Engineering students get support for further education
STEPHANIE SETKA, CONTRIBUTOR
The University of Manitoba and RRC are starting to implement a new hybrid pathway between their engineering programs. THE PROJECTOR/Stephanie Setka
Future engineers are getting a boost when it comes to post-grad schooling options.
The University of Manitoba and RRC are starting to implement a new hybrid pathway between their engineering programs. This means that RRC students should have an easier time getting into U of M’s faculty of engineering after they graduate.
“It will create superior applicants,” said Wheatley. “The creation of this pathway will make it easier to keep students in the province once they’ve graduated and greatly reduce the need for students to leave the province to complete education.”
For RRC students, this pathway increases credit transfers and recognition of prior experience. The Manitoba government announced on Sept. 14 it gave the U of M $500,000 for the pathway and for 18 new seats in the university’s faculty of engineering.
U of M’s program is at maximum capacity, so the extra 18 seats will add more room for applicants. Acceptance to the joint pathway, however, will be done on a case-by-case basis.
“There isn’t a clear pathway right now, partly because of overcrowding,” said Nancy Wheatley, dean of construction and engineering technologies at RRC. “The main goal of the program is to have a direct person students can work with and fill the gaps of their education.”
Some students at both schools said they’re excited to learn about the new program.
“A lot of people that go into technology want to go into engineering, and it would help fill a gap in the industry,” said Allan Grant, who studies electronic engineering technology at RRC. “The more education you have, the more money you can make in the long run. I would be really interested in this program.”
Across the city, Lauren Friesen said the pathway will help many students in Manitoba continue their education.
“I know a lot of people who go back [to school],” said Friesen, a U of M engineering student. “It would help a lot.”
The U of M is the only post-secondary school in Manitoba to offer engineering degrees.
Right now, the only school involved is RRC. The collaboration is being put into motion over the next few years, but will eventually help transition 10 to 15 hybrid engineering students annually from RRC and other schools to U of M.
