On July 14, the DENSO North America Foundation was recognized for its ongoing support of Conestoga at an event held at the Cambridge campus. Since 2008, the Foundation has directed more than $100,000 to the college to fund new lab equipment for the Mechanical Engineering Technology program and to support Conestoga’s Mini- Baja and Formula SAE race teams.
The DENSO Foundation was recognized at an event at the Cambridge campus on July 14. Since 2008, the Foundation has directed more than $100,000 to lab equipment and Conestoga’s Baja race teams.
The Foundation is the philanthropic arm of global auto parts supplier DENSO International America and has provided grants to colleges and universities to help students advance their education in engineering, technology and other related programs since 2001.
During the event, Rich vanOorschot, president of DENSO Manufacturing Canada and a graduate of Conestoga’s Civil Engineering Technology program, announced the Foundation will extend its support to the college and presented a cheque for $18,450.
"The learning you do here - especially in your final years - really does prepare you for what’s out in the market,” said vanOorschot. In addition to the financial support provided by the Foundation, DENSO Manufacturing Canada also provides student co-op placements and career opportunities for Conestoga’s graduates. Proud of the work these students are producing, vanOorschot said he looks forward to a continued relationship with the college.
During his remarks, Conestoga president John Tibbits thanked the Foundation for its loyalty and support of the college’s students and programs and recognized DENSO Manufacturing Canada, located in Guelph, for providing applied learning opportunities for students.
Tyler Symons, a Mechanical Engineering Technology - Design & Analysis student and captain of Conestoga’s Off-Road Baja Racing Association (COBRA) extended appreciation to the Foundation for its continued support and interest in the COBRA teams. “Being part of the Baja team at Conestoga College is a special opportunity. It allows us to take engineering principles that we’ve learned inside the classroom and apply them to something in the real world,” said Symons.
Members of COBRA represent various Engineering programs at Conestoga and work together to apply skills from each of their programs to design, analyze, fabricate and build cars that compete throughout Canada and the U.S.
“Being able to participate in SAE events throughout North America is a unique way to feel a sense of accomplishment and confidence in our ability as students,” added Symons. “As a team captain for the last two years and a team member for the entire three years I have been at the college, I can tell you the bonds, friendships and team building that happen at events is like nothing I’ve ever experienced before.”
Visit the DENSO North America Foundation and DENSO Manufacturing Canada websites for more information.