FOCUS ON GROWTH
New campus for Waterloo
QUALITY
FOSTERING EXCELLENCE
Supporting student success
SUSTAINABILITY
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE Solutions for sustainable growth
BUILDING COMMUNITIES & CAREERS
CAPACITY
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FALL 2019
BRANTFORD CAMBRIDGE GUELPH INGERSOLL KITCHENER
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in Ontario for trades & apprenticeship training
8 25
STRATFORD
campuses and training centres
One of Canada’s top 25 research colleges
1,200 full-time employees
WATERLOO
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Attracted more than $35M in applied research funding since 2014
16,500 full-time students
“Developing a highly skilled, adaptable workforce where everyone can participate and succeed is essential to our future prosperity and well-being.” – John Tibbits
Thank you to the hundreds of businesses, organizations and individuals who support Conestoga programs and students through your service to Program Advisory Committees, your donations, gifts-in-kind, co-op and work
CONTENTS
placement opportunities and
4 MEETING THE NEEDS OF A
Your generous
CHANGING WORLD
6 NEW CAMPUS OPENS IN WATERLOO 10 BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE IN BRANTFORD
14 SERVING A GLOBAL COMMUNITY 16 YEAR IN REVIEW 20 FOSTERING EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING & LEARNING
26 ADDRESSING REAL-WORLD CHALLENGES
applied research partnerships.
contributions make success possible. Together, we are developing the entrepreneurs and innovators, technicians and specialists who help keep businesses competitive and make our communities better places to live. Thank you for your support.
29 DELIVERING SOLUTIONS THROUGH APPLIED RESEARCH
32 MOVING TO NET ZERO 33 CELEBRATING OUTSTANDING GRADUATES CONNECTIONS
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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
MEETING THE NEEDS OF A CHANGING WORLD The dawn of a new academic year is always a very special time, full of excitement and energy, with the promise of new beginnings. It’s also a time for reflection on what we’ve achieved, and the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. As we enter the final year for Conestoga’s Strategic Plan 2017-2020, I am struck by how very much we’ve accomplished in terms of enhancing quality, capacity and sustainability, the three overarching goals through which we will achieve our vision for excellence in polytechnic education. This past June, we celebrated the convocation of a record number of graduates, adding close to 7,200 new inductees to Conestoga’s alumni community, now almost 140,000 strong. Like those who came before them, they turned to Conestoga to help them in their efforts to launch successful careers and build brighter futures for themselves, their families and our community. Increasingly, they’ve come not only from the local region, but all around the world as our college becomes established as a destination of choice for international students. We’ve expanded campuses and programming in Waterloo and Brantford and look forward to a new campus in Downtown Kitchener that will open in January 2020, and continue to invest in facilities, programming and an outstanding employee team to provide all Conestoga students with an exceptional learning experience. It is with tremendous pride that I acknowledge the success of these efforts, and the impact Conestoga continues to make not only on the lives of the individuals we serve, but also on the prosperity and well-being of the community.
Our graduation rate is among the highest of all Ontario colleges. Last year, more than 89 per cent of Conestoga graduates were employed within six months of completing their studies. The employer satisfaction rate for those who hire the college’s recent graduates continues to exceed 90 per cent. 4
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Never has our work been more important
A recent report from RBC estimates that 25 per cent of current Canadian jobs will be heavily disrupted by technology in the next 10 years, requiring a different set of skills and competencies. Many sectors will face significant job displacement, but many more jobs will be created as well. It’s expected that Canada will add 2.4 million jobs over the next four years. The challenge of developing the talent required to serve those needs shouldn’t be underestimated. Even now, 77 per cent of Ontario businesses describe access to talent as their greatest obstacle to growth. It’s happening in communities across the province, including right here in our region. Last year, Canada’s job vacancy rate hit an all-time high, with an estimated 400,000 jobs remaining unfilled for three months or more as the result of a shortage of suitable applicants with the skills and experience required. At the same time, there are many individuals who struggle to obtain meaningful career opportunities because they lack the up-to-date skills employers need. It’s what’s often described as double jeopardy for Canadian prosperity – jobs without people and people without jobs. Conestoga and Canada’s other polytechnics have an essential role to play in developing a future workforce that is well-prepared with the skills, the resilience and the adaptability required to succeed in the new world of work. Affording broader access to career-focused education and training, attracting new participants and providing everyone across our community with the opportunity to develop new skills and achieve their potential are essential steps towards developing the talent that will fuel innovation and Canada’s future productivity.
John Tibbits has been President of Conestoga since 1987. This September marks the start of his thirty-third academic year at the college. Conestoga will continue to grow to meet this challenge, supported by an outstanding network of community and business leaders who make invaluable contributions to the quality of our programs as well as providing opportunities for students and graduates alike to develop their skills and build successful futures. I am grateful for their ongoing contributions and support, and for the tremendous dedication of Conestoga’s employees, who make our college a great place to work as well as to learn.
Let’s make 2019-2020 the best year yet.
Dr. John Tibbits, President
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BUI L D I N G CA PACITY It was an announcement that almost no one expected, but it drew an immediate standing ovation from the crowd of more than 300 partners, friends, students and employees of Conestoga gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the college’s newest campus in Waterloo in October 2018.
NEW CAMPUS
OPENS IN WATERLOO
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CONNECTIONS
Maureen Cowan, Chair and CEO of Princeton Holdings Limited, a former member of Conestoga’s Board of Governors and widely recognized for her achievements as a community leader and builder, was speaking on behalf of The Cowan Foundation. Earlier, her organization had provided a $4 million leadership gift towards the development of the campus, the largest donation from a private donor in the college’s 50-year history. “Conestoga has made this community better in so many ways,” Cowan said, “and I don’t think anyone would disagree that John Tibbits’ leadership has been the primary driver behind Conestoga’s development and success.”
“For this reason, I am pleased to announce the decision to have recognition of
Waterloo’s campus in John Tibbits’ name as a lasting gesture of our sincere thanks for his profound contributions to Conestoga and to this community.”
And so the John W. Tibbits campus was born, rising from the foundations of a 1960s-era secondary school acquired by the college in 2006. The $58 million transformation project added 150,000 square feet of learning space in a state-of-the-art environment to provide new capacity for the delivery of programming and services in culinary and hospitality management, applied computer science and information technology, and specialized programming for newcomers to Canada.
Conestoga is Canada’s only member of the Institut Paul Bocuse Worldwide Alliance, an exclusive network of the world’s top hospitality management and culinary arts schools. Membership in the alliance provides students and faculty alike with unique opportunities to experience different food cultures, build new skills and participate in learning exchanges.
Already recognized as a centre of excellence for construction trades education and training, thanks in part to the support of government and industry partners which resulted in the addition of new facilities in 2010, the expanded campus opened in September 2018 and now provides a full range of programs and services for learners.
The new Bloom restaurant
Keith Müller, Hospitality & Culinary Arts
Building capacity for enhanced programming For Keith Müller, chair of Hospitality & Culinary Arts, the project provided a much-needed opportunity to create new facilities and expand programming to better serve both learners and the local community.
“With the growth in the region and the renewed interest in culinary and hospitality, it became necessary for us to be able to accept more students and build on our successes.” - Keith Müller
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“We were very fortunate to be able to design and build a new, state-of-the-art facility. We researched culinary labs at other colleges across Canada and in other countries to determine the best technology, equipment and layout.” - Keith Müller The new labs and classrooms are spacious, bright and fully equipped with the latest technology. The new Bloom restaurant has its own storefront and is attracting both attention and new customers. Visiting chefs to date have included Maxime Moïse, instructor with the Institut Paul Bocuse in Lyon, France as well Funmi Joe-Oka, food and beverage manager at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture in Ibadan, Nigeria. The expansion has provided essential capacity for Conestoga to prepare more future culinary and hospitality professionals for successful careers. New programming in Baking & Pastry Arts is now in place, with Butchery & Charcuterie scheduled to launch shortly. A new institute for cheesemaking and industry certification courses for in-service
New culinary labs and classrooms are spacious, bright and fully equipped with the latest technology.
The expansion of Conestoga’s Waterloo campus was funded in part through the Government of Canada’s Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund. 8
CONNECTIONS
professionals are on the horizon as well. Müller anticipates that more than 700 full-time students will be enrolled by January 2020, helping to address the tremendous shortage of skilled workers to service the industry both locally and across Canada. For food enthusiasts, general interest courses in areas such as wine tasting and pasta, bread and pastry making, provide opportunities to hone new skills. Initial offerings have proven very popular, and additional courses are slated to be offered in the near future. For Müller, whose background includes long service in industry as well as stints in similar roles at both George Brown College and Red River College, the new facilities help position Conestoga among Canada’s leading culinary schools, with available seats, a wide range of courses and a commitment to providing students with the skills and knowledge to launch successful careers. As well as hosting the School of Hospitality & Culinary Arts, the John W. Tibbits campus is also home to much of Conestoga’s Applied Computer Science & Information Technology (ASCIT) programming. The full transition of ASCIT programs to Waterloo is expected to be complete by 2020.
Supporting transition for newcomers to Canada In addition to post-secondary programming, the new campus also serves as one of Conestoga’s three delivery sites for Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) programming. Funded through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, LINC provides free classes for newcomers who want to learn English or improve their language skills for life, work or further learning. Over the last year, Conestoga’s three LINC locations served 1,100 learners, providing support to a wide range of clients, from individuals with little formal education to those who left professional careers in their home countries to come to Canada. Learners are grouped into classes based on their language ability and may represent a wide range of ages and backgrounds. For Crystal Brown, chair of the Conestoga Language Institute, moving the Waterloo LINC site from its previous location on Lincoln Road into the main campus building at Waterloo has made a tremendous difference.
and enjoy having direct access to resources such as the library. As the LINC students see first-hand what Conestoga has to offer, there seems to be more interest in continuing on in post-secondary once they’ve completed their language studies.” “The on-campus location provides a really warm and welcoming environment for our newcomers,” Brown continued. “It also sends a very strong message to all of our faculty as well as our students that what we do matters, contributing to the college’s overall mission to support student success and the success of our community.” Thanks to a partnership with Conestoga’s School of Community Services, newcomers with young children can access free, on-site childminding for their infants, toddlers and preschoolers. Through a play-based curriculum, the children develop important new skills that will help them in their new country, from exposure to the English language to interaction with people from different cultures. These skills will play an important role in their future success when they transition to the school system.
“The LINC students now feel like they’re more connected, and part of the college community,” Brown said. “They can go to different centres on-site CONNECTIONS
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CAMPUS EXPANSION
BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE IN BRANTFORD In 2012, Conestoga began the delivery of programming in Brantford through a partnership with Wilfrid Laurier University, which had established a campus in the city in 1999. As the newest member of the city’s downtown academic district, Conestoga provided unique value for the community, delivering a slate of local, career-focused programs to serve workforce needs. After six years of steady progress and success, the college took a major leap forward in 2018, acquiring new facilities, enhancing program offerings, and increasing enrolment exponentially, from about 100 full-time students in 2017 to almost 500 in September 2018. Paul Osborne, Conestoga’s associate vice president of Marketing & Community Relations, played a key role in managing the expansion project, which included introducing a large group of international students into the Brantford community.
