A Red River College student has organized Winnipeg’s first-ever city-wide bake sale — bringing together 15 local schools to support educational efforts for young women in Kenya.

Proceeds from this Friday’s sale will go The Wasichana Fund, a local non-profit that provides sanitary napkins and health education to more than 500 young women in Nairobi, where on average, female students miss 20 per cent of their studies because they lack a safe and dignified means of managing menstruation.

In December, ambassadors from each of the local schools met at The Wasichana Workshop, a discussion organized by second-year Creative Communications student Alexandra Martin (shown above).

The workshop focused on barriers facing young women in developing countries and the economical, social and political importance of female education. After taking part, the local ambassadors returned to their own schools to spread the message, with this week’s bake sale serving as the final campaign push.

“It’s been rewarding to see these like-minded young women come together and practice skills they will use to be future leaders in our community,” Martin says. “The goal is for them to realize the significant impact they can have when working together.”

Since its inception, The Wasichana Fund has provided more than 50,000 sanitary pads and restored more than 256,000 hours of class time to young women in Kenya. A donation of just one dollar will provide a month’s supply of sanitary napkins for one student.

Click here to donate or for more information on The Wasichana Fund.

(Photo credit: Eva Wasney, Creative Communications)

Canadian Heritage Minister Shelly Glover visited Red River College today to launch the new Canada Apprentice Loan, which provides interest-free loans of up to $4,000 for apprentices in Red Seal trades.

Glover toured the College on behalf of Canada’s Employment Minister Jason Kenny. While here, she reiterated that enhanced support for apprentices and apprentice training are key to powering and growing the Canadian economy.

“Our government has recognized the important role that apprentices play in Canada’s economy and to this end has made significant investments to help apprentices and the employers that hire them,” Glover said. “Now, thanks to the Canada Apparentice Loan, more Canadians are able to complete their training and become skilled journeypeople and fill in-demand jobs.”

In addition to the Canada Apprentice Loan (a 2014 budget commitment that provides up to $4,000 per period of technical training), the government also supports apprentices through a number of other initiatives, including tax credits and nearly $700 million in grants since 2006.

It’s estimated at least 26,000 apprentices a year will apply for over $100 million in Canada Apprentice Loans. According to Statistics Canada, almost 360,000 people are currently enrolled in apprenticeship training; as RRC Interim President David Rew points out, the College is in a unique position to help meet the growing demand. Read More →

Red River College helped to showcase the latest in culinary research and innovation today, incorporating bean flours and purées into delicious and healthy dishes.

The ‘Plating Pulses’ showcase, held at Paterson GlobalFoods Institute, was the product of a research partnership between RRC and the Manitoba Pulse Growers Association (MPGA), a not-for-profit organization representing 3,000 farmers of edible pulses such as soybeans, dry beans and peas.

“We are thrilled with the work the College has been doing to develop nutritional and delicious recipes that demonstrate to consumers how locally-produced pulses can be incorporated into their everyday diets,” says Kyle Friesen, MPGA president.

Research has shown that only a half-cup of beans per day can reduce bad cholesterol, help manage hunger, and provide a sustainable source of protein.

“That is why we partnered with College,” says Friesen. “We know about the amazing health benefits of pulses, but we wanted to create more awareness among consumers and the Manitoba food industry by modifying traditional dishes that feature pulses, without affecting the taste or texture of the food.”

The dishes showcased include perogies made from bean flour dough, chicken potpie with a bean flour crust, and crème brulée with half of the fat cut using navy bean puree.

“This showcase is an excellent example of the role that our culinary institute plays in supporting the growth of Manitoba’s food producers,” says Ray Hoemsen, Director of Applied Research and Commercialization at RRC. “Along with training the culinary innovators of tomorrow, RRC provides a wealth of applied research resources for local businesses, including recipe development, test marketing and demonstrations.” Read More →

Now that the winter break is behind us (but not winter itself, clearly), Red River College’s Students’ Association has some suggestions for warming up the first few months of the new year.

On Thu., Jan. 8, head to The Cave at the Notre Dame Campus, for a fundraising beer bash in support of the College’s Great Northern Concrete Toboggan Race team.

