Collaboration & Partnerships
Robocup Junior takes over Kelowna Campus
May 8, 2024
For August Beetlestone, a lead educator at the Okanagan Robotics Academy, seeing his students compete in Robocup is an incredible source of pride. Beetlestone’s students meet weekly to design, build and program robots while fostering lifelong friendships centred on a love of robotics, electronics and engineering. The Okanagan Robotics Academy brings educators together with a goal to enhance student experience in real-world robotics, electronics, and engineering through competition and&...
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OC Cultivates tasting and learning series highlights innovators in food, beverage and tourism
May 6, 2024
ʪƵ’s newest event series, OC Cultivates, returned for a second time last week, with tastes and conversations to savour.Thursday night's celebration explored the Okanagan’s unique and exciting food, beverage and tourism industries through a conversation with industry experts, along with delicious pairings from local producers and restaurants. The evening featured an on-stage panel, hosted by radio host Phil Johnson (AM1150), and including Audrey Surrao, co-owner of RauDZ Creative Concepts Restaurant Group; Tony Stewart, CE...
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ʪƵ opening residence early to support residents of Hadgraft Wilson Place
April 29, 2024
Members of the OC community worked hard over the past several days to make this positive news happen for some Kelowna residents displaced from their homes.Residents of Hadgraft Wilson Place will soon temporarily move into a new residence building at ʪƵ campus imminently. The Pathways Abilities Society is in the process of finalizing a lease with ʪƵ which will run until mid-August. “Our residents have become a tight-knit community in the past year and this opportunity allows them to maintain the support of t...
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Unleash your potential: ʪƵ invites community to "Try a Trade"
April 3, 2024
Are the trades for you? Have you ever felt the call of a different career path? Are you curious about trades but unsure where to start? Look no further! ʪƵ (OC), in partnership with the Canadian Home Builders’ Association – Central Okanagan (CHBA-CO), is thrilled to announce its upcoming "Try a Trade" event, inviting all eager learners and aspiring tradespeople to explore a world of possibilities on April 25 at OC’s Kelowna campus.“ʪƵ is pleased to partner with CHBA-CO to offer the Try a Trade event. This ev...
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Countdown is on for move-in to new student housing at ʪƵ
March 27, 2024
When the fall term starts in September, the number of students living on campus at ʪƵ in Kelowna will more than double.A new student housing building at the corner of K.L.O. Road and Campus West Road is still a few months away from being move-in-ready; however, OC is anticipating a construction-related milestone in the coming weeks, with the building nearing “substantial completion.”The six-storey building includes elements of mass timber and features unique design elements from two well-known Indigenous artists. It will add 2...
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Help us enhance the OC website and win OC merch!
March 13, 2024
College Relations has embarked on several web-related projects to enhance the student experience on the OC website, making access to our programming as easy as possible.We need the help of our OC community and we've got OC-branded draw prizes for your help!Take the OC website questionnaire and help us identify issues on the website so we can tackle them, supporting prospective and current students' journey on our website.Complete the questionnaire and provide your email at the end for a chance to win prizes, including newly branded and lega...
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OC students arrive in Indonesia for one-week exchange
February 20, 2024
As part of OC's Study Abroad Exchange program, ten ʪƵ students recently arrived in Indonesia for a one-week exchange. Students are from all campuses, except Revelstoke, and represent various programs. They will learn about SDGs and local initiatives at the Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology. All Canadian students received either an ʪƵ mobility grant or scholarships from the Government of Canada.Students interested in participating in an u...
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Free Early Childhood Education program offered in Salmon Arm
January 2, 2024
Flexible course delivery that includes online and in-person instruction and full tuition support will allow more people in the Salmon Arm-Shuswap to pursue education and training in early childhood education beginning this month. The Shuswap Children’s Association (SCA) and ʪƵ (OC) are launching a new intake of the Early Childhood Education (ECE) program at OC’s Salmon Arm campus, with classes beginning Jan. 8, 2024. Tuition is fully funded through the Government of Canada through the Canada-BC Workforce Development Agr...
