OC to celebrate Spring Festival with Dragon Dance
February 12, 2024
As the Year of the Dragon approaches, Okanagan College is gearing up for a vibrant celebration to ring in the Lunar New Year on Feb. 13 at the Kelowna campus. Ren Tianjiao, an international student from China, shared their excitement for the upcoming event, explaining that the Spring Festival at OC means an opportunity to share one of their cultural traditions with their friends and community. "The Spring Festival means the beginning of a new year, the best wishes for this coming year, and family reunion to me,” said...
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Serwa Spirit Match to raise $1M for Thrive Here campaign for a Recreation and Wellness Centre
February 7, 2024
Cliff Serwa describes himself and his wife Lois as just ‘ordinary people with a fair bit of determination working to make things happen.’ That may be true, but the results and impact of their determination on the community, the province and beyond are far reaching and forever lasting. And now they are leading the way to a better future for students at Okanagan College (OC).When approached to support the Thrive Here campaign to build a much-needed Recreation and Wellness Centre at the College’s Kelowna campus, not only did Cliff...
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Students celebrate Convocation and Commencement in emotional ceremonies at OC
January 29, 2024
As Okanagan College graduate Kimara DeJong stood in front of her peers, ready to begin a career in health care, she took a moment to mark the occasion with humour and grace, something that will serve her well as she embarks on her career. Kimara, who earned her Licensed Practical Nursing diploma, and nearly 300 students crossed the stage Saturday at Okanagan College, now graduated and ready to enter the workforce and make an impact on the world.“Remember, laughter still is and always will be the best medicine,” she told the ga...
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Statement attributed to Dr. Neil Fassina, President, Okanagan College
January 29, 2024
“Okanagan College is in strong support of the measures announced by the B.C. government this morning and appreciates Minister Robinson’s efforts to ensure international students have a positive experience in our province. Post-secondary institutions must be leaders in this space, unrelenting in our commitment to high quality education for all students. At OC, we are very much focused on helping B.C. attract the talent and skills we need in our labour market today, and going into the future.“Ethical recruitment, student support and f...
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New Touch Coffee machine brings Ukrainian coffee experience to OC’s Kelowna campus
January 18, 2024
When Eugene Pavlov and Yaroslav Khaynas came to Canada from Ukraine in November 2022, they didn’t know that they would later open a new coffee shop at Okanagan College’s Kelowna campus. Touch Coffee, an automated coffee machine, has been serving coffee to students, employees and visitors since last September, an idea that first sparked while the pair were studying in the classroom. “Our early days in Canada revolved around taking English courses, as we knew that mastering the language was crucial to realizing our dreams in this...
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Caring Canines to visit OC to boost student mental health
January 15, 2024
Meet Bella and Wilson, a pair of fun-loving dogs that will soon be the center of everyone’s attention at Okanagan College. Bella and Wilson are therapy dogs, and a regular part of the mental health supports that OC students receive. This week they will be at OC as part of the College’s efforts to support students with several initiatives taking place including the annual Bell Let’s Talk fundraising campaign, Jan. 24 “The therapy dogs are really amazing and provide our students with so much stress relief that it is re...
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OC business students ready to showcase their skills at international business competition
January 11, 2024
Nine Okanagan College School of Business students are preparing to compete at the 2024 Inter-Collegiate Business Competition (I.C.B.C). Hosted at Queen’s University in Kingston from January 12 to 14, the three-day event is Canada’s largest and longest-standing undergraduate case competition. Finance duo Manmeet Dhaliwal and Jonathan Van Dam, coached by faculty members Graham Moir and Mike Hazen, are among the group of OC students who will test their business ideas against peers from other post-secondary institutions. “...
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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 Okanagan College (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 Develop...
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Okanagan College provides golden opportunity for local seniors
December 20, 2023
Learning can be for everyone, and 67-year-old Okanagan College graduate Denise Dickson is living proof. At 67 years young, Denise's decision to pursue post-secondary education was motivated by a desire to stay mentally and socially active. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Denise felt the pinch of social isolation. Additionally, she wanted to upgrade her skills while enjoying the challenge of learning something new. "Learning keeps one younger. It keeps your mind active and engaged,” she said. “I’ve found formal learning has made my m...
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Okanagan College announces new chair, vice chair
December 19, 2023
Okanagan College (OC) is pleased to announce Dale Safinuk as the new chair of the Board of Governors, following an election at the Board’s December meeting. Safinuk, a retired financial services executive with TD Bank, was appointed by the province to the OC Board in 2019 and replaces outgoing chair Juliette Cunningham, a business owner and former Vernon city councillor, who was first elected chair in 2021. “OC’s commitment to students and to this region is unparalleled,” said Safinuk. “My heart is truly aligned to the College an...
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