“As the college looked to expand its footprint, it became clear that Brantford was a market that was underserved in terms of college-level education.” - Paul Osborne With a large pool of qualified international applicants and limited space at other campuses, expansion in Brantford provided new opportunities to increase enrolment, augment existing programming and develop an enhanced service model in the city that would support both local and international students. To facilitate growth, the college acquired a number of properties in the downtown area and leased land at the Brantford Municipal Airport to support the delivery of trades training. But new students, especially those who come to Canada from afar, require more than classroom and lab space. To make the expansion successful, Conestoga needed to support incoming students with all of their needs, from finding homes and part-time jobs in the community, to obtaining academic counselling and support, to creating opportunities for social and cultural engagement.
10 CONNECTIONS
“The college was committed to Brantford, and invested in additional employees who could focus their efforts on providing support to students here in the city. As a result, there’s a real community feel here, and the students are getting great service.” - Paul Osborne The local community stepped up in terms of providing accommodation for new students. Both the City of Brantford and Laurier Brantford played key roles in the success of the expansion as well. According to Osborne, the support provided through strong partnerships eliminated many of the growing pains that might have been expected with rapid expansion. “It was really a team effort,” he said. “We worked with Laurier on a number of student engagement initiatives that resulted in multiple opportunities for cross-cultural learning for international and domestic students alike. It’s great to see our students co-mingling and learning from each other.” “Being in downtown Brantford has really helped too,” he continued. “The students have enjoyed exploring all the restaurants and amenities, and have been very active in seeking out opportunities to help out at community events as they jump in and enjoy the Canadian experience.” And while it’s been good for the students, Conestoga’s Brantford expansion has benefitted the community as well. The Downtown Brantford Business Improvement Area named the college as its 2018 Champion of the Year for excellence both in community relations and in promoting downtown Brantford as a live, work, play and learning destination. With the groundwork now in place, Conestoga looks forward to further expansion in Brantford for 2019-2020, with additional program offerings that will support students from the local community and around the world to develop new career skills for successful futures.
According to BuildForce Canada, Ontario will need more than 100,000 new workers in the construction trades alone by 2028. Government of Ontario projections indicate that more than one in five of all new jobs in the province will be in trades-related occupations.
Addressing skills shortages One key area of expansion in Brantford is trades education and training to help address the critical shortage of skilled trades workers in Ontario and across Canada. It’s an important issue. For more than ten years, skilled trades positions have been consistently ranked as the most difficult roles for employers to fill, both locally and across the country. In 2017, the Ontario Skilled Trades Alliance reported that more than 40 per cent of its members would hire more employees if they could find people with the right skills.
The challenge is particularly acute in fastgrowing communities such as Brantford, designated as an Urban Growth Centre in Ontario’s Provincial Growth Plan. Stephen Speers is Chair of Workforce Development & Partnerships Trades at Conestoga, and is well aware of local industry needs. A native and long-time resident of Brant County, he sits on the Workforce Planning Board of Grand Erie and co-chairs the local Skilled Trades Alliance, a community organization dedicated to building the skilled trades workforce for Brantford and Brant County. In 2018, his role at Conestoga evolved, allowing him to focus his efforts on expanding trades training in Brantford. An initial offering of the Heavy CONNECTIONS 11
Construction Equipment Operation (HCEO) program mounted to gauge local interest exceeded expectations, and the race was on to identify and equip local facilities in advance of the September start-up date.
A new, eight-week Production Welder program to be delivered in collaboration with local industry partners will be introduced in Brantford this year as well.
As Speers points out, there are special challenges involved in delivering programs such as HCEO. “There are a lot of logistical requirements,” he explained. “Students in the program are actually operating bulldozers and excavators, so we need acreage as well as classrooms and high-bay shops for storing the equipment.”
In addition, Conestoga will continue to work with local school boards for the delivery of trades-related programming through their School College Work Initiative and Specialist High Skills Majors programs. These activities help introduce local students not only to Conestoga, but also to the potential of careers in the skilled trades.
For Speers, that’s an important message that young people in particular Drawing on both his knowledge of the community and his extensive network of contacts, Speers soon identified the Brantford Municipal Airport need to hear. as a potential site: it could provide the land required as well as commercial hangar and warehouse space that could be transformed into classrooms and “The skilled trades shortage is real. And the gap shops to meet program needs. continues to grow as retirements outpace the number With the support of both the County of Brant Council and the Brantford City Council, which hold responsibility for the land and the airport operations respectively, a lease agreement was successfully concluded and Conestoga’s new trades campus in Brantford was launched.
of people entering the skilled trades. For the next few years, there’s going to be an acute shortage.”
Speers couldn’t be happier. “This is a real win-win solution,” he said. “We’re bringing activity to this end of the city, literally at the spot where city and county meet. And the actual physical site is absolutely excellent for the delivery of the HCEO program, better than we could have hoped for.”
“Skilled trades training is an excellent choice for students looking for successful careers, especially right now,” he continued. “If you work hard and develop yourself as a journeyperson in your chosen field, you are going to be in demand for your entire working life. There are enormous opportunities ahead – you can work for someone else or you can have your own business.”
- Stephen Speers
The one challenge with the site was the lack of public transit service, with the nearest bus stop a kilometre from the airport. To address that concern, “For those who enjoy working with both their hands and their heads, it’s a particularly for the international students in the program who were less super way to make a living, with small costs up front and an earnings stream likely to have their own vehicles, Conestoga initially provided shuttle service that most people would be envious of.” from downtown, but soon found it wasn’t required. Conestoga is Ontario’s leader in trades and apprenticeship training, “Students in the program came from all around Brantford, Brant County and delivering a wide range of post-secondary, pre-apprenticeship and beyond,” Speers said. “As the program got underway, the students worked apprenticeship in-school training programs for the construction, motive together to set up some carpooling options that allowed everyone to get to power, industrial and service trades. class. It’s worked out really well and everyone’s happy.” With the first year of operations at the Brantford Municipal Airport now complete, Speers is looking at further expansion for Fall 2019. More hangar space has been leased and renovations are underway to support the delivery of an Electrical Techniques program starting in September and an Automotive Repair program scheduled for January 2020. Future offerings under consideration include a Plumbing Techniques program and a pre-apprenticeship in Landscape Equipment Operations.
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For more information, visit www.conestogac.on.ca/trades
DOWNTOWN KITCHENER CAMPUS TO OPEN IN 2020 On May 31, Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic and Conestoga President John Tibbits announced that the college will soon open a new 82,000 square foot campus in Downtown Kitchener. The new campus inside Market Square will open in January 2020, initially delivering business programming for approximately 1,000 students. Additional programming will be introduced in subsequent phases as the campus becomes more established, attracting more students who will further contribute to the city’s diversity and cultural vibrancy, while supporting Kitchener’s local ecosystem. “Conestoga College has been a key community partner and a leader in polytechnic education since its beginnings in 1967, and we are thrilled to welcome this new growth in our city beginning this January,” said Mayor Vrbanovic. “Locating this campus in the heart of Downtown Kitchener creates fantastic opportunities for welcoming these new students in collaboration with our vibrant business community in the heart of our city.” The new campus will attract new talent, supporting the success of established, start-up and scaling companies within the city. Student placements offered through the program will also connect students with local employment opportunities.
“We’re tremendously pleased to have the opportunity to open this new campus that will expand our capacity to deliver quality programming that prepares students for successful futures and develops new talent to serve the needs of the local workforce. We look forward to working with our partners to provide students with an outstanding learning experience in Downtown Kitchener.” - John Tibbits The city will work closely with the college to ensure students feel welcome, and have access to the supports, services, amenities, housing and social networks necessary to feel a sense of belonging in the city. “I’m thrilled that Conestoga College has chosen Downtown Kitchener’s Market Square as the site for their new campus,” said Ward 10 Councillor, Sarah Marsh. “This investment into Downtown Kitchener will support and grow our local economy, and showcase Kitchener’s dynamic and inclusive community to the world.”
Conestoga 2019 Stats & Facts
+ 300
More than 300 career-focused programs
60+
More than 60 co-op programs
89%
More than 89% of graduates employed within 6 months of graduation
$1.2M
More than $1.2 million in student awards distributed each year
138,000+ Alumni
Members of Conestoga’s Board of Governors joined college and city officials for the May 31 announcement at Kitchener City Hall. CONNECTIONS 13
SE RVI NG A GLOB A L COM M UN ITY
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
FOCUS ON INTERNATIONALIZATION International student enrolment at Conestoga’s network of campuses has grown exponentially in recent years, increasing from just over 1,000 in 2011-12 to more than 7,000 in 2018-19, with additional increases projected for the upcoming academic year. We asked Chris Buuck, Conestoga’s associate vice president of Academic Administration & International Education, to discuss the role of internationalization in supporting the college’s mission and strategic goals, and how Conestoga has become a destination of choice for students from around the world. It’s often referred to as the grey tsunami, the demographic shift that will see the continued rise of the senior population in Canada and other developed countries as the baby boomer generation (those born between 1946 and 1964) reach retirement. Coupled with declining birth rates and longer life expectancies, the growing population of seniors will have a profound impact on Canada’s social and economic well-being. In 2016, seniors (those aged 65 and over) outnumbered children (aged 14 and under) for the first time in Canada’s history. By 2036, seniors could account for 25 per cent of the country’s total population. Maintaining a thriving economy and delivering the services required to support all of Canada’s citizens will require a robust workforce that cannot be drawn from the domestic population alone. That’s why Canada has an ambitious immigration agenda, with plans to admit more than 1 million new permanent residents in the years 2019 through 2021.
Supporting student success Students who travel across the globe, leaving family and homeland far behind in their pursuit of successful futures, face a daunting set of challenges as they make the transition to life and study in Canada. At Conestoga, support for such students begins long before they arrive on campus, starting from the moment they receive admission to the college.
