May 27, 1998
Agreement sets stage for Saskatchewan's First Human Biopharmaceutical Company
Posted May 27, 1998
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 26, 1998
98-05-20-UST
Agreement sets stage for Saskatchewan's First Human Biopharmaceutical Company
UST Inc., the technology commercialization arm of the University of
Saskatchewan, has signed a major licensing agreement with Alviva
Biopharmaceuticals Inc., a Saskatoon drug company recently spun off from
university research.
The agreement could help pave the way for new drug treatments for some
neurological disorders, bring roughly 30 new high-tech jobs and at least
$10 million worth of new investment to the province, and provide royalty
and other financial benefits to the U of S over the long term.
The agreement, potentially the most lucrative ever signed by UST in its
seven-year history, is the first step in commercializing a class of drug
compounds (aliphatic propargylamines) developed by Dr. Alan Boulton and
his team at the U of S medical school's neuropsychiatry research unit.
Several patents have already been issued to UST, more have been filed and
others are in the works. The agreement gives Alviva an exclusive license
to use the UST-owned patent rights.
"It's my hope this emerging biotech company will be able to bring to the
province the spin-off benefits in the human pharmaceutical field that have
occurred with agriculture biotechnology spin-offs in the past," said
Boulton, who is president and chief scientific officer of Alviva.
The compounds, which so far have been tested only on animals, have the
potential to stop brain cell damage in disorders such as Alzheimer's,
Parkinson's, Huntington's, advanced glaucoma, and stroke, Boulton says,
adding there may also be applications in cancer and veterinary fields.
Because the compounds must be further tested and undergo the federal drug
approval process, the earliest they could reach the market, assuming all
goes as planned, would be four to five years. Boulton hopes to test the
drugs on humans in about three years.
Alviva's partner, Toronto-based venture management firm BioCatalyst Yorkton
Inc., will provide skilled management expertise and plans to raise about
$10 million to develop the compounds into new drugs. Alviva's head office
and laboratories will be built at Innovation Place.
UST, which owns part of Alviva, will receive royalties of at least several
million dollars over the life of the patents, as well as benefit
financially from any increase in the value of Alviva, says Dr. Branko
Peterman, UST's newly appointed president. However, under the U of S
faculty agreement, up to half of UST's receipts from licensing patent
rights are to be distributed among the inventors.
Noting the province has funded the neuropsychiatry research unit since
1954, Boulton said, "It's gratifying to see the exploitation and
commercialization of Saskatchewan discoveries." He noted the drugs have
been in the works for about 10 years.
Dr. Michael Corcoran, U of S vice-president of research, said the agreement
demonstrates UST is able to work for the benefit of both U of S researchers
and the province. "As a neuroscientist myself, I appreciate the potential
of the drugs developed by Dr. Boulton and his colleagues, which we hope
will contribute significantly to clinical treatment of patients with
neurological and other disorders," he said.
For more information, please contact:
Dr. Alan Boulton
Director, Neuropsychiatry Research Unit
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-8571
FAX: (306) 966-8830
Dr. Branko Peterman
President and CEO of UST Inc.
(306) 966-7335
FAX: (306) 966-7806
May 25, 1998
10 Universities sign on with U of S synchrotron bid
Posted May 25, 1998
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 25, 1998
98-05-18-OTHER
10 Universities sign on with U of S synchrotron bid
The University of Regina and nine other Canadian universities will sign
the University of Saskatchewan's application this week to the Canada
Foundation for Innovation for partial funding of a national synchrotron
research facility in Saskatoon.
"We're pleased to have the other universities sign on and particularly to
have 'pan Saskatchewan' participation in this proposed project," said Dr.
Michael Corcoran, U of S vice-president of research.
"This is another step toward what we hope will be a successful
submission."
A memorandum of understanding was signed today between U of S and U of R
to formally recognize the mutual interest of the two universities in
using the proposed Canadian Light Source (CLS) for academic research in a
variety of areas. A synchrotron is a source of intense light - from
infrared to X-ray wavelengths - which can be used for biotechnology,
medical, chemical, environmental and materials research.
The agreement, signed by the two presidents at the Saskatchewan
Accelerator Laboratory on campus, calls for the creation of the
Saskatchewan Centre for Synchrotron Research which would facilitate
co-operation between the two universities in using the synchrotron for
research and student learning opportunities.
For instance, through the centre, the two universities would develop
procedures to permit cross-appointments for faculty who use the CLS in
research and teaching. It would also set out joint policies with respect
to student participation in academic and work-term experiences related to
the CLS.
Establishment of the centre hinges on success this fall in the CFI
funding competition, as well as approval by research committees at the
two universities.
