Partnerships
Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytech) is Manitoba’s largest institute of applied learning and research.
As the first post-secondary institution in Manitoba to sign the SDG Accord, it is committed to integrating the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into its academic programs, research, and operations, and collaborating with other signatory institutions as part of a collective international response to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure all people enjoy peace and prosperity.
By fostering international partnerships and development projects, RRC Polytech enhances intercultural competence, promotes knowledge exchange, drives innovation, and supports sustainable development, all while shaping a brighter future for generations to come.
RRC Polytech has established numerous global institutional partnerships in countries such as Denmark, Finland, Jamaica, Brazil, India, China, Thailand, and the Philippines, among others.
Through these partnerships, students access valuable opportunities to study and work abroad. These exchange programs are vital for the College and offer a range of benefits for students, including:
- Immersion in diverse cultures to help improve language skills, and cultivate a global mindset
- Exposure to different educational systems, to broaden students’ perspectives and enhances critical thinking
- Enhanced employability – employers increasingly seek candidates with intercultural competency and adaptability.
Several institutional partnerships include joint program collaboration with RRC Polytech. Joint program partnerships enhance student learning experiences through international exchange and cultural immersion. They also strengthen RRC Polytech’s global reputation, attract top-tier faculty and students, and foster intercultural understanding. By working together with international institutions, RRC Polytech can drive innovation, address global challenges, and contribute to sustainable development.
Shenyang Institute of Engineering — China
Shenyang Institute of Engineering (SIE) is located in Shenyang City, a famous historical and cultural city. Shenyang City is a northeast industrial city and the capital of Liaoning Province. SIE is recognized by the Liaoning Provincial People’s government and is one of the most successful universities in China, providing cutting-edge engineering education to students.
What started as a simple language exchange in 1987 has blossomed into a thriving educational partnership between RRC Polytechnic SIE.
Since 2010, students in SIE have had the opportunity to pursue joint programs in high-demand fields like Electrical Engineering Technology and Power Engineering Technology. The flexibility of these programs allows students to complete their entire program in SIE or spend their final year at RRC Polytech’s Notre Dame campus in Winnipeg. This unique approach provides Chinese students with a global perspective and hands-on experience.
“Partnerships such as this one with Shenyang have mutual benefits to our institutions,” says Fred Meier, RRC Polytech President and CEO. “Shenyang is a leader in renewable energy and their knowledge and insight in these critical areas can help support our own understanding of how we help Manitoba transition to a greener economy. Beyond the exchange of knowledge and skills, partnerships foster intercultural competencies and understanding – which are crucial assets in our interconnected world. By coming together, we can break down cultural barriers, foster innovation, and tackle global challenges with a more intricate approach.”
Explorra School of Design & Technology – India
For more than a decade, RRC Polytech has had international pathway programs in India. The one with with the Explorra School of Design & Technology (XDS) in Ahmedabad, India, leads to an international credential in Digital Media Design. Students take their first year of studies at XDS and are granted direct admission to RRC Polytech following the successful completion of their first year.
Students aren’t required to complete their second year at RRC Polytech; however, the option exists and is advantageous as Canada has many engaging and emerging opportunities for digital media designers.
“This partnership is important for moving our strategy to create opportunities for global engagement, and it opens the doors for students from India to learn cutting-edge skills in Canada,” says Dr. Christine Watson, Vice-President, Academic, at RRC Polytech. “The program showcases RRC Polytech and Manitoba as a world-class education destination for students.”
In fall 2024, RRC Polytech launched the Schroeder Institute of Entertainment and Media Arts to cultivate the talent and drive the applied research necessary to sustain the growth and prosperity of Manitoba’s creative arts industry — an economic powerhouse, generating over $1.6 billion annually and employing thousands.
The strategic partnership between RRC Polytechnic and Explorra School of Design & Technology is a testament to the power of international collaboration. By combining their strengths and resources, both institutions can create a more dynamic and globally competitive learning environment. This partnership will not only benefit students and faculty but also contribute to the ongoing economic and social development of both Canada and India.
“I came to RRC Polytech through the partnership with Shenyang Institute of Engineering (in China). My extended education at RRC Polytech gave me hands-on experience and a multicultural perspective.”
-Sophie Shi, Shenyang Institute of Engineering – China
International Education at RRC Polytech
Find out more about studying at RRC Polytech, life in Manitoba, work and immigration information, student supports and how to apply.