October 26, 2018

Okanagan College and UBCO to explore the creation of a Green Construction and Training Centre

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The University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO) and Okanagan College have signed a letter of co-operation to explore the creation of a Green Construction and Training Centre (GCTRC) in the Okanagan Valley.

The centre will see researchers, staff, students and senior management at the two post-secondary institutions work together to to create innovative, low-cost and reliable construction methods to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create environmentally-sustainable infrastructure.

Jim Hamilton, president of Okanagan College, and Dr. Deborah, deputy vice-chancellor of UBCO’s School of engineering, signed the official partnership agreement at the Jim Pattison Centre of Excellence on the Penticton campus of OK College Thursday morning.

They were joined by numerous other senior administrators at both institutions.

Eric Corneau, the regional dean for the South Okanagan-Similkameen for OK College, acted as the master of ceremonies for Thursday’s partnership agreement media conference.

Hamilton said sharing new ideas in green energy initiatives will lay the foundation for a greener future at both institutions.

“We’re here today to talk about the future,” said Hamilton. “Specifically, about how our two institutions can work together and take steps to ensure that it is a greener one.”

The letter of co-operation will formally outline how both institutions will move forward with new research and create hands-on practical training opportunities for students, he said.

The latest update on climate change by the United Nations indicates the planet is “fast approaching the tipping point in our efforts to avoid disastrous and irreversible global warming,” he said.

Over the past decade, Okanagan College has made great strides to reduce its carbon footprint, noting the Jim Pattison Centre of Excellence has been recognized as one of the most environmentally-friendly buildings of its kind anywhere in Canada, he said.

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