Assiniboine College has received a $500,000 donation toward the college’s new Mechatronics Engineering Technology (Robotics and Automation) program that will become part of the Russ Edwards School of Agriculture & Environment in September 2025.

This most recent donation will go towards the purchase of various teaching robots that will be located in the new lab space. The Mechatronics diploma is an interdisciplinary program that combines mechanical engineering technologies and electronics.

“With the increased use of technology in the agriculture industry, the integration of automation and robotics has revolutionized the way we approach agricultural practices,” said Tim Hore, Dean of the Edwards School at Assiniboine. “As a result, the demand for professionals skilled in mechatronics, which involves mechanics, electronics and computing, has greatly increased.”

The new Mechatronics program will reside in the existing Len Evans Centre for Trades and Technology building, which is close to the future Prairie Innovation Centre on the north hill in Brandon, home to expanded programs in the Russ Edwards School of Agriculture & Environment. The program has been developed in consultation and partnership with industry to service industrial sectors such as agriculture, food processing and industrial automation.

“We are responding to a growing demand for professionals who can design, implement and maintain mechatronics systems,” said Kevin Rogers, Academic Chair of Manufacturing and Agricultural Processing. “With the support from the Anthony Matlashewski Foundation, Assiniboine will be able to attract students interested in careers in agricultural automation, robotics, precision agriculture and ag-tech development, to give them the hands-on learning experiences we are so proud to offer.”

Rogers says this new program speaks to those students who have an inquisitive mind, who recognize potential hazards or dilemmas and search to find a solution using technology, mechanics and robotics.  

"We're more interested in the curious people, those who are creative and can see those problems and say, 'Oh, if I take a little bit of this, and a little bit of that, and a lot more of that, I can fix this!' and then they go out and do it. Rather than the academic person who's really good at Math or is good at physics we'd much rather have the one who's asking, "How does that work?' or 'Why does that work that way?' because those are the people who are going to see the problems and fix them."

For example, Rogers says safety around a PTO shaft could be as simple as a light and a sensor, or an echo-sounder and a sensor turning everything off. 

"And that's the nice thing about it," adds Rogers. "There may be easy solutions to it, it's just a matter of having the student, or future graduate say yes we can fix this, and then go up to that person who they're working with and put that interlock in. And these new labs will give the students a chance to try it out, tweak it and make it work."

"This $500,000 donation will help us to afford new equipment," he adds, "and I'll say the best of the best of the equipment so that we can give the students a hands-on opportunity to learn with really good equipment!"

Please listen to more with Kevin Rogers below!

The 3-year Mechatronics diploma program will be unique in Canada due to the specialization in the agricultural industry/farming sector. The program will welcome 24 students in September 2025. Visit Assiniboine.net/mechatronics for program information and upcoming information sessions.