"This centre will enable the two universities to mutually contribute to
the economic development of the province through the opportunities for
both knowledge transfer and industrial collaboration that will occur at
the CLS," said Dr. Larry Symes, U of R associate vice-president of research.
He stressed the synchrotron would open new opportunities for U of R
researchers in such areas as chemistry, petroleum engineering, molecular
biology, and geology.
"The presence of the synchrotron in Saskatoon will enable us to attract
individuals of a calibre that we may not be able to attract without the
synchrotron," he said, noting U of R is undergoing significant faculty
renewal due to a voluntary retirement program.
The other universities who will sign the application are: University of
Victoria, University of Alberta, University of Calgary, University of
Manitoba, University of Western Ontario, University of Waterloo, McMaster
University, University of Montreal and Laval University.
At present, Canadian researchers often have to wait between three months
and two years to use foreign synchrotrons.
For more information, please contact:
Dr. Michael Corcoran
U of S Vice-President (Research)
(306) 966-8514
FAX: (306) 966-8597
Dr. Larry Symes
U of R Associate Vice-President (Research)
(306) 585-4835
FAX: (306) 585-4893
May 19, 1998
Cuming receives Distinguished Researcher Award
Posted May 19, 1998
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 19, 1998
98-05-10-OTHER
Law Professor to Receive Distinguished
Research Award
Law Professor Ron Cuming, an internationally respected expert and
reformer in commercial law, will be presented with the U of S
Distinguished Researcher Award at the Spring Convocation.
The award, which carries a $1,000 prize, is presented semi-annually
to a U of S faculty member who has made a major contribution to
knowledge or artistic creativity.
"His record of influential research is outstanding, and recognition of
his achievements with this award testifies to the excellence of the
University of Saskatchewan's research in the human sciences," said
Dr. Michael Corcoran, U of S vice-president of research.
Professor Cuming, who joined the U of S in 1966, is the leading
architect of modern laws on secured financing, the 'grease' that keeps
a country's economic machinery running smoothly by providing
lenders with an assured security interest in a borrower?s property.
He took a disparate mess of laws and registry systems that existed in
Saskatchewan and created a single statute that was more efficient
and provided better protection for borrowers. It was passed into law
in 1981 as the Personal Property Security Act. This became the
model that has since been adopted by all provinces except Ontario
and Quebec.
"We have in Saskatchewan one of the most sophisticated security
financing systems in the world," he said. "A buyer can do a computer
search and find out in less than a minute whether there's any secured
interest against that property by a lender."
A prolific scholar, Cuming's work is routinely cited by the Supreme
Court of Canada and lower courts.
His research has also led to law reform in various Third World
countries. He has been an advisor to several national governments
whose economies are struggling under primitive and inefficient security
financing systems. For instance, he has drafted security financing and
leasing laws for Jordan and Palestine and provided assistance to Israel
which is looking at adopting a law similar to Saskatchewan's.
"If Palestine, Israel and Jordan have the same law, this will be very
important in the development of trade connections among them," he
said.
He has also worked on World Bank projects to develop lease
financing laws in Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Georgia, Armenia, and
Ukraine, as well as secured financing projects for Bangladesh,
Uruguay, Mexico, and Nicaragua.
"It's so much more than just drafting a law or imposing what has been
successful here. Countries have different legal traditions and different
concepts of property. They have to go to the religious court and it
takes months to get permission to seize the property."
He also had a hand in drafting what promises to be one of the most
important trade conventions ever made?a new international
convention on security interests involving mobile equipment such as
aircraft and satellite, oil drilling and railway equipment. The new
convention, which is likely to be approved by the year 2000,
addresses various problems. For instance, security interests taken by
a bank in one country for a major aircraft purchase aren't necessarily
upheld when the plane is flown to another country and seized for non-
payment of a gas or parts bill.
"Financing of big equipment that is moved from one country to
another is risky. The only way to solve it is to have an international
body of law and the same rules in every country," he said.
Cumin, who was born and raised in Saskatchewan, earned his
bachelor of arts in law from the U of S and did his master's in law at
Columbia University in New York in 1966.
He was Chair of the Law Reform Commission of Saskatchewan from
1978 to 1981 and appointed Queen's Counsel for Saskatchewan in
1982. He served as a member of the NAFTA (North American Free
Trade Agreement) arbitration panel set up to consider the validity of
Canada's marketing board system and has represented Canada in
several international organizations.
In 1992-93, he received a teaching excellence award from the U of S
students' union.
Cuming acknowledges he has turned down offers from institutions
elsewhere in Canada. "I was always treated very well by the law
school and the university so I never felt it was necessary to leave," he
said.
