Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP), formerly Red Deer College, is a public comprehensive polytechnic institute of approximately 7,500 students in credit programs and 10,000 in non-credit programming located in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. In 2021, Red Deer College was converted into a regional polytechnic institute called Red Deer Polytechnic, with the added ability to grant bachelor's degrees. History Established in 1964 as Red Deer College, (RDC), the institution was built for a smaller semi-rural community but, in the years since its founding, the city has grown into the third largest in the province. Red Deer College's arms, supporters and flag (all designed by Darren George) were registered with the Canadian Heraldic Authority on February 20, 2004. The college is a member of the Alberta Rural Development Network. In 2018, Red Deer College applied to begin transitioning to a university. The goal was to become a central hub of research and education for Central Alberta, offering education in the trades, the sciences, and the arts and fine arts. On March 5, 2019, the college announced a three-year transition process, and that it would adopt the name Red Deer University. However on May 5, 2021, the Government of Alberta announced that Red Deer College would become a polytechnic institution instead of a university. The transition and name change was complete by June 2021. Programs Red Deer Polytechnic offers certificates, diplomas, advanced certificates, applied degrees, bachelor's degrees, academic upgrading and apprenticeship in over 75 different career and academic programs, including the creative and liberal arts, engineering, and trades. Scholarships and bursaries The Government of Canada sponsors an Aboriginal Bursaries Search Tool that lists over 680 scholarships, bursaries, and other incentives offered by governments, universities, and industry to support Aboriginal post-secondary participation. RDP's scholarships for Aboriginal, First Nations and Métis students include: Atoskewan Aboriginal Career Centre Scholarship The polytechnic awards approximately $390,000(CAD) annually in scholarships and bursaries. Undergraduate student conference The Agora Student Conference is held annually at RDP in support of undergraduates in the Social Sciences and Humanities. Having started in 2004, the conference has continued to grow and gain recognition from neighbouring institutions such as the University of Calgary. Those who present their original papers, presentations, or creative works at the conference also have the opportunity to have their work published in the Agora Journal, distributed by RDP. Campuses Red Deer Polytechnic's Main Campus is situated in the city of Red Deer, midway