New Red River programs focus on emerging fields

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This article was published 25/03/2021 (1824 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

FILMS, data, web development and video games: with the introduction of its new Innovation Centre in Winnipeg’s Exchange District, Red River College is launching a slate of new programs in emerging fields.

The ultimate goal? Inviting a spirit of collaboration, both between programs and with industry partners.

“We put a ton of thought into thinking what are the most innovative programs we can bring in to help grow Manitoba’s economy in the areas that we’re hearing it needs to grow,” Kirk Johnson, dean of business, IT, creative arts, hospitality and culinary arts, said Wednesday.

Enter a one-of-a-kind program for Manitoba: the two-year game development streams, aimed at training the province’s video game designers, developers, programmers and animators.

“The difficulty of running a video game program is: who is it for?” Johnson said. “Is it for people who want to be doing… the modelling and the animation, or is it for the people behind the scenes that program and make it run?

“Ultimately, we settled on both.”

Programmers and developers will get a chance to sharpen their skills while being introduced to the world of video game design and animation; on the flip side, animators will get to try their hand at programming.

Johnson said the program is set apart from others by its partnership-based model with local industry. Game development company Ubisoft recently moved into the Exchange District.

“Since I came to the city to join the Ubisoft Winnipeg studio, I’ve seen that the techno-creative industry is really thriving here in the province and in Winnipeg,” Michael Henderson, managing director, said in a statement.

“It’s a hidden gem of talent for the video game industry, and it’s great to see new opportunities and programs like Red River College’s that can help foster that next generation of talent.”

Meanwhile, Red River is also buffing up its film program options with a new digital film and media production program — designed to complement the province’s booming film industry — and broadening its information technology offerings.

Altogether, the new programs being introduced in fall 2021 are intended to help Manitoba keep pace with an economy rapidly transformed by the digital world.

“It’s a crucial aspect of keeping up with the modern economy, with modern expectations of large and small employers in terms of what they’re looking for,” said Johnson.

The college’s newest program developments all centre around its latest campus hub, which hopes to create a welcoming and collaborative learning space, Johnson said.

The Innovation Centre will include a language training centre and house programs from the school of Indigenous education, ultimately embarking on projects that bring diverse programs and streams together with industry partners for real-world work opportunities, said Johnson.

As for the centre itself, he said: “It’s a beautiful building, it’s inspiring, it’s jaw-dropping, it’s got gorgeous art, it’s got beautiful greenery, it’s got community spaces.”

Ultimately, the hub is hoped to establish Red River as “an integral part of the Exchange District,” inviting local business and the surrounding community to be a part of the space.

“We recognize that we are part of the community and we want it to feel that way,” Johnson said.

julia-simone.rutgers@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @jsrutgers