(L-R) Kylie Thomas, Vice President Academic and Provost, Students’ Association President Savannah Snow, Red Deer Polytechnic new President Stuart Cullum at main campus on Tuesday. (rdnewsNOW/ Alessia Proietti)

By Alessia Proietti

New programs and opportunities

Red Deer Polytechnic welcomes 6,300 students to new academic year

Sep 6, 2022 | 3:20 PM

With roughly 6,300 students returning to the Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) campus on Tuesday, the post-secondary institution says they expect that number to continue to grow with the addition of new programs and learning options.

Officials say enrollment has stabilized after experiencing a decline resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. With nearly 7,300 students four years ago, new President Stuart Cullum says economic downturns also impacted enrollment as the institution was heavily based on trade-related programs.

This year, Kylie Thomas, Vice President Academic and Provost, says the Polytechnic has seen a marginal yet positive 1.6 per cent increase in enrollment compared to last year, with part-time and full-time students in its credit, collaborative and skilled trades programs. Officials also note seven per cent of credit learners, or 300 students, self-identify as Indigenous and the institution anticipates over 500 international students during the 2022/2023 academic year.

“We are very excited to welcome learners into our new and existing programs, as we begin a new academic year,” said Thomas. “As a vibrant polytechnic institution, our program diversity demonstrates our institution’s ability to meet the needs of our students, industry and Alberta communities.”

Their second year as a Polytechnic, new programs this September include a Bachelor of Education Degree, Therapeutic Massage Therapy Diploma, Paralegal Certificate, and an Indigenous Care Aide micro-credential.

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In the Winter 2023 Term, three more programs will be rolled out. The Machine Learning Analyst Diploma, in collaboration with Edmonton’s NorQuest College with a focus on data analytics, the Computer Programming Diploma, and a Life and Employment Skills for Independence Certificate.

As well, Campus Alberta Central, in partnership with Olds College of Agriculture and Technology, also provides post-secondary programming in 20 different learning centres throughout rural central Alberta communities such as Ponoka, Stettler, Rocky Mountain House and Sundre.

RDP officials say they expect enrollment to continue to increase next term partly due to the additional funding provided by the provincial government over the next three years to expand a variety of RDP’s high-demand programs to an additional 700 students. Thomas says a modest expansion has already been applied and filled for the Bachelor of Science and Nursing program, adding night and weekend courses to provide flexibility for those in the field.

READ: New seats added for local post-secondary institutions

She states the past two years have taught the institution to develop a “solutions-oriented focus to continue learning” for the upcoming school year. As a result, several courses and programs are delivered in-person, online, or in a blended format to provide options and flexibility for diverse learners.

With most restrictions having been lifted, masks remain a personal choice for students and staff.

Although some students are still hesitant, according to the Students’ Association President Savannah Snow, she says it is an exciting day being back on campus.

“Seeing all the students back in the hallways is so exciting. I’ve had students stop me and ask me for directions. It’s just good to be back in the classroom because it is far more engaging when the instructor is there,” she said.

For RDP facilities, Extended Education programs are offered at the J.B. Quinn Centre for Corporate Training within the institution’s downtown campus. Formerly the location for the Donald School of Business prior to moving to main campus in 2020, the institution also launched their own Bachelor of Business Administration this Fall semester.

READ: RDC moving Donald School of Business to main campus

At the Welikoklad Event Centre (WEC) downtown, officials say a creative mural showcasing RDP’s brand and breadth of programs will also be painted on one of the exterior walls this month. The WEC offers barrier-free theatre seating and digital projection and sound.

The Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre of Excellence is currently being constructed on RDP’s main campus and is expected to open in 2023. Offering a variety of supports to those facing abusive situations, the Polytechnic says they will provide aid through applied research, with students completing their practicum experiences at the Centre.

For athletics, the institution says they have returned to a typical schedule for the season with over 170 athletes competing in seven sports on 15 teams.

“I am very excited to collaborate with students, colleagues, community members, alum, and industry partners this year – my first as president. We are pleased to return to a more typical teaching and learning environment, when compared with the past two years during the pandemic, and to engage with even more community members and central Alberta businesses,” said Cullum. “Our campuses are energized and open to all students, employees, and community members to take courses, attend events, watch the Kings and Queens compete, use the health and wellness services at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre or a variety of other purposes. We are a premier polytechnic institution located in central Alberta and serving the whole of this province.”

Students began classes in various skilled trades programs on August 29. With orientation on September 1, learners in the institution’s credit programs started their courses on September 2.

Students have until January 9, 2023 to apply for the Winter semester.