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Individuals and organizations who have made lasting contributions to Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) and the region were celebrated during the post-secondary institution’s 2024 Community Awards, held yesterday. “Red Deer Polytechnic is proud to recognize and celebrate the impact of alumni, partners and community members who contribute to the success of our institution, students and community,” says Stuart Cullum, President of Red Deer Polytechnic. “The individuals and organizations we recognized at the 2024 Community Awards are all outstanding citizens, having also contributed to the economic priorities and social vibrancy of our region and province.” At the 2024 Community Awards Ceremony, the following recipients were honoured: Marty Vellner - G.H. Dawe Memorial Award of Excellence This award is given to an individual in recognition of outstanding contribution to Red Deer Polytechnic and the central Alberta community. Through their contributions, this individual exemplifies the values of Mr. G. Harold Dawe, including: commitment to education and student success; leadership, vision, and integrity; and dedication to the community. Marty Vellner is one of central Alberta’s most respected business leaders and community builders. Since 1983, Marty has owned and operated Vellner Leisure Products, a family-centered business founded by his grandfather and father in 1951. Under Marty’s

Red Deer Polytechnic partnered with ReThink Red Deer to host the inaugural Energy Innovation Fair Green Awards Gala, an event recognizing energy innovation across Alberta. The awards night (held Friday, October 18) opened the Energy Innovation Fair, which took place this past Saturday on RDP’s main campus. “Recognizing energy innovation in Alberta is crucial, as it highlights the region’s leadership in sustainable practices and technological advancements,” says Dr. Tonya Wolfe, Associate Vice President, Applied Research at Red Deer Polytechnic. “By promoting energy innovation, RDP contributes to the local economy, addresses global sustainability challenges and establishes itself as a leader in preparing the next generation of skilled professionals for Alberta’s workforce.” The three Energy Innovation Fair Green Awards recognized entrepreneurs, small-medium enterprises and community organizations, with the awards themselves being produced using a laser engraver by team members in the Polytechnic’s Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing-Technology Access Centre (CIM-TAC). The Entrepreneur honour was awarded to Savick, which is striving to bridge the gap between farmers' fields and straw-insulated homes. During the past two years, Savick has developed a prefabricated straw panel product, manufactured near Edmonton. The company is addressing various technical and operational challenges to make energy-efficient, carbon-storing and healthy homes

Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) is ready to welcome prospective students and their families to the post-secondary institution’s Fall 2024 Open House: Saturday, October 26 | 9 am - 1 pm Main campus (100 Donald Boulevard, Red Deer) This interactive event will provide opportunities for attendees to learn more about the Polytechnic’s breadth of industry-relevant programming and student services. “We are excited to welcome high school students, their families and mature learners who are considering a dynamic post-secondary education at Red Deer Polytechnic to our Fall 2024 Open House” says Lindsay Engel, Vice President, Academic and Student Experience. “At RDP, we offer enhanced education, training and applied research opportunities that equip graduates to become leaders in their fields, helping to address labour market demand in Alberta.” In addition, prospective learners can interact with RDP’s faculty and staff to learn more about specific programs. Individuals can attend demonstrations, participate in try-a-trade activities and tour the Polytechnic’s main campus and Residences. There will also be sessions about funding and scholarships, including one specifically for parents. A complimentary lunch will be provided to guests in the FarSide Bar & Grill, beginning at 11 am (while supplies last). With credentials that include degrees, diplomas, certificates

Red Deer Polytechnic is excited to be launching two new Artificial Intelligence programs for fall 2025. Applications are now open for the new Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Data Analytics Diploma and the Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Data Analytics Post-Baccalaureate Certificate. "By fostering expertise in Artificial Intelligence, we are preparing students to lead in this rapidly advancing field and help shape the future of technology,” says Dr. Robbie J. Halonen, Dean, Donald School of Business, Science and Computing. " These new programs will equip students with the necessary skills to meet the growing demand for expertise in this field and capitalize on the economic opportunities presented by artificial intelligence. Students will gain the skills to develop intelligent systems, drive data-driven decisions and contribute to groundbreaking research and technological innovation in Alberta and beyond." The Artificial Intelligence & Data Analytics Diploma provides students with diverse skills to apply AI technology in developing innovative solutions for modern industry challenges. Students will have the opportunity to customize their learning path to align with their career goals by specializing in one of three focus areas: Machine Learning, Business Intelligence or Bioinformatics. The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate is designed for professionals who have existing degrees to add to

