Red Deer Polytechnic is launching a new partnership this September that will bring specialized language and academic preparation programs directly to its campus in Red Deer, Alberta. The initiative, known as ILAC@RDP, aims to provide international students with a clearer path into full-time studies by allowing them to complete necessary language requirements without having to relocate to larger cities.
The program is a collaboration between Red Deer Polytechnic and the ILAC Education Group. Under this agreement, students will gain access to English language pathways and academic preparation courses designed to help them transition into various programs at the polytechnic. Officials noted that popular areas of study for international learners include health care, childhood education, and technology fields like artificial intelligence and big data.
According to Stuart Cullum, the president of Red Deer Polytechnic, the partnership is part of an effort to expand access to education and ensure international students feel supported from their first day on campus. To facilitate this, students enrolled in the program will be integrated into the campus community immediately, gaining full access to student services and membership in the Students’ Association.
ILAC Education Group brings 28 years of experience in international education to the region, operating campuses in Toronto and Vancouver. The organization, in which private equity firm ONCAP acquired a majority stake in 2019, maintains partnerships with over 300 colleges and universities across Canada and the United States.
This expansion comes as Alberta sees continued interest from international students. Red Deer Polytechnic, which was founded in 1964 as Red Deer College, currently serves approximately 10,500 students across more than 80 different programs.
