When people think of Red River College, many see a school
focused on training the next generation of skilled trades people.

They see a school that is expanding its state-of-the-art
facilities. They see a school working with industry to conduct applied
research. What many don’t see are some of the smaller, but just as important,
aspects of the College that aren’t always in the spotlight. RRC’s international
work is one of those hidden gems.

RRC’s international efforts started in 1987 when it began a
partnership with Shenyang Institute of Engineering in China. Since then, the
College has developed partnerships with scores of institutions in countries
across the world.

David Leis, Vice-President of Business Development at RRC,
whose portfolio includes International Education, says there are two primary
reasons the College is involved in partnerships worldwide. “Many of our
international partnerships help enhance our core business of delivering high
quality education to our students,” says Leis. “And as a leader in applied
learning, we are able to bring a considerable amount of expertise to schools
and countries around the world.” 

Currently, RRC is actively engaged in partnerships in five
countries. Some of the affiliations involve student exchanges, while others
deal with RRC staff and faculty using their expertise and providing training
outside of Canada.

The College’s International Education department opened its
doors in 1994, welcoming a
Malaysian student as the College’s first official international learner. This
year, over 300 international students will come to RRC for an exceptional
education and to experience Canadian culture. The benefits of international
education are tremendous, both for international and Canadian students. 

One of the reasons why international students come to study
in Canada is to improve their English, which helps them get better jobs back
home. RRC’s Language Training Centre is one of the premier facilities in Canada
and is well equipped to provide students with the best possible English
training. International students also learn about Canadian culture and receive
the same high quality education as their Canadian counterparts.

“Red River College is the preferred destination for
newcomers to Manitoba,” says Leis. “With exceptional language training and a
wide-range of hands-on programming, RRC helps international students make the
most of their time in Manitoba.”

As for Canadian students at RRC, International Education has
opened doors to new opportunities for them. RRC has several partnerships with
schools around the world that include student exchanges, which allow College
students to not only get hands-on work experience, but also learn about new
cultures and develop a global network of contacts.

Want to read more stories from RED magazine? Visit the Red
River College Alumni Publications page.