Durham College reorganizes applied research, co-op and corporate training teams under new RITS unit

Durham College says it has brought together its applied research, institutional research, co-operative education and corporate training teams under a new name: Research, Innovation and Training Services (RITS). The college announced the change Sept. 21.

For residents and local employers who work with the college, the reorganization is intended to create one unit to handle applied research, training and co-op partnerships, according to Durham College.

In its announcement, the college said RITS combines Corporate Training Services with Durham College’s five research centres. Debbie McKee Demczyk, the college’s associate vice-president of innovation and research, said the unit brings together Corporate Training Services’ business development and relationship management with what she described as the technical expertise and research capacity of the research centres.

Durham College said RITS will focus on partnerships in several areas, including artificial intelligence, immersive simulations, defence, and the nuclear and energy sectors.

The college also said the unit is meant to support learning opportunities for students and employees and to connect organizations and communities with training, innovation and applied-research services.

Durham College operates campuses in Oshawa and Whitby.