Collaboration & Partnerships
°ĶĄč·čĀķŠć partners with WeBC to empower women entrepreneurs in the beverage and construction industries
January 30, 2025
°ĶĄč·čĀķŠć (OC), OCās BC BTAC (BC Beverage Technology Access Centre) and WeBC (Womenās Enterprise Centre) know that when women entrepreneurs come together, their collective strength and innovation can transform industries.Recognizing this, the organizations have partnered to launch two new peer mentorship programs designed to empower women in the beverage and construction sectors as part of the Growing Women Entrepreneurs project. This initiative aims to increase opportunities for women entrepreneurs in the beve...
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Kelowna invited to apply for international designation as Canadaās first āCity of Gastronomyā
January 15, 2025
Kelownaās outstanding food and beverage culture and vibrant culinary scene could soon be part of a network of cities around the world celebrated for creativity and innovation.The City of Kelowna, in partnership with Tourism Kelowna and °ĶĄč·čĀķŠć, has accepted an invitation to apply for designation as Canadaās first UNESCO City of Gastronomy, a prestigious title that celebrates a cityās culinary heritage, food culture, and commitment to sustainable development. āKelownaās culinary scene is a testament to the passion...
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Triple threat °ĶĄč·čĀķŠć alum inspires the next generation of women in trades at Jill of All Tradesā¢
November 22, 2024
When °ĶĄč·čĀķŠć (OC) alum Cassidy McEown took on the challenge of restoring a 1969 Roadrunner on the show Rust Valley Bros, she wasnāt just buffing out dentsāshe was proving her mettle. Tasked with handling the carās bodywork, paint, and polishing entirely on her own, Cassidy rose to the occasion, delivering a flawless finish on a tight deadline. Her reward? A well-deserved, newfound respect, and the confidence to achieve her Red Seal certification. Much like the Roadrunner itself, Cassidy has been unstoppable ever since, crui...
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°ĶĄč·čĀķŠć and Okanagan Indian Band Raise Flag and Celebrate Naming Ceremony at Vernon Campus
September 26, 2024
Visitors to °ĶĄč·čĀķŠćās Vernon campus will notice the OKIB flag flying proudly in the sky.In a historic and meaningful ceremony at °ĶĄč·čĀķŠćās Vernon campus, members of the Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB), students, staff, and local community members came together to raise the OKIB flag. The event also marked a special occasionāthe official name-giving ceremony for the newly constructed student housing building on the Vernon campus, which will serve as a welcoming space for learners from across the region.After thoughtful ...
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Premier Eby officially opens °ĶĄč·čĀķŠćstudent housing in Vernon, Kelowna
August 23, 2024
°ĶĄč·čĀķŠć (OC) students now have access to more on-campus housing with the opening of new student housing at the Vernon and Kelowna campuses, reducing housing pressures in both communities and making it easier for students to focus on their studies.āThe first day of school is a time when students should be focused on their studies and their future, instead of worrying about where to live,ā said Premier David Eby. āThese new residences for °ĶĄč·čĀķŠć students in Vernon and Kelowna allow students to concentrate on their c...
Read more...°ĶĄč·čĀķŠć Delegation Engages Global Education Issues at BC International Education Week 2024
August 13, 2024
In the spirit of collaboration and learning °ĶĄč·čĀķŠćās International department was well-represented at a recent conference examining global education issues. °ĶĄč·čĀķŠć team members spoke at the BC International Education Week 2024 Conference in Vancouver, a gathering of educators and administrators from various institutions.The conference discussed insights on international education, and OC's delegation made a notable impact.Three employees from °ĶĄč·čĀķŠćled insightful sessions al...
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Robocup Junior takes over Kelowna Campus
May 8, 2024
For August Beetlestone, a lead educator at the Okanagan Robotics Academy, seeing his students compete in Robocup is an incredible source of pride. Beetlestoneās students meet weekly to design, build and program robots while fostering lifelong friendships centred on a love of robotics, electronics and engineering. The Okanagan Robotics Academy brings educators together with a goal to enhance student experience in real-world robotics, electronics, and engineering through competit...
