Durham College Begins Academic Year With Welcome Events at Oshawa and Whitby Campuses

Durham College reported that thousands of new students arrived at its Oshawa and Whitby campuses during the week of August 29 for Academic Welcome, an event marking the start of the academic year. According to the college, the event included faculty-specific sessions and activities designed to introduce students to their academic programs and campus resources.

This event is significant for new and returning residents in the area, as it represents the beginning of the post-secondary academic term for many families within the community. For those with students attending Durham College, the event provides information on the type of support and activities available to new students.

According to Durham College, students met their program teams, connected with peers, and took part in sessions that included faculty welcomes, community-building activities, and prize draws. One of the prizes was a $2,000 tuition award provided by the Durham College Student Association.

Jacob DeJong, identified as a first-year Paramedic student, told the college, "I’m excited for everything, but especially about starting to learn the paramedic side of things. I’ve taken first aid and CPR courses, but now I’ll really see my future career coming into focus. I’m excited to watch it all come together."

Bothina Mohamad, an international student from Sudan entering the Dental Assisting program, told the college: "I’m not from Canada, I’ve never been here before. I researched schools in Canada, and Durham College seemed really interesting. The campus looked nice, the application process was easy, and every time I emailed, they replied quickly. It felt very supportive."

Christina Dixon, Manager of Student Development at Durham College, stated, “Orientation is a key milestone in a student’s transition to college. It helps them build a sense of belonging, confidence and connection before classes even begin. Academic Welcome introduces students to program information and campus resources, fosters community and creates opportunities to meet the peers, staff and faculty who will support their success.”

Durham College advised that student life events are scheduled to continue through September at both the Oshawa and Whitby campuses. Listed events include the Campus Cup, Whitby Block Party, Glowzone Headphone Disco, and outdoor movie nights.