Hundreds of students graduate into workforce at ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú’s Fall Convocation and Commencement
October 4, 2023
When ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú student Miranda Lockhart crossed the stage to be awarded her ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú certificate as a health care assistant today, it will be with amazing memories and a solid career path in front of her. Miranda, along with more than 100 peers are graduating from a variety of programs and courses in ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú’s fist ever Fall Convocation and Commencement Ceremony, being held today (Oct. 4, 2023, 4:30 p.m.) at ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú’s Kelowna campus. “This is my second time graduating from ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú, and what keeps me comin...
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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 ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú. 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 individuals are ou...
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ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú raises Penticton Indian Band and Okanagan Nation flags at Penticton campus
September 28, 2023
A ceremony held today at ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú’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 ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú (ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú) 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. “As we gat...
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ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú connects students and employers with new Careers Hub
September 26, 2023
ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú is making it easier for students to connect with employers to gain practical learning experiences as an integral part of their ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú education. ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú 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. ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú’s Careers Hub is an easy, one-stop digital platform that connects students, alumni and employers to support ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú students and alumni seeking the next steps in their careers. Employers can advertise employment opportunities s...
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ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú welcomes more than 550 international students at fall orientation
September 13, 2023
Last week, ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú welcomed more than 550 students from 70 countries at fall orientation events held at its four campuses. ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú 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 perspectives t...
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Celebrating 60: Welcome to the 2023/24 academic year at ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú
September 5, 2023
A message from ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú 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 ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú, 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 decades that...
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ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú student chefs supporting community
August 25, 2023
You can call it cooking with love. Students from the Okanagan Chef School at ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú 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 response ...
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ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú community steps up to support wildfire efforts
August 24, 2023
The ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú 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 ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú, 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 ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú community has undertaken in their communities. Thank ...
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ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú 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 ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú he’s creating his own songs blending Punjabi language and hip-hop beats. Himrose, who came to ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú as an international student and is now a Canadian permanent resident living in Kelowna, is set to release six original songs this su...
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ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú welcomes new board member
August 14, 2023
ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú 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 ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú, where she played a large role in supporting students in their educational pursuits. Her deep understanding of the institution, its programs, and its commitm...
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