February marks “I Love to Read” Month, a celebration that encourages readers of all ages to discover new stories and build a lifelong love of reading. In that spirit, RRC Polytech’s Centre for Newcomer Integration (CNI) welcomed students to a book exchange on Feb. 9-10, 2026, in the Round House Auditorium.  

The two-day event invited CNI students to select books donated by the community, helping many newcomers begin or expand their home libraries. 

On February 20, 2026, the Centre for Newcomer Integration (CNI) at RRC Polytech welcomed newcomers, students and community members to the Roundhouse Auditorium for a citizenship information session delivered in collaboration with Building Bridges for Newcomers and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).  

The Centre for Newcomer Integration (CNI) is bringing back RED Talks this March, continuing a student-focused event designed to help learners build confidence using English in real-world settings. 

RED Talks features short, live presentations followed by small-group discussions. The format introduces students to lecture-style learning in an interactive and supportive environment where they can share ideas, explore new perspectives and strengthen their communication skills. 

By combining inspiring speakers with guided discussion, RED Talks encourages students to see English not just as a classroom subject, but as a tool for connection, leadership and opportunity.

Event Details 

Date: Monday, March 2, 2026 
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 
Location: Roundhouse Auditorium, Exchange District Campus (319 Elgin Ave.) 
Cost: Free for CNI students and staff 

What to Expect 

The morning will feature: 

• Short live presentations from experienced leaders and community builders 

• Facilitated small-group discussions where students can practise English, ask questions and reflect on key ideas 

• A welcoming, student-centred environment designed specifically for language learners 

RED Talks supports language development through authentic experiences. Students are encouraged to listen actively, participate in discussions, and build confidence speaking in a group setting. 

February 9 to February 27.

Speak to your instructor to register for these seminars

Hosted by the Academic Success Centre (ASC), Centre for Newcomer Integration students are invited to join the weekly English Conversation Circles to strengthen speaking skills and build connection and confidence through communication practice.

No registration required, just drop in and join the conversation!  Sessions will run weekly for the duration of the term, starting the week of January 12th. 

• Tuesdays, 12:00-12:50pm at Exchange District Campus (EDC), Room P-204
• Thursdays, 12:00-12:50pm online, visit the ASC website to find the links.

  Each week participants will practice different conversational speaking skills, including:

• Starting a Conversation
• Closing a Conversation
• Interrupting
• Resuming after an interruption
• Giving opinions
• Asking personal questions
• Keeping the Conversation Going
• Checking Comprehension

Conversation skills will be practiced around topics of interest to the group, including:

• Getting to know one another
• Family & Friends
• Winter activities
• Cultural practices
• Getting to know Winnipeg

To learn more, contact ealsupport@rrc.ca.

The spirit of the holiday season was felt across RRC Polytech’s Centre for Newcomer Integration (CNI) as students and their families received Christmas Cheer Board hampers filled with care, generosity and community support. 

On Monday, November 24, over 200 hampers were distributed to CNI students at the Exchange District Campus. The event brought together CNI students, staff, volunteers and community partners, creating a welcoming and supportive atmosphere during a busy and often challenging time of year for many newcomers. 

If you are an internationally educated nurse planning to work in Manitoba, strong communication skills are key to better patient outcomes and successful professional working relationships. Communication for Professional Practice for International Educated Nurses (CPP-IENs) is a fully online, for-credit course designed to help you build skills and feel more prepared for working with patients as part of collaborative healthcare teams in Canada.

Through participation in lectures, discussion in case studies, and applied practice in role-plays, you will gain communication skills and confidence for interacting with a diverse group of patients and colleagues to gather and share information, provide culturally safe care, advocate for patients, and manage challenging interactions and conflicts.

On December 3, RRC Polytech’s Centre for Newcomer Integration (CNI) in partnership MANSO welcomed approximately 70 newcomer-serving organizations from across Manitoba for an Open Doors event.  

The Open Doors series is a new initiative designed to strengthen connections across Manitoba’s newcomer-serving sector. This series invites newcomer servicing organizations to open their doors, share their work, and build relationships that support collaboration and innovation. Hosting the event at CNI provided an opportunity for participants to see the programs and spaces where newcomers build the language and communication skills they need to move forward in education, training and employment. 

Red Talks took place on November 19 at the Exchange District Campus and brought CNI students together for an evening of learning, conversation and inspiration. The atmosphere was positive and welcoming, and many students said the event helped them feel more confident.  

The evening opened with remarks from event organizer Jesse Friesen, who encouraged students to see Red Talks as a chance to learn with and from one another while strengthening real-world communication skills. After that, three 20-minute presentations were delivered by inspirational speakers. They spoke on a range of topics including personal stories, career journeys, honest reflections about the challenges and successes they experienced as newcomers or professionals working with newcomers and artificial intelligence. 

The Connection Spot – Where campus meets community

Volunteer Manitoba is visiting CNI!

• Date: Tuesday, December 2, 2025
• Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM & 5:30 – 7:30 PM
• Location: Outside the CNI Office, 2nd Floor – Manitou a bi Bii daziigae building

Volunteer Manitoba connects people who want to volunteer with organizations that need their support. They provide resources, training, and opportunities for students and community members to get involved, develop skills, and make a meaningful impact in Manitoba.

From one-time opportunities to long-term commitments, Volunteer Manitoba helps you find the right volunteer role to match your passions, interests, and career goals. Volunteering is a great way to gain experience, meet new people, and strengthen your community.

Stop by on December 2 to explore volunteer opportunities, connect with staff, and discover how you can make a difference in Manitoba!

Discover how you can get involved by visiting: https://www.volunteermanitoba.ca