“Students are eager to connect with others who are already at Conestoga. It’s integral to their successful transition.” - Chris Buuck
International student ambassadors provide pre-arrival communications and support, engaging new students through webinars, videos and messaging, providing opportunities for them to build connections with the college and As Chris Buuck explains, Conestoga’s international students are an important with each other. part of that immigration stream, as most of them are planning to settle in A new Airport Welcome program to be introduced this fall includes Canada following the completion of their studies. everything from signage welcoming students and a free phone call home, to connecting students with ground transportation and providing support “Preparing international students for success is part of nation-building and as they navigate their way to housing. Current students will participate as a key piece in Canada’s future growth,” Buuck points out. part of the welcome team. Conestoga’s international students are drawn from more than 80 countries. Proactively engaging new students, anticipating and addressing their needs, While the largest group are drawn from India, the college also attracts significant student populations from South Korea, Vietnam, the Philippines, is an essential component of the transition process. China and Brazil. Efforts to engage prospective students from additional “It’s their first impression of Canada. It’s important countries are ongoing.
that it’s welcoming and that students have a sense of belonging right from the beginning.” - Chris Buuck
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A cross-college team, with representatives from the Registrar’s Office, Student Engagement, the Recreation Centre and Conestoga Students Inc. as well as International Education, work in tandem to deliver a comprehensive orientation and start-up experience to help all new students transition and put them on the path towards success. Additional orientation activities address the specialized needs of students new to Canada.
The total enrolment growth resulting from the inclusion of a large contingent of international students has provided opportunities to develop additional and more specialized programming clusters that mirror the needs of our changing economy. As a result, all students have more program choices.
“I have the opportunity to meet many of the new students at orientation, and I’m blown over by their enthusiasm,” Buuck said. “They’re so excited to be here.” “Many of our upper-level international students participate and share their experiences with the newcomers,” she continued. “What I hear them speak of over and over is the quality of their education here and the overwhelming kindness and support they receive from their professors.” A comprehensive network of academic and social support services provides assistance to all students throughout their studies and beyond. The International Education office even provides support for employers as they navigate the additional requirements involved with hiring international students. In addition, many international students bring a great deal of education and professional experience with them – approximately half have completed at least one undergraduate degree. Their knowledge and prior experience enrich the classroom experience for students and faculty alike. And perhaps the greatest benefit of all is the experience all students gain from learning together in a diverse and multicultural environment. “The internationalization of our classrooms provides very important learning opportunities,” Buuck said. “Our students will graduate into an economy and a work environment that are very multicultural and diverse. Having the opportunity to learn and work across diverse teams during their studies is important preparation for what they will encounter in the workforce.” A local student who studied in a class of otherwise exclusively international students sums it up best: With so much emphasis on supporting international students in their efforts to transition to Canada and succeed in their studies, it’s not surprising to learn that success rates are very high. The graduation rate for Conestoga’s international students in 2017-18 was more than 83 per cent – that far exceeds the overall graduation rate across Ontario colleges (66 per cent). Almost 85 per cent of Conestoga’s international graduates obtained employment within six months of graduation.
Enriching classrooms and communities Providing opportunities for international students to learn, succeed and start new lives in Canada is integral to Conestoga’s commitment to developing new talent to serve workforce needs. But Buuck points out that there are many additional benefits as well.
“Being the only domestic student in an international student class was one of the best experiences of my life. It taught me a newfound respect for cultural differences and helped me further develop skills that I would never have developed in a regular class setting. Being able to help my peers adjust to Canadian living was a reward in itself. It was a unique experience and one that I will never forget.”
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$6.9 million
The Government of Canada announced it will invest $6.9 million over the next three years to support a new Conestoga project that will result in the delivery of the college’s Welding Pre-Apprenticeship program at partner institutions across Canada as well as in the local community.
Conestoga’s new Student Rights and Responsibilities office manages student concerns and codes of conduct at the college. The office was established following a six-month research and development project that included consultation with 300 stakeholders across the college community.
This year, Conestoga launched a new strategy to support student mental health and well-being. The initiative will develop actionable priorities to help optimize student learning and success.
Graphics for a sustainability wall in IKEA Canada’s new store in Québec City were designed by students in Conestoga’s Visual Merchandising Arts program. The installation took place earlier this year.
Eligible students from the School of Business now have the opportunity to earn a Master of Business Administration through a new partnership between Conestoga and Niagara University.
Culinary graduate Wallace Wong was named one of 12 competitors on the 2019 edition of the Food Network’s Top Chef Canada. He ended the competition in the top 3.
Year in Review Dr. Veronique Boscart, executive dean, School of Health & Life Sciences, was named president of the Canadian Association on Gerontology. Last summer she received the Order of Merit, Research Award from the Canadian Nurses Association.
The new Test Centre at the Doon campus is a 5,000 square-foot space designed with acoustical features for noise reduction that can accommodate testing for more than 130 students.
Broadcasting student Edwin Huras worked with the Perimeter Institute and other partners to create an announcement video for the unveiling of the first image of a black hole. His video was used by major media outlets in their coverage of the event and has been viewed more than 640,000 times since its release. Students in the Advertising and Marketing Communications program applied their skills to raise more than $20,000 for Send ‘Em Off Smiling – a non-profit organization dedicated to providing backpacks filled with clothing and supplies to underprivileged children in the region. 16 CONNECTIONS
The new Student Wellness space at Doon opened last fall provides a calm, quiet area that offers individual peer support, peer group workshops and private rooms for meditation and relaxation.
Awards
Conestoga faculty member Tracey Lopers was named to the Supply Chain Management Association’s first-ever list of 100 Influential Women in Canadian Supply Chain.
Conestoga Insurance students Ivy Tang and Luke Upfold were presented with scholarships from the John E. Lowes Education Fund in November. Conestoga students have been named recipients of the scholarship annually for the last seven years.
Conestoga’s new VARLab specializes in developing new academic learning experiences, and exploring new technology and trends in virtual and augmented reality. Conestoga’s Library Services team was honoured with a Library Architectural and Design Transformation Award from the Ontario Library Association. The award recognizes excellence in renovations, restorations and interior redesign and refurnishing in the architectural design of libraries.
Dion Sheppard, a 2019 Police Foundations graduate, was one of three provincial winners of the Joe Moylan Award of Excellence. Presented annually, the award recognizes Police Foundations or Law and Security Administration students who demonstrate high academic achievement, a strong commitment to community, portray strong leadership skills and actively promote a healthy lifestyle.
In November, Culinary students Sydney Lutz and Celina do Souto competed against students across the country to win the title of Canada’s Best New Student Chef. The pair finished in second place.
Last fall, the Brantford campus was named Champion of the Year by the Downtown Brantford Business Improvement Area. The campus has grown to support enrolment of more than 500 students.
Woodworking student Jennifer Norman placed first at the 2019 Architectural Woodwork Manufacturers Association of Canada Ontario Apprenticeship Contest held in March. She also won gold in the cabinetmaking competition at the Ontario Skills competition.
An animated video developed to highlight the impact of Conestoga and its graduates on the local community was recognized with the Award of Distinction for Education Marketing in the 2018 Communicator Awards.
Broadcasting - Television and Independent Production student Gerard Browne won first place in the music video category at the Canadian Media Educators National Student Awards. CONNECTIONS 17
Wesley Lau, a student in the Architecture - Project & Facility Management degree program, became one of the most decorated student athletes in the college’s history. The volleyball player is the first from Conestoga to surpass the 1,000-career point mark. He was also named the OCAA Men’s Volleyball Player of the Year, OCAA West Division First-Team All-Star and OCAA West Division Scoring Champion.
Awards In April, Conestoga Public Relations students and graduates were honoured at the Emerge Media Awards, winning both first and second place in the PR category.
Conestoga received nearly $50,000 in funding from the new Indigenous Research Capacity and Reconciliation—Connection Grants, a new federal program aimed at promoting Indigenous research.
Conestoga students finished the 2019 Skills Ontario competition with 11 medals, and received both gold and silver standing in the cabinetmaking and welding categories.
Broadcasting - Television and Independent Production students were honoured with three awards from the Broadcast Educators Association of Canada in 2018. This year, United Way Waterloo Region Communities named Conestoga a recipient of its Rising Star award. In November 2018, the college community raised more than $39,000 to support United Way.
Recent graduates and students in Conestoga’s Graphic Design three-year diploma program won both national and international industry awards throughout the year.
Hospitality Management graduate Megan Dron opened Red Eye Cafe and Donuts last year. Her business has already been recognized with a number of first-place wins in the Cambridge Times Readers’ Choice Awards.
In April, Public Relations student Ahmed Ullah received the Youth Activist Award from the Canadian Council of Imams for his advocacy and humanitarian efforts on behalf of the Rohingya people.
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Conestoga students earned five medals at the 2019 Skills Canada National Competition held May 28-30 in Halifax. They were among more than 550 students and apprentices from across the country who competed in more than 40 areas representing skilled trades and technology sectors. ACET student Mackenzie Carroll brought home gold for Ontario in the Architectural Technology and Design division.
Student Profile
Saifullah Muhammad: Journalism graduate will be the voice of his people Through his advocacy work, recent Conestoga Journalism graduate Saifullah Muhammad speaks with the Honourable Bob Rae, former Ontario premier and former interim leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, and now Canada’s Special Envoy to Myanmar, almost daily. He’s met with Minister of Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland too many times to count, and he’s had the opportunity to sit down with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on three occasions.
camp to attend school, secured a scholarship for a university in Thailand, and later moved to Malaysia where he taught at a UN school. Mohammad is fortunate despite living in a refugee camp for 15 years: most youth in the camps have no access to education.
He helped found the Canadian Rohingya Development Initiative, held a rally in Toronto that welcomed 10,000 supporters, and has been invited to speak at the House of Commons and the Senate, the UN General Assembly, the European Parliament and an education conference in Dubai.
In 2006, the first few Rohingya families arrived in Kitchener. Since then, many others have settled in the city in an effort to stay together and share a common culture.
He’s also a father of two and is committed to supporting Rohingya youth. He hopes to bring students here so they can contribute positively to Canadian society and wants to establish scholarship funds for his community both here and abroad.
Muhammad estimates more than 300 of the nearly 500 Rohingya refugees living in Canada call Waterloo Region home, with the vast majority seeking skills training at Conestoga. He believes approximately 50 Rohingya youth have either graduated or are enrolled at the college. Like Muhammad, other students from his community have fled violence, and most still have family members living in refugee camps. Collectively, they want the world to know what’s going on in their community, but of the 3.5 million Rohingya, not one holds a journalism credential. All this, and Muhammad, a Rohingya refugee, has only been in Canada since 2016. Now, with the Conestoga credential he received at spring convocation, he also has the distinction of being the very first Rohingya to be professionally trained as a journalist. The Rohingya are members of the Muslim minority in Myanmar. More than 700,000 fled to Bangladesh in 2017 alone following the Myanmar government’s most brutal genocidal campaign against Rohingya civilians to date, which according to a UN report, “brutally and systematically violated the human rights of ethnic minorities throughout the country.” In Bangladesh, more than 1 million Rohingya remain stateless and homeless, and live with the trauma of the violence they have encountered. Muhammad described the situation as dire. His own parents have lived in a refugee camp since 1992, but he managed to leave the
“Originally I wanted to study English, but I had community leaders around the world encouraging me to pursue journalism. We have many citizen reporters. Some Rohingya youth launched Rohingya Vision TV and received training from AP on how to write basic news stories, but none were trained professionally.”
