RRC Polytech’s Program Explorer, a ground-breaking web tool designed to help prospective students, has been honoured with a pair of prestigious awards.

Earlier this week, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) recognized Program Explorer with a 2023 Circle of Excellence Award (Gold) for Best Website, while just over a month ago the Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education (CCAE) awarded it a 2023 Prix d’Excellence (Silver) for Best Website. These accolades reflect the tool’s exceptional quality, innovation and user-centric approach.

The global competition for the Circle of Excellence Award was fierce, with Program Explorer surpassing a number of impressive web projects from renowned institutions around the world. Notable contenders included Boston University in the U.S., England’s Cambridge University, and the University of Toronto, among more than a dozen others.

Despite the formidable competition, Program Explorer secured first place in its category, highlighting the exceptional achievements of the RRC Polytech team.

The resource’s success can be attributed to its user-centric design, which not only fulfils business objectives but also provides a seamless and enriching experience for prospective students. The project received commendation from the judges for its strong internal socialization and buy-in, involving more than 100 stakeholders. This collaboration ensured the tool catered to the diverse needs of its users effectively.

The development of Program Explorer, which launched in the fall of 2022, was driven by extensive research, meticulous planning and a comprehensive content and user experience (UX) strategy. By mapping the future student journey, conducting in-depth research, and collaborating with various College departments, the project team created a tool that provides rich and relevant content to prospective students.

The strategy incorporated testimonials from successful alumni, details on work opportunities after graduation, and engaging program highlights such as co-op placements and events. From the very beginning, project lead Felipe Matoso, a student recruitment officer at RRC Polytech, had a goal of helping future students find the program that was the right fit.

“Program Explorer addresses a crucial need for prospective students — the ability to explore and identify suitable programs with ease,” says Matoso. “By simplifying the search process and reducing the number of clicks required, the tool alleviates the frustration often associated with program exploration. Furthermore, prospective students can determine program suitability based on their personality traits, skills and interests, providing them with greater confidence in their decision-making process.”

Christian Robin, the director overseeing the project, praised Matoso and the College’s Marketing and Web Presence team for their ingenuity, as well as the dozens of academic colleagues who collaborated with them.

“Receiving a Prix d’Excellence Award from CCAE and now a Circle of Excellence Award from CASE is a testament to the innovative and impactful nature of Program Explorer,” he says. “These accolades reinforce RRC Polytech’s commitment to providing exceptional support and resources to prospective students, guiding them towards successful educational journeys.”

Robin also noted the RRC Polytech team remains dedicated to continuous improvement, and will leverage user behaviour data, analytics and feedback to refine Program Explorer even further. As the resource continues to empower students, the College reaffirms its commitment to excellence, innovation and user-centered design in higher education.