Oshawa and its education partners Durham College, Ontario Tech University, Trent University Durham GTA and the University of Toronto, Department of Civil and Mineral Engineering gathered yesterday at the TeachingCity Hub in downtown Oshawa to celebrate the five-year anniversary of the TeachingCity partnership and officially extend the collaboration.
Since the partnership began over five years ago, 1,711 students and 135 post-secondary faculty have worked with city staff on TeachingCity projects that cover topics including: diversity, equity and inclusion; storm water management ponds; virtual reality training and advanced navigation technology for firefighters; active transportation for an age-friendly community; engaging youth; supporting local culture and business; digital wayfinding; optimizing city operations routes; and corporate energy management planning, said a city statement.
The partnership has included 55 applied research projects and 52 courses, as well as 192 experiential learning opportunities where students have become part of team Oshawa through placements or practicums.
The TeachingCity Initiative is a strategic partnership of municipal government, city partners and academic institutions focused on studying and addressing urban issues in Oshawa through innovation, collaboration and shared experiential learning opportunities. The initiative launched in 2017 for a five-year period.
TeachingCity focus is on:
- Developing practical, scalable and sustainable solutions to urban issues;
- Building research partnerships;
- Coordinating experiential learning opportunities, applied research and innovative educational activities;
- Developing new technologies;
- Sharing access to facilities, resources and equipment; and,
- Becoming a recognized community of urban research and learning.
“On behalf of council and the great City of Oshawa, I thank our partners Durham College, Ontario Tech University, Trent University Durham GTA and the University of Toronto for their collaboration in this incredible TeachingCity partnership. Together, we are co-designing solutions and policy for the future of our city and better future for all,” said Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter. “Thank you to the faculty and post-secondary students for your innovative work and amazing contributions.”