It’s been a busy and successful 2023 for Humber College.
As Humber President and CEO Ann Marie Vaughan noted in her blog wishing the Humber community an enjoyable winter break, many projects were completed, initiatives undertaken, milestones achieved, and awards received.
With the new year almost upon us, here’s a look back on some of the memorable stories that happened at Humber in 2023.
SMART Lab Opens at Humber’s North Campus
Humber and Siemens Canada partnered to develop a Sustainable Microgrid and Renewable Technology (SMART) Lab that will be used to teach students about microgrids, which Faculty of Applied Sciences & Technology Associate Dean Shaun Ghafari has called the “future of power management.” The lab will also be used for future applied research projects and will allow Humber to offer micro-credentials in the field of microgrids and renewable energy.
How Humber is making a SWITCH to a greener future
This year, the launch of Project SWITCH was announced. The initiative will play a significant role as Humber works towards its goal of becoming net zero by 2050. Once operational, the project will result in a 70 per cent reduction in natural gas use at North Campus and a 40 per cent reduction in carbon emissions.
Humber community dons orange to support Indigenous community at the Walk for Reconciliation
The Humber College community marked the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation by gathering to raise funds and take part in the Walk for Reconciliation. It’s a day that was created to commemorate the tragic legacy of residential schools and their lasting impact on Indigenous peoples and communities to this day. Kaitlyn Nicole Chapman, Indigenous community engagement coordinator with Indigenous Education and Engagement, said the walk was to increase visibility and awareness around the issue while also supporting the College’s Reconciliation efforts.
Humber College hosts its first Drag Queen Story Hour
It was a historic moment for the College when Humber welcomed drag queens Lucy Flawless and Lucinda Miu to North Campus for its first Drag Queen Story Hour. The event proved to be a joyful and fun experience that showed the power of storytelling.
Humber students golden at Skills Canada
Electromechanical Engineer Technology students Paxton Coghlin and Dillon Kong captured gold in the Mechatronics (Team of 2) division along with the RBC Best of Region Award for Ontario at the Skills Canada National Competition. With the win, the two have qualified for the WorldSkills Competition, which is happening in Lyon, France in September 2024.
Humber earns gold rating with its best STARS score ever
Humber received a gold rating in the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) ranking. STARS is a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance and reports are done every three years. This year, Humber scored higher than it ever has with 79 points out of 100.
Humber’s technology is helping make a difference in alumna’s life
One of the most inspiring moments of the year came when Humber leveraged its 3D scanning and 3D printing technology to help an alumna who had been diagnosed with Lupus and was suffering from severe dexterity issues in her hands. The College was able to create hand and wrist braces for her at the Barrett Centre for Technology Innovation that have helped tremendously by improving functionality and reducing pain.
Humber College recognized as one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers for 2024
It came late in the year but the news was certainly welcome - Humber had been named one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers for 2024. The awards are the benchmark in the GTA for workplace best-practices. Over the past year, Humber undertook several significant business developments to strengthen its commitment to developing career-ready citizens, providing accessible education and building a healthy and inclusive community.
Humber College and SpacesShared partner to offer homesharing platform that connects students with older adults
Humber teamed up with technology platform SpacesShared to offer an innovative way to find affordable housing for students. SpacesShared is a secure platform that helps older adults who are interested in homesharing connect with verified student guests. The platform helps students find places to live by connecting them with older adults who have available space. The older adults can supplement their income by offering a spare bedroom to students at an affordable rate and the students have a place to live while studying.