Oshawa, Ont. - For the fourth straight year, Durham College has achieved outstanding results in the Ontario government's annual Key Performance Indicator (KPI) surveys.
Durham College placed first in student satisfaction in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), and has done so since the first KPI survey results were issued in 1999.
The statistics are based on surveys conducted during the past year of current Durham College students, new graduates and employers of new grads. The surveys revealed that:
The 89.2 per cent employment rate of the college's recent grads is particularly impressive, since the survey was done only six months after graduates had finished their studies and many were just beginning to reap the rewards of their job search.
"Attention to excellence is a key benchmark of all our programs and services. The new KPI results show unequivocally that we put our words into action," said Gary Polonsky, president of Durham College.
"As pleased as we are with these results, I can assure you that we're not standing still," he added. "Faculty and staff will closely examine the results for each of our programs, and create an action plan so that we continue to make the type of improvements that students, grads and employers want."
Polonsky also cited a number of major developments that are adding significantly to educational opportunities and the overall environment for students.
"We're completing a major expansion and redevelopment of our Oshawa campus, we're building a huge addition to our residence, and we're making great advancements in the information technology we provide to students. In May 2001, the Ontario government chose our college to be the home of Canada's newest university-the University of Ontario Institute of Technology. When it opens in September 2003, it will give area residents even more options for higher education," he added.
Durham College students were equally thrilled with the results.
"The college's exemplary reputation and commitment to success draw thousands of students every year. When they begin their studies, they quickly see for themselves that Durham more than meets their expectations, " noted Darla Price, president of the Durham College student association and a student in the Business Administration-Marketing program.
All 25 Ontario community colleges are required to participate in the surveys. The KPI project was launched in 1998, to help make the colleges more accountable to the people and organizations they serve.
The KPI surveys have a financial impact on Ontario colleges. A portion of the funding colleges will receive for the 2002-03 fiscal year will be based directly on their individual KPI ratings. For the 2001-02 fiscal year, Durham College received nearly $570,000 in KPI funding from the Ontario government.
To find out more about KPIs, follow the link on Durham College's home page (www.durhamcollege.ca) or visit the Web sites of ACAATO (www.acaato.on.ca) or Forum Canada (www.collegekpi.com).
media contact:
Gary Polonsky
President,
Durham College
(905) 721-3101
Disclaimer: The contact information provided in archived news releases was current at the release date. For current information please contact Communications and Marketing.