“It’s not a burden,” said Muhammad when asked about the pressure he may face as the voice of his people. “We have everything here, but our brothers and sisters need our voice. I’m trying to give back to my community and it’s a pleasure to do it.” Speaking engagements and advocacy work left little time for Muhammad to focus on his studies, but he managed to meet his deadlines and thanked Conestoga faculty member Larry Cornies for his guidance and encouragement. “I think faculty feel a responsibility to all students, regardless of their age or background or
intention,” said Cornies. “But it’s a rare thing to come across a student as passionate as Saifullah about the power of journalism to inform, motivate and help solve big problems. Good students bring out the best in their teachers and so, yes, I certainly felt an extra obligation to help him achieve his aims, given the importance of his cause and how focused he was on it.”
Enrolling at Conestoga provided Muhammad the opportunity to develop skills to help shed light on the ongoing refugee crisis. And he did this while also serving as an advocate for his community.
In addition to sharing their stories, Muhammad would also like to bring peace to his community and has been accepted into the University of Waterloo’s Master of Peace and Conflict Studies program. He credits his success at Conestoga for helping him gain admission to the program.
He writes a blog, has co-authored an editorial in the Toronto Star, lends time to other associations and agencies, and consults frequently with the Canadian government to support its response to the Rohingya crisis.
“I can’t imagine that after living my whole life as a refugee, being a newcomer to Canada, working consistently for the community, supporting family and travelling to different places to speak at conferences about the Rohingya people, that I
- Saifullah Muhammad
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would be able to maintain good grades in the program. However, at the end of my studies at Conestoga College, I feel an immense feeling of pride and accomplishment.” Saifullah Muhammad graduated from Conestoga’s two-year Journalism diploma program with distinction and was listed on the Dean’s honour list. He was also named the winner of the Waterloo Region Record student award for Most Dedicated Journalist.
“I have no doubt that Saifullah will achieve his goal of becoming the first professionally trained journalist from his community to report on the crisis it faces,” said Cornies. “In many ways, he has already achieved that. Once his journalistic training is paired with graduate work in peace and conflict studies at UW, his voice and profile will become even more influential, despite his soft-spoken manner. I hope the world hears it.”
F OSTERIN G EXC E LLE N C E Elizabeth Coar (left) is a chartered accountant who runs her own business and teaches part-time at Conestoga. She is pictured here with Kathryn Brillinger, Teaching & Learning.
FACULTY DEVELOPMENT
INNOVATION IN TEACHING & LEARNING Being a leader in polytechnic education is no accident. It requires an unwavering commitment to excellence in programming and services that can support learners as they create successful futures for themselves, their families and communities.
Conestoga’s 1,500 full and part-time faculty members define and shape the learning experience within – and even beyond – the classroom. Armed with real-world experience, a passion for teaching, and a strong commitment to their students, they are also provided with ongoing opportunities to innovate, develop new skills for the classroom, and meet the needs of a highly diverse student body. The Teaching & Learning team at Conestoga promotes and supports educational leadership while building capacity to support students’ learning experience. Using evidence-based approaches, the group works with faculty and academic areas across the college to achieve continuous quality improvement in both program design and delivery. One key area of emphasis is faculty development. “Teaching & Learning exists to ensure all faculty at Conestoga are prepared before they enter the classroom, and remain supported throughout their
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teaching career,” said Kathryn Brillinger, Associate Director, Teaching & Learning. “We’re dedicated to better understanding and improving student learning by supporting faculty development.” According to Brillinger, the college takes a progressive approach to ensuring that all faculty have a foundation for teaching excellence through mandatory training sessions for new faculty that comprise part of their orientation and onboarding process. These sessions help to set expectations as well as building a framework for continuous improvement. “New faculty are not only introduced to Conestoga,” said Brillinger, “they’re also introduced to our team and the supports that are available to them as they continue to develop their skills.” Laura Stoutenburg, a consultant on the Teaching & Learning team, has spent much of the last year delivering training sessions and faculty support services in Brantford as the college expands its presence in the city.
“While there is a strong focus on what outcomes are expected as faculty prepare to start teaching, there is also an expectation that as a team, Teaching & Learning will keep moving forward to explore next steps in educational support,” said Stoutenburg. “It’s our job to stay on top of trends in education and understand how students are changing so that we can anticipate not only their needs, but also the support our faculty will need in order to deliver quality teaching.”
Rooted in industry To produce career-ready graduates, programs must reflect real-world conditions and include the most up-to-date industry knowledge. Input from industry and community partners contributes to the achievement of such goals, but faculty, who bring with them substantial industry expertise, play a key role as well. Many of the college’s part-time faculty have deep industry roots. Elizabeth Coar is a chartered professional accountant who teaches parttime at Conestoga in addition to running her own business. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems and has spent 15 years working as an accountant for various services and manufacturing companies. For instructors like Coar who are new to teaching, there’s an obvious learning curve. Training provided at orientation lays the foundation for teaching excellence, but support doesn’t stop there. In-class observations, consultations and online resources are all used as tools to help instructors at Conestoga develop their teaching skills.
“We help faculty to foster student success – that could be through providing feedback on rubrics, tips to help facilitate group work and participation, or strategies to implement best practices for classroom engagement.” - Laura Stoutenburg According to Stoutenburg, providing support and opportunities for developmental feedback is important for the delivery of a quality teaching and learning experience, especially for new faculty. Coar agrees. “The training sessions build up your expectations, and the positive reinforcement helps you realize the potential in the classroom,” she said. “It allows me to create a richer experience for students by using what I’ve learned from Teaching & Learning to relate my experience in industry to what is in the curriculum.” For students, there’s a clear benefit, but Coar benefits as well. “I don’t want to just be in the classroom,” she said. “I want to stay rooted in industry and bring that real-world experience to students, because I really do enjoy both.”
Global perspectives
With more than 7,000 international students as well as many who are newcomers to Canada, Conestoga classrooms are rich in cultural diversity. “As diversity increases at Conestoga, the dynamic in the classroom is starting to shift,” said Brillinger. “Not only are we seeing an increase in international students, but we are seeing an increase in internationally trained faculty.” Rajul Singh teaches in Conestoga’s School of Business, specializing in Sustainable Business Management. She holds a PhD in Environmental Toxicology from Chaudhary Charan Singh University in India and has more than 15 years’ experience teaching and developing curriculum in postsecondary institutions. She moved to Canada with her family five years ago.
“I love to teach – I love to share information and I’m passionate about my subject matter. I didn’t want to have to give it up when I moved to Canada.” - Rajul Singh Transitioning to a Canadian post-secondary institution comes with a unique set of challenges, whether you’re a student or an instructor. For Singh, it required adapting her teaching style to fit a new culture of learning, one that was more informal than what she was accustomed to in India. It was also recognizing and supporting the varying educational experiences of students in her diverse classrooms. Development and training opportunities focused on intercultural teaching help Conestoga faculty in their efforts to interact with and support students who are culturally, socially or otherwise different not only from each other, but also from their instructors. “Intercultural teaching is being aware of the diversity in the classroom,” said Brillinger. “It’s recognizing, for example, that for some international students, active learning was never a part of their educational experience, nor was engaging with faculty by using their first name.” Understanding these differences in experience helps create a learning environment that supports all students to achieve success and adds value to a classroom by fostering a more global perspective.
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“My entire experience with the college so far has made me feel valuable. I feel that my skills and experience in the field are seen as an asset, that the time spent on my training and development means I am worth being invested in, and the welcoming and supportive environment created by my colleagues has made me feel connected to the college community.” - Katrina Sparks
Laura Stoutenburg (left) delivers training sessions and services to support faculty members like Rajul Singh (centre) and Katrina Sparks.
The next generation of professionals Conestoga has seen substantial growth over the last few years, investing in expanded facilities, programming and human resources that provide broader access to education and training. Part of that investment includes the development of talent to sustain innovation and growth. Katrina Sparks is a part-time faculty member in Conestoga’s School of Community Services. She has worked in mental health care since graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Waterloo in 2006. With more than 10 years at the Canadian Mental Health Association behind her, Sparks decided to give back to the field in 2018 by helping train the next generation. “My entire experience with the college so far has made me feel valuable,” said Sparks. “I feel that my skills and experience in the field are seen as an asset, that the time spent on my training and development means I am worth being invested in, and the welcoming and supportive environment created by my colleagues has made me feel connected to the college community.” It is a combination that set her up for success and gave her confidence in her ability to teach. The services provided through Teaching & Learning are designed to support students by investing in faculty, enabling the college to grow in a way that meets quality objectives. “We can confidently tell faculty that from the time they are hired to their retirement, our team has something for them,” said Brillinger. “We are invested in their development.” For Sparks, seeing her students grow as they develop their skills and knowledge in the classroom is an indication that she is doing something right in training the next generation of mental health care professionals. “It means,” said Sparks, “that I have helped empower them to enter their communities and affect positive change.”
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Leaders in Teaching & Learning
FACULTY PROFILE - JUSTIN ST-MAURICE Dr. Justin St-Maurice is committed to laying a foundation for student success. As program coordinator of Conestoga’s Bachelor of Applied Health Information Science program, his contributions in the classroom, to the program, and throughout the community are exemplary to what makes Conestoga a leader in polytechnic education. St-Maurice joined the college in 2012 as a health informatics technologist. In 2014, he took on a full-time faculty role and hit the ground running. A recent PhD graduate in Systems Design Engineering from the University of Waterloo, St-Maurice plays an integral role in the development of new curriculum, serves as principal investigator for multiple projects at the college, and actively seeks to add to a robust network of strategic partnerships to enhance classroom learning. St-Maurice is helping prepare graduates for a number of in-demand careers in the health-care industry. Health information science uses technology and information data to make improvements.
“We’re training students to look at the big picture – to look at trends and data to find solutions to process issues.” - Justin St-Maurice
He explained it using the idea of waiting in an ER – it’s not a clinical issue. “You’re not waiting for four hours because the nurse has been working the entire time to put ten stitches in. It’s a workflow issue. It’s the way the ER is organized, it’s how patients are prioritized and triaged. So whereas we have a lot of great clinicians that we are training at the college, our program is unique in that we are focused on that big picture in trying to find ways to make processes more efficient.” A large part of that big-picture training is bringing the community and industry into the classroom. St-Maurice was instrumental in developing a public-private partnership with Guelph General Hospital, software company Information Builders and Conestoga. “We knew our students needed to learn about business intelligence,” said St-Maurice, “but didn’t necessarily have the latest skill sets and business cases within our team.” Through Information Builders, students are trained to use tools that provide business intelligence, analytics and data management solutions, which feeds into business cases shared by Guelph General Hospital to demonstrate the need they have for certain data.
