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By Josh Hall | @Vancan19 and Ashley Lavallee-Koenig

HIGHLIGHTS AND CHALLENGES

Red Deer Polytechnic 2024 Impact Report showcases a year of growth

Jan 31, 2025 | 10:46 AM

Red Deer Polytechnic released its 2024 Impact Report on Tuesday, highlighting progress its made on achieving the goals of its 2023 Strategic Plan.

The 2023-24 school year saw the program launch seven new programs, with more than 11,000 learners — an increase of 10 per cent.

RDP also received a $20 million gift from the Donald family to create the Donald Family Institute for Healthtech Innovation, plus it was once again named to the Top 50 Research Colleges/Polytechnics in Canada.

“Launched in December 2023, our plan is bold and ambitious; it provides the blueprint for our polytechnic journey,” comments Stuart Cullum, President, Red Deer Polytechnic.

“By sharpening our focus on the issue of productivity, we are increasing and diversifying the talent base for Alberta’s economic growth and producing a community of innovators and entrepreneurs for our essential industries to compete and thrive. As we look forward to 2025, we will continue to work alongside our industry and community partners, faculty, staff and students to create lasting social and economic impact.”

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The school’s 11,000+ students last year included 450 (up 20 per cent) who are Indigenous; and 2,159 in the trades, a 27 per cent increase.

On the athletics side, RDP was ranked as the third most successful program in Canada by the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA).

“This is something that we’re very proud of is we have an athletics program that has been successful for many decades,” said Cullum. “I know that because I was at institutions that competed against Red Deer Polytechnic and they’re a juggernaut when it comes to many athletic programs.”

Cullum attributes this success to the school’s history of “solid coaching, stable leadership,” and its top-notch training facilities in the Gary. W. Harris Canada Games Centre.

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As for challenges, federal changes to international student policies, inflation, and seven years without an operational funding increase have made things difficult for the institution, which Cullum said all post-secondary schools have struggled with.

“But that said, we feel that with a strong strategic plan that really articulates our areas of focus; that’s really geared toward responding to industry and creating partnerships with industry and others; as well as the great investments and donations that we received in the past year, including from the Donald family and from the Government of Alberta towards our Center for Innovation and Manufacturing – we have a strong foundation to withstand those challenges,” said Cullum.

More challenges may loom on the horizon given U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat of slapping 25 per cent tariffs onto Canadian goods starting Feb. 1, but Cullum remains “optimistic.”

He said that kind of economic environment could require Canada to consider how we can create more economic prosperity and diversify our markets and trading partners.

“I think there’s going to be a constant need for highly trained people in that respect,” he explained. “There’s going to be a continual need for innovation and ensuring that our companies can grow here at home. So, an institution like Red Deer Polytechnic, with the programs we have, with the applied research capacity that we have, I think is only going to be more important as we try to get through these challenging times.”

Overall, RDP’s president remains steadfast in his optimism for the institution’s future and is proud to see how much it’s grown in the last year. He credits that success to the school’s focused approach to program growth, the community and its partners, and serving its students.

The full Impact Report can be read here.