And next month, make plans to join your SA reps on their annual Reading Week trip to Revelstoke, where you can hit the slopes, take part in climbing wall and water park excursions, or just blow off some steam with your fellow students!

Additional info on both events is below. (Stay tuned to the RED Blog for more on upcoming SA initiatives!)

Great Northern Concrete Toboggan Race Back 2 School Beer Bash
Thursday, January 8
3-9pm, The Cave (Notre Dame Campus)
Tickets $10 at the door (18+ event)
Enter the auction to win great prices like a snowboard and a signed Winnipeg Jets jersey.

Reading Week Trip to Revelstoke
February 13-21
Six nights accommodation at Powder Springs Hotel
Four days of lift tickets included
Round-trip bus transportation
$670, taxes included
For more information, email uwsnowboard@gmail.com

Students from Red River College’s School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts served up a pre-holiday feast to guests at Siloam Mission today, preparing hundreds of turkey dinners donated by the Manitoba Turkey Producers and Granny’s Poultry Cooperative Ltd.

Under the guidance of Culinary Arts instructors Chef Scott Ball and Chef Gordon Bailey, students cooked and served approximately 18 turkeys (more than 400 pounds worth), along with traditional vegetable side dishes, sauces, gravy and dessert.

The students prepared the meals for approximately 600 Siloam guests, then served them alongside a host of local dignitaries, including Kevin Chief, Minister of Jobs and Economy, Mayor Brian Bowman (above, far right) and David Rew, Interim RRC President (above, second from right)

“The holiday season can be particularly hard on those in our community experiencing homelessness and poverty. They do not have the resources to enjoy a Christmas feast,” says Floyd Perras, Executive Director of Siloam Mission. “We are grateful to have these students share their skills and passion. Red River College, the Manitoba Turkey Producers, and Grannies are bridging the gap to build a stronger, more compassionate community here in Winnipeg’s inner city.” Read More →

Students from the College’s School of Construction and Engineering Technologies were honoured last month, at RRC’s annual Technology Awards Reception.

Held Nov. 27, the event brought together donors, related College staff, and student award recipients from RRC’s Electrical, Mechanical and Civil Engineering Technology programs. Over the years, the event has expanded from 62 awards to 114; the reception is held each November to coincide with National Technology Month.

Awards and scholarships are presented based on a range of criteria, including academic excellence, good character, strong work ethic, leadership qualities, and active involvement in the community.

See below for a sampling of some of this year’s winners. (Click on photos to enlarge.) Read More →

Winnipeg’s rich photographic history is now more accessible than ever, thanks to collaboration between the city and students from Red River College’s Business Information Technology (BIT) program.

Winnipeg in FOCUS is a new web-based application that allows users to search and view photographs and other graphic materials held by the City of Winnipeg Archives. The web app is the product of a partnership between RRC, the city’s Archives, and the city’s Corporate IT department.

In January 2014, RRC students in the BIT Industry Project course began developing an app to improve access to the Archive’s collection of photos. Functional requirements were provided by the Archives; technical mentorship and design services were provided by Corporate IT.

Materials held by the Archives capture moments in the city’s development. Many were taken by civic employees in the course of their work documenting projects or program delivery, though the collection also includes individual photos and collections donated to the Archives.

“[They] have much to show us about ourselves, our government, and the history of the natural and built environment from 1974,” reads the city’s website. “These images are a powerful record of change and growth.”

Currently, Winnipeg in FOCUS includes only a fraction of the thousands of images in the Archive’s holdings, though content will be added as resources allow.

Click here to learn more about the initiative, or to search the database.

Above photo courtesy of the City of Winnipeg Archives: Winnipeg looking west from the tower of City Hall, September 5, 1900. Present site of Red River College’s Princess Street campus.

Red River College’s Disability and Community Support program and its Diversity and Intercultural Services department came together this week to raise awareness of the United Nations’ International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

On Wed., Dec 3, students and staff gathered in the Library hallway at the Notre Dame Campus, where they offered passers-by holiday baking. Others fanned out across campus, distributing stickers and bookmarks with powerful messages.