For more information, contact:
Professor Ron Cuming
College of Law
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-5883
(306) 966-5900 fax
U of S confers 2,460 degrees at Spring Convocation
Posted May 19, 1998
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 19, 1998
98-05-11-OTHER
U of S confers 2,460 degrees at Spring
Convocation
The University of Saskatchewan expects to confer 2,460 degrees,
diplomas and certificates on students at its annual spring convocation
May 19, 20, 21, 1998. Last spring 2,446 degrees, diplomas and
certificates were awarded.
The convocation ceremony will be held in the Centennial Auditorium.
Agriculture, Arts and Science, and Law degrees will be conferred on
Tuesday, May 19. Commerce, Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing,
Pharmacy & Nutrition, Physical Education, Physical Therapy, and
Veterinary Medicine degrees will be conferred on Wednesday May
20. Education, Engineering and Graduate Studies degrees will be
conferred on Thursday May 21. All ceremonies will begin at 9:30 a.
m.
Honorary doctoral degrees will be conferred on Sharon Capeling-
Alakija on Tuesday and William G. Shurniak on Wednesday.
An earned doctor of letters degree will be given to Che Kan Leong on
Thursday, May 21.
Other awards include the Master Teacher Award (Tuesday); the
Distinguished Researcher Award (Tuesday); and the President?s
Service Award (Wednesday).
The Convocation Address will be presented by Sharon Capeling-
Alakija on Tuesday; William Shurniak on Wednesday; and University
President George Ivany on Thursday.
For more information, please contact:
Annetta Gellner
Office of the Registrar
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-6728
U of S Outstanding Graduates Honoured
Posted May 19, 1998
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - MAY 19, 1998
98-05-12-OTHER
U of S Honours Outstanding Graduates
During Spring Convocation, the University's most outstanding
graduates are recognized with numerous awards and prizes. The
most prestigious of these are the Governor General?s Gold and Silver
Medals.
The Governor General's Silver Medal , which will be awarded to
Thomas Troy McConaghy of Beatty, is given to the undergraduate
student with the highest cumulative percentage average.
McConaghy, who is receiving a B.Sc. and Honours Certificate in
Science, is also being awarded the Earl of Bessborough Prize in
Science and the Haslam Medal.
The Governor General?s Gold Medal, which will be awarded to Carey
James Simonson of Saskatoon, is given to the graduate student with
the highest cumulative percentage average. Simonson, who will
receive his Ph.D., is also being awarded a University of
Saskatchewan Graduate Thesis Award for his thesis titled, Heat and
Moisture Transfer in Energy Wheels.
Several other outstanding graduates will also be recognized for their
academic achievements. They are (in order of presentation during
Convocation):
Cheryl Louise Armstrong of Saskatoon (B.S.A.) - Saskatchewan
Institute of Agrologists Gold Medal;
Daniel Henry Andrew Maksymiuk of Saskatoon (B.A.) - Copland Prize
in Humanities;
Keri Gail Walsh of Saskatoon (B.A.) - Copland Prize in Humanities;
Stephan頁udet of Quebec City, Quebec (B.A.) - Copland Prize in
Social Sciences;
Cindy Sjoberg of Speers (B. Mus.) - University of Saskatchewan Film
Society Prize;
Jacqueline Frances Cates of Saskatoon (B. A.) - Spring Convocation
Three-year Medal;
Brent Wilfred Kraus of Moose Jaw (LL.B.) - Law Society of
Saskatchewan Gold Medal;
Jason Novakovski of Martensville (B.Comm.) - The Goodspeed Prize
in Commerce;
Kelly Andrew Chotowetz of Major (D.M.D.) - Gold Medal in Dentistry;
Burton Bjorn Abbott of Saskatoon (M.D.) - Lindsay Gold Medal in
Medicine;
Wendelyn Ann Turner of Weldon (B.S.N.) - Lindsay Gold Medal in
Nursing;
Lisa Raeleen Siwak of Prince Albert (B.Sci. Nutr.) - The Rutter Medal
in Nutrition;
Jody Leanne Dechaine of Lampman (B.S.P.) - Robert Martin Prize in
Pharmacy;
Janis Leigh Scott of Davidson (B.S.P.E.) - The Dr. Gordon Garvie
Prize in Physical Education;
Jessica Bree Steadman of Kelvington (B.SC. P.T.) - The Talmage E.
Hunt Award in Physical Therapy;
John Andrew Dick of Chilliwack, BC (D.V.M.) - Western College of
Veterinary Medicine Faculty Gold Medal;
Raylene Mairee Court of Kinistino (B.Ed.) - Saskatchewan Teachers?
