Red Deer Polytechnic

ABOUT UNIVERSITY

Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP), formerly known as Red Deer College, is a public polytechnic institute located in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada, serving approximately 10,000 students across credit, non-credit, and apprenticeship programs. Established in 1964 as Red Deer College, the institution was originally built to serve a smaller semi-rural community, but over the decades, as the city of Red Deer grew into the third largest in Alberta, the college expanded its role to meet the educational and workforce demands of the region. In its history, the college has not only focused on providing a wide range of academic and trades education but also developed a distinct institutional identity. On February 20, 2004, Red Deer College’s arms, supporters, and flag, designed by Darren George, were officially registered with the Canadian Heraldic Authority, symbolizing its heritage and standing as a community institution. The college has also been a member of the Alberta Rural Development Network, reflecting its strong commitment to serving rural communities across the province. In 2018, the institution applied to transition into a university, aspiring to become a central hub of research and education for Central Alberta by offering broader programming in trades, sciences, and the arts. By March 2019, plans were announced for a three-year transition, during which the institution was to adopt the name Red Deer University. However, on May 5, 2021, the Government of Alberta altered this direction and announced that Red Deer College would instead become a polytechnic institution with the authority to grant bachelor’s degrees. The transition was completed in June 2021, officially establishing Red Deer Polytechnic as a provincially focused institution that blends hands-on training with academic programming, aiming to support both regional workforce needs and broader educational aspirations.