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In this three-part video series, Stuart Cullum, President, Red Deer Polytechnic and Janine Sullivan, President and Chief Executive Officer, FortisAlberta discuss the changing landscape of the energy industry, and how through an innovate partnership RDP and FortisAlberta are working together to drive innovation and productivity in Alberta. Part One | Developing talent for the next generation of Alberta’s workforce. Part Two | Contributing to Alberta’s productivity & growth strategy by creating strong communities Part Three | A shared vision for Energy Innovation

The future of energy innovation at RDP is brighter thanks to a generous $600,000 donation from RBC Foundation to establish the Energy Test Hub.

Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) has been awarded a three-year PromoScience grant by Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) valued at $162,000. This grant will help RDP grow the impact of its Red Hot Science outreach program by offering more land camps to Indigenous high school students. Additionally, the grant will enhance dual credit opportunities, enabling Indigenous high school students to earn both high school and post-secondary credits through the newly created land-based Indigenous Perspectives and Science course that integrates Indigenous knowledge and traditions. These initiatives aim to create a seamless path for Indigenous students to pursue studies at Red Deer Polytechnic while honouring their cultural heritage. The Four Seasons land camps, which have engaged 50 Indigenous youth, blend land-based teachings such as fish leather tanning and food preservation with opportunities to create digital stories capturing their year-long journeys. The Aunties in Training program, attended by 40 Indigenous girls, addresses the unique challenges they face through a curriculum guided by Indigenous women leaders. Both camps are led by Elders, Knowledge Keepers, educators and Red Deer Polytechnic faculty and staff, creating enriching experiences. The camps are among many programs offered through RDP’s Red Hot Science, coordinated by Pamela Neumann

The Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) Alumni Association has donated $100,000 to the RDP Student Industry Engagement Fund. This innovative fund enhances the learning experience for students across the Polytechnic by providing funding support to cover the costs associated with attending external conferences, forums and events hosted by industry and professional organizations. “I would like to thank the Red Deer Polytechnic Alumni Association for their generous donation to the RDP Student Industry Engagement Fund,” comments Stuart Cullum, President, Red Deer Polytechnic. “Through the Student Industry Engagement Fund, more learners will create meaningful industry connections across a variety of sectors. This kind of exposure not only elevates the student experience but also provides students with opportunities to grow their professional networks.” Most recently, eight RDP business students utilized the fund to attend the Central Alberta Business Summit where they had an opportunity to hear from keynote speaker, Andrew DiCapua, Principal Economist of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, participate in breakout sessions with local leaders and network with attendees. The Alumni Association has donated a total of $236,000 to the Polytechnic in support of student initiatives, including five annual student scholarships. “Our hope is that through the Student Industry Engagement Fund and through

PrairiesCan is investing $899,500 into the Prairie Polytechnic Innovation Network Accelerating Commercialization for Local Ecosystems (P2INACLE). P2INACLE will drive social, economic and technological innovation across western Canada by providing businesses access to polytechnic facilities, equipment and research expertise. P2INACLE members include Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP), Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT), Northwestern Polytechnic, RRC Polytech and Saskatchewan Polytechnic—all leading polytechnic institutions located across the Canadian prairies. P2INACLE, led by Saskatchewan Polytechnic, will launch its first pilot with the International Minerals Innovation Institute (IMII) this spring. This pilot will bring together polytechnics and industry partners from across the prairies to develop a collaborative network that will fund and work on applied research projects. The goal is to identify challenges and develop innovative solutions for the mining and minerals sector in western Canada. “Success on the Prairies has always been built on cooperation. That’s why our government is supporting P2INACLE—a partnership bringing Prairie polytechnics together to turn research into practical solutions. By working together to tackle challenges in the mining sector and beyond, P2INACLE is driving economic growth, creating quality jobs, and setting a new standard for how applied research can empower communities far beyond the

RDP is proud to be part of a network of 38 post-secondary institutions who are receiving more than $24 million in Lab to Market funding from the Government of Canada.

On behalf of Red Deer Polytechnic, we would like to offer our deepest condolences to the family of long-time RDP friend and supporter, Bill Welikoklad. Bill’s connection to RDP began in 1966 when he worked as a general foreman on the construction team that built Red Deer Junior College. A generous, community-minded leader, Bill and wife Irma have been instrumental in supporting higher education in Central Alberta. Together, Bill and Irma have elevated the RDP student experience through generously supporting student awards that relieve the financial burden of students attending post-secondary. They have also supported the creation of exciting new learning spaces on our campus, such as the Welikoklad Simulation Lab, a high-tech learning environment where RDP Health Sciences students can experience simulations of real-world patient care scenarios. Bill and Irma were also instrumental in helping us achieve our downtown campus expansion. Bill and Irma have built a true legacy of developing new opportunities for the betterment of Red Deerians, and Red Deer Polytechnic. Bill’s legacy will continue to positively impact our students and region for decades to come.

