February 27, 1997
Grad students discuss implications of budget cuts
Posted February 27, 1997
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
97-02-11-OTHER
Graduate students discuss implications of budget
cuts
Saskatoon SK, February 27, 1997 -- Graduate students at the University
of Saskatchewan are hosting the 6th Annual Social Science and
Humanities Conference March 13 - 15, 1997.
The panel discussion, Budget Cuts, Fiscal Restraints and Their
Implications for Graduate Students, will take place on Friday at 9:00 am.
Gary Kachanoski, dean of graduate studies will open the panel
consisting of Dean David Atkinson, Dr. Pat Renihan (education
administration), and Jackson Mugerwa, president of the Graduate
Students' Association.
I don't know if we have any solutions, but I think the topic has to be
brought out into the open, said Inger Anderson, conference organizing
committee. With graduate studies becoming more and more expensive,
we have to question where it's all going. Will we continue to have
graduate studies?
Registration for the conference is Thursday March 13 at 8:45 am. The fee
is $10.00 and includes lunches and coffee breaks. All graduate students
and those interested in graduate studies are invited to participate.
For more information, please contact:
Inger Anderson
Conference Organizing Committee
Telephone: (306) 343-5844
February 21, 1997
Workshop explores future of oil in Saskatchewan
Posted February 21, 1997
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
97-02-10-AR
Workshop explores future of oil in
Saskatchewan
Saskatoon SK, February 20, 1997 -- Professors from the
University of Saskatchewan's department of geological
sciences joined government and industry reps at an
informal workshop last week to discuss the future of oil
exploration in Saskatchewan.
The workshop was held as a prelude to an anticipated
change in provincial legislation which will free up many
areas of the subsurface to oil exploration that have been
unavailable in the past. It is expected that the pace of
exploration in Saskatchewan will increase dramatically as
a result of this change and consequently revenues from
both land sales and discoveries will also increase.
The Williston Basin underlying southern Saskatchewan and
adjacent areas is considerably under explored and
companies widely feel the potential for major new finds is
very high, said Professor Brian Pratt. It is conceivable
that some oil finds will rival those of Alberta.
Existing scientific knowledge regarding the Williston Basin
is considered old and out of date so the discussion at the
workshop centered on the information that will be needed
by industry when the legislation passes. Numerous
projects were outlined that would generate scientific
reports and publications to aid future exploration efforts.
The role of U of S geological research will be absolutely
vital to the success of future oil exploration in the
province, said Dr. Pratt. All of the participants in the
workshop were in full agreement that funding of
background science saves future wasted effort and money.
Unlike studies done by consultants, the research findings
from the U of S would be in the public domain, fully
accessible by industry.
For more information, please contact:
Professor Brian Pratt
Department of Geological Sciences
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-5725
E-mail: brian.pratt@usask.ca
February 19, 1997
National Agriculture Biotechnology Council meets in Saskatoon June 1-3, 1997
Posted February 19, 1997
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
97-02-09-AG
National Agriculture Biotechnology
Council
to hold 9th annual meeting in
Saskatoon
Saskatoon SK, February 19, 1997 -- Today's agricultural
industry faces a number of important challenges. One of
the most critical is the need to feed an increasing world
population despite a shrinking natural resources base
challenged by global climate change, desertification,
environmental pollution and other stresses. Social and
political pressures require that the agricultural industry
meet these challenges in an ethical and economical
fashion, ensuring environmental stewardship and
conservation of biodiversity.
Recent advances in agricultural biotechnology have led to
the development and commercialization of many products
that promise to sustain and/or increase food production. At
the 9th Annual Meeting of the National Agricultural
Biotechnology Council (NABC) - Agricultural Biotechnology:
Resource Management in Challenged Environments -
attendees from diverse groups will have an opportunity to
discuss and debate the ability of the agricultural industry
to address political and regulatory issues as agricultural
biotechnology products move from the research and
development stage to the commercial arena, and the use of
these new agricultural biotechnology products to meet the
needs of producers in challenged environments.
Scheduled for June 1-3, 1997, the meeting will be hosted
by NABC member institution University of Saskatchewan,
Saskatoon, Canada. Attendees will assess the potential of
agricultural biotechnology products to enhance agricultural
production in challenged environments, while at the same
time maintaining sustainability and conserving
biodiversity. The meeting will include three days of in-
depth, informative sessions comprising invited paper
presentations and workshop sessions.
