Durham MPPs announce support for Virtual Learning at Durham College and Ontario Tech University
Province provides more access to on-line courses and retraining opportunities
BOWMANVILLE, ON—The Ontario Government is providing over $4 million in support of 12 innovative virtual learning projects at Durham College and 19 projects at Ontario Tech University. These project will help provide students with more choice and access to high-quality postsecondary education and retraining opportunities.
The projects are part of the province’s Virtual Learning Strategy announced last December and support key priority areas that include creating or adapting digital content, equipping faculty and students with skills and resources to teach and learn online and identifying educational technologies to support online courses and programs.
“By increasing virtual course offerings, we’re increasing flexibility for the next generation of workers, innovators, researchers, and leaders to develop the skills and training they need to succeed in their careers,” said Lindsey Park, MPP for Durham. “Some students are looking to access post-secondary learning right out of high school. Others are looking for training mid-career.”
Durham College will receive $1,560,350 in funding as the lead in 12 projects, some in collaboration with other institutions including Ontario Tech University. A new digital health technology management practice course at Durham College will create a common practice for health technology that will strengthen the capacity of staff, promote management of technology and will explore best technical supports for those in health services.
“By investing in new digital resources and supports the Government is providing post-secondary students with a revolutionized virtual learning experience,” said Lorne Coe, MPP for Whitby, and Chief Government Whip. “Ensuring the implementation of high-quality online programs will give our students more flexible access to the world-class learning available at our post-secondary institutions in the Region of Durham.”
Ontario Tech University will receive $2,451,004 in funding as the lead in 19 projects, some in collaboration with other institutions including Durham College. A new online course at Ontario Tech University will develop modules to explore the field of artificial
intelligence and its uses, to be used by secondary and post-secondary students, teachers, professors and others.
“Our government’s significant investment of over $3,000,000 in virtual learning strategy at both Durham College and The University of Ontario Institute of Technology will assist students learn and gain important skills,” said MPP Rod Phillips Ajax. “By gaining these important skills students will gain the tools to become leaders in their respective fields.”
“The Virtual Learning Strategy is aimed at creating a platform that will allow all post-secondary institutions like Durham College, Ontario Tech University and others to provide postsecondary students with more flexibility and access to high-quality education and retraining opportunities,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, MPP for Pickering- Uxbridge. “Ensuring that Durham Region’s postsecondary institutions offer responsive and flexible digital courses and programs will help students build the skills and competencies they need to be competitive in today’s economy.”
“Ensuring that Ontario’s postsecondary institutions offer responsive and flexible digital courses and programs will help students build the skills and competencies they need to be competitive in today’s economy,” said Ross Romano, Minister of Colleges and Universities. “Our Virtual Learning Strategy is aimed at creating a platform that will allow all post-secondary institutions to compete in the new and necessary environment of learning from home.”
Quotes:
“The eCampusOntario VLS funding allows Durham College to continue creating high-quality digital learning experiences for their students, including open-educational resources, simulators, courses, and micro-credentials. This provincial investment provides students with access to resources that are digital by design, allowing for flexible learning, anytime and anywhere. The number of funded projects received by DC is a recognition of the college as a leader in the space – contributing digital resources to the province’s higher education sector.” Elaine Poop, Executive Vice President, Academic, Durham College
“The Province’s investment in virtual learning and retraining opportunities allows Ontario Tech University to accelerate its transformation as a nimble university providing learning opportunities in the avenues of tomorrow. These new projects in priority areas such as data literacy, artificial intelligence and beyond speak to our university’s tech-with-a-conscience focus and unwavering commitment to job-centred learning. This announcement will help Ontario Tech develop new platforms to support more hybrid, online, and open educational choices for traditional and non-traditional learners.” -Dr. Steven Murphy, President and Vice-Chancellor, Ontario Tech University; and Co-Chair, eCampusOntario
Quick Facts:
- The province is investing more than $70 million to implement Ontario’s Virtual Learning Strategy, including $21.4 million announced in the 2021 Ontario Budget, Ontario’s Action Plan: Protecting People’s Health and Our Economy.
- The Ontario government is transforming virtual learning across the province by supporting nearly 400 innovative projects at colleges, universities and Indigenous Institutes.