RDP continues partnership with universities to accelerate applied research

Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) faculty and staff will grow their impact through applied research, thanks to a $27.3 Million investment by the Government of Alberta to post-secondary institutions through the Major Innovation Fund (MIF).

Red Deer Polytechnic is one of the post-secondary institutions that will continue to collaborate with the Universities of Alberta and Calgary during the next four years to accelerate research and commercialization because of the MIF funding. RDP will receive $800,000 from the MIF funding within three projects. 

“We’re enthusiastic and eager to be collaborating with other post-secondary institutions to solve industry challenges in the medical devices, clean energy, and space and defense sectors,” says Dr. Tonya Wolfe, Associate Vice President of Applied Research. “Our team is focused on applying the state-of-the-art equipment and hands-on experience we have at Red Deer Polytechnic to commercialize new technologies in order to strengthen and diversify the economy. Cross-functional collaboration creates exciting outcomes, and industry will benefit by having researchers from universities, polytechnics, and colleges working together.”

The MIF investment will focus on projects in four areas. Red Deer Polytechnic is involved in three of those areas, including:  

• Clean Energy - applied researchers from RDP’s Energy Innovation Centre (EIC) will be collaborating with U of A in Resilient and Clean Energy Systems. The team will support the university’s research with its rapid validation technology and information gained from the EIC’s Data Sharing Alliance.
• Medical Device Innovation – led by the U of C under medical devices theme (MEDICO), RDP’s Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing (CIM-TAC) will provide expertise to find solutions to fill the gap between clinicians and commercialization.
• Space and Defence Technologies – using the advanced additive manufacturing technology housed on campus, CIM-TAC will be assisting U of A researchers in the development of novel materials for the defence industry.

This investment also supports research and innovation within strategic areas as part of the Alberta Technology and Innovation Strategy, advancing the province’s competitive position in the development of research and technology.

“We are excited about the Government’s investment toward Alberta’s research and innovation priorities,” says Stuart Cullum, President of Red Deer Polytechnic. “Alberta’s polytechnics provide critical applied research capacity and industry relationships. The investment directed toward Red Deer Polytechnic, facilitated through the MIF program, supports our collaboration with partner institutions and ensures that we are all contributing more to the growth and diversification of Alberta’s economy.”

During 2022, 73 projects were initiated in the CIM-TAC for 57 companies and RDP staff conducted more than 1,300 engagements with industry representatives. RDP provides solutions to complex challenges in society and industry through applied research expertise in the areas of health technology, advanced manufacturing, clean energy integration and energy management, and social innovation.  

More information about the Government of Alberta’s MIF Funding announcement is available online.