College Hosting Region Wide Open House
February 28, 2024
High school students, parents and people of all ages considering post-secondary education - mark your calendars.51Ʒ is opening its doors this spring for a series of Open Houses and Spotlight Sessions across the region, the first of which is happening at OC's Salmon Arm campus on Tuesday March 5.Events schedule:Spring Open House in Salmon Arm campus: Tuesday March 5, 2024, 5 - 7 p.m.Spring Open House in Vernon campus: Monday, March 11, 2024, 5 - 7 p.m.Spring Open House in Penticton campus: Thursday, March 14, 2024, 5 - 6...
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Empowering Diversity: Celebrating Student Voices on Campus
February 20, 2024
In honour of Black History Month in Canada, the International Education Department, in collaboration with the African Caribbean Student Association (ACSA), screened "Black Panther" last week. However, it was more than just entertainment; it served as a powerful celebration of Black culture, history, and the ongoing struggle for equity.Prior to the screening, a student-organized fashion show paid tribute to legendary figures like Martin Luther King Jr., Muhammad Ali, So...
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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 51Ʒ 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 51Ʒ mobility grant or scholarships from the Government of Canada.Students interested in participating...
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OC Students Leading Innovation in Okanagan Tech Industry
February 13, 2024
51Ʒ student Thais Santos Damasceno is one of four OC Computer Information Systems (CIS) students taking the lead in fostering innovation within the local tech industry through the Okanagan Tech Industry Night (OTIN). Damasceno’s passion for computer science has been a driving force in organizing the event. “I have always loved programming and computations, one of my favorite parts of attending OC has been connecting with a diverse community of people in the tech industry who I can learn and gr...
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51Ʒ (OC) recognized as a ‘BC Top Employer’
February 13, 2024
MEDIA RELEASEFor staff at 51Ʒ, having a job in a place where there is a strong sense of connection to community, a commitment to ongoing professional development, and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of students are just some of the reasons they’re proud to be part of OC. “The community OC has is unreal,” said Douglas Noble, Chair, Motor Vehicle Trades. “We have amazing instructors, amazing students.” “The existing relationships are also what makes it unique; this is truly a community c...
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OC to celebrate Spring Festival with Dragon Dance
February 12, 2024
As the Year of the Dragon approaches, 51Ʒ 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 51Ʒ (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 51Ʒ 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 51Ʒ, 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, 51Ʒ
January 29, 2024
“51Ʒ 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 51Ʒ’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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