On behalf of the College community, we send our condolences and deepest sympathies to Bonnie Buhler and all the family, friends and loved ones of John Buhler, who passed away on Saturday, December 21.

An entrepreneur and leader in the agriculture sector, John turned his business success into a chance to be an active and generous philanthropist. He supported post-secondary education and institutions – including RRC Polytech – and countless other community staples such as the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Siloam Mission, St. Boniface Hospital and Health Sciences Centre.

John received many honours in recognition of his endeavors, including the Order of Canada, Manitoba Entrepreneur of the Year, the Queen’s Jubilee Medal, the Humanitarian of the Year award by Variety, and was recognized by the Manitoba Business Hall of Fame. In 2009, John received an honorary diploma from RRC Polytech in recognition of his support for academic success and his involvement in the community.

His support for the construction of RRC Polytech’s Exchange District Campus opened more academic possibilities and learning opportunities for students and set the foundation for what the campus has grown to be today. John’s gift is recognized at RRC Polytech through the Buhler Learning Commons and the John and Bonnie Buhler Library located within the campus he helped create.

John Buhler’s legacy continues in all the places and people he impacted.

RRC Polytech will be lowering its flags today, December 23, in honour of John’s passing.

The following story contains content about mental health illness, including suicide and discusses the death of a close family member, which may evoke strong emotions. It is recommended you read the story when you feel safe and supported. Resources are available for Mental Health Services in Manitoba (9-8-8 Suicide Hotline).

Our minds can be both our greatest challenge and our greatest source of light; they can pull us into darkness, leaving us searching for a way out.

And in those moments, we often wonder: is the fight for the search of light worth it?

The portrait Jocelyne Hebert shot, now representing Team Canada in the World Photographic Cup (WPC) this year, conveys the same message.

As a portrait photography instructor at RRC Polytech, Jocelyne has been inspiring her own students on their artistic journeys for years now. But this time her students were the ones who inspired the portrait and the message behind it.

“Over the years I have observed how some students struggled with mental health which opened my eyes to how deeply rooted this issue can be among the youth,” said Hebert. “But the brighter part of my journey toward achieving this goal was my students’ unwavering support and their ability to challenge me that truly motivated me toward success.”

The girl in the portrait is none other than Hebert’s 18-year-old daughter, symbolizing the youth of this generation.

Jocelyne has entered this competition a few times before but would usually make it past the first or second round of the three required to join Team Canada.

This time, when Hebert received emails confirming she passed the first two rounds, she couldn’t help but wonder if it would just be a repetition of her past attempts. But, on October 30, her doubts turned into tears of joy as she opened a third email stating her portrait has been chosen to represent Team Canada in the portrait/natural category—the only Manitoban on the team.

“It’s no surprise that she’s representing Canada––she’s worked incredibly hard and truly deserves this recognition,” said Joanne Struch, Acting Chair, Digital and Creative Industries at RRC Polytech. “Recognition like this not only showcases the exceptional talent of our instructors but also inspires our students and supports their own journeys.”

Struch noted this recognition is not only a significant achievement for Jocelyne but also for the College, as it highlights the value of having an instructor who, as an accomplished practitioner, can show her students the possibility for their future.

Surprisingly, the portrait wasn’t shot at a lake or a pond but at Hebert’s backyard in an inflatable swimming pool with leaves surrounding her daughter.

Hebert showed the BTS shot of the portrait to her students who said the video puts a lot more meaning to the portrait and the story behind it.

“Mental health is a great topic to shine light on and through her portrait it feels more powerful,” said Keiji Hunter, one of Hebert’s students. “It is like the Olympics of photography, and we feel lucky to have her as our mentor… she shoots more than all of us combined inspiring us with her burning passion for photography– a passion that makes her truly deserving of this recognition.”

Graham Burns and Faye Dia, another two of Hebert’s students, said every student’s relationship with her is more of a friendship than that of a teacher-student dynamic.

Beside her students, Hebert also drew inspiration from her brother-in-law, who tragically lost his life to suicide. She, along with her family members, remember him as a warm, cheerful person, making his sudden death even more impactful. The loss brought the importance of mental health into sharp focus for her.