In a significant show of support for RDP and its students, NOVA Chemicals has generously donated $20,000 to RDP’s Student Emergency Bursary Fund.

Red Deer Polytechnic’s 60th Anniversary Golf Classic proved to be a hole-in-one, bringing together community members, staff, and partners for a day of camaraderie, competition, and charity. Held at the picturesque Red Deer Golf and Country Club on August 26, 2024, ideal weather conditions set the stage for a day filled with activities that appealed to golfers of all skill levels. The day kicked off with a breakfast courtesy of FortisAlberta, followed by opening remarks that established an upbeat atmosphere for the event. Participants eagerly awaited the shotgun start, which launched the Texas Scramble format, offering a fun and inclusive experience for all. As golfers made their way through the course, they encountered unique challenges and entertainment at various holes. One highlight was the “Hockey Putt Playoff” on Hole 2, where participants used a hockey stick to sink their putt, vying for a special prize. The excitement continued on Hole 15, where players had a thrilling opportunity to win a $35,000 cash prize for the first hole-in-one, sponsored by Beyond Insurance. Excitement carried on throughout the day with engaging activities like the "Closest to the Pin" challenge on Hole 17, where golfers competed against RDP President Stuart Cullum for a

Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) has received a significant boost in education and cultural enrichment with a generous $250,000 pledge from ScotiaRISE, Scotiabank’s social impact initiative that helps remove barriers to career advancement and employment. The funding will contribute to the establishment of the Land Based Learning and Reconciliation Initiative that aims to create a dedicated space on campus for learning, community engagement and the promotion of Indigenous traditions and teachings. “Elders and staff at RDP have identified an on-campus location which is an ideal setting for an Outdoor Learning Space, located on the south side of the campus adjacent to Waskasoo Creek, the space features a natural amphitheater, pathways and ample open space suitable for a range of programming,” comments Lloyd Desjarlais, Dean, Indigenous Initiatives. “The space, surrounded by abundant wildlife and access to naturally growing medicinal plants sacred to Indigenous communities, will serve as a dynamic venue for integrating cultural and Indigenous perspectives across all of our academic programs.” Stuart Cullum, President of Red Deer Polytechnic, emphasized the significance of Scotiabank's contribution: "We are immensely thankful for this generous donation from Scotiabank, which will allows us to offer distinct educational and cultural experiences to our students, faculty, staff, and

In a significant act of generosity and commitment to education, Zainul & Shazma Holdings Ltd (ZS Holdings) has pledged $50,000 to establish the ZS Holdings 50th Anniversary International Student-Athlete Success Fund at Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP). This donation marks a new chapter in the longstanding partnership between ZS Holdings and RDP, specifically aimed at supporting the bright futures of international student-athletes. Fifty years ago, founders Afzal and Gulzar embarked on a journey from Tanzania to Canada, laying the groundwork for what would become a successful family-run business encompassing seven hotels and two restaurants across Alberta. Inspired by their parents' entrepreneurial spirit and resilience, daughters Zainul and Shazma have continued to build on this legacy through ZS Holdings, a testament to the family’s dedication to community development and support. This generous donation from the Rajan family, through ZS Holdings, celebrates Afzal’s own journey to Canada and his family’s desire to give back to the community that has supported them. During the next five years, the ZS Holdings 50th Anniversary International Student-Athlete Success Fund will provide scholarships for international student-athletes at RDP, ensuring they have the resources needed to succeed both in their studies and in their respective sports within the Alberta

Expansion of Red Deer Polytechnic’s nationally recognized Technology Access Centre will provide more than 2,400 students direct and indirect innovative learning opportunities by 2030, significantly boosting applied learning and research opportunities. Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) is celebrating a significant capital investment of $13 million by the provincial government to expand RDP’s Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing-Technology Access Centre (CIM-TAC). The funding was announced today as part of the Government of Alberta’s 2024 budget. “Red Deer Polytechnic is playing a critical role supporting technological innovation while creating opportunities for students. That’s why Alberta’s Government is making a strategic investment to expand CIM-TAC and give RDP even greater capacity to train apprentices and help sectors across our economy remain competitive,” says the Hon. Rajan Sawhney, Minister of Advanced Education. “We thank the Government of Alberta for the $13 million provided in Budget 2024 to expand our Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing–Technology Access Centre (CIM-TAC). This funding will help create new and innovative teaching and learning spaces at Red Deer Polytechnic, while expanding our applied research capacity to support Alberta based companies,” said Stuart Cullum, President of Red Deer Polytechnic. “Because of this investment, Alberta based manufacturers across multiple sectors will have greater