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Colleagues and students alike echo sentiments of appreciation for St-Maurice’s innovative and engaging style, his genuine passion for teaching, and profound commitment to his students. As St-Maurice will tell you, however, being a distinguished teacher is not about being perfect – it is about evolving. It is a model of teaching excellence that champions innovation in education and research, serves community needs and priorities, and empowers individuals from all backgrounds to achieve their potential.
Recognizing contributions and leadership The Aubrey Hagar Distinguished Teaching Award recognizes a faculty member who has made an outstanding contribution to or has taken a leadership role in the teaching and learning process at Conestoga. Nominated by their students and peers, candidates are evaluated by a committee comprised of full-time faculty members based on the following criteria: Competence in learning design Innovation and creativity Integrity and professionalism Leadership in the promotion of quality in education Concern for and sensitivity towards students Actions as an ambassador for the college The integration of real-life learning into curriculum is critical for producing career-ready graduates who have the skills to meet today’s labour-market needs, address tomorrow’s challenges, and contribute to community prosperity.
“Our industry changes so quickly, that we really need to incorporate that real-world content into courses so that our graduates are prepared. It’s not something we can do without community partners and part-time faculty. Those perspectives are incredibly valuable and without them, I don’t think we’d be nearly as strong as we are as a program, or as a college.” - Justin St-Maurice St-Maurice has demonstrated a high degree of leadership in the promotion of quality education. In 2018, he was honoured with the Aubrey Hagar Distinguished Teaching award, joining an esteemed group built over a thirty-year tradition of recognizing and celebrating outstanding contribution to teaching and learning at Conestoga. The award is the college’s top honour for a faculty member.
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The award is named in honour of Aubrey Hagar, a respected teacher, mentor and innovator who fostered the pursuit of excellence in teaching and learning. He sat on the college’s first Board of Governors in 1967 and remained a distinguished member of the Conestoga community through his time as faculty and as a senior academic officer. Hagar played a key role in the development of programs in Conestoga’s early days, establishing innovative approaches to ensure curriculum remained current and provided students with the skills and knowledge employers required. He mentored instructors – practitioners in their fields – to develop their teaching skills so that real-world experience could be effectively translated to the classroom. He also championed student success, understanding that a college’s job is to prepare students for successful careers. The Aubrey Hagar Distinguished Teaching Award has been presented more than 30 times since its establishment in 1988. It includes an inscribed and framed College Coat of Arms, a specially designed gold liripipe, and a professional development bursary.
5,000 + More than 5,000 Ontario businesses are owned by Conestoga graduates
$2.3B
Graduates contribute more than $2.3 billion to the local economy each year
Awards INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR PROGRAM EXCELLENCE Conestoga is committed to excellence and continuous improvement in programming and services. A comprehensive suite of quality assurance measures and processes used across the institution guide program development and review, providing ongoing opportunities to assess and enhance program quality to improve student outcomes.
That commitment is at the foundation of Conestoga’s vision for polytechnic education, helping to ensure that graduates have the skills and knowledge they need for career and life success.
Award recipients were determined by an international panel of judges. Sacha Burrows, Conestoga’s manager of degree quality, accepted the award on January 31 at CIQG’s annual meeting in Washington, D.C. In addition to Conestoga, Western Governors University, based in Salt Lake City, Utah, was also recognized for its commitment to advancing higher education quality.
Sacha Burrows (centre) accepts the CIQG Quality Award on behalf of Conestoga.
Earlier this year, the college received international recognition for its commitment to quality, being named as a recipient of the first-ever CIQG Quality Award presented by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation’s International Quality Group. The award recognizes outstanding performance in meeting international quality principles. CIQG officials describe it as “a celebration of good practice and a demonstration of the major stake higher education providers have in improving quality around the world.” CONNECTIONS 25
ADDRESSIN G REA L-WOR LD C H A LLE N G E S
RESEARCH PROFILE
BUILDING A PRODUCTIVE AND SUSTAINABLE WORKFORCE Each year, thousands of newly minted college graduates cross convocation stages, proudly receive congratulations from faculty, family and friends, and prepare to enter or return to the workforce. They are confident that the skills and knowledge they’ve worked so hard to attain have positioned them well for successful careers and futures. That confidence is well-placed.
Ontario college graduates have an enviable record of employment achievement. Almost 86 per cent of new graduates last year attained work within six months of completing their studies: for new Conestoga graduates, the employment rate exceeded 89 per cent. But for many individuals, the path through a successful career and into a happy and healthy retirement is interrupted by work-related injuries and disabilities that impede full participation in the workforce and detract from the quality of life they had envisioned.
More than 6.2 million individuals in Canada suffer from disabilities that limit their ability to participate in the workforce.
In Canada alone, an estimated 20 per cent of adults – more than 6.2 million individuals – suffer from disabilities that limit their ability to participate in the workforce. The costs of disability take a staggering toll on workers and their families, as well as on employers and taxpayers. Analysts suggest that the total economic burden resulting from musculoskeletal disorders and mental health conditions exceeds $75 billion in Canada each year: almost $20 billion of that total results from productivity losses. A new applied research institute recently launched at Conestoga is committed to reducing the social and economic costs of workforce disability and positioning Canada as a global leader in workplace health and safety that will protect workers while empowering businesses to adapt and thrive in an increasingly competitive economy. The Canadian Institute for Safety, Wellness and Performance is based in Conestoga’s School of Business, but is truly global in perspective, working in collaboration with an extensive network of partners and stakeholders across the college, throughout Canada and around the world. The centre is led by Dr. Amin Yazdani, who holds a PhD in Kinesiology (Work and Health) from the University of Waterloo, and joined Conestoga in 2015 as a faculty member and later as coordinator for the college’s Occupational Health, Safety and Wellness graduate certificate program. He continues to serve as an adjunct faculty member at both the University of Waterloo and McMaster University, and was recently named as the 2018 recipient of the Young Leader Award by the Standards Council of Canada for his extensive research focused on innovative approaches to improving workplace health and safety through standardization. His leadership has resulted in the development of a number of Canadian standards aimed to optimize work and health.
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Mental illness affects 1 in 5 individuals in Canada each year and is the leading cause of disability.
“Much needs to be done in terms of developing policies, practices and resources to make sure that workers are protected and that businesses can perform and stay competitive in the global economy.” Dr. Yazdani’s interest in improving workforce productivity and sustainability through innovative health and safety strategies dates back to his days as a practitioner in the field, when he recognized how often people’s expectations for productive careers followed by transition into a healthy retirement were overturned by injuries, illnesses or disabilities. “I realized that much needs to be done in terms of developing policies, practices and resources to make sure that workers are protected and that businesses can perform and stay competitive in the global economy,” Yazdani said.
“The new institute will focus not only on innovative, transdisciplinary research, but also on transferring that knowledge into practice and training the next generation of leaders to integrate injury and disability prevention into productive and sustainable business models.” - Amin Yazdani
The institute will embrace a range of overarching research themes, from reducing the risk of the musculoskeletal disorders that account for more than 44 per cent of all lost-time work days in Ontario, to identifying effective strategies for the prevention, early detection, intervention and management of mental illness, now the leading cause of disability in Canada. One area of particular focus is protecting the safety and well-being of first responders. More than 50 per cent of Canada’s paramedics suffer from musculoskeletal disorders and injuries that often result from the challenges associated with patient handling, care and transport. With support from Defence Research Development Canada, the institute is collaborating with organizations across the country for the development of a series of standards to improve the safety, wellness and performance of paramedics. First responders are also at high risk of suffering from post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI) as well as fatigue. The institute’s leadership in developing national, evidence-informed standards to manage those risks will further prevent workplace disabilities and provide an added measure of safety not just for emergency personnel, but also for all of those who depend on first responders in emergency situations. CONNECTIONS 27
Although the projects are focused on the development of national standards for Canada, they have attracted substantial attention from researchers and policy makers in Europe as well. Dr. Yazdani is now focused on building a research team to develop the Canadian Institute for Safety, Wellness and Performance as an international leader in both research and education for productive and sustainable work. Two research scientists with ergonomics and public health experience have been hired to date, and the team is expected to grow further. It’s an ambitious vision, but clearly one that is already on its way to being realized. In the summer of 2019 alone, Yazdani travelled to Italy, Denmark and Belgium as well as across Canada to present his research findings at a number of national and international scientific conferences and meetings. And while he may no longer have day-to-day responsibilities in the classroom, Yazdani will continue to contribute to the education and development of Conestoga students, providing student research opportunities, maintaining connections with the Occupational Health and Safety grad certificate program, and integrating new research findings into curriculum development. For Gary Hallam, executive dean of the School of Business, the new institute is a microcosm of Conestoga itself, with a strongly applied focus on improving the workforce and increasing business productivity to build stronger, more prosperous communities.
“In addition to the moral and ethical imperative around protecting and supporting individuals in the workplace, there’s also a tremendous productivity incentive for reducing workforce disabilities.” - Gary Hallam Amin Yazdani and his team are focused on new research that will protect individuals and enhance workplace productivity.
“For all types of businesses, as well as for government, the financial impact resulting from injuries and disabilities is staggering,” Hallam continued. “Reducing those costs through improved health and safety standards will provide a long-term boost to our economic competitiveness.” Conestoga is currently developing a series of online courses and microcredentials to increase access to occupational health and safety training for businesses and individuals across Canada and beyond.
The Canadian Institute for Safety, Wellness and Performance will focus on SEVEN overarching research themes:
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1 Knowledge Transfer and Exchange 2 Musculoskeletal Health 3 Mental Health and Wellness 4 Organizational Management Systems 5 disAbility and Employment 6 Changing Work and Workforce 7 Designing Work, Products and Environments
Priority Research Areas Conestoga’s Applied Research Strategic Plan for 2019-2021 identifies 10 priority areas for applied research and innovation. They include: Information and Communications Technology
Cybersecurity Smart Manufacturing & Digital Innovation Technology for Sustainable Living Healthy Communities Seniors Care Workplace Health & Safety Supply Chain Excellence Food Innovation & Technology Indigenous Initiatives
ADDRESSING REAL-WORLD CHALLENGES:
DELIVERING SOLUTIONS THROUGH APPLIED RESEARCH
Working in close collaboration with industry and community partners is a hallmark of polytechnic education. These partners play a significant role in the quality of Conestoga’s programming and graduates by contributing their expertise to program development and review processes as well as providing co-op and experiential learning opportunities that prepare students for success in a rapidly evolving workforce. The college’s growing emphasis on applied research adds an extra dimension to this long-established collaboration as well, addressing innovation needs, providing solutions to real-world challenges and serving as an important vehicle for economic development here in our region and across Canada.