Hebert was disappointed the same portrait – carrying a powerful message about mental health – was not received well when she entered Professional Photographer of Canada (PPOC) competition in February 2024. Though she remains grateful as it did score an excellence award at such a prestigious competition.

“A lot of times, we as a society miss the message,” Hebert reflected.

After consulting with friends, family, colleagues, students, and fellow photographers, she decided to take a bolder step by entering the WPC again.

“It doesn’t matter how old you are — always keep the fire alive,” said Hebert. “I’m proud and overwhelmed, but I did this for me, not for anyone else.”

Grateful for the support and recognition she’s received, Hebert believes it’s always worth fighting for the light, as the journey becomes the most meaningful part of reaching the destination.

Though it’s still uncertain whether her portrait will reach the finals, this achievement is already a significant milestone in Jocelyne’s career and for RRC Polytech.

Congratulations Jocelyne!

Learn more about her journey.

A reminder If you need someone to talk to about your challenges or anything in general, support and help for students is available through Campus Well-Being. Staff have access to an Employee and Family Assistance Program through Homewood Health. Your well-being is important to us, so please take a good care of yourselves and those around you.

Due to the most recent weather, road conditions, and K-12 school closures, the Winkler Campus will be closed today, December 19, 2024 and will move to online delivery.

Yesterday’s snowstorm is having and impact on road conditions. Please click here for more information on highway closures and road conditions.

Winnipeg campuses remain open and will operate as usual and please use caution while commuting.

RRC Polytech’s regional campuses will be operating as follows:

• Portage Campus is open.
• Stevenson Southport and Stevenson Winnipeg campuses will be open with classes continuing in-person as scheduled.
• Selkirk campus is closed with online delivery online today.
• Peguis campus is open with classes continuing in-person as scheduled.
• Steinbach Campus is closed with online delivery.
• Winkler Campus is open.

For those driving both inside and outside of Winnipeg, please drive with caution and adjust to weather conditions.

If you cannot make it to classes or work safely due to weather conditions, please work with your instructor or supervisor directly.

Any updates to campus operations will be shared here.

High volume of completed projects ranks first among peer institutions in annual research rankings 

For immediate release:

Winnipeg, Manitoba on Treaty No. 1 Territory and the Homeland of the Red River Métis – RRC Polytech’s Research Partnerships and Innovation (RPI) celebrates its 20th year by continuing to lead Canada’s medium-tier colleges in applied research projects, with 222 completed in 2023 alone. The College secured 146 research partnerships and saw a 94% increase in industry investments over the previous year, showcasing its growing influence. Re$earch Infosource released its annual rankings of the country’s top research colleges yesterday.

“These results reflect RRC Polytech’s proven track record with two decades of applied research success and the trust we’ve built with partners across all sectors,” said Jamie Wilson, VP of Indigenous Strategy, Research, and Business Development. “Applied research is a cornerstone of our identity as Manitoba’s polytechnic, offering our technology, expertise and facilities to identify affordable and effective solutions to challenges faced by businesses and communities alike.”

RRC Polytech has made its mark in diverse fields, from developing bioplastic food packaging to pioneering diesel-to-electric bus conversions. The Centre for Automation and Manufacturing Technology Transfer (CAMTT), located at the College’s Price Institute of Advanced Manufacturing and Mechatronics, launched this fall, is the latest addition to its capabilities, focusing on Industry 4.0 technologies like robotics, additive manufacturing, and AI.

Manitoba’s businesses continue to invest in this work and trust the expertise of the College’s research teams, fuelling confidence in funders of research endeavors. Over the last 5 years, RRC Polytech’s granting council revenue ranks second among its peers at nearly $16 million, funding projects like robotic precision improvements and 3D vision systems that leverage the institution’s expertise in advanced manufacturing.

“We’re solving real-world problems for our partners at all stages, from growth and productivity to adopting new tech to creating sustainable processes,” said Dr. Jolen Galaugher, Director of Research Partnerships & Innovation.

“Through applied research collaborations, RRC Polytech has proudly been making things possible in Manitoba for 20 years and our operation and leadership role within the innovation ecosystem continues to grow.”