Federation Prize;
Kevin Ronald Bryan Kostuik of Estevan (B.E.) - Association of
Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan Gold
Medal.
For more information, please contact:
Annetta Gellner
Office of the Registrar
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-6728
President's Service Award to Evelyn Peters
Posted May 19, 1998
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 19, 1998
98-05-13-OTHER
Clerk-steno wins 1997 President's Service
Award
The 1998 winner of the President's Service Award, established four
years ago to "recognize staff members who have made outstanding
contributions to the learning and working environments of the
University," is Evelyn Peters, a clerk-steno III in the Department of
Biology. Peters will presented with the Award on May, 20, 1998 at
spring convocation.
The award which carries a $1,000 prize and includes a
commemorative ring or pin, will be presented at the university's spring
convocation on May 19, 1998.
In proposing Peters for the Award, her nominators and supporters ?
and these include senior University Administrators, Department faculty
and emeritus professors, students, staff, adjunct and associate faculty
members, post-doctoral fellows, research fellows, and others ? cite
numerous qualities that eminently qualify her for the honor.
For example, Professor Wayne Skrapik, associate dean, Arts and
Science, writes: "I have always been impressed with Evelyn's candor,
her sense of humour, her willingness to provide whatever support she
could for the Department and the College..."
Professor Vipen Sawhney, of Biology, says that Peters "[does] an
outstanding job, is very professional in her work, is resourceful,
cheerful, and very friendly." he notes the words of a colleague who
has commented that she "is the cement that holds this large
department together," and goes on to note that she is "superbly
organized and extremely dedicated to her work."
Professor Dick Neal, also an associate dean of Arts and Science,
recalls joining the Department of Biology some 30 years ago and
meeting Peters for the first time. "Her warm, cheerful personality and
her interest in people made one feel at home immediately."
Professor Larry Fowke, head of Biology, praises Peters' reliability, her
diligence, and her ability to deal with complex tasks related to
teaching, research, and administration, adding: "Even under difficult
circumstances, she's able to maintain her composure and is polite and
helpful."
Dr. Taylor Steeves, professor emeritus of biology, says that Peters
performs well beyond the letter of her job description.
"Her role in organizing and maintaining the flow of department
activities [goes] above and beyond normal secretarial responsibilities.
Her dedication to the Department and its effective operation is most
impressive."
"Evelyn is for all Department members and students the source of
information about procedures, deadlines, and opportunities and is the
one to whom all turn for advice. Her efficiency and effectiveness in
dealing with such diverse issues is remarkable and is much to be
commended."
Sheri Fisher, president of the Biology Club, says that Peters "seems to
know each student by name and...regards the needs of students as a
top priority. She is constantly aware of employment opportunities for
students and places job postings so that we may have the chance of
finding work within the field of biology."
Peters grew up in Eatonia, SK. She is a mother of two children:
Garrett, 23, and Julie, 19, who both live and work in Saskatoon.
For more information, please contact:
Eleanor Wright
Chair - President's Service Award Selection Committee
(306) 966-7006
Greer recipient of Master Teacher Award
Posted May 19, 1998
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 19, 1998
98-05-14-OTHER
Computer Scientist wins Master Teacher Award
The latest recipient of the university's Master Teacher Award is
Professor Jim Greer, of the Department of Computer Science. The
award, which is presented at each convocation and carries a $1,000
prize, underscores the importance of teaching at the U of S and
honors those faculty members who excel in it. The award will be
presented on May, 19, 1998 at spring convocation.
Greer obtained his doctoral degree from the University of Texas, at
Austin, in 1987. He joined Computer Science as an assistant
professor in 1989, following a two-year, post-doctoral fellowship. He
was tenured in 1993 and promoted to full professor in 1996. In
addition to undergraduate teaching, he has supervised or co-
supervised five doctoral students and 17 at the masters level.
Greer has made a number of innovative contributions to teaching. In
1991, for example, he originated the SWAPS program, a science
awareness program for exceptional high school students. From
1991-1995, about 25 talented high school students were brought to
the University of Saskatchewan and to the University of Regina for an
intensive, one-month summer science camp. During that time, he
also originated the "Peer Mentor Groups" program, a mentorship
program for first-year students in computer science.
In 1996, he developed and led a summer program to encourage
internet access and awareness for senior citizens and high school
students. He also initiated the Cooperative Peer Response project for
automating advice in Computer Science courses and a new in-
service training program for Saskatchewan high school teachers
relating to the use of World Wide Web technology in the classroom.
