(L-R) Savannah Snow - RDP Student's Association President, Dr. Peter Nunoda - RDP President, Kylie Thomas - Vice President Academic and Research at RDP. (rdnewsNOW / Sheldon Spackman)

By Sheldon Spackman

Exciting New Start

Red Deer Polytechnic ready for new experiences during year ahead

Sep 2, 2021 | 2:31 PM

Students, faculty and staff will celebrate a year filled with first experiences at Red Deer Polytechnic during the 2021/2022 academic year.

College officials note this is the first full year the post-secondary institution will use its new name of Red Deer Polytechnic and unveil its new brand.

This is also the first year that new cohorts of students will begin their studies in a variety of new programs, including three new Red Deer Polytechnic degrees. In addition, it’s the first year that student-athletes will compete as Red Deer Polytechnic Kings and Queens. Furthermore, when the Class of 2022 celebrates their achievements in June, they will be the first graduates of central Alberta’s new polytechnic institution.

This September, more than 150 students will begin classes in a variety of new programs, according to College officials. Those new programs include Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Bachelor of Science in Psychology, University Arts Diploma and University Sciences Diploma.

These programs were recently approved by Alberta’s Ministry of Advanced Education, highlighting the continued diverse range of subjects and credentials that will be offered to learners attending Red Deer Polytechnic.

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Kylie Thomas, Vice President Academic and Research, says they’re also seeing increased demand in existing program areas.

“We’ll be running new cohorts this year for the first time ever. There will be a winter cohort in our Practical Nursing programs, so a full cohort there,” she explains. “We’ve opened seats in our Medical Lab Assistant program, our Legal Assistant program, and we’ve seen an increase in demand for our Bachelor of Commerce programs and our Business Admin degree.”

Thomas notes RDP is also seeking to offer a Bachelor of Education degree next year, which they hope to get confirmation on in the coming weeks, as well as the Bachelor of Business Administration degree.

Enrollment remains steady, as Red Deer Polytechnic anticipates about 6,200 students to attend courses, either part-time or full-time, during 2021/2022 in its credit, collaborative and apprenticeship programs. Of note, the Bachelor of Commerce, Legal Assistant, Business Administration, and Early Learning and Child Care programs are among those which have experienced enrollment increases this fall.

Additionally, the Medical Lab Assistant Certificate, Practical Nurse Diploma, and Pharmacy Technician Diploma are among programs that have added capacity to welcome more students based on current enrollment demand. Apprenticeship enrollment, however, has remained steady from last year at roughly 1,500.

Elsewhere, international student enrollment has grown by roughly 100 this year, bringing the total number of international students at RDP to over 280. According to College officials, attracting international students continues to be an area of focus for the institution, providing learning experiences for students both locally and from around the world to collaborate.

“If we do not change programs as the labour market shifts, we’re going to be left behind, so that agility is critical to our academic planning,” says Dr. Peter Nunoda, President, RDP.

Officials say faculty and staff are happy to be welcoming more learners to attend courses in-person at the institution’s campuses this fall, while also providing online, blended and hy-flex course and program delivery options. Hy-flex delivery provides students with opportunities to select on-site or online learning, where possible.

In some instances where valuable hands-on learning such as shops and labs are key components of the immersive educational experience, however, students will need to attend classes in-person. In addition, services for students will continue to be provided both in-person and online, to allow greater choice for students.

Savannah Snow, President, Student’s Association, says despite the amount of blended learning taking place due to the pandemic, it’s an encouraging start to the school year for students.

“I know the SA (Student’s Association) we have quite a few events planned over the course of the year, COVID conscious and safe but in-person. So we’re really looking forward to engaging students through that.

With a continued focus on the health and safety of students, employees and visitors during the COVID-19 pandemic, several protocols will continue to be in place at Red Deer Polytechnic’s main and downtown campuses. As it has done throughout the pandemic, RDP will continue to monitor and follow Alberta Health public health measures and will adjust protocols as necessary, if there is an increase in COVID-19 cases, adapting to best serve students, employees and visitors.

In partnership with Alberta Health Services (AHS), Red Deer Polytechnic will be offering a drop-in immunization clinic on September 8 and 9 on main campus. It will run from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm in the Kevin Sirois Gymnasium (room 1000) on main campus. It’s a drop-in clinic; no appointments necessary.

Students began classes in most apprenticeship periods on Aug. 30, with students in the institution’s credit programs starting their courses on Sept. 2. Red Deer Polytechnic welcomed all new students to attend orientation activities on Sept. 1.