Notably, RRC Polytech is the only post-secondary in Canada that integrates research into its Indigenous Strategy portfolio, underscoring its unique commitment to social innovation and Indigenous growth in Manitoba.

“Applied research connects our faculty, staff and students, provides invaluable experience through work-integrated learning and helps to create a problem-solving mindset across our College community,” added Wilson. “We’re driving alignment, innovation, and progress that elevates all Manitobans.”

As one of Canada’s leading polytechnics, RRC Polytech continues to expand its influence, creating solutions that make a difference in Manitoba and beyond.

Learn more at rrc.ca/research.

About the Rankings
Re$earch Infosource annually ranks Canada’s top research colleges based on performance metrics such as research income, partnerships, and completed projects. Institutions are categorized by size to ensure accurate comparisons. RRC Polytech consistently ranks among the top performers in the medium-tier category, earning recognition for its research excellence, innovation, and industry impact.

Eric Swanson has been a Carpenter Apprenticeship Instructor at RRC Polytech for just over a decade. Last week, he was shocked and humbled to learn he was receiving the “Technical Training Instructor of the Year” award at the 18th Annual Awards of Distinction hosted by the Apprenticeship and Certification Board at the RBC Convention Centre, where Apprenticeship Manitoba honored him with this award.

“It was unreal. I was so nervous sitting there when the nominations showed up. It seemed something like the Academy Awards, and it was unexpected for me to win that award,” said Swanson. “It was a special moment for me.”

The award honors individuals who have made a significant impact in the skilled trades by mentoring and training apprentices, with nominations coming from the apprentices themselves.

Eric teaches his students everything from wood frame constructions to roof framing, such as site layout (surveying sites), installation of exterior finishing products, and safe operations of tools and equipment. He feels truly honored that all the work he put into his teaching is worthy of the award.

Emotions ran high as he shed tears while receiving this award – not only in front of his peers and the student apprentice who nominated him, but also in front of Swanson’s first instructor when he was attending the program, who ten years later is now the program Chair of Construction Trades at RRC Polytech, Scott Savoy.

“I want to inspire my students just like my instructor [Scott] inspired me to teach. I hope ten or 15 years from now I will be able to watch my students winning awards and can feel the same sense of pride my colleagues felt seeing me be recognized by my students and receive this award,” said Swanson.

Scott Savoy attended the ceremony to watch his student, instructor, and now colleague, Eric, accept the award for his outstanding ability to inspire and impact his students.

“It was a very emotional evening. I was surprised but also felt very, very proud of Eric,” said Savoy, with a big smile on his face. “This recognition solidifies the fact that we’re doing the right thing at this college, that we’re making a difference in the lives of people here.”

Scott believes the future of the trades program and the college is in good hands, as this recognition signifies the positive impact the program has on students.

Alongside Eric, the college is proud to have other nominations as well, including Alex Lagasse (Plumbing), Glenn Schapf (Automotive), and Mark Klimchuk (Autobody).

Since the nominations come from an apprentice, it reflects the positive influence and empowerment the instructors provide through their teaching and training.

Joel Gustafson, a Carpentry apprentice who was a student in Eric’s class last fall, nominated him for the award.

Joel received an email from Skills Manitoba—a not-for-profit organization that has been organizing the Awards of Distinction Gala for five years— to nominate an instructor for this award.

Throughout the course, Joel remembered that email – as his instructor, Eric, constantly demonstrated his dedication that went far beyond just being an instructor. He knew Eric was deserving of this award and recognition for his commitment to his students.

“Eric is more than just an instructor of the year, and I feel great pleasure being the one to be a part of his journey,” said Joel. “I’m glad there is an opportunity for people like Eric to receive prestigious recognition, and I hope humanity continues rewarding the deserving and helping those who have the inability to achieve rewards like this one.”

Eric describes his relationship with his students as one of friendship. He hopes his students continue to treat their colleagues with the same respect, understanding, and compassion they practice in class into their future workplaces.

