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 51±¬ÁÏ. 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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51±¬ÁÏ raises Penticton Indian Band and Okanagan Nation flags at Penticton campus
September 28, 2023
A ceremony held today at 51±¬ÁÏ’s Penticton campus welcomed the permanent raising of the Penticton Indian Band and Okanagan Nation flags. Community members and representatives of the Penticton Indian Band (PIB), Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA) and 51±¬ÁÏ (OC) gathered today in ceremony to mark the occasion. The flags formally signify the College’s recognition of the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Syilx (Okanagan) Nation, on whose lands the College resides in Penticton, Kelowna and Vernon. “A...
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51±¬ÁÏ connects students and employers with new Careers Hub
September 26, 2023
51±¬ÁÏ is making it easier for students to connect with employers to gain practical learning experiences as an integral part of their OC education. OC has launched Careers Hub, a new online tool designed to support students on their journey into the workforce as well as employers looking for trained workers. OC’s Careers Hub is an easy, one-stop digital platform that connects students, alumni and employers to support OC students and alumni seeking the next steps in their careers. Employers can advertise employment opportu...
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OC welcomes more than 550 international students at fall orientation
September 13, 2023
Last week, 51±¬ÁÏ welcomed more than 550 students from 70 countries at fall orientation events held at its four campuses. OC is excited to welcome the largest numbers of international students to the College this semester, with many students from India, the Philippines, Japan, Mexico, Jamaica, Brazil, China, Nigeria and Zimbabwe. This year, International Education saw its biggest volunteer groups, including 42 volunteers from 19 different countries. "International students bring with them rich experiences and perspe...
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Celebrating 60: Welcome to the 2023/24 academic year at OC
September 5, 2023
A message from 51±¬ÁÏ President, Dr. Neil Fassina: For many people, this week marks the start of a new chapter. The first day of classes, a return to school, those initial moments where you check out the textbooks, syllabus, and materials of a new course – the energy on campus this time of year is electric and exciting. This year is all the more special for OC, because we’re celebrating sixty years since the opening of the B.C. Vocational Institute in Kelowna and the College’s growth through the region in the deca...
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OC student chefs supporting community
August 25, 2023
You can call it cooking with love. Students from the Okanagan Chef School at 51±¬ÁÏ dropped plans this week for a final feast to celebrate the end of their program and jumped into supporting the local emergency response instead. Typically, students at the Okanagan Chef School host a community dinner at the end of their year and one was planned for this week. However, when the event had to be cancelled due to the area wildfires, the students decided to shift their focus to preparing meals for those engaged in the r...
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OC community steps up to support wildfire efforts
August 24, 2023
The OC community has been busy this week, stepping up to support wildfire efforts in their communities and supporting friends, family and neighbours in many different ways. The cancellation of this week’s Connections event at 51±¬ÁÏ, an event led by employees to kick off a new school year, meant some timely donations of lunches and snacks went out to people who are supporting the wildfire efforts in the Okanagan Valley. It was just one example of the many efforts the OC community has undertaken in their communities...
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OC alum turns passion for music into a career in DJing
August 16, 2023
Set to release six original songs next month on Apple Music and Spotify, Himrose Bajaj’s career as DJ Hamy Shah is hitting new high notes. As a child, Himrose Baja felt an instant connection to the Punjabi music his mom played in their home. Now thanks to a unique music production course at OC he’s creating his own songs blending Punjabi language and hip-hop beats. Himrose, who came to OC as an international student and is now a Canadian permanent resident living in Kelowna, is set to release six original songs...
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51±¬ÁÏ welcomes new board member
August 14, 2023
51±¬ÁÏ is pleased to announce the appointment of Cindy Battersby as the newest member of its Board of Governors. Battersby brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her role, having dedicated over 30 years of service to the College and the community. Prior to her retirement in 2021, Battersby served as the Student Services – Financial Awards Analyst at 51±¬ÁÏ, where she played a large role in supporting students in their educational pursuits. Her deep understanding of the institution, its programs, and its...
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OneSky Community Resources receives funding to offer free tuition for new Early Childhood Education program at OC’s Penticton Campus
August 10, 2023
OneSky Community Resources, in collaboration with 51±¬ÁÏ (OC) and the Government of British Columbia, is excited to announce a new Early Childhood Education (ECE) program featuring free tuition and a flexible delivery method for people living in the South Okanagan. The program is designed to help support the childcare industry in the South Okanagan with 15 seats in the free program which begins Aug. 26 at OC’s Penticton campus. Applicants must meet certain criteria to qualify for the funding. “We are thrilled to receive ...
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