Ontario Tech announces partnership with OCAD

Ontario Tech University will be partnering up with OCAD to explore the world of virtual reality.

The two postsecondary institutes are coming together to launch a new partnership focused on “the digital and human connection,” according to a press release.

“Through this three-year pilot partnership, Ontario Tech University and OCAD will combine our expertise to develop new, efficient ways of teaching and learning,” says Dr. Steven Murphy, Ontario Tech University president in the press release. “This relationship aligns with the Government of Ontario’s economic and skills development strategies, and will provide great benefits to industry, students and faculty.”

Beginning in September, the universities will partner and provide opportunities for students to enroll in courses and transfer credits.

There will be six projects launching this year, the first of which is a consultative talent assessment.

In this project, career development centres at both Ontario Tech and OCAD will work together in order to give employers access to the students at both institutions.

There will also be joint career events at both institutions. These include career and employer networking events, and what the schools call a “reverse career fair” in Toronto.

Both schools plan to have a joint series of badges which will lead to microcredentials in the development of virtual reality.

The schools will also have a student-led workshop at the Virtual and Augmented Reality World Conference and Expo in Toronto from June 1 to June 3.

New online project-based courses will now be offered,  using “consumer-level virtual reality” to allow remotely located students to do hands-on prototyping in a “network of maker spaces.”

The final project is a two-week workshop series which focuses on “technopoetics,” and allows students to produce films using motion capture techniques.

“Future initiatives will include upskilling and reskilling initiatives, collaborative programs and research, as well as shared resource models,” the press release states.