In a world of flashy celebrations, Eric found peace holding his wife’s hand and celebrating this success with a bottle of water while driving his car to their kids back at home.

Congratulations to all the nominees!

As part of our ongoing efforts to enhance campus security and access control at the Exchange District Campus, starting Monday, December 2, security officers will be stationed inside the doorways of each of the following building’s main entrances:

All other entries to our facilities at EDC will remain locked.

Expanded swipe card access and reviewing current public operating hours

The additional security will support our work to restrict access on campus and help us inform the College community to have College ID as we expand swipe card access to our downtown facilities in the new year.

What to expect when arriving at EDC
 

At each entrance, Security will inform staff and students to ensure they have a valid college ID. Staff and students who do not have a College ID will be provided with information on how to obtain one and instructed to get their ID before the December break, as ID will be required to access the campus in January.

Security will advise members of the public visiting EDC that their access is restricted to public spaces such as Student Services, the Campus Store, Tim Hortons, Culinary Exchange or Jane’s Restaurant only. Access is not permitted anywhere else on-campus, unless there is a stated purpose for their visit.

This initial step is part of our ongoing work to expand swipe card access to our spaces, review our public hours of operation, and restrict access to non-public spaces.

We will share more information regarding card access and campus hours in a future update, in early December, as we finalize those plans.

Access will not be limited for staff and students who do not have a College ID for the rest of the Fall Term while we make this transition for January.

We encourage everyone to carry their RRC Polytech ID cards at all times.  

January 2025 Access

Beginning January 2025, access to the Exchange District Campus for staff and students will require a valid staff or student ID card.

Members of the public must have a stated reason for visiting the campus such as visiting Tim Hortons, Student Services, Campus Store, Culinary Exchange, or Jane’s. Approved visitors, such as service personnel, guests, contractors and people accessing the campus in support of our programs, will continue to be permitted on campus as well. Details on those processes are in development and will be shared soon.

In addition to updated swipe card access, there will be additional changes at The Roblin Centre to manage access to the campus, further details will be shared once finalized.

We recognize that the new year and term will bring new students onto our campuses, and we are working to ensure that new students at EDC can obtain their college ID without impacting their studies. 

We are also developing processes to ensure that special events, conferences, Open Doors, and other activities we host on-campus will continue without disruption once our new access procedures come into full effect in January 2025.

New Signage and Designated Staff and Student Areas  

Along with the upcoming access changes we are installing new signage across campus to identify restricted areas only accessible by RRC Polytech staff and students. Security will actively monitor these spaces and escort anyone off-campus who is not authorized to be in them.

Thank you

This change, and upcoming changes, is a step toward continuing our work to enhance security across the Exchange District Campus and maintain a safe environment for all staff, students, and visitors.

We recognize that this may require some adjustments, and we appreciate your cooperation as we implement these additional safety measures.

Should you need to obtain or replace your ID card, please visit one of our Student Services Centres. For more details on obtaining a card, please visit rrc.ca/ID

Thank you for your support as we continue our efforts to expand the security services and support available to our College community. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Safety, Health and Security Services at safety@rrc.ca.

Since 2004, RRC Polytech’s applied research has helped Manitoba’s businesses and industries stay In Front of What’s Ahead 

For immediate release: November 26, 2024

Winnipeg, Manitoba on Treaty No. 1 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis Nation – Today, Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytech) celebrates 20 years as one of Canada’s leading applied research institutions, connecting Manitoba’s businesses and industries with the technology, expertise, and cutting-edge research facilities to bring their innovative ideas to life. 

The College’s Research Partnerships & Innovation (RPI) enterprise stands out as a national leader in applied research. With three NSERC funded Technology Access Centres, thousands of square feet of research space and more than 135 researchers and 600 students in 60 programs applied research at the college has grown dramatically over two decades. 

As RRC Polytech celebrates its 20th year of providing this vital service to Manitoba it is showing no signs of slowing down as it continues to expand in its work and embed research  in its programs to keep transforming how it educates and prepares students to have an impact in the workplace. 

“Applied research drives progress to keep Manitoba competitive, while providing students with invaluable experience through work-integrated learning. We’re eager to build on the incredible success with our partners over the last 20 years and to explore new opportunities to keep growing our province,” said Fred Meier, President and CEO, RRC Polytech.

