Students design novel leg brace

Posted on 10. Mar, 2010 by juanantonio in Biz/Tech

MAGGIE CAMERON
SENIOR REPORTER

Lars Kristjansen is surrounded by intricate looking gadgets, a white board covered in math equations and his three project partners; two hard at work, the other fast asleep in front of his computer.
These are the electromechanical engineering technology students that have endured endless sleepless nights working on Kristjansen’s’ brain child, an automated leg brace for people with diminished leg function.
What they’re working on is a class requirement, but this team takes their work seriously.  Kristjansen, along with Milad Saidmohammadi, Evan Zimmerman and Christopher Davis, make up the “E-knee project” team. They are the… ... [continue reading]

Future bright for telecommunications grads

Posted on 10. Mar, 2010 by juanantonio in Biz/Tech

STEPH SPRENGER
BIZ/TECH REPORTER

The launch of new mobile phone companies in Canada, coupled with last week’s throne speech mandate to relax regulations in the telecommunications industry, is good news for grads from Humber’s wireless telecommunications program.

“If there will be more companies coming in, there will be more opportunities and there will be more jobs,” said wireless telecommunications co-ordinator Muhammad Khan.
Canada’s mobile network industry opened up to competitors last year when Wind Mobile, owned by Egyptian company Globalive, successfully bought wireless spectrum covering most of the country and launched in late November.
New companies… ... [continue reading]

Low hotel rates mean high savings for travellers

Posted on 10. Mar, 2010 by juanantonio in Biz/Tech

SANGEETA PATEL
BIZ/TECH REPORTER

Humber students planning a quick getaway or vacation should consider booking soon to take advantage of low hotel rates.
February and March traditionally see low corporate travel and lower prices, said Paul McCabe, hotel and restaurant management program co-ordinator.
“Rates are still coming down because of the recession,” he said, “and they’re probably not going to go back up until 2011.”
Rates for hotels in New York are lower now than they were last year, said McCabe.
A room that was about $360 in November can be $180 now, which is a great price, he… ... [continue reading]

Social media guru connects with prospective students

Posted on 10. Mar, 2010 by juanantonio in Biz/Tech

JANE SPONAGLE
BIZ/TECH REPORTER

Humber’s new media communications specialist doesn’t want anyone to think it’s his job description to sit on Facebook all day.
Former HSF president and Humber grad Nick Farnell has other duties that include traditional web design and building presentations to send out with Humber’s recruiters, but this time of year, Farnell said he is busy replying to prospective students’ comments on Facebook and Twitter about being accepted into programs for the fall.

“When we see something like that usually we send ‘Have you thought about taking a tour of Humber? Here’s how… ... [continue reading]

Sleep-learning just a dream, experts say

Posted on 10. Mar, 2010 by juanantonio in Biz/Tech

CHARMAINE KERRIDGE
BIZ/TECH REPORTER

Sleep-learning, a popular movement from the 50s and 60s, is regaining popularity, but Humber staff say students looking to absorb a semester’s worth of material should be leery of the technology.
Shivon Raghunandan, a counsellor with student services, said she would rather students learn the old fashioned way.
“Using tapes, the actual essence of learning is missing,” Raghunandan said. “I worry that the actual process of learning – reading, note taking, absorbing abstract information – all that would be missing and that is learning itself.”
Internet marketing firms sell sleep-learning CDs that claim to… ... [continue reading]

Students getting stiffed by landlords

Posted on 10. Mar, 2010 by juanantonio in Biz/Tech

DAN BLACKWELL
BIZ/TECH REPORTER

The Federation of Metro Tenants Association has received a large volume of calls from students complaining their landlords aren’t honouring their rent reduction notices, hotline co-ordinator Geordie Dent said.
“What that means is they’re lying to tenants, harassing or obstructing tenants, and that’s against the law,” he said.
The notices, mailed to 130,000 Toronto residents – 14,515 in Etobicoke – notified tenants that their landlord’s property tax was lowered, and that they are entitled to reduced rent, typically ranging from $5 to $30 a month.

“We get a lot of students that… ... [continue reading]

Prof says HVAC grads in demand

Posted on 03. Mar, 2010 by juanantonio in Biz/Tech

JANE SPONAGLE
BIZ/TECH REPORTER

In an economy where Canadians struggle to find full-time employment, companies are actively recruiting Humber’s 60 HVAC final year students.
“We’ve actually got a couple of large companies coming in to have a chat,” said HVAC instructor Alan Gaunt. “They want to talk to our graduates before they’re finished, before they’re spoken for.”
He said one company is Engineered Air, based in Newmarket.
“They’ve hired a number of our graduates in the past and have been very happy with them,” said Gaunt.
David Kukkonen, general manager of Engineered Air’s Newmarket division, said there is a… ... [continue reading]

Secure wireless increases privacy

Posted on 03. Mar, 2010 by juanantonio in Biz/Tech

SANGEETA PATEL
BIZ/TECH REPORTER

The implementation of Humber’s new Secure wireless network this semester will give people at North and Lakeshore campus access to better wireless security, Manager of IT Services Ryan Burton said.
Prior to January, the only available wireless network was Humber Public, which allowed students to access the Internet with a valid HCNet ID, but which sent out data in an unencrypted format.

Staff and students had requested the secure service, and IT is pleased to be able to offer it, Burton said
The new network is better suited for people who want ... [continue reading]

New sport program will draw athletes

Posted on 03. Mar, 2010 by juanantonio in Biz/Tech

JANE SPONAGLE
BIZ/TECH REPORTER

Humber’s new sport management program, which starts at the college next fall, will be great for attracting and retaining athletes, said athletic director Doug Fox.
“Just from athletes in our programs who want to transfer into it, it’s one of those things people have wanted for a long time here,” Fox said.
“I think we’re going to see a retention thing with this as well. Athletes are going to want to stick around.”
Athletes are not the only ones who are interested in the program.
First-year exercise science and lifestyle management student Ritesh Nayak is ... [continue reading]

Networking the name of the game at Golf Show

Posted on 03. Mar, 2010 by juanantonio in Biz/Tech

GILLIAN GALINSKY
BIZ/TECH REPORTER

On top of promoting Humber at this weekend’s Toronto Golf and Travel Show, students from the professional golf management program will also promote themselves as ideal job candidates, said program co-ordinator Ray Chateau.
“We participate in the Golf and Travel show partially to make the public aware of the program, partially to convince current applicants to come to Humber, and partially to be present in the rest of the golf industry,” Chateau said.

The exhibit at the show is totally run by third-year students of the professional golf management diploma, said Chateau ... [continue reading]