Red Deer Polytechnic is proud to partner with the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre (CACAC) to raise awareness about child abuse this October. During Child Abuse Prevention Month, the CACAC encourages all Albertans to shed light on the pressing issues they encounter daily while promoting education on child abuse and celebrating the resilience of those who have experienced it. “Through the Polytechnic’s partnership with the CACAC, we are advancing efforts to create a safer, more supportive environment for vulnerable children across the region,” says Emile Johnson, Director, Child Advocacy and Resiliency. “The CACAC’s impact on children and families in our community is profound, providing essential support, healing and justice. Together, RDP and CACAC are dedicated to strengthening, education, prevention and response to child abuse and trauma.” In collaboration with RDP Athletics, the CACAC has placed stickers on every third chair of the bleachers in the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre to represent 1-in-3 Canadians who have experienced some form of child abuse. Consider coming out and supporting the Kings and Queens throughout the month of October while also checking out this display. The lights of the Gary will also be blue in recognition of Go Blue Month. On Friday, October

As part of its popular Perspectives: Canada in the World speaker series, Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) is excited to welcome the Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould. She will speak at a public event on October 23 at Westerner Park. As a former Member of Parliament, former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, Wilson-Raybould will discuss Being an Agent of Change and the Nature of Integrity, sharing valuable insights about creating meaningful change and fostering ethical environments. Wilson-Raybould will share her experiences and transformative journey in Canadian politics. She will explore the fundamental changes needed in our political culture and inspire audience members to advocate for change. “This is a marquee event in the Red Deer Polytechnic calendar and for the region,” says Dr. Jonathon Penny, Dean, School of Arts and Education. “We are excited that on the heels of a very successful event in January, the Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould will come to Red Deer to share her perspective, wisdom and advice on how we can broker positive change with integrity.” For more than two decades, RDP has provided opportunities for students, faculty, staff and community members to engage with impactful, national speakers who have included Margaret Atwood, Amanda Lindhout and

At its fifth annual Building on Excellence event, Red Deer Polytechnic celebrated a talented group of apprentices who showcased exceptional knowledge and skills in various Skills competitions over the past year. In 2024, Red Deer Polytechnic apprentices earned one gold, one silver and two bronze medals at the Skills Canada Alberta competition. After winning RDP’s fifth straight gold medal at last year’s Skills Canada National competition, Ben Rainforth (Welding) was given the opportunity to compete at the 47th WorldSkills Competition in Lyon, France this year. With the help of Lee Yasinski, Welding Instructor and Skills Coach, Rainforth came home with a bronze medal which is a first for an RDP apprentice. “We were proud to gather as a Polytechnic community with industry partners, alumni and supporters to celebrate the remarkable achievements of RDP apprentices at Skills competitions,” says David Pye, Dean, School of Trades and Technology.” The continued success of our apprentices highlights the expertise and commitment of RDP’s instructors, as well as industry-relevant learning opportunities offered at our institution, which are further strengthened by the support of employers.” Red Deer Polytechnic apprentices consistently rank among the top post-secondary achievers in Alberta and across Canada. Since 2003, the Polytechnic’s apprentices

Red Deer Polytechnic brought practitioners last week to host a sold-out workshop focusing on Adverse Childhood Experiences and Resilience Scale Masterclass in collaboration with the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre (CACAC), Sheldon Kennedy Centre of Excellence and the Alberta Family Wellness Initiative (AFWI). Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are potentially traumatic events that occur throughout a child’s life, which can have significant and lasting effects on their overall well-being and development. Throughout the workshop, Resilience Reboot: Empowering Minds, Strengthening Spirits, people gained valuable insights and tools from experts, including Red Deer Polytechnic instructors. Attendees learned about resilience through research and evidence-based materials that will help people explore the lifelong impact of resilience on individuals and communities. Dr. Anomi Bearden and Dr. Jamie Prowse-Turner, two RDP Psychology instructors, contributed to the workshop by displaying their research in their field of study. Bearden presented how the use of psychology can lead to positive youth development and promote resilience following childhood trauma while Prowse-Turner spoke on post-secondary students’ procrastination and self-efficacy in relation to Adverse Childhood Experiences. RDP students, Seyi A. Alabi and Jocelyn Wynnychuk, also showcased their applied research at the workshop. Alabi, a Social Work student, presented on turning challenges into opportunities

