RDP Listed as One of Canada’s Top 50 Research Institutions

Dec 09, 2024

Student working at a printer in the CIM-TAC

Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) continues to be recognized as one of Canada’s Top 50 Research Polytechnics and Colleges by Research Infosource Inc. Ranked 43 overall,

Red Deer Polytechnic attracted nearly $2.4 million in applied research investment, up 14.8 per cent from the previous year. Research partnerships also increased from 13 to 29, along with the number of paid student researchers increasing from 17 to 37 individuals.

“We are proud to be recognized across Canada for our growing multi-disciplinary and collaborative applied research,” says Dr. Tonya Wolfe, Associate Vice President, Applied Research. “This ranking reflects RDP’s commitment to advancing our impact in applied research, helping to address industrial and societal challenges and contributing to economic prosperity across the province and nation. RDP is committed to growing applied research in our four areas of focus: Manufacturing and Advanced Manufacturing, Energy Innovation, Health Care and Health Technology, and Social Innovation.”

While applied research occurs across RDP, the institution’s Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing-Technology Access Centre (CIM-TAC) and Energy Innovation Centre (EIC) are key on-campus applied research, teaching and learning facilities. The CIM-TAC, which houses $7.6 million in prototype and advanced manufacturing equipment, completed 45 projects for 46 companies and had 1,300 engagements with business and industry partners in 2023.

With a $12.9 million investment from the Government of Alberta, RDP’s CIM-TAC will expand from 15,000 square feet to 30,000 square feet, increasing its applied research, education and training capacity. This expansion will support a range of sectors through advanced manufacturing capabilities, including agriculture, energy innovation, health care and transportation.

Additionally, Red Deer Polytechnic’s collaboration with the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre helps to identify and implement best practices related to childhood trauma and maltreatment. This partnership supports Alberta’s youth and families while providing applied research, education and training opportunities for RDP students.

Learn more about research and innovation at the Polytechnic, including how to bring your research, project or idea to life at RDP.

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RDP among top 50 research polytechnics and colleges in Canada

Red Deer Polytechnic is proud to be ranked 38th on Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges 2022 list by Research Infosource Inc. The ranking highlights that in 2021, Red Deer Polytechnic attracted $2.6 million in applied research investment. It is also ranked first in the country in annual growth in research income. “We are proud of our institution’s ranking and growth in applied research income,” says Dr. Maureen Toews, Associate Vice President of Teaching, Learning, and Research. “With world-class facilities, strong partnerships, and expert faculty and staff, Red Deer Polytechnic will continue to enhance its funding and applied research impact.” The Polytechnic’s Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing-Technology Access Centre (CIM-TAC) and Energy Innovation Centre (EIC), which includes the Alternative Energy Lab, are key on-campus applied research and learning hubs. In 2022, 73 projects were initiated in the CIM-TAC, supporting innovation and economic prosperity across Alberta for 57 companies. Staff conducted more than 1,300 engagements with industry representatives. The CIM-TAC currently houses $6.6 million in advanced manufacturing equipment. As a key driver of economic and social prosperity in the province, the Polytechnic is proposing a $16 million expansion to the CIM-TAC. This expansion will increase RDP’s ability to support Alberta companies with

Rajan Sawhney stands in front of a group of RDP staff and students.

Investing in Innovation at Red Deer Polytechnic

Alberta’s government is expanding student capacity and creating a modern learning environment at Red Deer Polytechnic that will help graduates succeed in the economy of tomorrow. To support emerging opportunities for students, Alberta’s government will invest $12.9 million to expand the Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing Technology Access Centre (CIM-TAC) at Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP). CIM-TAC is an applied research and innovation centre that gives companies access to state-of-the-art prototyping and manufacturing equipment, along with a multi-disciplinary team with the expertise to turn brilliant ideas into market-ready products. As Alberta’s economy grows and diversifies, job creators will increasingly seek employees with the skills required to work in advanced manufacturing. Construction will begin in early 2025 and will increase the centre’s applied research, education and training capacity. The expanded CIM-TAC will grow to provide work-integrated learning opportunities for an estimated 450 post-secondary students and training through workshops and events to an additional 2,000 students annually by 2030. Additionally, more than 500 junior and senior high school students will take part in dual credit programs at the CIM-TAC. “Investing in this expansion of CIM-TAC will give students at RDP access to cutting-edge technology and skills to succeed in the economy of tomorrow

Student working in CIM-TAC using equipment

RDP Receives Historic $3.25 Million Federal Grant to Advance Applied Research

Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) has been awarded a $3.25 million Mobilize grant, the largest one-time applied research grant in the institution’s 60-year history. The Mobilize grant provided to RDP by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) will enable Red Deer Polytechnic to leverage data-driven solutions to foster regional innovation and prosperity across RDP’s applied research pillars: Manufacturing & Advanced Manufacturing, Energy Innovation, Healthcare & Health Technology and Social Innovation. “Data-driven innovation will be a cross-cutting applied research theme, enhancing synergies across the existing applied research pillars and positioning Red Deer Polytechnic and our students at the forefront of digital transformation to increase regional productivity and enhance social innovation,” explains Dr. Tonya Wolfe, Associate Vice President, Applied Research. “Over the next five years, our data-driven strategy will result in cutting-edge interdisciplinary applied research and the adoption of digital technologies by multisectoral organizations with direct benefits to regional prosperity, including improved regional productivity, revenue generation, and job creation.” The grant’s flexibility will allow the Polytechnic to enhance the use of data to support applied research with resources where they are most needed. As examples, the Mobilize grant will permit RDP to develop and improve health care devices and