To set the stage for the workshops, participants are
informed by talks given in plenary sessions. Among the
speakers are Alex McCalla, Director of Agriculture and
Natural Resources at the World Bank, and Mark Winfield,
Director of Research with the Canadian Institute for
Environmental Law and Policy.
Dr. McCalla, whose paper is entitled Agbiotechnology in the
21st Century: The Promise and the Pitfalls, received his
first two degrees from the University of Alberta and his
doctorate in Agricultural Economics from the University of
Minnesota. Best known for his research in international
trade, he was a founding member and co-convenor of the
International Agricultural Trade Research Consortium, and
served as Chair of the Technical Advisory Committee of the
Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research
from 1988 to 1994. Dr. McCalla is currently leading a major
effort to revitalize the World Bank's commitment to rural
development.
Dr. Winfield, whose paper is entitled Can We Trust
Agbiotechnology to Solve Our Problems?, holds a masters
degree and doctorate in political science, and a B.A. in
Science and Technology Studies from the University of
Toronto. In July 1996, he was a member of the Canadian
delegation to the meeting of the Expert Working Group on
Biosafety under the Convention on Biological Diversity in
Arhus, Denmark. He is currently cochair of the
Biotechnology Caucus of the Canadian Environmental
Network, and has recently completed a term as the vice
president of the Conservation Council of Ontario, Canada.
Facilitating Dialogue: The Workshops
Continuing the NABC tradition of providing a forum where
people of diverse backgrounds and viewpoints can meet in
an environment conducive to the exchange of ideas, the
meeting workshops are designed to promote dialogue,
establish a common knowledge base, identify areas of
agreement and disagreement, reach consensus, where
possible, and develop recommendations.
Each participant will join one of three workshops. After
each plenary session, participants will discuss the themes
presented and issues raised. They will then be charged to
explore the various issues and opportunities arising from
the impact of these changes.
For more information on the Annual Meeting and to receive
a detailed brochure, contact the NABC office at
607-254-4856, or via e-mail at nabc@cornell.edu. For those
unfamiliar with the NABC, copies of previous annual
meeting proceedings are available by contacting the NABC
office at the above number or E-Mail address.
For more information, please contact:
Jane Baker Segelken
NABC Executive Coordinator
(607) 254-4856
E-mail: nabc@cornel.edu
Jim Germida Bryan Harvey
Conference Co-Chair Conference Co-Chair
(306) 966-6836 (306) 966-5795
E-mail: germida@sask.usask.ca harvey@duke.usask.ca
February 17, 1997
Students Nominated for CAFCE Award
Posted February 17, 1997
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
97-02-08 -AG
AG-REP
Saskatoon - February 17, 1997 - Four U of S Bachelor of
Science in Agriculture co-op education students have been
nominated by their employers for CAFCE's ( Canadian
Association for Co-operative Education) Co-operative
Education Student of the Year Award.
The students, Gail Dyck (Environmental Science Major), Sean
McGrath (Animal Science Major), Curtis Pozniak
(Environmental Science Major), and Michelle Sulz (Crop
Science Major) entered the new Bachelor of Science in
Agriculture co-operative option in January 1996 and have
completed two four-month co-operative work terms in
summer and fall 1996. The co-op students' respective
employers: CAN-AG Enterprises Ltd., Edmonton,
The Canadian Charolais Association, Calgary, the
Saskatchewan Forage Council, Saskatoon and
Agrium Biologicals of Saskatoon initiated the nominations
for the award based on their student's outstanding
achievements on the job or contributions to their business
or organization. The Program for Agricultural Co-operative
Education (PACE) supported the four nominations based on
these students' exceptional contribution to the community
and co-operative education and their excellent academic
achievements.
Last year's award winner from Wilfrid Laurier University in
Ontario was chosen from 33 nominations.
College of Agriculture Dean John Stewart commented I am
quite delighted that so many employers decided to take
the time and effort to nominate co-op students for a
national award. We are very pleased with the progress
made by the co-op program - it is meeting its mandate to
nurture meaningful learning opportunities for our students
and creating further links between the University and the
industry.
