Ray Hoemsen, P.Eng, FEC, Director, Applied Research & Commercialization

At the 2013 Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists (APEGM) Awards Gala Dinner held October 25, Ray Hoemsen, Director, Applied Research and Commercialization, Red River College (RRC) proudly received the Honorary Life Membership.

“It’s truly an honour,” said Hoemsen. “Even though this type of recognition is individual in nature, it would not be possible without the support of the academic/applied research team and the College.”

“Ray has had an incredible career spanning over 35 years, and we are pleased to be able to grant him an Honorary Life Membership,” said Dawn Nedohin-Macek, P.Eng, President, APEGM. “He is an inspiration to his students, faculty and fellow Professional Engineers.”

“On behalf of the College I wish to personally congratulate Ray,” said Stephanie Forsyth, President and CEO, Red River College. “He’s instrumental in positioning our College on the map through research initiatives and has made RRC become a place where industry comes to explore applied research needs.”

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Solar Trough located at Red River College’s Notre Dame Campus

Red River College has been ranked seventh out of 50 Canadian research colleges and polytechnics, having posted $4.37 million in research income during the 2012 fiscal year. The ranking is based on the inaugural Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges List, released Oct. 23 by Research Infosource Inc.

“This is excellent validation for the College,” said Stephanie Forsyth, President and CEO of RRC. “Colleges and polytechnics play a key role in research and innovation in our country. Today’s announcement demonstrates our growth and ever-increasing engagement with industry, while further establishing us as a top-performing Canadian college and polytechnic and a strategic research partner for businesses.”

Major areas and initiatives supported by the research funding included improvements to the energy performance of commercial and industrial buildings, technology and training for Manitoba’s aerospace and manufacturing industries, and testing and demonstration of electric vehicles.

Much of the research leverages the province’s harsh climate to conduct practical research and testing to solve real-world problems faced by Manitoba industries and communities, while also producing innovative solutions that can have an impact on the lives of all Canadians. Read More →

Since the 1930s, Red River College has delivered programs to provide a skilled workforce and drive Manitoba’s economy.

On Wednesday, Oct. 9, a special ceremony took place at RRC’s Notre Dame Campus to mark the College’s 75th Anniversary. Live-streamed to all nine campuses, the celebration paid tribute to the countless staff, students, alumni, donors and friends of the College who over the years have helped to make RRC one of North America’s leading post-secondary institutions – and Manitoba’s only polytechnic.

“Red River College has become a network of choice for post-secondary education and is a critical source of knowledge, training, research and innovation,” said Stephanie Forsyth, president and CEO, Red River College. “We’ve come a long way in 75 years and – as proud as we are of the past – we are equally excited about the vision for the future.”

“My sincere congratulations to Red River College on their 75th anniversary,” said the Hon. Erin Selby, Manitoba’s minister of advanced education and literacy. “The College plays an integral role in meeting our government’s target of adding 75,000 workers to Manitoba’s labour force by 2020.”

“On behalf of students past and present, I want to congratulate the College on their 75th Anniversary,” said Jocelle Cuvos, president of the Red River College Students’ Association. “The College has always been dedicated to students’ success and the SA is proud to be a partner in the continued success of students at RRC.”

Annually, Red River College has more than 30,000 enrolments in full- and part-time degree, diploma 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.

Find out more about RRC’s 75th anniversary festivities →

From left: Kim Jasper, Red River College; Dale Friesen, Manitoba Hydro; Bert van den Berg, National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC); Ray Hoemsen, Red River College; and Dr. James Blatz, University of Manitoba.

Red River College (RRC), Manitoba Hydro (MH), and the University of Manitoba (U of M) partnered to develop a solar thermal parabolic trough system (Solar Trough) to concentrate energy and test its effectiveness in cold climates.

“This world-class project will explore the feasibility of providing sustainable heating to the world’s cold-climate communities,” said Stephanie Forsyth, president of Red River College. “It also serves as a successful partnership model for applied learning and innovation, with the University of Manitoba and the College sharing resources and expertise.”

The system captures and concentrates solar energy into a fluid-filled tube where heat production is being measured. Phase One of the project will measure the amount of heat the troughs produce in a cold climate environment. This is the first time an application like this has been explored in a cold climate. While solar power systems have been effective in much warmer regions like California and New Mexico, there has never been a chance to determine their effectiveness in an extremely cold climate.