The bookmarks were made to address how societal attitudes can present a barrier to those faced by people with disabilities in achieving full acceptance and integration in society. They offered ideas for appropriate and respectful language related to disabilities, while also addressing less respectful terminology.

“The goal of the event was to raise awareness about local issues such as Manitoba’s Accessibility legislation,” says Cheryl Martens, lead instructor of Disability and Community Support. “By connecting with the RRC community face-to-face, we hoped to focus on awareness on a local, global and personal level.” Read More →

A pair of Red River College students pursuing careers in journalism received a recent financial boost from two of their chosen profession’s late legends.

Second-year Creative Communications students Eva Wasney and Jade Markus each received $500 bursaries last month from the Eric & Jack Wells Foundation, established in 1994 by the families of the late Eric Wells (former Winnipeg Tribune editor and CJOB commentator) and “Cactus” Jack Wells, a ground-breaking Canadian sportscaster.

The bursaries were presented by Megan Wells — daughter of Eric and president of the foundation’s board.

“I know that my father and Uncle Jack would have been very happy to know that both of you will be following in their footsteps,” said Megan, shown above (centre) with Markus (left) and Wasney. “They both encouraged young people to get into — and stay in — the business.”

Wasney (who like Markus is majoring in journalism at RRC), says the support for CreComm students is always welcome, as the program is very demanding and includes a lot of work outside of classroom time.

“I live on my own — I can’t work as often as I need to,” says Wasney. “Having scholarships and bursaries in place is very helpful so I can focus on improving my skills and being a better journalist, not worrying about how to support myself.”

“Living with your parents isn’t an option for everyone,” Markus adds. “It’s really good [that] an option like this exists for students.”

The Eric and Jack Wells Foundation has given more than $70,000 in cash awards and bursaries to 100-plus CreComm students over the past 20 years. The Foundation’s awards for excellence in journalism will be announced in the spring.

Click here for more information about RRC’s Creative Communications program.

Winnipeg Transit will soon begin daily service using up to four battery-electric transit buses developed and designed by a consortium that includes researchers from Red River College .

The New Flyer Xcelsior^® buses will be in daily operation on a 40-kilometre, two-hour route starting at Winnipeg Richardson International Airport, making its way through the city centre to East Kildonan, and returning to the airport.

The route was chosen because its length, speeds and loads are typical of many central business district routes in Canada and the U.S., and because the Winnipeg Airports Authority permitted New Flyer to install a high-power charging station at the airport – a project that was completed in October 2014.

“We didn’t want an easy route,” says Paul Soubry, New Flyer’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “We encouraged Winnipeg Transit to select a route that would showcase the technological capability of our Xcelsior battery-electric bus in a real life in-service situation that will experience a wide range of weather and traffic conditions.”

The project is a continuing collaboration between New Flyer, the Province of Manitoba, Manitoba Hydro, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Red River College and Winnipeg Transit. The project team – which started the effort in May 2011 – received additional assistance in October 2012 when Sustainable Development Technology Canada announced funding of $3.4 million to take the project from prototype to full production and field demonstration, and in 2014 when Manitoba’s Vehicle Technology Centre provided an additional $94,000 for charging station development.

“This electric bus project is a key element in Manitoba’s Clean Energy Strategy and supports our commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote the use of effective, cost-efficient, renewable energy,” said Eric Robinson, Minister responsible for Manitoba Hydro. “Our innovative advancements in clean energy technologies have contributed to our placement as the first in Canada to employ the new, unique on-route rapid charging system, promoting affordable public transportation and electric vehicle knowledge which will create jobs.”

Zero-emission battery-electric propulsion transit buses are expected to significantly reduce green house gas and smog-causing criteria air contaminant emissions. In Manitoba, where the electrical grid is highly renewable (nearly 100 per cent of electricity is generated without burning fuel), the use of electric propulsion buses are expected to translate to an estimated reduction of 160 tonnes of green house gas emissions, per bus, per year.

“Red River College is proud to support community economic development as a participant in this project,” said David Rew, Interim RRC President. “Our instructors, staff and students have all contributed to the success of the consortium and we look forward to the zero emissions bus going into commercial use at many transit authorities across North America.”