For more information please contact:
France Bergeron, Director
Program for Agricultural Co-operative Education (PACE)
(306) 966-7766
Fax: (306) 966-7788
e-mail: pace@usask.ca
February 13, 1997
Market Prospects '97
Posted February 13, 1997
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
97-02-06-AG
Market Prospects '97 hits the air waves
Saskatoon SK, February 12, 1997 -- Market Prospects '97, a program
which aims to deliver timely commodity market and outlook information
prior to spring planting, will be airing on BBS starting on February 15,
1997.
The success of previous Market Prospects series has led to eight
programs in 1997, twice the number of programs usually produced. As
with previous programs, analysts include experts from across Western
Canada, the United States, Germany, and Australia.
The purpose of Market Prospects continues to be to deliver timely
commodity market and outlook information prior to spring planting. The
program will inform farmers about changing production and market
factors which will influence the levels of production and price in the
coming year for the major Saskatchewan crops and the red meats.
The broadcasts will be aired Saturdays from 12:00 - 12:30 pm as part of
BBS's Farmgate. The scheduled topics are as follows:
February 15 World Market Overview
February 22 Livestock Market Situation and Outlook
March 1 CWRS Wheat Outlook
March 8 Other Wheats Outlook
March 15 Feed Grains/Malting Barley Outlook
March 22 Specialty Crops Outlook
March 29 Oilseeds Outlook
April 5 Farm Decisions: Costs, Returns, and
Weather
Each program will be repeated on SCN beginning on March 18. Check
your local listing.
This program is coordinated by the Agricultural Economics Department
and Extension Division, University of Saskatchewan and the Extension
Service Branch, Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food. Funding is
provided by the Agriculture Institute of Management in Saskatchewan,
Inc. (AIMS) under the National Farm Business Management Program
through a Federal provincial agreement between Agriculture Canada
and Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food.
For more information, please contact:
Rob Roy or Ken Rosaasen
Agriculture Economics/Extension Division
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-4029 or (306) 966-4017
Agreement could save universities $$$$
Posted February 13, 1997
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
97-02-07-OTHER
Agreement could save universities $$$$
Saskatoon SK, February 12, 1997 -- The University of Saskatchewan and
the University of Regina today signed an agreement with the Canadian
Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) for a procurement card program that
has the potential to save each institution thousands of dollars.
The new procurement cards will increase efficiency and reduce costs
associated with the process of requisitioning and issuing purchase orders
and overhead expenses related to forms, envelopes, postage, filing and
producing cheques. The procurement cards will also provide benefits to
suppliers in the form of improved payment terms, reduced credit risk and
better information and communication.
The two universities chose to collaborate on the tendering process to
avoid duplication of effort. Collaboration and savings will continue
throughout the implementation process. After completion of pilot projects,
the card will be implemented campus-wide during the 1997/98 fiscal year.
This is just one example of cooperation between our universities which
will improve efficiency and in the long run provide savings to both
institutions, said Dr. David Barnard, University of Regina vice-president
(administration).
We are pleased to be working in partnership with the University of
Regina, said Dr. A.J. (Tony) Whitworth, V.P. Finance & Administration at
the University of Saskatchewan. We look forward to similar endeavors in
the future.
Purchase orders under $1,000 comprise between 41% and 52% of
purchases processed, but represent only four to six percent of total
purchase dollars. The procurement process is estimated to cost
approximately $100 per order.
The new card will be in general use in the 1997/98 fiscal year.
Other western Canadian universities using procurement cards to increase
efficiency and reduce costs include: Simon Fraser University, University of
Alberta, University of Calgary, and the University of Manitoba.
For more information, please contact:
W.R.J. (Bob) Elliott
Director, Management Services
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-8782
February 12, 1997
Phillips Appointed to Van Vliet Chair
Posted February 12, 1997
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
97-02-05-AG
Media Advisory
Saskatoon SK, February 11, 1997 -- Dr. Peter W.B. Phillips
has been appointed to the Van Vliet Chair as a professor of
agricultural economics for a two year term beginning
January 1, 1997.
Dr. Phillips was raised in Saskatchewan, earned his B.A.
(High Honours) in economics and political science form the
University of Saskatchewan in 1980 and took a M.Sc.
Economics in 1981 at the LSE and, after six years of work,
returned to the LSE to earn a Ph.D. in international political
economy in 1989.