“This project will test the trough’s performance in Manitoba’s climate, and we intend to use the results to estimate Manitoba’s solar thermal resource,” said Dale Friesen, division manager, Industrial and Commercial Solutions for Manitoba Hydro. “These troughs could potentially be used to lower the province’s use of electricity and natural gas for heating purposes.”

The Solar Trough located at Red River College’s Notre Dame Campus

“This partnership between the University of Manitoba, Red River College, and Manitoba Hydro is an example of how we can pool our considerable research talents at the three institutions to deliver successful and meaningful research,” said James Blatz, associate vice-president (partnerships) and professor civil engineering, University of Manitoba. “It’s our collective goal to capitalize on many more successful research partnership opportunities such as this.”

The solar trough site is the latest in RRC facilities and equipment dedicated to research in sustainable energy and infrastructure. Along with funding from Manitoba Hydro and the U of M, this project is financially supported in part by the College’s Sustainable Infrastructure Technology Research Group, with funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).

Red River College’s Heavy Equipment Transportation Centre (HETC).

Red River College wishes to recognize the Manitoba Trucking Association and its members during National Trucking Week in Canada.

“Red River College works closely with the trucking industry in Manitoba to ensure we provide training opportunities to drive the economy and provide a qualified workforce,” said Stephanie Forsyth, president of RRC. “We want to recognize National Trucking Week and applaud the Manitoba Trucking Association and its members during this celebratory week.”

In 2009, RRC opened its innovative Heavy Equipment Transportation Centre (HETC), which offers training in the areas of Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanics, Truck and Transport Mechanics, and Transport Trailer Technician. The facility has provided the College with increased enrolment opportunities in the heavy duty and transport trade programs.

HETC also supports Manitoba’s growing green-energy economy by affording opportunities for conducting applied research and advanced training in leading-edge technologies such as biodiesel, ethanol, hydrogen and electric hybrids, hydrogen fuel cells, and emissions and cold-weather testing. Read More →

Preliminary numbers for Red River College’s (RRC) Fall 2013 enrolment show significant increases in specific diploma, degree and certificate programs, with overall enrolment remaining at par with the 2012/2013 academic year.

“Red River College offers over 200 full- and part-time degree, diploma and certificate programs that provide opportunities for students to walk off the graduation stage and into meaningful careers,” said Stephanie Forsyth, president of Red River College. “Our applied, experiential approach to education in innovative learning environments is attractive to students and this is reflected in our enrolments. Students know that RRC is working closely with industry and communities to fill jobs and create businesses critical to Manitoba’s economy.”

Of particular note are enrolment increases in Culinary Arts (up 29%), and Hotel and Restaurant Management (up 48%). In other diploma and certificate programs, Automotive Technician (up 33%), Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanic (up 33%), Architectural/Engineering Technology (up 52.9%), and Electronic Engineering Technology (up 29%) all saw increases, as well.

RRC’s new Construction Management degree program (up 19%) and Nursing degree program (up 12%) have also seen significant gains this academic year.

Reflective of RRC’s visits to India and China, the College successfully attracted more international students to Manitoba. In 2013, RRC welcomed 602 international students to the College, an increase of 24% from last year. Read More →

Red River College is pleased to announce the hiring of Chris MacLennan, Head Coach for the Rebels Women’s Volleyball team.

“Chris will be a great addition to the coaching staff here at RRC, and the athletes who are part of the program will have the opportunity to learn and play for an excellent coach,” says Shane Ray, Manager of Athletics and Recreation Services for Red River College.

A Level 2 NCCP (National Coaching Certification Program) coach, MacLennan begins his first year at RRC after having established himself in Ontario with the Maverick Volleyball Club in Ottawa, then moving on to work as an assistant coach at Lakehead University during the 2011-12 campaign.

He also coached with the Shock Volleyball Club in Winnipeg over the past year, and led Team Manitoba at the National Team Challenge Cup in July. His proven success at the club, provincial and post-secondary level will be an asset to the program here at Red River College.

MacLennan says, “I am very excited to begin training this season, and will look to put together an excellent group with some of the returning players in combination with some new talent entering the gym this year. We will look to improve upon the established success of this program — this year and moving forward.”