“The world today and in the future is increasingly an electronic one.” - Barbara Fennessy
A new Conestoga facility opened in June 2018 has provided a major boost to the college’s research capacity, supporting innovation in Smart Manufacturing and Advanced Recycling Technologies that will improve effectiveness and efficiencies in manufacturing while contributing to increased sustainability through a focus on lifecycle technologies. Located at 96 Grand Avenue South in Cambridge’s Gaslight District, the facility was developed with support provided by the City of Cambridge as well as HIP Developments. It also hosts Conestoga’s Applied Research and Innovation (CARI) office, the team that provides services, administration and support for applied research activities across the college. Additional services in the repurposed 19th century industrial building include Grand Innovations, a new business incubator centre, as well as Invest Cambridge, the city’s economic development group, and a number of other partners who will work in collaboration to support business development from startup through growth stages.
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Designing for sustainability Manufacturing continues to be the single largest industry sector in Waterloo Region’s diverse economy, accounting for close to 18 per cent of all local employment. As Dr. Barbara Fennessy, Conestoga’s vice president of Applied Research, points out, new technologies and digital innovation are changing the very nature of the sector, bringing with them not only new opportunities and efficiencies, but also new challenges. “The world today and in the future is increasingly an electronic one,” Fennessy said. “It’s much more than just computers and cell phones. As we bring in new technologies such as automation and robotics, artificial intelligence, and other digital innovations, there are simply more electronics in the world.”
“As manufacturers and consumers alike enjoy the many advantages that digital innovation brings, we also need to consider how to deal with the unintended consequence, which is electronic waste.” - Barbara Fennessy According to a 2018 report from the Earth Institute at Columbia University, the world’s population created 49 million tons of electronic waste (discarded computers, cell phones, printers, televisions, microwaves, smoke alarms, and other electronic equipment and parts) in 2016. That total is expected to increase to more than 60 million tons by 2021. Much of it ends up in landfills: estimates indicate that less than 20 per cent is properly recycled. With support of federal and provincial research grants, Conestoga is combining established applied research strengths in next-generation manufacturing and e-waste recycling for the creation of the SMART (Smart Manufacturing and Advanced Recycling Technologies) Centre to be located at the research hub in Cambridge. By Fall 2019, the new centre will include a unique, fully functioning Waste Electrical and Electronic Recycling pilot plant that will use advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning to provide new solutions for dismantling electronics, removing plastics, recovering precious or rare earth metals for re-use, and making recycling economically feasible. The pilot plant is the latest extension of the work by Dr. Hamid Karbasi, Conestoga’s NSERC Industrial Research Chair for Colleges in Advanced Recycling Technologies for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). Bringing advanced manufacturing and e-waste recycling under a single umbrella through the SMART Centre will provide Conestoga with unique capacity to address the growing concerns of industry, governments and communities related to sustainability. It’s somewhat familiar territory for Dr. Stephen Cross, who assumed his role as director of Applied Research at Conestoga in November 2018. A world-class researcher in his own right, Cross has served as NSERC Industrial Research Chair for Colleges in Sustainable Aquaculture since 2012, developing collaborative projects to support an environmentally and socio-economically sustainable coastal aquaculture sector through his work at North Island College in British Columbia. “A dedicated facility that houses both the smart manufacturing side and the smart de-manufacturing side provides us with a great opportunity to specialize in full lifecycle technologies,” Cross explained. “By exploring how to build new electronic devices that can easily be demanufactured at the end of their lifecycle, we can support manufacturers in their efforts to be more sustainable.” Cross points out that industry garners direct benefits from recycling: companies can re-use or sell materials recovered through the recycling process, improving profitability and reducing reliance on external suppliers. The challenge to date has been making recycling economically viable, something that may be addressed in part through sustainable design, working with manufacturers from the beginning of the product lifecycle to integrate considerations for end-of-life de-manufacturing and recycling. 30 CONNECTIONS
“ The WEEE pilot plant will provide us with essential capacity to recover rare earth
elements that are vital for building new
electronic products and equipment as well
as for renewable energy technologies such
as solar panels, electric cars and windmills.” - Hamid Karbasi
“Really great innovations often happen at the intersection of disciplines. Here, we’re working at the intersection of environmental management and advanced manufacturing, predominantly engineering and IT technologies, as well as the software development to support an expanded and integrated set of activities.” - Barbara Fennessy Conestoga and partners at 96 Grand will host an opening celebration in Winter 2020 to showcase the new facility.
Building research capacity The SMART Centre in Cambridge may be Conestoga’s newest standalone research facility, but applied research across the college has expanded exponentially in recent years, with a strong focus on inter- and transdisciplinary activities. “We’ve really ramped up,” Fennessy explained. “We’ve expanded our team and created a focus on centres across the college. Research touches every school and academic area, from seniors care in Health & Life Sciences and mental health in Community Services to occupational health and safety and a whole range of engineering activities to support local industry needs.” “We are tremendously fortunate to have outstanding industry and community partners, who are themselves leaders in the field, to provide support for our applied research activities,” she continued. In Fennessy’s view, applied research is a core component of Conestoga’s polytechnic mandate.
“Conestoga is one of the region’s most important contributors of innovation as well as talent,” she said. “Through applied research, we contribute very significantly to solving industry challenges, and serve as an important vehicle for economic development across our region and beyond.” More than 3,600 students and close to 270 faculty members were engaged in applied research activities at Conestoga over the last year. In addition to industry partners, the college also receives funding through agencies such as the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), and the Ontario Research Fund (ORF). In addition, the college collaborates with the Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) and is a member of the Southern Ontario Network for Advanced Manufacturing Innovation (SONAMI) funded by FedDev Ontario. The college’s extensive applied research activity, which attracts approximately $10 million in funding each year, has earned Conestoga a ranking among Canada’s top 25 research colleges. There are a myriad of other benefits as well. Industry benefits through the development of new products and processes that help keep them competitive in the global market. Through participation in applied research, faculty members remain engaged in learning about new developments in their fields, which helps keep programs aligned with industry needs now and into the future. Students benefit through real-life learning opportunities and connections with industry that support their future success. The college benefits as well, through the enhanced reputation that results from the quality research undertaken to support industry needs. For more information about applied research at Conestoga, visit www.conestogac.on.ca/research
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Over the last year, in partnership with Blackstone Energy Services, the college installed a 500 kW solar photovoltaic system at the Cambridge campus that will generate close to 800 MWh of clean power each year, reducing demand and emissions from Ontario’s natural gas-fired power plants. The project was completed with funding provided by Ontario’s Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.
Moving to net zero
SOLUTIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH
The solar project powers a 225 tonne ground-source geothermal heat pump that replaces traditional heating and cooling equipment such as gas-fired boilers, hot water heating systems, chillers and cooling towers.
The result: a 90 per cent reduction of GHG at the campus, which represents 390 tonnes of GHG emissions annually, the equivalent of removing nearly 100 cars from the road. A recent major expansion at the Waterloo campus included the installation of solar photovoltaic cells as well as chilled water storage, low-flow water fixtures, LED lighting and demand controlled lighting, among other features. Combined, they will achieve 50 per cent more energy efficiency than levels proposed in the model national energy code.
Across Canada and around the world, political leaders, research scientists and advocacy groups continue to debate the best approaches for addressing the critical issue of climate change. But whether it’s best achieved through taxation or incentive programs, taking proactive measures to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is widely accepted as the best approach for reducing the impacts of climate change for a greener, more sustainable future. At Conestoga, sustainability concerns are embedded in a wide range of programs, from Construction Engineering Technology and Project & Facility Management to Interior Design and Sustainable Business Management. These programs are preparing students not only to address current and emerging workforce needs, but also to be contributors to advancing sustainability within their future workplaces. Developing technology for a sustainable future is also among the college’s top applied research priorities, with a particular focus on advanced recycling for waste electronics. Given the strong focus on sustainability and reduced emissions in classrooms and laboratories, it comes as little surprise that the college also walks its talk, placing environmental sustainability at the forefront of both new development projects and ongoing operations. Conestoga took a major step forward with the construction of the Engineering & Technology campus in Cambridge, which was built with a focus on the sustainable use of energy and carbon. Opened in 2011, it was among the first post-secondary campuses in Ontario to be awarded LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver certification by the Canada Green Building Council. Since that time, Conestoga has continued to enhance sustainability features across its growing network of campuses. 32 CONNECTIONS
A multi-million dollar renovation to the exterior façade of the Guelph campus, which included the installation of new windows, is also part of the college’s ongoing energy initiatives that will result in additional emissions reductions. According to Tony Sasso, who leads Utilities Sustainability & Facilities Information Systems at Conestoga, these projects place the college at the forefront in sustainability among the province’s colleges. Earlier this year, Conestoga also received a Community Environmental Fund Sustainability Grant from Waterloo Region to support the installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at the college’s Doon and Waterloo campuses. “The initial installations will serve as beta sites,” explained Sasso. “To signal our role as environmental leaders in the community, it’s our overall goal to have four electric vehicle charging stations at every campus so that we can serve current and future EV owners.” While large-scale renovations and sustainability projects unfold across Conestoga’s network of campuses, efforts are also underway within the college community to engage employees and students in waste diversion. Rachel Lowe, recently hired as the college’s first full-time sustainability coordinator, is undertaking waste audits at all campuses, and will develop goals to increase the college’s waste diversion numbers in the future. She will also support Conestoga’s future participation in Sustainability Waterloo Region’s annual Carbon Cleanse Challenge — a series of sustainability challenges that follow weekly themes around heating, electricity, waste and commuting. For more information about sustainability initiatives at Conestoga, visit www.conestogac.on.ca/facilities-management/sustainability
CELEBRATING OUTSTANDING GRADUATES
Two Conestoga alumni joined the ranks of Ontario’s most distinguished college graduates in November 2018, when they were named recipients of Premier’s Awards. Established in 1992, the awards recognize the tremendous contribution that Ontario’s college graduates make here in the province and throughout the world. Selected by an independent panel of judges from nominations submitted by Ontario’s 24 public colleges, award recipients have demonstrated outstanding success related to their college experience and have made significant contributions to their communities.
Apprenticeship Award
Recent Graduate Award
Don Gosen
Allie Libertini
Don Gosen has been described as the Ontario apprenticeship program’s biggest champion.
Even among the outstanding graduates of a unique program for students with learning challenges and exceptionalities, Allie Libertini stands out.
Throughout his career, he has worked to strengthen the system by fostering collaborations, promoting pathways and mentoring students.
A world-leading Nordic skier, she represented Canada at the 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Austria, earning two silver medals.
As chair of the Ontario College of Trades (OCoT) and director of the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum, Gosen worked to bridge communication and strengthen ties between OCoT and government, union and non-union organizations, and employers and students.
An advocate of healthy living, Libertini volunteers at a community kitchen and works as an assistant server and member of the food prep team at a local restaurant. She was also instrumental in recruiting young women to her gym’s first inclusive women’s program, where she remains a leader and role model to many.