Dr. Phillips has been employed for more than 13 years as a
professional political economist, first with the Royal Bank
of Canada and then with the Government of Saskatchewan.
He comes to the U of S from his position as Assistant
Deputy Minister for Policy, Saskatchewan Economic
Development, where he was responsible for developing and
managing the implementation of the province's economic
strategy.
Dr. Phillips is the author of Wheat, Europe and the GATT
published by Pinter and St. Martin's press in 1990 and
translated into Japanese and reprinted in 1992 by the
Japanese Ministry of Agriculture. He also has written
various articles and reviews on national and international
economic issues.
During his two-year term as Van Vliet Chair professor, Dr.
Phillips will undertake a multi-disciplinary research
program into the policy structures that will support
development and diversification of Saskatchewan and
western Canadian agriculture.
Dr. Phillips's office is in Agriculture 3D16. His phone number
is (306) 966-4021.
February 11, 1997
Aboriginal Students receive Bank of Montreal Support
Posted February 11, 1997
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - February 11, 1997
97-02-04-OTHER
BANK OF MONTREAL DONATES $160,000 TO
SUPPORT UNIVERSITY'S ABORIGINAL STUDENTS
University of Saskatchewan president George Ivany and Mr.
Matthew Barrett, chairman and CEO, Bank of Montreal,
today announced that Bank of Montreal is donating
$160,000 to support Aboriginal students at the U of S.
Bank of Montreal's donation, made in response to the
University of Saskatchewan's First & Best National
Campaign, will be used to fund the establishment of an area
for Aboriginal students, a space where we can work to
meet the urgent needs of our ever-growing Aboriginal
student population, said Ivany.
Of any province in Canada, Saskatchewan has the largest
per capita population of peoples of Aboriginal ancestry,
said Ivany, adding that the development of the Aboriginal
students' space will allow the University of Saskatchewan
the opportunity to provide support programs to Aboriginal
students in all colleges.
Bank of Montreal's donation will go a long way to create a
space which will help to ensure Aboriginal students enrolled
at the U of S complete their degree programs.
By providing a holistic approach to support services which
include components of spiritual, physical, emotional and
mental well-being, said Barrett, the success rates of these
students will certainly increase. He added that with the
Bank's donation to create appropriate facilities, faculty,
staff and students of Aboriginal descent will be able to
come together for support.
When presenting the cheque to Ivany, Barrett announced
Bank of Montreal hopes to be a key partner in the fight to
eliminate the urgent need for space.
The Bank understands Aboriginal students are currently
served from a single office and lounge making it difficult to
facilitate schedules and confidentiality. said Barrett
adding with help from Bank of Montreal, the need for
appropriate space can be met.
To date, $40.2 million has been pledged by faculty, staff,
students, alumni, corporations, foundations and friends in
support of the University's First & Best National Campaign.
The five-year Campaign's goal of $30 million was reached in
less than one year after its March 31, 1995 launch.
For more information, contact:
Vera Pezer, Associate Vice President
Student Affairs & Services
University of Saskatchewan
(306)966-4747
or
Ron Leslie, Vice-President
Saskatoon & North Saskatchewan
Bank of Montreal
(306)934-5654
A photo of the cheque presentation is available. Phone
Susan at (306)966-7516.
February 10, 1997
Greystone Singers Tour BC
Posted February 10, 1997
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
97-02-02-OTHER
Greystone Singers tour British Columbia
Saskatoon SK, February 7, 1997 -- The University of Saskatchewan
Greystone Singers, the award winning mixed-voice a cappella chamber
choir is touring British Columbia February 15 -- 22, 1997.
This group has been in place since 1959 and special invitations to
perform have taken them to Vancouver for a week-long residency at
Expo'86; to Ottawa for the Installation of the Governor General of Canada
in 1990; to Disneyland and Disneyworld; and to present concerts
throughout Saskatchewan for the Organization of Saskatchewan Arts
Councils.
