The Humber College research team led by Professor Timothy Wong in the Faculty of Applied Sciences & Technology has worked on a project that addresses an issue worsened by the pandemic: crowded washrooms. The research team sought to explore the question: How can users find out which washrooms have lower occupancy rates at a given time?

The project resulted in a design for a microcontroller-based counter that uses ultrasonic sensors to track washroom traffic. The project's objective is not to provide an absolute correct count but to reflect the current occupancy of all washrooms at Humber College and provide a means to direct washroom traffic across the many locations.  

“Smart washrooms” is an up-and-coming trend in custodial operations, and Humber research teams are continuing to work on developing appropriate solutions. 

Learn more about the project: Applied Research: Try, Try & Try Until You Succeed

On March 10, 2022, project partners from Canada and Kenya came together online to celebrate the close of the Kenya Education for Employment Program (KEFEP-02), a five-year, $1.7 million-dollar initiative funded by Global Affairs Canada, through Colleges and Institutes Canada. The partnership consisted of three National Kenyan Polytechnics and three Canadian institutions led by Humber College.

Since 2017, the project has developed new and innovative competency-based education and training (CBET) programs in key sectors of the Kenyan economy to increase employment and economic opportunities for youth. The Closing Forum reunited Humber's project participants, including Farzad Rayegani, Senior Dean of Humber's Faculty of Applied Sciences & Technology, and Kerry Johnson, Program Coordinator of Sustainable Energy and Building Technology Program. Their team supported the curriculum development process by providing technical training and advice on modern equipment that aligns with industry needs.

Keynote speaker Gina Antonacci, Senior Vice President, Academic, shared her experience providing training on institutionalizing a gender perspective in the structures and practices of the institutions, working alongside Nancy Simms, Director of Humber's Centre for Human Rights, Equity and Diversity.

Other significant contributors to the KEFEP-02 project include The Faculty of Liberal Arts and Sciences, The Faculty of Business, The Faculty of Media and Creative Arts and the Office and Research and Innovation. The past five years have been a transformative experience, empowering teachers, and students, connecting industry partners and collaborating for the future of TVET education.

View the Humber Today article for an in-depth look into KEFEP-02.

For more information on KEFEP-02, visit Humber IDI – Kenya Education for Employment Program.

I am pleased to introduce Tessa Soltendieck (she/her) to Humber as the new manager, Sustainability. 

Tessa has worked in sustainability for more than seven years, specializing in environmental education, communication, and engagement. Most recently, Tessa worked as the Community Engagement Manager for the Federal Climate Change Program at Environmental Defence Canada. Her work focused on empowering everyday Canadians to act on climate change through political advocacy.

Tessa received a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from McGill University, with a double-minor in Environment and Field Studies from the McGill School of Environment. She also holds a Master of Development Practice from the School of Environment, Enterprise & Development at the University of Waterloo.

As an experienced sustainability practitioner, Tessa will play a key role in developing the vision, framework and strategies that support our progressing understanding of environmental stewardship and continue our leadership in campus sustainability.

Tessa started the role on March 28. Whether in person or online, please join me in welcoming Tessa!

Lindsay Walker (she/her)
Associate Director, Sustainability

Humber College has a Professional Development Policy provision that awards scholarships to employees seeking to advance their education through discipline-specific post-secondary degrees, Master or Doctoral degrees at an accredited post-secondary institution. 

All full-time academic, support, and admin employees who have completed their probationary period are eligible to apply. Funding under this program is for tuition fees, for a maximum of four (4) years for each individual program up to a maximum of five thousand dollars ($5,000) per fiscal year. 

The application deadline is May 31, 2022. All full-time employees interested in applying can find more details on the application process and forms in the links below: 

• GAP Website 
• GAP Call for Applications  
• GAP Overview and Steps to Apply 

Questions? Please email us at oe@humber.ca.