As we start a new year, let’s take a moment to look back on some exciting Saskatchewan Polytechnic moments. Enjoy this photo essay of 2023!
Orano Canada is empowering the future for women in technical trades with a $1 million gift to Women in Trades and Technology (WITT). This generous investment will increase awareness and promote training opportunities for women in trades across Saskatchewan. The collaboration will broaden the reach of WITT programming including mentorship opportunities, customizable presentations, and workshops and exploratory training sessions. Read more.
Last spring Sask Polytech hosted its first powwow to honour miyo wâhkôhtowin. Powwows are a central aspect of Indigenous culture and provide an opportunity to celebrate traditions, showcase talent and bring people together in a spirit of unity and friendship. Sask Polytech welcomed 150 dancers and drew a crowd of 500 attendees. Read more.
Sask Polytech students raced towards the finish line at the Shell Eco-Marathon Americas Challengewith two energy efficient cars built out of recycled materials. The urban concept car finished in first place and the prototype car finished in third place in their respective fuel economy categories. Additionally, the urban concept car achieved a second-place ranking in the regional competition of the Drivers World Championship, earning Sask Polytech the opportunity to participate in the Shell Eco-marathon Drivers’ World Championship Grand Final in India. The team's skillful performance led them to an eighth-place finish at the grand final in October. Read more.
After coming to Canada on a work visa, Nakary Lopez was looking for English language instruction at Sask Polytech when she found so much more. She completed the Parts Person applied certificate and is working toward becoming a Red Seal Endorsed (RSE) parts technician. Currently employed in Shipping and Receiving at Sask Polytech, Lopez had the honor of having more than 10 colleagues and instructors attend her Canadian citizenship ceremony last year. Read more.
Experienced instructors and friendly classmates have international student T’Shun Basden from Bermuda thrilled with the decision to pursue training at Sask Polytech. Initiated by his employer, Bermuda Electric Light Company Limited (BELCO), Basden began his studies in the Heavy Equipment Truck and Transport certificate program at Saskatoon campus in August 2022 and convocated in June 2023. Read more.
Sask Polytech’s Applied Research Student Showcase celebrates the innovation, creativity and cutting-edge applied research completed by our talented students. This annual event offers students a unique opportunity to present their innovative projects to the community and connect with industry professionals and potential employers. Last year’s student showcase celebrated 66 projects focused on solving real-world problems. Projects were adjudicated by judges, industry and community partners. Read more.
Sask Polytech hosted 87 teams of 162 students from 41 high schools from across the province in a battle of technical skills during Robot Rumble, presented by SaskTel. Nine schools were new to the competition. Bruno Central School won first place in the stock robot competition and Rossignol High School won first place in the modified robot competition. Read more.
Sask Polytech hosted convocation ceremonies last year to celebrate the learning journey of graduates, along with award recipients. Sask Polytech had over 5,000 students walking across the stage at convocation for 2023. The ceremonies were broadcast live so graduands, family, friends and the polytechnic community who were unable to attend in person could participate. To view the previously recorded video please visit saskpolytech.ca/convocation.
Health Sciences and nursing students put their knowledge and skills into practice in Africa in May. The experience combined an international study abroad opportunity with an interprofessional element to provide patients with well-rounded holistic health services. Six students, two each from the Saskatchewan Collaborative Bachelor of Science in Nursing (SCBScN), which is jointly offered by the University of Regina, the Dental Hygiene and the Therapeutic Recreation programs, were part of the international study abroad opportunity. Read more.
Clyde Abanid, a student in the Graphic Communications diploma program at Regina campus, has had an incredible experience so far with his studies. This past year, Abanid received silver at the Skills Canada Saskatchewan provincial competition and gold at the Skills Canada national competition. He has started training to attend the WorldSkills competition in France in 2024. Read more.
Sask Polytech opened a state-of-the-art energy and resources lab at the Moose Jaw campus, thanks to a $1.35 million investment from PrairiesCan and SaskPower. The net zero 1,000 square foot lab is a hub for energy-related applied research and training programs, with a focus on sustainable energy technologies, smart grids and energy-efficient home construction. Read more.
In September the Government of Saskatchewan announced a new Sask Polytech campus in Saskatoon that will transform an existing network of 11 decentralized, outdated buildings into a revitalized complex that offers modern, technology-rich learning for students and greater opportunities for applied research and investment. The new campus will be located at Innovation Place on the University of Saskatchewan campus. The province is committing up to $200 million to the project, pending successful completion of planning deliverables. Read more.
Recreation and Tourism Management first-year students experienced Indigenous culture through interactive activities during a culture camp at Wanuskewin Heritage Park in September. The culture camp introduced the students to traditional techniques to prepare fish and hides. They also played games like double ball, a skills and endurance-based game by Plains First Nations, which has influenced modern sports. Read more.
Sask Polytech’s five-year biochar applied research project at Candle Lake has yielded some incredible results. Biochar, a substance made from organic biomass that has been thermochemically converted to charcoal, contributes to improved soil health through various pathways including the ability to selectively make up for nutrient and microbial deficiencies. This unique soil remediation project will help Sask Polytech assist local industry in working toward a more sustainable and profitable future. Read more.
Last fall, six Sask Polytech students headed to New York State to participate in Camp 2030—an international event in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). The students were placed in groups with other attendees from around the world—150 campers from 40 countries—and spent the next three days preparing collective pitches for solutions to SDG-related challenges. The students soon learned that a group of creative thinkers with a wide range of life and educational experience, as well as cultural diversity, has an advantage over a homogenous one. Read more.
Sask Polytech embarked on its second Polar Bear Eco Trip in November, with 21 participants including two experienced guides making the journey by van and train to Churchill, Manitoba. Sustainability and the environment are at the core of the adventure to this sensitive region. Participants saw 26 polar bears in the wild from the safety of the Tundra Buggy®. Read more.
Happy New Year! We are looking forward to an exciting 2024.