University of Saskatchewan Greystone Singers Tour 1997:
Vancouver BC
Sunday February 16, 1997 at 7:30 pm
Redeemer Lutheran Church
1499 Laurier
Granville Island BC
Monday February 17, 1997 at 6:45 pm
Arts Club Backstage Lounge
For more information, please contact: Nancy Wong at (604) 732-0099
Powell River BC
Tuesday February 18, 1997 at 7:30 pm
Brooks Hall
5400 Marine Avenue
Victoria BC
Friday February 21, 1997 at 7:30 - 8:30 pm
For more information, please contact Kim Johnson (250) 388-4433
For more information, please contact:
Wendy Bates, Coordinator
Development and Alumni
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-8674
e-mail: bates@admin.usask.ca
Cancer Symposium
Posted February 10, 1997
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
97-02-03-ME
Cancer symposium explores
genetics of familial cancers
Saskatoon SK, February 10, 1997 -- A cancer symposium to discuss the
links between genetic history and the development of cancer will be held
on Tuesday February 18, 1997 at the Park Town Hotel in Saskatoon.
Sponsored by the Continuing Medical Education division of the College
of Medicine and the Saskatoon Cancer Centre, the symposium will
address the challenges and opportunities for physicians and their
patients in relation to the growing popularity of the importance of cancer
genetics.
Dr. Henry Lynch, chairman of the department of preventive medicine at
Creighton University will give the keynote address. Dr. Lynch is known
internationally for his research and publications and he will be focusing
his address on both breast and colon cancer.
A number of local physicians have also been invited to share their
current work and knowledge about the genetic aspects of breast, colon,
and prostate cancers.
The symposium is directed to family physicians, epidemiologists,
geneticists, oncologists, surgeons, and urologists. Participants will have
an opportunity to update their knowledge of cancer genetics as they
affect treatment decisions. They will also increase an understanding of
how to apply this knowledge in providing service to patients with colon
cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancer.
For more information, please contact:
Miriam Hills, Coordinator
Cancer Education Program
College of Medicine
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-7791
February 07, 1997
U of S engineering experiment to orbit on space shuttle
Posted February 07, 1997
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
97-02-01-ENG
U of S engineering experiment to
orbit on the space shuttle
Saskatoon SK, February 6, 1997 -- When the U.S. space shuttle takes off
from Cape Canaveral in July 1997, it will carry fluid cells that are
designed and built at the University of Saskatchewan's College of
Engineering. The U of S team received word this week that their
experiment was one of five chosen to be funded in a Canada wide
Announcement of Opportunity that was issued last October by the
Microgravity Space Science Division of the Canadian Space Agency.
The fluid physics experiment was designed by mechanical engineering
professors, Dr. Kamiel Rezkallah and Dr. Jim Bugg. Graduate students,
Pieter deJong and Sam Farris are assisting in the project's development.
The experiment is designed to test the ability of a Canadian built
instrument called MIM (Microgravity Isolation Mount) to isolate low
frequency and low amplitude accelerations known as g-jitter. Such jitter
occurs due to crew activities on board the shuttle such as exercises and
life science experimentation or as a result of thruster firings to correct the
spacecraft position while in orbit.
G-jitter can adversely affect valuable experiments being conducted on
the shuttle. The U of S experiment will examine the effect of g-jitter on the
motion of a gas bubble suspended in cells filled with different fluids. The
experiment will produce
information to allow researchers in the field of fluid physics and material
processing in space to select acceptable magnitudes of g-jitter that could
be tolerated in future experiments aboard the space shuttle and the
upcoming international space station.
Though the experiment will be flown on the July mission of the space
shuttle in which the Canadian astronaut, Bjarni Tryggvason, will be a
payload specialist, it will first fly on the NASA DC-9 zero-gravity test
plane operated by the NASA Lewis Research Centre in Cleveland, Ohio
on March 24 - 28, 1997.
Professor Rezkallah and his Microgravity Research Group (MRG) have
been involved in space experiments since 1988. Under contracts to the
Canadian Space Agency, they have logged over 12 hours of near zero-
gravity test time on board the NASA's KC-135 parabolic flight test aircraft
out of Houston, Texas. As recently as last November, two researchers
from the MRG have flown with another fluids experiment on the NASA
DC-9 zero-gravity test plan. During the last series of parabolic flights, a
documentary on the flight was taped and later aired at the CBC Morning
News during the week of November 11, 1996.
For more information, please contact:
Kamiel Rezkallah
Department of Mechanical Engineering
College of Engineering
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-5453
e-mail: rezkallah.kamiel@engr.usask.ca