The Red River Rebels are the varsity sport teams of Red River College, and compete in the Manitoba College Athletic Conference (MCAC). The College fields men’s and women’s teams in basketball, futsal, soccer and volleyball.

Click here for more information about RRC Rebels Athletics.

Red River College is pleased to be participating for the first time in Winnipeg Harvest’s Grow-A-Row Project.

The initiative’s roots date back to 1986, when Winnipeggers Ron and Eunice O’Donovan produced more potatoes in their backyard garden than they could consume. Their vegetables were so well received by Winnipeg Harvest, the O’Donovans encouraged friends and neighbours to donate their surplus produce, too. Since then, Grow-A-Row has yielded millions of pounds of fresh fruit and veggies.

At RRC, the project is being led by Gord McLeod (shown, at left) and his Pavement & Grounds team. In between weed-whacking, mowing and other regular duties, staff and student employees take time from their schedules to tend to the garden and its bounty.

The 30′ x 60′ plot is located between the West Parking Lot and the old Greenhouse.

“Six weeks ago this was just a grassy area,” says McLeod of the space. “We tilled it and added 12 cubic yards of compost from our on-site compost pile to get the soil nice and healthy.”

The team then planted russet potatoes and carrot seeds, and in a matter of weeks, the garden had sprouted. Harvest is expected to take place in late September; during that time, staff and students will be invited to participate in a harvest-picking party.

“This is a great project for many reasons,” says Nancy Alexander, Vice-President of Human Resource Services and Sustainability at RRC. “It supports the College’s values of sustainability and wellness and strengthens our connection to the community. I want to thank Gord and his team for their work on ‘grow-a-row’ and look forward to expanding the project in years to come.”

Students and staff who’ve spent the summer months tending to their own gardens can participate in Grow-A-Row by dropping off fruit and veggies at Winnipeg Harvest from Monday to Saturday.

Where else can 23 students and three instructors from China go for a trolley ride, see penguins and a polar bear, and explore parks, farmers’ markets and historical sites — all while building confidence using the English language? Red River College, of course.

The students are in Winnipeg as part of a new pilot program launched this summer by RRC’s International Education office and Language Training Centre. The aim of the program aim is to give students and instructors an opportunity to be immersed in the English language for two weeks.

“Red River College is so proud to share the culture and history of Winnipeg and Manitoba through an immersive language learning opportunity,” says Dr. Christine Crowe, vice-president of Community Development at Red River College.

“After such an exciting experience this summer, we trust these students will plan to come back to Red River College to study.”

Students and staff from the Shenyang Institute of Engineering (SIE) and Shanghai Medical Instrumentation College (SMIC) arrived in Winnipeg on July 28^th, and will spend their time here working through a packed schedule of events and tours. Each day starts with a series of interactive lessons delivered by staff from the Language Training Centre. Read More →

Red River College is pleased to announce the hiring of Jordan Goetting as the head coach of the Rebels men’s soccer and futsal teams.

“We are excited to bring a coach with his knowledge, skills and passion for the sport to Red River College as we continue to grow our soccer program,” said Shane Ray, Manager of Athletics and Recreation Services for Red River College.

Goetting got his start in soccer at the age of nine and worked his way up through the soccer system in Winnipeg. He brings to the College more than 27 years of experience in the game as a player, coach and trainer.

Goetting’s experience has taken him to some of the highest levels in soccer, including a 1995 trial with Swansea City F.C. of the English Premier League. It was there that Goetting learned the difference between being a professional and an amateur soccer player. Goetting continued to play throughout North America with stints in Thunder Bay, Ontario with the Chill, and in Missouri with the Springfield Demize of the Premier Development League. As an amateur soccer player Goetting has won the national championships with two Manitoba clubs in 2000 (Winnipeg Lucania FC) and again in 2009 (SC Hellas).

“I am looking forward to starting my first year as the Rebels head coach and growing the program that will continue to improve each year,” said, Goetting.

In 2011 Goetting started his own soccer school, JNJ SOCCER, and has continued to pass on his love for the game onto kids and adults throughout the city. In 2012 he coached Action FC to a 10th place finish in the country.

Committed to sharing his passion for the sport of soccer, and to provide opportunities to children in need, Goetting will be traveling to Kenya in 2014 to develop a soccer program for an orphanage.

Goetting is a Pre-B level coach and plans on obtaining his national levels in the near future.