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°ĶĄč·čĀķŠćCultivates tasting and learning series highlights innovators in food, beverage and tourism
May 6, 2024
°ĶĄč·čĀķŠćās newest event series, °ĶĄč·čĀķŠćCultivates, returned for a second time last week, with tastes and conversations to savour.Thursday night's celebration explored the Okanaganās unique and exciting food, beverage and tourism industries through a conversation with industry experts, along with delicious pairings from local producers and restaurants. The evening featured an on-stage panel, hosted by radio host Phil Johnson (AM1150), and including Audrey Surrao, co-owner of RauDZ Creative Concepts Restaurant Group; Tony Ste...
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°ĶĄč·čĀķŠć opening residence early to support residents of Hadgraft Wilson Place
April 29, 2024
Members of the °ĶĄč·čĀķŠćcommunity worked hard over the past several days to make this positive news happen for some Kelowna residents displaced from their homes.Residents of Hadgraft Wilson Place will soon temporarily move into a new residence building at °ĶĄč·čĀķŠć campus imminently. The Pathways Abilities Society is in the process of finalizing a lease with °ĶĄč·čĀķŠć which will run until mid-August. āOur residents have become a tight-knit community in the past year and this opportunity allows them to maintain the supp...
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Unleash your potential: °ĶĄč·čĀķŠć invites community to "Try a Trade"
April 3, 2024
Are the trades for you? Have you ever felt the call of a different career path? Are you curious about trades but unsure where to start? Look no further! °ĶĄč·čĀķŠć (OC), in partnership with the Canadian Home Buildersā Association ā Central Okanagan (CHBA-CO), is thrilled to announce its upcoming "Try a Trade" event, inviting all eager learners and aspiring tradespeople to explore a world of possibilities on April 25 at OCās Kelowna campus.ā°ĶĄč·čĀķŠć is pleased to partner with CHBA-CO to offer the Try a Trade event....
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Countdown is on for move-in to new student housing at °ĶĄč·čĀķŠć
March 27, 2024
When the fall term starts in September, the number of students living on campus at °ĶĄč·čĀķŠć in Kelowna will more than double.A new student housing building at the corner of K.L.O. Road and Campus West Road is still a few months away from being move-in-ready; however, °ĶĄč·čĀķŠćis anticipating a construction-related milestone in the coming weeks, with the building nearing āsubstantial completion.āThe six-storey building includes elements of mass timber and features unique design elements from two well-known Indigenous artists. It wi...
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Help us enhance the °ĶĄč·čĀķŠćwebsite and win °ĶĄč·čĀķŠćmerch!
March 13, 2024
College Relations has embarked on several web-related projects to enhance the student experience on the °ĶĄč·čĀķŠćwebsite, making access to our programming as easy as possible.We need the help of our °ĶĄč·čĀķŠćcommunity and we've got OC-branded draw prizes for your help!Take the °ĶĄč·čĀķŠćwebsite questionnaire and help us identify issues on the website so we can tackle them, supporting prospective and current students' journey on our website.Complete the questionnaire and provide your email at the end for a chance to win prizes, including newly branded ...
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°ĶĄč·čĀķŠćstudents arrive in Indonesia for one-week exchange
February 20, 2024
As part of OC's Study Abroad Exchange program, ten °ĶĄč·čĀķŠć 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 °ĶĄč·čĀķŠć mobility grant or scholarships from the Government of Canada.Students interested in participating...
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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 Childrenās Association (SCA) and °ĶĄč·čĀķŠć (OC) are launching a new intake of the Early Childhood Education (ECE) program at OCās 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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Westbank First Nation and °ĶĄč·čĀķŠć sign updated MOU
October 30, 2023
°ĶĄč·čĀķŠć and Westbank First Nation (WFN) have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding continuing a long partnership which aims to strengthen the recruitment, mentorship and retention of Syilx learners at °ĶĄč·čĀķŠć. The MOU lays out the objectives and principles of a partnership that will help guide the College to embrace the spirit and intent of reconciliation and ensure culturally appropriate, meaningful, and quality education and skills training opportunities for WFN learners. Chief Robert Louie, West...
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Empowering Tomorrow: Rick and Yasmin Thorpe and Friends Scholarship Celebrates Future Leaders
October 4, 2023
The Rick and Yasmin Thorpe and Friends Scholarship continues to be a launchpad for South Okanagan high school graduates as they begin their educational journey at °ĶĄč·čĀķŠć. This year, Mackenzie Lucier and Kendall Pennington from Princess Margaret Secondary, Eva Braam from Summerland Secondary and Ollie Jaques from Penticton Secondary have each been awarded $2,500. The scholarship annually champions students who combine academic achievement with community involvement. "These young individual...
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