Robert Okabe, Distinguished Graduate Award recipient and Fred Meier, President and CEO, RRC Polytech

For immediate release: April 27, 2023

Winnipeg, Manitoba on Treaty No. 1 Territory and the Homeland of the Red River Métis Nation – A Winnipeg engineering technologist who has been a local, provincial, and national leader in the profession is being honoured with the Distinguished Graduate Award from Red River College Polytechnic.

Robert Okabe, CEO and Registrar at Certified Technicians and Technologists Association of Manitoba (CTTAM) graduated with a diploma in Civil Engineering Technology from RRC Polytech’s Civil Engineering program in 1983. His dedication to technicians and technologists, along with his passion for his community and volunteering has set him apart and made him an outstanding candidate for RRC Polytech’s highest achievement.

“RRC Polytech is proud to honour Robert Okabe with the distinguished Graduate Award. His professional achievements truly embody the kind of commitment and leadership we aim to demonstrate to students. His contributions to Manitoba showcase the difference that RRC Polytech graduates make to our province, especially in the profession of applied science and engineering technology,” says Fred Meier, President and CEO.

RRC Polytech’s Distinguished Graduate Award honours and recognizes the College’s finest graduates – those who have made an impact in their profession and the community around them through outstanding achievements in one or more of the following areas: humanitarianism, professional excellence, and community service. 

Over his career Okabe has been recognized as a Fellow of Engineers Canada FEC by Engineers and by the Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists (CCTT) in 2013. He has served in various positions for the CCTT and the Canadian Technology Accreditation Board (CTAB).

Okabe is currently a Program Advisory Committee member with RRC Polytech, Assiniboine Community College, and University of College of the North and has provided invaluable guidance and advocacy with the accreditation of RRC Polytech’s engineering technology programs. He also has a role in all nine of the College’s Engineering Technology Advisory Committees — which provide direction and curriculum support from those working on the ground.

“I am incredibly excited and proud to be receiving this award,” says Robert Okabe. “I believe that giving back to the community is such an important thing I can do as a graduate and am proud to support the next generation. The College provided so much for me in my career, and it’s an honour to be celebrated in this way.”

Okabe understands how important a helping hand can be in propelling students from the world of academia into a lifelong career, and in 2008 he established the Robert Okabe Achievement Award for Civil Engineering Technology.

Always open to new ideas and opportunities to do outreach for student recruitment, Okabe ensures he does what he can to support young women in STEM, and help newcomers pursue this industry. His ongoing partnership with RRC Polytech is a welcome and substantial support in helping to transform today’s learners into a force for change.

One thing is clear looking back at Robert’s life: he believes in the potential of others and will stop at nothing to help them meet it.

Okabe was presented with the Distinguished Graduate Award on April 20, 2023 at the 2023 Association of Consulting Engineering Companies – Manitoba Awards of Excellence in Consulting Engineering.

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