TIMMINS, ON: Northern College has joined forces with Algoma University and Durham College to build a new online Bachelor of Computer Science bridging program. Funding totalling $307,735 for this project has been provided by eCampusOntario.

This program development is the first of its kind in Ontario. The program will create an online bridging program for students to ladder from Computer Engineering Technician diploma programs at Ontario Colleges to a Bachelor of Computer Science degree program. There is currently no fully online mechanism for learners to move between the college and university system seamlessly in this sector.

The fully online delivery of the program will remove geographical barriers to degree completion for students across the province, and in particular, for students from rural and remote communities in Northern Ontario for whom access is a challenge.

“We are very excited about this collaboration that will ensure quality, accessible education, through an innovative new program,” said Dr. Audrey J. Penner, Vice President, Academic and Student Success at Northern College. “The collaboration will build on knowledge and expertise developed within each of our institutions with regards to supporting under-served student populations by extending this support into an online forum.”

The bridging program will consist of six three-credit courses intended to be completed in two academic terms. To develop the bridging program, Northern College and Algoma University will both provide subject matter expertise in computer programming and online learning. Durham College will provide expertise in online design techniques and interactive multimedia.

“Collaborative efforts such as the on-line bridging program being funded by eCampusOntario builds upon the successful partnership Algoma University has developed with Northern College,” notes Dr. Richard McCutcheon, Academic Dean at Algoma University. “The opportunity to involve Durham College further enhances the possibilities provided by this initiative.”

“Durham College is very excited about collaborating with Northern College and Algoma University to develop this new online pathway to support student mobility and provide a route to degree completion,” said Dr. Elaine Popp, vice-president, Academic, Durham College. “The eCampusOntario funding will further strengthen the post-secondary landscape in Ontario.”

All graduates of Computer Engineering Technician diploma programs across the Ontario system who meet the admission requirements will be eligible for admission to the new online Bachelor of Computer Science bridging program. The first intake of students is expected in the fall of 2018.

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About eCampusOntario
eCampusOntario is a not-for-profit organization whose membership is composed of all publicly-funded colleges and universities in Ontario. Their mandate is to promote access, collaboration and innovation in online and technology-enabled learning to enhance the student experience, support faculty development and extend Ontario’s global reputation as a leader in teaching and learning through technology. To learn more about eCampusOntario, visit www.ecampusontario.ca.

About Northern College
Northern College offers over 75 full- and part-time post-secondary programs in the areas of Business and Office Administration, Community Services, Health Sciences and Emergency Services, Engineering Technology and Trades, Veterinary Sciences and Welding Engineering Technology. Northern has campuses in Haileybury, Kirkland Lake, Moosonee and Timmins, and is a leader in distance learning delivery.

About Algoma University
Algoma University was established in 1965 and is located in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Algoma University is a small, undergraduate, teaching focused university that places an emphasis on serving the needs of Northern Ontario. Algoma University offers a wide range of degrees spanning the liberal arts, sciences, and professional disciplines. As a partner with Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig, Algoma University has a special mission to cultivate cross-cultural learning between Aboriginal populations and other communities. Algoma University also offers satellite programming in Brampton and Timmins.

About Durham College
At Durham College (DC), the student experience comes first. With campuses in Oshawa and Whitby and a learning site in Pickering, the college offers more than 11,000 full-time post-secondary and apprenticeship students access to more than 140 full-time and eight apprenticeship programs in a number of different disciplines, enabling them to develop the skills required to meet the demands of today’s job market.
The Oshawa campus features the state-of-the art Student Services building and the college has recently broken ground on the Centre for Collaborative Education, a legacy project tied to DC’s 50th anniversary in 2017. The new facility will bring together local, Indigenous and global communities, providing a new home for several of the college’s most innovative and ground-breaking programs. The Whitby campus features the W. Galen Weston Centre for Food, which includes Bistro ’67, a full-service, teaching-inspired restaurant, and Pantry, a retail store featuring food prepared by students in the college’s culinary programs.

Media Contacts:

Northern College
Marketing and Communications Officer
705-235-3211 ext. 2276

Algoma University
Brent Krmpotich
Director of Marketing,
Communications and Student Recruitment
705-949-2301 ext. 4243
brent.krmpotich@algomau.ca

Durham College
Melissa McLean
Communications Officer
905.721.2000 ext. 2952
melissa.mclean@durhamcollege.ca