Winners of the William G. Davis Innovation Fund contest were announced on Sunday, November 26 at the Higher Education Summit in Toronto. The contest was named after the former premier who introduced legislation to establish the college system, and launched earlier this year in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Ontario’s colleges.
Submissions were invited from graduates and current students of Ontario’s 24 colleges who were required to outline innovative project ideas and creative initiatives that could transform a community, the province or beyond. In total, 83 proposals were received including four from Conestoga.
In a statement earlier this year, the Honourable William G. Davis said the fund would promote the innovative ideas being developed at colleges throughout the province: “When we launched the Ontario college system 50 years ago, I had hoped that we would create a meaningful and rewarding system that prepares students for a broad range of careers. That hope was not only realized but surpassed. Today’s colleges are preparing students for many of today’s most challenging careers.”
After initial judging, Zoey Ross, a 2011 graduate of Conestoga’s Broadcast - Television program, was named one of ten finalists for his submission titled Kawartha Adventure Agency - an adventure-based documentary and reality video service to increase tourism and boost the economy in the Kawarthas.
The final round of judging was completed this month; candidates’ applications were assessed based on criteria that included the idea’s impact and originality, the sustainability of the project, its likelihood of success and the number of votes it received online.
DSW Cooperative, a proposal submitted by Algonquin college graduates, finished in first place and will receive $15,000 to fund the project. Ripple Farms, a plan submitted by graduates of Seneca College, was awarded $5,000 for second place.
For more information, visit the Amazing 50 website.