For Immediate Release: 22 October 2014

WINNIPEG, MB – Red River College ranked sixth out of 50 Canadian research colleges and polytechnics, having posted $5.82 million in research income during the 2013 fiscal year. The ranking is based on Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges List, released October 22 by Research Infosource Inc.

The College moved up in rankings from last year, where it placed seventh with $4.37 million in research income.

“Red River College has been a leader in applied research over the last decade, and we’ve seen a steady increase in research income each year,” said David Rew, Interim President & CEO, Red River College. “Applied research is an integral part of our overall strategy – it contributes in a very productive way to our communities and the experience of our students.”

Red River College is best known for its applied research capabilities related to extreme climate and cold weather technologies and applications, but several other research thrusts are rapidly emerging.

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WINNIPEG, MB – Red River College (RRC) in partnership with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA) came together to develop a mental health strategy for the college community titled Healthy Minds Healthy College that includes launch of an online resource called Mind it!

The Healthy Minds Healthy College strategy is comprehensive and systemically based, recognizing everyone has a role to play in the positive mental health of the college community. The goal was to cultivate an environment of support that provides a sense of well-being, belonging, connectedness, and positive mental health for all students, faculty and staff.

“The advisory committee that came together in support of this initiative is to be commended,” said Laureen Janzen, Coordinator, Counselling and Accessibility Services (Chair), Red River College. “The vision of Healthy Minds Healthy College was to offer evidence-informed options to respond to the mental, social, psychological and spiritual needs of students, faculty and staff and the committee has exceeded those expectations.”

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As part of its commitment to improving opportunities and outcomes for Métis people in Manitoba, Red River College has entered into a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Manitoba Metis Federation and Louis Riel Institute.

Signed this morning at RRC’s Roblin Centre, the new MOU creates a joint working group with representation from all three organizations — one that focuses on education, business and growing industry partnerships to increase economic prospects for Manitoba’s Métis populations.

In addition, a new $400,000 bursary for Métis students was announced — one made possible through matching $200,000 investments by the MMF and RRC.

“[Today] signals an extremely satisfying phase of accomplishments for Red River College,” says RRC President Stephanie Forsyth. “Driven by the mission of the College and that of our Strategic Plan, [this] announcement reflects our goal of serving the educational needs of Aboriginal students.”

“The collective efforts of those involved … will benefit Métis people in Manitoba [by] improving access to training and employment opportunities,” says David Chartrand, President of the Manitoba Metis Federation. “We applaud Red River College for their leadership and contributions towards today’s announcement.”

In a case of perfect timing, Red River College will wrap up the Victoria Day long weekend by getting ready to welcome actual royalty to its Exchange District and Stevenson Campuses.

On Wednesday, May 21, the College will play host to Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, as part of a four-day excursion to Canada that also includes stops in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

On Wednesday morning, the royal couple will tour RRC’s Stevenson Campus, where they’ll be greeted by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, St. Boniface MP Shelly Glover and RRC President Stephanie Forsyth, among others. The couple will arrive just in time for Aviation & Aerospace in Manitoba Day, an annual event that showcases the province’s thriving aerospace and aviation industry for the benefit of more than 700 Grade 6 students.

Later the same day, Prince Charles will join President Forsyth for a tour of RRC’s Roblin Centre, where they’ll be joined by representatives from Prince’s Charities Canada, an organization that works with existing Canadian charities on a number of core objectives.

The last time RRC hosted visiting royalty was in 2002, when Prince Philip took part in the opening of The Roblin Centre (then called the Princess Street Campus).

Red River College was awarded new funding today from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), to continue applied research in the fields of electric vehicle (EV) testing, large building envelope research, and robotics innovation.

A total of $327,842 was awarded as part of NSERC’s College and Community Innovation Program Applied Research Tools and Instruments grants.

“This funding allows us to purchase and install specific research tools and equipment that will have an immediate impact on our applied research capacity across several industrial sectors,” said Stephanie Forsyth, President and CEO of RRC.

The tools and equipment being purchased and/or built include an EV rapid charging station and battery testers, a building envelope test chamber to test wall sections and materials, and new end-of-arm and imaging tools for existing robotics.

“These are assets that will directly support our industry partners’ research and training needs as well as enhancing student and instructor applied learning at the College,” said Ray Hoemsen, Director of Applied Research & Commercialization at RRC. “They support our strategy to drive Manitoba’s economy in an innovative and sustainable way.” Read More →

Red River College is pleased to announce it has been named one of Manitoba’s Top 25 Employers for the fourth year in a row.

“It truly is an honour for the College to be recognized as one of Manitoba’s Top Employers once again,” said Stephanie Forsyth, President and CEO, Red River College. “Our most important asset is our people, hence the development of a comprehensive People Plan created to foster a culture in which all 2,500 staff feel connected and supported by the organization. We’re an employer of choice in Manitoba and I am proud to say that we have been one for 75 years.”

This comprehensive human resources strategy has made RRC an employer of choice through a variety of initiatives related to recruitment, retention, professional development, succession, total rewards, labour relations and organizational effectiveness.

RRC provides exceptional benefits, such as: three weeks of vacation for new employees; maternity top-up payments; a defined benefit pension plan; a flexible health care plan; and an on-site daycare. The College was also recognized for its efforts to improve environmental sustainability, which earlier this year earned a designation as one of Canada’s 50 Greenest Employers for 2013.

“Having a positive work environment offers many benefits,” said Forsyth. “It makes us more competitive in recruiting new talent. It reduces staff turnover and it improves productivity because satisfied employees who feel empowered in their roles are a lot more enthusiastic about their work. It also creates an environment in which people know they are a significant and vital part of an organization committed to excellence.”

Red River College has nine campuses and annually sees more than 30,000 enrolments in over 200 full-and part-time degree, diploma, post-degree and certificate programs. Through award-winning instruction and training on state-of-the-art equipment, RRC prepares its students to become leaders in their fields, while partnering with industry to conduct research and ensure curriculum remains up-to-date.