Air and Water Resources Technology – 1974; Electrical Apprentice – 1980
He sponsored more than 70 apprentices over his four decades as president of Gosen Electric Ltd. before ceding the company to three of his former trainees. Since returning to Conestoga as an instructor, Gosen has impacted more than 200 students in the Electrical Apprenticeship program. Prior to being named as the first-ever Premier’s Awards recipient in the Apprenticeship category, Gosen received the Minister’s Award for Apprenticeship Training (2007), an Award of Excellence from the Waterloo Region Board of Education (2009) and Conestoga’s Alumni of Distinction award (2009).
Community Integration through Co-operative Education – 2017
As a valued ambassador of Conestoga and her program, Libertini was also named among Conestoga’s 2017 Alumni of Distinction award recipients in recognition of her achievements and contributions to the community. In addition to Don Gosen and Allie Libertini, a number of other Conestoga graduates have been honoured with Premier’s Awards in recognition of their achievements: Tahani Aburaneh (Business Administration — Management Studies, 1987) – Premier’s Award for Business, 2013 Chameli Naraine (Business Administration – Materials Management, 1983) – Premier’s Award for Business, 2012 Marianne Walker (Nursing, 1977) – Premier’s Award for Health Sciences, 2015 CONNECTIONS 33
CELEBRATING OUR EMPLOYEE TEAM The dedication and commitment of Conestoga employees makes a tremendous difference in the lives and futures of our students, and contributes directly to the well-being and prosperity of our broader community. Conestoga students come to us from highly diverse backgrounds and experiences – from recent high school graduates to post-secondary degree holders to mid-life career changers. They include new Canadians and those who have travelled across the world for the opportunity to live and learn here in our region, as well as those who have always called our community home. What they share, however, is the desire to succeed and the willingness to work hard to achieve their dreams. Together, we are championing innovation in education and research, serving community needs and priorities, and empowering individuals from all backgrounds to achieve their potential.
Guild Reception In January, the Conestoga community recognized college employees who had recently achieved milestone anniversaries at the college – 10 to 40 years of service, as well as those who had retired. Together, the 275 honourees contributed more than 4,000 years of service.
United Way Campaign Conestoga is committed to serving the whole community and recognizes that there are many people in the region who need some support and assistance. In November, the college community raised more than $39,000 to support United Way to assist the most vulnerable members of our society and help build a stronger, more vibrant community for everyone.
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+VG Architects (The Ventin Group) · 31st Line Strategic Communications · 3M Canada Company · ABA Architects · ABB · Abbey Packaging Equipment · Abell Pest Control · ABEX - Affiliated Brokers Exchange · Academy Construction 1996 · ACCO Group · Accucaps Industries · ACL Steel · Advance Construction Equipment · Advanced Motion & Controls · Adventureworks Associates · AECOM · Affiliated Services for Children and Youth · Agfa HealthCare · Agropur · Aids Committee of Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo · Air Canada · Air Liquide Canada · Air Transport Association of Canada · Alder Construction Group · Alectra Utilities · Algoma District Services Administration Board · ALIGNED Insurance · Allensen Interiors & Associates · Allianz Global Assistance · ALS Consulting · ALS Environmental · Altruck International Truck Centres · Ample Organics · Anishnabeg Outreach Employment & Training · Answer Precision Tool · Apex Cycle Sports · Apple · Aramark Canada · Arcadian Projects · Ardee Consulting · Arnold Hearing Centres · Artemis Canada · Artistrhe Beauty Studio · Arvizio · Association Francophone de Kitchener Waterloo · Association of Hearing Instrument Practitioners of Ontario · Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario · ATS Automation Tooling Systems · Auditorium Neighbourhood Association · Avon Maitland District School Board · Avvia Renewable Energy · Awmac · Aztec Electrical Supply · Babcock & Wilcox · Back Works Spinal and Sports Rehabilitation · Baldor Electric Canada · Ball Construction · Ball Service Group · ballyhoo media · Barber-Collins Security Services · Barnswallow Place · Barrick Gold Corporation · Bauhaus Window Coverings · Bayshore Health Care · BDO Canada LLP · Bell Media - CTV Calgary · Belle Aura Natural Skin & Body · Bender Construction · Bentall Kennedy · Bernafon Canada · Beyond The Stage Homes · Bingemans · Bird Packaging · BlackBerry · Blue Coat Systems · Blue North Strategies · Bluewater Power Distribution Corporation · Bluewater Wood Alliance · Blum Canada · BMO Nesbitt Burns · Bob McIver · Bolton Railings · Bombardier · Boreal Solar · Bowman Precision Tooling · Brantford General Hospital · Brantford Probation & Parole Services · Brian Kurtz Trucking · Britman Electrical, Safety & Controls Products · Britton Auto Parts Guelph · Burlington Cycle · Burlington Hydro · Business Centre Guelph Wellington · BWX Technologies · Cabinet Effects · Cachet Cleantech · Cambridge Central Ambulance Communications Centre · Cambridge Country Manor · Cambridge Fire Department · Cambridge Memorial Hospital · Cambridge Rigging Central Limited · Cambridge Self-Help Food Bank · Cambridge Solutions · Camcor Manufacturing · Camilla House · Campana Systems · Camtac Manufacturing · Canada Post · Canadian Association of Equipment Dealers · Canadian Food Inspection Agency · Canadian General Tower · Canadian Health Information Management Association · Canadian Hearing Society - Waterloo Region · Canem Systems · Capital Paving · Capone’s Beer and Wine · Cardinal Fine Cabinetry · Cardy Winters & Simon, Chartered Professional Accountants · CarePartners · Caressant Care Nursing and Retirement Homes · CargoJet Airways · Carrier Centres · Car-San Manufacturing · Carter Design · Centre for Family Medicine Family Health Team · Centre for International Governance Innovation · Centre Wellington Hydro · Challenger Motor Freight · Canadian Home & Renovation Team · Chartwell Retirement Residences · Chase Project Management Done Right · Chicopee Ski Club · Chippewas of Rama First Nation Education Services · Christie Digital Systems · CIB Health Centre · CIBC · City of Brampton · City of Brantford Fire Department · City of Cambridge · City of Cambridge Fire Department · City of Guelph · City of Kitchener · City of Mississauga · City of Stratford · City of Toronto · City of Waterloo · CJ Equestrian · Clair Hills Retirement Community · Clearpath Robotics · Closing the Gap Healthcare Group · CMHA Grand River Branch · CMT Engineering · Cober Solutions · Coco Paving · Codesyne -Integrated Technology · Cohen Highley LLP · Collaborative Structures Limited · College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario · Colt Canada Corporation · COM DEV · Communitech · Community Car Share · Community Care Access Centre of Waterloo Region · Community Employment Choices · Community Justice Initiatives · Community Living Guelph Wellington · Community Support Connections - Meals on Wheels and More · Conestoga Meat Packers · Conestogo Mechanical · Conservation Halton · Convex Studio · Cooper Standard Automotive · Correctional Service Canada · County of Brant · County of Brant Ambulance Service · County of Dufferin · County of Huron · County of Wellington - Ontario Works · Cox Construction · Crawford & Company (Canada) · Cross Heating & Air Conditioning · CTV Television · Culinary Adventure Co. · CWB Group Industry Services · Cycle Tech · D & D Automation · D’arcy Lane Institute of Massage · Dare Foods · Davis Design · DBD Construction & Renovations · DC Foods · Dean Lane Contractors · Deloitte LLP · Delta Air Systems · Dematic · Derek Whitney · Designs by Cate · DeZurik of Canada · DHL Supply Chain · Diemedic Tool & Machine · Dietitians of Canada · District of Timiskaming EMS · Division of University Advancement · Dome Productions · Domino’s Supply Chain Centre · Donald R. McNichol Consulting · Dr. S. R. Wlodarczyk · DrewBar Project Solutions · Drouillard Sambrook Kingston LLP · Dueck, Sauer, Jutzi & Noll LLP · Dural/ IFS Adhesives · E&R Schwarz Masonry · E.B. Cross & Company · Eastforest Homes · Eaton · Echosims · Eclipse Automation · Educare Preschool · Eestairs America · Efficiency Engineering · Egar Tool & Die · eHealth Centre of Excellence · Elemental Interior Design · EllisDon Corporation · Elmira District Community Living · Elmira Pet Products · Elmira Truck Service · Embody Health Centre · Engineer Your Brand · English at First (LINC) · Eramosa Engineering · Erb and Erb Insurance Brokers · Erie Innovation and Commercialization · Erie Meat Products · Erie St. Clair Local Health Integration Network · ERTH Power Corporation · Europro Real Estate · Euteneier Ludwig · Expressway Motors · Extend-A-Family · Faithlife Financial · Family & Children Services - Waterloo Region · Famme & Co · FANUC Robotics · Fashion History Museum · Fastenal · Fat Sparrow Group · Fermar Paving · Festival Hydro · Financly Bookkeeping Solutions · FinEx Group · FIO Automotive Canada · Fit Body Boot Camp · Flo Components · Flynn Canada · Fork And Cork Grill · Forterra Pipe & Precast · Forwell Materials · Four County Labour Market Planning Board · Franklin Empire · Frey Building Contractors · G Adventures · Galt Massage Therapy · Gateman Milloy · General Dynamics Land Systems - Canada · George and Asmussen Limited (GA Masonry) · GeoSmart Energy · Gerrie Electric · GHD · Giffen Lawyers LLP · GK Interior Solutions · Glen Dimplex Americas · Globe and Mail · Globus Family of Brands · Golden Triangle Roofing · Goliger’s TravelPlus · Google · Gore Mutual Insurance Company · Gosen Electric · Grand Erie District School Board · Grand River Conservation Authority · Grand River Foods (Waterloo) · Grand River Hospital · Grand River Transit · Great Canadian Coaches · Great Floors · Great Lakes Helicopter · Great-West Lifeco · Greg Vann Nissan · Greystone Design Group · Guelph Fire Department · Guelph General Hospital · Guelph Hydro Electric Systems · Guelph Police Service · Guelph Tool · Guelph Volkswagen · Guelph-Wellington EMS · Häfele Canada · Hall Labour Relations Services · Hallman Animation Studios · Halton Healthcare Services Corporation · Halton Hills Hydro · Halton Region Paramedic Services · Hamilton Family Health Team · Hamilton Health Sciences · Hamilton Wentworth District School Board · Hammond Power Solutions · Hartmann North America · HD Style Studio · Healing of the 7 Generations · Hear More Canada · Hearing Centre of Burlington · HearingLife Canada · Henley House and Moore Enterprises · Heritage Brick & Stone · Hewlett-Packard Canada · Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie · Highway Sterling Western