondary decisions and transition after graduation to university, college, apprenticeship training or the workplace.

Through the UOIT-CYSJ program for SHSM students, participants are guided and mentored with the deliverable being a report on a project topic proposed by a UOIT researcher. The student is supervised by a local high school teacher who ensures adherence to the SHSM guidelines.The project was developed in collaboration with Dr. Alexandre Noukhovitch, SHSM teacher at Northview Heights Secondary School in Toronto.

"UOIT is very proud to be participating in this program, whereby students will complete 90 hours of individual work on their chosen project and will consult with UOIT faculty both online and in-person," said Dr. William Smith, dean, Faculty of Science.

"This is a wonderful way for faculty members to mentor high-school students and raise their interest in research," said Dr. Nawal Ammar, dean, Faculty of Social Science and Humanities.

Close to 40 students attended the SHSM kickoff event at UOIT held on December 13, hosted by the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities. Activities included tours of the various state-of-the-art Science laboratories at UOIT's north Oshawa campus (showcasing fuel cells, laser physics, biological chemistry and forensic science). The Science-bound students spoke with the following faculty about their research areas: Dr. Franco Gaspari, Dr. Andrea Kirkwood, Dr. Greg Lewis and Dr. Lennaert van Veen. Students interested in Social Science and Humanities had an opportunity to participate in a question and answer session with Dr. Ron Hinch and Dr. Judith Grant about their research areas. Students also had an opportunity to take a general tour of the university and participate in an information session regarding UOIT's quickly-growing downtown Oshawa campus.

"UOIT's involvement with the SHSM initiative could yield tremendous dividends down the road if it becomes expanded to include even more students and more faculties," said Joe Stokes, assistant registrar, Student Recruitment, UOIT. "The students develop specialized skills and career-relevant knowledge recognized by post-secondary institutions and by the various economic sectors participating in the SHSM program."

More information about the SHSM program is available at www.ontario.ca/studentsuccess.

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