Whether it’s helping create the world’s first all-electric tundra buggy for Frontiers North Adventures in Churchill,  delivering the Abecedarian Approach in child care, repairing aircrafts with StandardAero, or helping identify improvements in building efficiency for the Winnipeg School Division their work has had an impact on many sectors and communities.

Through the support of federal and provincial funding and industry partners, RRC Polytech’s applied research initiatives have multiplied over 20 years. 

“We are proud to support RRC Polytech’s wide range of critical applied research projects because their creative collaborations with industry and community build on the strengths of the region and further diversify Manitoba’s economy to create opportunities for everyone,” said Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs and PrairiesCan. “Polytechnics not only train the workforce of tomorrow but also support businesses with access to state-of-art facilities and by providing guidance on the research and development of new processes and products in various stages of technology readiness levels. Twenty years is a tremendous milestone, and we look forward to their future successes.”

To date, RPI has completed thousands of projects for clients and continues to expand its areas of specialization to:
•    Advanced Manufacturing and Mechatronics
•    Cleantech with focus on EV and building efficiency
•    Health, nutrition and social sciences with focus on culinary research and food innovation
•    Early childhood development research
•    Enabling adoption of digital technologies including AI and automation 

“Providing Manitoba students high-quality research training not only prepares them for their future careers, it puts our province on the map as a centre of innovation,” said Hon. Renée Cable, Minister of Advanced Education and Training. 

“On behalf of the Manitoban government, I want to congratulate RRC Polytech on twenty years of fueling innovation, especially for small and medium-sized businesses,” says Hon. Mike Moroz, Minister of Innovation and New Technology. “RRC Polytech’s success demonstrates the importance of combining both technical knowledge, as well as hands-on learning by conducting research in real-time. As a former educator, I’ve seen the impact of this teaching method and I’m excited for RRC Polytech to continue to lead the way in technology and innovation as their success continues to put Manitoba on the map.”

In its 20 years of existence, RPI has positioned the province for success in a globally competitive environment and aims to bring even more Manitobans together in the future by accelerating the ability to maximize Indigenous growth opportunities across the province – continuing its strong economic, environmental, social and cultural impact.

“RPI is uniquely positioned to take a leadership role in strengthening Manitoba’s research innovation ecosystem through its strategic partnerships and by cooperating with other post-secondaries, regional and national research labs, government departments, and industry associations,” said Dr. Jolen Galaugher, Director, Research Partnerships & Innovation at RRC Polytech. “We want to thank our generous funders and supporters, and of course, all of our partners for trusting us to help achieve their goals by transforming their ideas into reality. We’re determined to build on those relationships and together, create a prosperous, sustainable and inclusive future for all.” 

Following a breakfast reception, industry and community partners were invited to join the general public to tour RRC Polytech’s research labs and areas; experience demonstrations of its leading-edge technology; and engage with faculty, professional research staff and students to learn how applied research projects connect all areas of the College and are driving our province into the future.

There is a winter storm impacting Southern Manitoba today and causing poor visibility and driving conditions. Winnipeg campuses remain open and will operate as usual.

RRC Polytech’s regional campuses will be operating as follows:

• Portage campus will remain open with virtual options for those who cannot travel due to poor road conditions.
• Stevenson Southport and Stevenson Winnipeg campuses will be open with classes delivered as usual.
• Winkler campus will remain open with classes delivered as usual.
• Selkirk campus is open with classes delivered as usual.
• Peguis campus is open with classes delivered as usual.
• Steinbach campus and Steinbach Language Training Centre will remain open with classes delivered as usual.
• Arborg Language Training Centre will remain open with classes delivered as usual.

For those driving both inside and outside of Winnipeg, please drive with caution and adjust to weather conditions.

Any updates to campus operations will be shared on www.rrc.ca/marcomm/news

RRC Polytech opens Manitoba’s first Interdisciplinary Health and Community Services Simulation Centre – set to begin training future health leaders in January 2025.