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Westbank First Nation and ʪƵ sign updated MOU
October 30, 2023
ʪƵ and Westbank First Nation (WFN) have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding continuing a long partnership which aims to strengthen the recruitment, mentorship and retention of Syilx learners at ʪƵ. The MOU lays out the objectives and principles of a partnership that will help guide the College to embrace the spirit and intent of reconciliation and ensure culturally appropriate, meaningful, and quality education and skills training opportunities for WFN learners. Chief Robert Louie, Westbank Fir...
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Empowering Tomorrow: Rick and Yasmin Thorpe and Friends Scholarship Celebrates Future Leaders
October 4, 2023
The Rick and Yasmin Thorpe and Friends Scholarship continues to be a launchpad for South Okanagan high school graduates as they begin their educational journey at ʪƵ. This year, Mackenzie Lucier and Kendall Pennington from Princess Margaret Secondary, Eva Braam from Summerland Secondary and Ollie Jaques from Penticton Secondary have each been awarded $2,500. The scholarship annually champions students who combine academic achievement with community involvement. "These young individuals are ou...
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OneSky Community Resources receives funding to offer free tuition for new Early Childhood Education program at OC’s Penticton Campus
August 10, 2023
OneSky Community Resources, in collaboration with ʪƵ (OC) and the Government of British Columbia, is excited to announce a new Early Childhood Education (ECE) program featuring free tuition and a flexible delivery method for people living in the South Okanagan. The program is designed to help support the childcare industry in the South Okanagan with 15 seats in the free program which begins Aug. 26 at OC’s Penticton campus. Applicants must meet certain criteria to qualify for the funding. “We are thrilled to receive this gen...
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Nearly 30 courses at ʪƵ qualify for B.C. future skills grant toward tuition
July 6, 2023
A new grant offered by the B.C. Government can be used toward nearly 30 short-term skills training courses at ʪƵ this fall, expanding options for people who want to upgrade their skills, advance their careers and pursue in-demand jobs across the region. The $3,500 per person grant was announced earlier this year as part of the Province’s StrongerBC: Future Ready Action Plan, which invests $480 million into skills training and workforce development. "Every action we are taking is designed to build a better future for people...
Read more...Medicine wheel and traditional teachings inspire OC students preparing for the workplace
June 5, 2023
ʪƵ students preparing for careers as education assistants are benefiting from teaching that goes beyond what you learn from textbooks and in classrooms. Earlier this spring, a seminar led by Dodie Jones, a member of the Splatsin te Secwépemc, introduced students in the Certified Education Assistant Program in Salmon Arm to the medicine wheel, its significance and meaning. The workshop, titled Medicine Wheel and Traditional Teaching – Grounded in Culture, incorporated traditional teachings of the Secwépemc people and the teac...
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OC Associate Dean to join BC Chamber Board
June 2, 2023
Laura Thurnheer, Associate Dean, Okanagan School of Business, was sworn in at the BC Chamber AGM last week in Whistler. Thurnheer, Chamber President in 2007 who has remained an active Former President at the Chamber, was also named the Thompson Okanagan Representative on the BC Chamber Board. Dan Price, current Chair of the Kelowna Chamber Board expressed his pleasure at Thurnheer’s appointment. “I’ve appreciated getting to know Laura and have the greatest respect for her deep business knowledge, and ongoing involvement with all things bus...
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Recognizing extraordinary contributions: ʪƵ names Honorary Fellows for 2023
June 1, 2023
ʪƵ is bestowing its highest honour upon four esteemed residents this spring: Terry Flannigan, Dr. Silvina Mema, Michael Tindall, and Grant Stevens. These distinguished individuals have been selected as 2023 Honorary Fellows in recognition of their remarkable contributions to the fields of philanthropy, health care, community development, and aerospace. “As I reflect on the accomplishments of our honorees, I am struck by the transformative impact each has had on the community,” said ʪƵ President Dr. Neil Fassina....
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College honours Jim Hamilton with Distinguished Service Award
May 31, 2023
Despite retiring as president from ʪƵ in 2021, a role he held for 17 years, the impact Jim Hamilton had as a leader at OC and throughout the region continues to resonate for students, staff and in the community. In recognition of his service, OC will this year award him a Distinguished Service Award, which is presented to employees who have contributed in exemplary and significant ways to the College, and who are active in the broader OC community. “At the time of his retirement, Jim Hamilton was the longest-serving presiden...
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