This past weekend at the Girls in Aviation event, Red Deer Polytechnic faculty, staff and alum were excited to showcase our STEM and aviation-related programs and applied research opportunities. The Girls in Aviation Alberta Day is a premier event dedicated to inspiring and empowering young women to explore careers in aviation and aerospace. This annual event brings together industry professionals, educational institutions and aviation enthusiasts from more than 30 Alberta organizations to provide a hands-on, immersive experience focused on exploring the world of aviation. The tradeshow aims to spark interest in aviation careers among girls and young women, providing them with the resources and connections necessary to pursue their dreams in this dynamic field. “Red Deer Polytechnic is committed to empowering the next generation of women to explore careers in aviation and STEM,” says Lindsay Engel, Vice President Academic and Student Experience. RDP’s booth was a hub of innovation and learning, designed to engage visitors with a variety of interactive and educational experiences. Some key features at the RDP booth included program demonstrations, an overview of the Polytechnic's Red Hot Science Program and Virtual Reality (VR) experiences. The VR experiences allowed visitors to experience aviation technology and STEM applications in

Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) has advanced its commitment to global engagement by entering into partnership agreements with two German post-secondary institutions. In conjunction with a major International Education Conference held in Toulouse, France, Red Deer Polytechnic leaders formalized partnerships that will offer new international opportunities for students and faculty. Alberta’s Advanced Education Minister, the Hon. Rajan Sawhney was in attendance to celebrate these new agreements. In 2022, RDP initiated a Student Exchange Agreement with German university, Europa-Universität Flensburg (EUF), for students enrolled in RDP’s Bachelor of Education program. A new Letter of Intent expands the availability of the exchange opportunity to eligible students in all programs and commits RDP and EUF to developing a cooperative Guest Lecture Series. The Letter of Intent also states that the two institutions will create Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) projects. Through the COIL projects, faculty at RDP and EUF will teach the same course -- or a specific project within a course -- to students from both institutions. This will create opportunities for RDP students to gain an international experience without having to leave the country. The second agreement is a Memorandum of Understanding with Hochschule Bielefeld, University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSBI)

Today experts in applied research across Alberta convened for the second annual Alberta Corridor Technical Symposium, titled Research Matters: Empowering Alberta Through Innovative Solutions. This event organized by the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) and the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) brings together students and applied researchers from colleges and polytechnics across Alberta to present their cutting-edge, industry and community facing applied research projects. With the aim of creating innovative solutions to support Alberta’s diverse economy, the research projects explored a wide range of topics including medical device innovation and assistive technology for long-term care patients. Students also had a chance to showcase their research, providing essential capacity and industry partnerships that fuel a thriving economy. Students from all three post-secondaries exhibited their research findings on topics such as parasport equipment design and energy innovation. “Alberta’s polytechnics are at the forefront of applied research, providing essential capacity and industry partnerships that fuel a thriving economy,” says Dr. Tonya Wolfe, Associate Vice President, Applied Research, RDP. “Red Deer Polytechnic, a leader in advanced manufacturing, sustainable energy and social and healthcare innovation, is proud to collaborate with SAIT and NAIT to showcase the groundbreaking research shaping

Ben Rainforth, a Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) welding journeyperson, can add WorldSkills bronze medalist to his resume. Lacombe’s Rainforth demonstrated his world class welding knowledge and skills, ranking third among his peers at the 47th WorldSkills Competition in Lyon, France. Only Sanghyeok Lee (gold) from Korea and Zehong Hu (silver) from China placed ahead of Rainforth in welding at the prestigious event which took place from September 10 to 15. “I want to congratulate Ben and Lee. To place third in the world is an incredible accomplishment and a testament to Ben's dedication,” says David Pye, Dean, School of Trades and Technology at RDP. “Along with numerous hours Ben trained for WorldSkills, his path to success was supported by his trainer Lee Yasinski, RDP faculty and staff, industry partners and members of our communities.” Rainforth trained diligently for WorldSkills. Along with working as a journeyperson, Rainforth dedicated approximately 40 hours per week to prepare for the global competition. “We are extremely proud of Ben earning a bronze medal at WorldSkills,” says Stuart Cullum, President, Red Deer Polytechnic. “This not only reflects the dedication and hard work from Ben and his Skills Coach Lee, but also the world class skilled trades