Star · HL Staebler Company · HMA Equipment · Holcim (Canada) · HOMAG Canada · Home Depot of Canada · Home Hardware Stores · Homewood Health Centre · Honeypot Marketing · Honeywell · Hucker Floor Coverings · Hudson’s Bay Company · Husky Injection Molding Systems · Hydro One Networks · IBM Canada · IFAB Engineering Partners LP · Ignition · Image Air Charter · Immigrant Services Guelph Wellington · Imperial Roofing (Sarnia) Ltd. · Indspire · Industrial Cyber Sensing · Information Builders (Canada) · Inglis Cycle · Innovation Guelph · Innovative Steam Technologies · Inovata Foods · Insurance Institute of Ontario · Intelerad Medical Systems · Investors Group · ISARA Corporation · ITW Permatex Canada · J. Oulton and Associates · J. Weber Construction · JG Goetz Construction · Joe Johnson Equipment · John Howard Society · John Murphy · Jones Electric · Just Fix It · Karmax Heavy Stamping · KBH Interior Design · KD Enterprises · KeliRo · Kelly & Co · Kelly’s Cycle Centre · Kinbridge Community Association · Kit Care Corporation · Kitchener Public Library · Kitchener Waterloo Community Foundation · Kitchener Waterloo Multicultural Centre · Kitchener Wilmot Hydro · Knape & Vogt Waterloo · Komet of Canada · Konia Masonry Corporation · KPMG LLP · Krug Furniture · Kuntz Electroplating · K’ur Salon & Spa · KW Habilitation · KW Oktoberfest · KWA Partners Optimum Talent · L-3 Electronic System Services · Labstat International · Lakeland Power Distribution · Landlord and Tenant Board · Langdon Hall Country House Hotel and Spa · Langs Community Health Centre · Langs Farm Village Association · Lifeline Supply Co · Lignum Consulting · Linamar Corporation · Lisaard & Innisfree Hospice · ListenUP Canada · Little Mushroom Catering · Loblaw Companies · Logikor · London Health Sciences Centre · London Hydro · Lone Wolf Real Estate Technologies · LOT 42 · Lutherwood · M&M Food Market · Mad Hatter Technology . Madorin, Snyder LLP · Magna International · Magnet Forensics · Manulife Financial · Mapi Group · Maple Leaf Foods · Maplehurst Correctional Complex · Maplesoft · Martinek & Associates · Massilly North America · Maxxam Analytics · Mayhew Inc · Medavie EMS · Medtronic Canada · Melloul-Blamey Construction · Memory Tree Productions · Metrican International · Metrolinx · Microsoft Canada · Middlesex London Health Unit · Milkbag Games · Millwright Regional Council of Ontario · Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs · Ministry of Children and Youth Services · Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration · Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services · Ministry of Education · Ministry of Government & Consumer Services (Ontario Public Service) · Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care · Ministry of the Attorney General · Miracle Ear Canada · Mississauga Halton Local Health Integration Network · Modatek Systems – Milton · Monforte on Wellington · Moppet Preschool · Moser Landscape Group · Mozzaz Corporation · MTE Consultants · Multi Health Systems Inc · Nagami Custom Services Group · Nalco · Northern Digital · Neff Hearing · Nelco Mechanical · Neruda Arts · New World Friction · Newgrounds · New-Life Mills · Nextide · Niagara Peninsula Energy · Nipissing University · Nith Valley Construction · Norfolk County · North Dumfries Community Health Centre · North Inc · Northfield Racquet & Fitness Club · Norton Dental Guelph · Nortrax · Now and Always · NSF-Guelph Food Technology Centre · NXP Semiconductors · Ocular Health Centre · ODC Tooling & Molds · Office of MPP Catherine Fife · OK Tire & Auto Service · Omniweld Integrated Solutions · OneCare · Ontario Agri-Food Technologies · Ontario Association of Community Care Access Centres · Ontario College Application Centre · Ontario Co-operative Association · Ontario Drive & Gear · Ontario March of Dimes · Ontario Masonry Training Centre · Ontario Mutual Insurance Association · Ontario Power Generation · Ontario Provincial Police · Ontario Veterinary College · OpenText Corporation · Orangetheory Fitness · Organic Meadow · Ornge · Our Place Family Resource and Early Years Centre · Overlap Associates · Oxford County · Pano Cap Canada · Paquette Travers Law · ParaMed Home Health Care · Paramount Painting & Renovations · Parmalat Canada · Paul Davis Systems · Pay Equity Commission · Pearce Wellwood · Peel Plastic Products · Peel Regional Police · Penad Pension Services · Penske · PeopleCare · PepsiCo Foods Canada · Pfaff Automotive Partners · Pffaf BMW of Mississauga · Phonak Canada · Pigeon Brands · Pioneer Craftsmen · POINTTS · Pomerleau · Porter Airlines · Postmedia · Powerhouse Retail Services · Precision Resource Canada ·Premium HR Solutions · PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP · Pride Bodies · Process Advantage · Process Group · Progressive Machining · Project READ Literacy Network · ProResp · ProVantage Automation Corporation · Province of Ontario · Public Health Ontario · Pulsar Mechatronics · Q30 Design · Quadrus Investment Services · Quarry Integrated Communications · Radisson Hotel Kitchener · Rae & Lipskie Investment Counsel · Ramp Manufacturing Resource Group · Rampa Tec · Rebecca Sully · Region of Waterloo · Region of Waterloo - Public Health · Region of Waterloo - Sunnyside Home · Region of Waterloo Museums · Regional Municipality of York · Renison University College · RHI Canada · Riverbend Place Seniors Community · RLB Chartered Professional Accountants · Robert B. Somerville Co · Roberts Onsite · Robin Interiors · Rockwell Automation · Rogers Cable · Rogers Communications · Rombald Inc · Royal Canadian Mounted Police · Royal Containers · Royal LePage · Royce Ayr CuttingTools · RPNAO · RTBSoft · Russell Hendrix Foodservice Equipment · Ryder System · Ryder Transportation Services · S.G. Cunningham · Sanderson Harold Company · Sandra Bester · Sandvine · SAP Canada · Saturn Power · Savery Bell Masonry · Schaeffler Group-Canada · Schiedel Construction · Schlegel Villages · Schneider Electric Canada · Scotiabank · Scout Public Affairs · Short Cooling Solutions · Section Tourism Consulate General of Cuba in Toronto · Select Food Products · Semple Gooder Roofing · Seneca College · Shopify · Siemens Canada · Siemens Healthineers · Silo Wireless · Silver Cross · SiREM · Sivantos · Skyjack · SmithValeriote Law Firm LLP · Sobeys Pharmacy Group · Soprema · Sorbara Law · SOS Physiotherapy · Sound Choice · Southlake Regional Health Care · Spirax Sarco Canada · Spruce Lodge · St Louis Adult Learning Centre · St. George’s Centre for Adult ESL · St. Joseph’s Health Centre Toronto · St. Joseph’s Health Care London · St. Joseph’s Health Centre Guelph · St. Joseph’s Health Care Hamilton · St. Leonard’s Community Services · St. Mary’s General Hospital · St. Thomas Energy Services · Stackpole International · Stanley Black & Decker Canada · Stantec Consulting · Steed and Evans · Stelco · Stonequest · Strongco Equipment · Stryve Digital Marketing · Sun Life Financial · Sun Magic & Massage Magic · Sunbeam Residential Development Centre · Susan Harnock · Suzuki Canada · Synnex Canada · Systematix · TAB Software · Taurus Craco Woodworking Machinery · TD Wealth Financial Planning · Technical Standards and Safety Authority · TECO - Westinghouse Motors Canada · TELUS Health · Tennyson’s of Underwood · Tesla Motors · Centre for Skills Development & Training · Charcoal Group · College of Family Physicians of Canada · Co-operators · City of Brantford · County of Perth · Davies Company · Economical Insurance Group · Frugal Decorator · Holmes Group · Kitchener Soccer Club · Literacy Group · Mearie Group · Miller Group · Murray Group · Ostic Group · PharmaShoppe · Village of Winston Park · Walper Hotel · Wellington Health Care Alliance · Working Centre · Thermal-Tech Mechanical · Tigercat Industries · Tim Hortons · Tone-Gar Security Services · Toromont CAT · Toronto Public Health · Town of Tillsonburg · Township of Woolwich · Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada · Trade Force Tech · Trade-Mark Industrial · Tradewood Industries · TransCanada Energy · Trellis Mental Health & Developmental Services · Tri Fit · Trillium Automobile Dealers Association · Trillium Health Partners · Trinity Village Care Centre · TripSpark · Trylon · TW Properties · Two Wheel Motorsport · UA Local 527 & MCA Zone · Union Gas · Uni-Spray Systems · United Way of Cambridge and North Dumfries · Unitron Hearing · University of Guelph · University of Waterloo · UPM Raflatac · Upper Grand District School Board · Urban Machinery · UYJ Aviation Partner Jet · Van Holst Automotive · VCCS Employment Services · Veracity North · Veriform · VG Meats · Victorian Order of Nurses · Vidyard · Viessmann Manufacturing · Vigor Clean Tech · VitalAire Canada · VitalHub Corp · Voyageur Transportation Services · W2N2 Partnership · Wabash Canada · Wajax Industries · Walinga Inc · WalterFedy · Walters Inc · Waterloo Catholic District School Board · Waterloo Collegiate Institute · Waterloo North Hydro · Waterloo Professional Fire Fighters Association · Waterloo Region District School Board · Waterloo Region Homes for Mental Health · Waterloo Region Tourism Marketing Corporation · Waterloo Regional Museum · Waterloo Regional Police Service · Waterloo Sports Medicine Centre · Waterloo Wellington CCAC · Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre · Waterloo Wellington Local Health Integration Network · Watson Hearing Health · WEHL · Wellington Catholic District School Board · Wellington Terrace Long Term Care Home · Westmount Golf & Country Club · Wheels Training & Consulting · White Rose Farms · Whiteway Construction · Wilfrid Laurier University · Williamson Dickie Canada · WiseNow · Witzel Dyce Engineering · Wood Industry · Woodbine Entertainment Group · Woodstock Fire Department · Woodstock Physiotherapy Clinic · Workforce Planning Board of Waterloo Wellington Dufferin · Workplace Safety and Insurance Board · Wright Auto Sales · Yamaha Motor Canada · YMCAs of Cambridge & Kitchener-Waterloo · York University · Your Garage · Your Neighbourhood Credit Union · YWCA Cambridge · Zolarayz · +VG Architects · 31st Line Strategic Communications · 3M Canada
More than 1,000 industry and community leaders drawn from top businesses and organizations across our region and beyond contribute to the quality of Conestoga programs through their service on Program Advisory Committees.
Their expertise and insights keep our programs aligned to current and emerging needs, ensuring that Conestoga graduates will have the skills and knowledge they need to make a difference in their workplaces and their communities. Thank you for your continued support.
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CONNECTIONS Fall 2019 Produced by Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning All contents copyrighted. Any article, photograph or artwork may be reproduced only with written permission. Send editorial correspondence to: CONNECTIONS Corporate Communications Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning 299 Doon Valley Drive Kitchener, Ontario N2G 4M4 Email: communications@conestogac.on.ca