Winnipeg, MB on Treaty No. 1 Territory and the Homeland of the Red River Métis – 

Healthcare education at Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytech) is entering a new chapter today with the opening of its new Interdisciplinary Health and Community Services Simulation Centre (the Simulation Centre). This first-of-its kind training facility in Manitoba will begin training the province’s future health leaders this January.

The Simulation Centre is a groundbreaking interdisciplinary facility that will revolutionize healthcare training in Manitoba. It is the first interdisciplinary centre of its kind in Manitoba to focus on nursing, allied health professions and community services and has 16,630 square feet of state-of-the-art learning space at RRC Polytech’s Notre Dame Campus.

“The Simulation Centre will maximize education opportunities and provide immersive and collaborative training for our health and community care programs,” said Fred Meier, President and CEO, RRC Polytech. “As one of the largest trainers of healthcare professionals in the province, this is an exciting new frontier in how we can better train and prepare students to be confident in their careers and make an impact in our communities throughout the province.”

“Simulation is critical as it ensures students in all programs have access to immediate experiential training opportunities vital to graduation, gaining experience that helps better prepare them for the clinical environment and ultimately, being job ready on day one,” said Meier.

Using state-of-the art high-fidelity simulation equipment and live actors to create small- and large-scale activities and mock scenarios, the Simulation Centre will provide students from various health disciplines in 13 programs with real-world experiences that mirror the realities they will face in the workplace. These training opportunities will equip students to fill vital and in-demand career roles in Manitoba’s healthcare system from their first day on the job.

The Simulation Centre was made possible through ongoing support from the Province of Manitoba, who this year invested over $6 million in funding towards the development along with ongoing operating support – providing a total investment of over $12.5 million.

 “This state-of-the-art centre is an example of the high-quality training that is offered right here in Manitoba. Bringing students together from different health disciplines allows our future healthcare workers to get hands-on training that reflects the realities of their future workplaces,” said Minister of Advanced Education and Training, Renée Cable.

“Together, with our partners at RRC Polytech, we’re ensuring that the future of healthcare in Manitoba is in good hands,” said Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care, Uzoma Asagwara. “Innovative learning opportunities guarantee that future generations of healthcare workers are well-equipped to offer top-quality care to Manitobans. I look forward to seeing how the centre improves students’ education and how as a result, Manitoba continues to be a top choice for folks wanting to study and work in healthcare.”

Designed with the future of healthcare professions in mind, the Simulation Centre will continue to evolve alongside emerging technological and social innovations, as well as RRC Polytech’s commitments to reconciliation, equity, diversity, and inclusion.  The Simulation Centre was designed with Indigenous teaching and practices woven throughout. Each of the debriefing rooms are named after Indigenous healing plants which are integrated through the Centre. The space also has an Elder’s Room and includes spaces for smudging and ceremonies.

The space was created to accommodate growth in these programs. It has the capacity to train up to 12,000 students each academic year, and up to six simulations can be run at a time in the various simulation spaces. The Simulation Centre is designed to replicate real hospital environments, including multi-patient rooms, and an adaptable apartment space that supports a wide range of interdisciplinary scenarios.

The facility also includes a triage station for training health unit clerks, as well as an exam room designed to mimic a healthcare practitioner’s space. Several flexible spaces, with movable walls, can be reconfigured to accommodate large group gatherings or simulations that require non-hospital settings.

Streaming and recording capabilities within the Simulation Center will allow regional campuses to observe live simulations which can also be viewed in the large lecture theater connected to the Simulation Centre. This would allow a larger audience to engage with and participate in the simulation experience.

Students will train with standardized participant actors to fill the role of patients, and the Simulation Centre enter is equipped with a diverse range of advanced mannequins, spanning from infant to older adult, to effectively simulate various stages of life.

The Simulation Centre will support new and existing students and provide opportunities for the current workforce to upgrade their skills. A dedicated simulation educator will be available to support industry partners who wish to use the center. This educator will assist in developing simulations that align with learning objectives, provide exceptional student experience, and uphold the highest standards in simulation.

For more information about the Simulation Centre, and the programs it supports, go to rrc.ca/sim.