Oshawa now a “teaching city”
Mayor John Henry speaks during the signing of the agreement. (Photo by Joel Wittnebel).
By Joel Wittnebel/The Oshawa Express
A new partnership between the City of Oshawa and local post-secondary institutions is set to use the city as a testing ground for the development of solutions to issues facing many municipalities now and into the future.
On June 5, Mayor John Henry along with representatives from UOIT, Durham College, University of Toronto and the Canadian Urban Institute gathered at the Robert McLaughlin Gallery to sign the memorandum of understanding (MOU) regarding the project.
According to a previous city report on the initiative, the partnership will begin with a set of pilot projects to test the waters that would see co-op students working with city staff and other officials to research different city issues. The initial costs were not specifically set out in the city’s report, but it stated they will be accommodated in this year’s budget.
During the launch, Mayor Henry noted that the “teaching city” intiative is about “building the city of tomorrow.”
“This is another great story in the history of the city,” he said.
The same sentiment was shared by Durham College president Don Lovisa, who called the program a “game-changer” and said it will provide a chance not only for students to “roll up their sleeves” but also for the community to become engaged in what’s happening in the city.
“We know that an engaged community is a happy community,” he said.
The program’s goals are widespread and along with research partnerships, goals range from developing new technologies, sharing access to facilities, resources and equipment, and “work toward the long-term positioning of Oshawa as a locally and globally recognized community of urban research and learning,” states a new release from the city.
A full copy of the MOU was not provided during the announcement. A request for a copy of the full MOU by The Oshawa Express was not returned as of press deadline.