Issue link: http://georgiancollege.uberflip.com/i/756864
G eorgian's new $7.5-million, 13,600-square-foot Algoma Central Corporation Marine Emergency Duties (MED) Centre will be used by students enrolled in the college's postsecondary marine programs and by working mariners who require certification or refresher training. The MED Centre, which opened October 2016, is a key part of the college's renowned Centre for Marine Training and Research at the Owen Sound Campus, which makes it a premier facility for professional marine education. MED training is mandatory for anyone who works on a ship in Canada. After several years without a marine emergency duties training facility in Ontario, mariners will no longer need to travel to Canada's east or west coasts to obtain this certification. Life-saving training includes firefighting, survival craft, life raft and immersion suit training, as well as first aid. "In addition to technical skills, our students must also learn teamwork and co-operation to develop successful careers in the marine industry," says Georgian College President and CEO MaryLynn West-Moynes. "That kind of innovative collaboration has built this centre." The Government of Canada provided $1.96 million OWEN SOUND CAMPUS IS THE NEW HOME OF MARINE EMERGENCY DUTIES TRAINING IN ONTARIO through the Small Communities Fund, and the Province of Ontario also contributed $1.96 million. Grey County Council was the first to pledge financial support in the amount of $2 million, recognizing in part the significant economic importance to the region. Several marine industry leaders – who will train their workforce at the centre – made substantial donations to help ensure the facility would become a reality. The centre is named in honour of the Algoma Central Corporation, which became the largest private donor to the project with its donation of $1 million. The common area is named in recognition of Lower Lakes Towing Ltd., which also made a generous donation of $500,000. This gift was led by its then President and CEO Captain Scott Bravener, who is a Georgian alumnus. Georgian offers two marine co-op programs and a graduate certificate in Marine Engineering Management. Learn more at GeorgianCollege.ca/marinestudies. 29 GEORGIANVIEW 2016