SASKATOON, Sask. — The University of Regina formally opened the doors of the new location of its satellite campus in the city on Thursday, Sept. 3, with President Dr. Jeff Keshen saying that they aim to strengthen their role as a specialized academic institution for social work and nursing education.
Keshen, also the university’s Vice-Chancellor, said the university’s move from Innovation Place at the University of Saskatchewan to its current Saskatoon location has also helped address a longstanding challenge for students of having a physical place where they could build a sense of community.
He said the university has a deep connection with the city, having been present here for more than five decades, and a longstanding partnership with Saskatchewan Polytechnic, particularly in the nursing program.
“In one instance, we have always had the only social work program in the province. People might not know that, so the roots are very deep here in Saskatoon,” said Keshen, who also highlighted the importance of its social work program that currently has 800 students at the Saskatoon campus.
The program has become an important part of Saskatchewan’s social services workforce, along with nursing, as they work alongside Sask. Polytech, allowing students to complete portions of their Bachelor of Nursing studies in Saskatoon rather than relocating to Regina.
“It provides a great opportunity again for them to finish their degree right here at home in Saskatoon. The Bachelor of Nursing program, and other programs as well, includes clinical work done at Sask. Polytech. A lot of the other courses are theory courses; other courses are done here,” said Keshen.
He added that their partnership has been over a decade and divides nursing education between the two institutions, with Sask. Polytechnic providing the clinical component, including access to mannequins and other specialized facilities, while the university provides the theoretical coursework.
The Saskatoon campus has about 1,300 students, and Keshen said the university does not intend to replicate the full range of programs available at its Regina campus. Instead, its presence in Saskatoon will remain focused on areas where it has established expertise and strong community demand.
“Our presence here in Saskatoon will always be very specialized. It will be smaller than the University of Saskatchewan, which is a wonderful partner with us on so many things. Still, we provide a niche that's very deep-rooted here in this beautiful city,” he added.
That specialized approach could include additional nursing seats if demand for health professionals continues to grow, as well as supporting courses and electives, as they build programs while maintaining a focused presence in Saskatoon.
Keshen said the university’s bilingual nursing and social work programs also offer Francophone students in Saskatoon and communities farther north the opportunity to take classes alongside La Cité Francophone.
More choices
Advanced Education Minister Ken Cheveldayoff said having U of R in the city gives Saskatoon students more options for their post-secondary education and to build careers without leaving the province.
Cheveldayoff said the U of R’s presence in Saskatoon gives students in the city and surrounding communities another choice alongside other post-secondary institutions, including the U of S, Sask. Polytechnic, First Nations University and the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies.
“Students in Saskatchewan have many choices. The more skilled workers, certainly in the healthcare industry and social work industry, and right across the economy of the province,” said Cheveldayoff, adding that the goal is to have students remain in Saskatchewan after completing their programs.
He said the need for graduates in fields such as nursing and social work is growing as Saskatchewan’s economy and population continue to expand, with his conversations with people administering major projects across the province consistently pointing to a need for health care and social services workers.
The new campus provides students with another high-quality post-secondary option without requiring them to leave Saskatoon. The facility represents a new chapter in U of R’s long history in the city and complements the growing presence of other post-secondary institutions.
The Saskatchewan government contributed $4.2 million toward establishing the facility, reflecting its confidence in U of R’s role in developing the skilled workforce the province needs while giving current and prospective students greater access to education close to home.
