Confusion part of syllabus as MITT winds down operations

More than 500 students are trying to complete their courses before the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology permanently closes.

Manpreet Singh, who is set to graduate from the electrical applications program in the fall, said finishing his studies is a confusing and anxiety-inducing process despite the promise it would go smoothly.

“Nobody has a clear image,” he said.

Officials said in January the post-secondary institute was no longer financially viable because of the federal government’s decision to cut the number of international students allowed to study in Canada. Nineteen of its programs are being absorbed by Red River College Polytech, which is taking over the institute’s campuses in south Winnipeg.

At the time of the announcement, MITT’s enrolment was 3,750, down from 4,663 in 2024-25. International enrollment dropped 55 per cent.

Recent documents obtained through a freedom of information request indicate 254 domestic and 278 international students are still trying to complete their courses.

While administrators at both institutions said the students’ studies are a top priority during the transition, Singh said there are outstanding questions, such as which entity will they graduate from and how they will be able to access academic records in future.

“Will our transcripts be from Red River or MITT? Even the teachers don’t know,” said Singh, a domestic student.

The head of Red River said the transition has been challenging, but the focus is making sure students finish their studies.

“Will our transcripts be from Red River or MITT? Even the teachers don’t know.”

“Keeping their learning journey in mind between both institutions has been paramount for us,” said Fred Meier, Red River’s president and CEO.

Meier said administrators initially considered two routes for students: finish their program at MITT or transfer and finish at RRC, but issues related to international student permits and visas became a significant factor.

He said there was a risk that applications to switch schools may have been denied and the process would have been “much too long and uncertain.”

Meier acknowledged there was confusion in the beginning but said there are supports to keep students informed.

“I’m confident we have put all the necessary steps in place to make sure that students have the support necessary, and the clarity necessary, to see them to the end of their programs,” he said.

The possibility of a rocky transition was identified internally, according to the freedom of information documents, including “reputational risk” as a result of perceived instability.

“I’m confident we have put all the necessary steps in place to make sure that students have the support necessary, and the clarity necessary, to see them to the end of their programs.”

Other identified risks included student confusion or attrition from unclear messaging and diminished teaching capacity due to a loss of staff from MITT.

One staff member, who asked not to be named, said the process has been difficult for students and staff.

“MITT and Red River, they talked about it: ‘It’s all about the students … but to me, they’re not actually looking after the students,” he said.

The staff member said they aren’t getting the same level of education or oversight because staff are leaving.

“We’re losing instructors,” he said. “You’ve got 20 students in a lab, one instructor isn’t (enough) … You need a second eye. It’s safety, first aid, anything, extra questions. One student ties you up, so you need an extra instructor to look and help out. And if you don’t have that, how do you help the students?”

The educator said there’s a veil of secrecy that weighs on everyone’s morale.

To date, 46 staffers have been laid off and more than 70 employees have resigned.

MITT officials said despite the loss of staff, there’s a sufficient number who remain to support students as they complete their programs.

“We know students will have questions about what to expect as they return, and we will continue to update our community…”

Red River will begin offering courses out of the former MITT buildings this fall. The college said there been a “strong response” from students who initially applied to MITT but have chosen to transfer their application to Red River.

In a statement, Red River said staff at both schools are working together to “thoughtfully prepare for fall delivery at the south Winnipeg campus.” Information was sent to students earlier this month and there will be further communication.

“We know students will have questions about what to expect as they return, and we will continue to update our community as decisions are made and we have more information to share,” said the statement. “Both institutions are committed to ensuring that students have access to the supports and services that they expect as part of their education.”

morgan.modjeski@freepress.mb.ca