(rdnewsNOW)

By Sheldon Spackman

Some Suspended, Some New

Fall programming changes at RDC

May 19, 2021 | 3:40 PM

A number of programming changes are being made at Red Deer College for the 2021-2022 school year.

College officials say new student admissions will be suspended for Engineering Technology diplomas (Instrumentation, Electrical and Mechanical) and the Transitional Vocational Program (TVP) for fall 2021.

RDC president, Dr. Peter Nunoda, says it’s important to note these programs are being suspended, not cancelled.

“What we’re doing is taking the programs back to the drawing board to look at a more sustainable model for the program delivery. These were three of the highest (engineering technology diplomas) cost programs to us. So in this time of fiscal restraint we have to be very responsible,” he explained.

“In no way were we targeting certain student groups, we’re just looking at the levels of involvement, the cost of the program to deliver, and finding a better way to do that and getting better educational outcomes for the students.

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Nunoda reiterates that the suspended programs are intended to return, but likely in a different form for the fall of 2022.

“We’ve really taken steps to make sure that there are some transition points for these students while the programs are suspended.”

Current students enrolled in the two-year Engineering Technology programs will be able to complete the final year of their studies at RDC and graduate in June 2022.

RDC has also collaborated with NAIT and SAIT to explore possibilities for newly admitted applicants to instead pursue their education at those institutions, if they wish to do so.

Students enrolled in the one-year TVP certificate program this year will graduate as part of RDC’s Convocation Ceremonies in June. TVP applicants have been informed of similar programs they can explore at Olds College, Norquest College and Mount Royal University.

New programming has also been established at RDC for the upcoming school year, including a University Arts Diploma, University Science Diploma, and Bachelor of Science in Biological Science.

“The next degrees that are furthest along are the two psychology degrees,” says Nunoda. “We’ve already met with the Quality Council (Campus Alberta Quality Council) for the program review, we expect a decision in very short order. We’re highly confident that both of those will be approved.”

Nunoda says those programs will replace the collaborative one previously in place with the University of Calgary.

A Bachelor of Education degree will also be reviewed by the Campus Alberta Quality Council in mid-June, adds Nunoda, with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree expected to be reviewed sometime in the fall.

“By fall of 2022, we’ll have all five degrees up and running.”

Looking ahead to the upcoming school year, Nunoda says the college is preparing to offer as much in-person learning as possible.

“We’ve developed our online ability to a great degree, but what we know is that first year students especially are looking for that face-to-face experience,” he exclaims. “So if everything goes to plan as far as vaccination levels are concerned and we get the pandemic more under control, I think we can look forward to a bit of a more normal fall start-up.

“But what we’re emphasizing is choice for students, so if students choose to be online, that’s great, we can accommodate that. If you want to be here face-to-face, yes, we can do that. If you want some kind of blend of that, absolutely, we can do that too, so lots of options for our learners.”