New Global Engagement Plan will benefit students, employees and the province
June 17, 2022 – Saskatchewan Polytechnic has launched a new Global Engagement Plan. This comprehensive global engagement strategy is designed to help students, employees and campus communities develop the skills required to be leaders on a global stage.
Ensuring Sask Polytech students have the cultural competencies to understand and interact with global citizens is critical to Saskatchewan employers with international business connections or those that rely on global markets. The Global Engagement Plan will help Sask Polytech increase its international student enrolment, foster study aboard opportunities for faculty and staff, participate in international project work and offer applied research expertise aboard.
“Sask Polytech’s Global Engagement Plan supports Saskatchewan’s Growth Plan 2030 and its goals of increasing the province’s presence in global markets, generating economic growth and supporting skilled labour-market demands through a diverse, well-trained workforce,” says Dr. Has Malik, Sask Polytech provost and vice-president, Academic. “Further, the Global Engagement Plan aligns with Sask Polytech’s Strategic Plan, Leading the Rise, which is centred around the values of respect, integrity, sustainability and excellence, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action and the United Nation’s Strategic Development Goals.”
The Global Engagement Plan supports initiatives such as increasing opportunities for students and researchers to take advantage of international learning experiences and to develop skills such as problem solving, adaptability, resilience and intercultural competency. When studying and working abroad, students and researchers bring back skills and knowledge that benefit everyone. Students bring back a fresh perspective to their classrooms, campuses and communities. Post-secondary institutions create invaluable linkages with institutions and partners overseas.
A recent example of the Global Engagement Plan in action is when Indigenous students from the Sask Polytech Justice Studies diploma program participated in a study abroad opportunity funded by the Global Skills Opportunity Fund (GSO) to Mexico. These students were also part of the first cohort of the Saskatchewan Ambassadors program developed by the Government of Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Advanced Education.
The Global Engagement Plan supports Sask Polytech’s vision to lead the rise of polytechnic education through four pillars:
- Diverse student body
- Global learning experience and supports for students and employees
- International capacity building and business development
- Support for applied research
A PDF copy of the plan can be viewed on our website at Global Engagement Plan.
Saskatchewan Polytechnic is signatory to the SDG Accord. Sustainable Development Goal alignment is one of the ways Sask Polytech is leading the rise of polytechnic education.
Published June 2022.