Says Professor Rick Bunt, a colleague: "[Greer's] seemingly limitless
capacity for innovative and successful instructional ventures have had
a very positive impact on our Department and on the University."
Adds Professor Gordon McCalla, current acting head: "I've read
hundreds of teaching evaluations of Jim's courses, and there are
virtually no dissenting voices as to his excellence as an instructor,
regardless of the size of class or the nature of the material dealt with
in the class."
Student evaluations of Greer, include the following praise: "far and
away my most interesting class," "fun and enjoyable," "instructor's
lectures were perfect for me," "great class," and "we need more profs
of this quality."
Much of Greer's academic and scholarly work is aimed at developing
and improving learning and teaching in the broader context. His work
focuses on activities related to mentorship, collaborative learning, and
project-based learning and supports his belief that it's beyond the
classroom walls where much real learning takes place.
The consensus is that he's innovative and enthusiastic, devoting
considerable time and energy to various projects that enhance the
student experience inside the classroom and out.
For more information, please contact:
Jim Greer
Department of Computer Science
(306) 966-8655
Dr. Che Kan Leong Receives Earned Doctor of Letters
Posted May 19, 1998
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 19, 1998
98-05-15-OTHER
Education professor to receive Earned Doctor of
Letters
The U of S will award an Earned Doctor of Letters to Dr. Che Kan
Leong, a professor in the Department for the Education of Exceptional
Children, College of Education at its spring convocation on May 21,
1998.
Dr. Che Kan Leong has been on the U of S faculty since 1969. At
various times, he has also been a visiting scholar to psychology
departments of the Free University of Amsterdam, London University
Birkbeck College, University of Ume嬠Nagoya University, Hiroshima
University, the University of Hong Kong, the Chinese University of
Hong Kong, and East China Normal University, Shanghai.
Dr. Leong first trained as a teacher in his native Hong Kong and
worked there as a teacher, college lecturer, and researcher from the
1950s to 1969.
He earned his BA (Hons.) degree in English literature (1957) and his
MA (Ed.) degree (1964) from the University of Hong Kong; a
Postgraduate Diploma in Child Guidance and Development (1960) at
the Schonell Centre, University of Queensland, Australia, on a
UNESCO Fellowship; and his PhD in educational psychology and
special education at the University of Alberta in 1974, with a
dissertation on information processing of children with dyslexia. This
work won him the Outstanding Dissertation Award from the
International Reading Association.
He teaches senior undergraduate and graduate courses on language
and learning disabilities. His cumulative studies on psychological
processes of reading and its difficulties, metalinguistic awareness,
lexical access of English and Chinese, and the application of text-to-
speech computer systems to enhance reading comprehension testify
to his multi-disciplinary and cross-linguistic approaches.
Professor Ingvar Lundberg, University of G?urg (Gothenburg) and
a noted reading researcher, summarizes Leong's scientific
contribution in terms of his accumulation of "insights and development
of more precise and clear theoretical concepts which have been
subjected to rigorous empirical tests in a long, coherent sequence of
brilliant investigations."
Dr. Leong's publications include two authored and five co-edited
graduate-level volumes on reading processes: Psychology of
Reading (1982), Children with Specific Reading Disabilities (1987),
Developmental and Acquired Dyslexia (1995), Cross-Language
Studies of Learning to Read and Spell (1997), among others.
He has published some 40 book chapters and 40 research papers
over the last 15 years or so, and he's currently completing a co-edited
monograph on the cognitive processing of Chinese and Japanese
languages.
For his outstanding contribution to the science of dyslexia, the
International Dyslexia Association honored Leong with the Samuel T.
Orton Award, in 1986. In 1990, the University of Ume堣onferred on
him the Doctor of Social Sciences (Honoris Causa) degree. And in
May, 1995, he won the Distinguished Researcher Award from the
University of Saskatchewan. He is a Fellow of the American and
Canadian Psychological Associations, the American Psychological
Society, the International Academy for Research in Learning
Disabilities, and a Chartered Psychologist (UK).
For more information, please contact:
Che Kan Leong
Department for the Education of Exceptional Children
College of Education
(306) 966-5257
Capeling-Alakija receives honorary Doctor of Laws
Posted May 19, 1998
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 15, 1998
98-05-16-OTHER
Saskatchewan native to receive honorary
degree
Senior United Nations official and U of S graduate, Sharon Capeling-
Alakija, will receive an honorary Doctor of Laws at the University's
spring convocation, May 19, 1998.
Born in Moose Jaw, she completed her elementary and secondary
education there, then attended the University of Saskatchewan,
where she obtained her BEd in 1966. She was active in student life,
sitting on the student council, involved in a student sorority, and once
even defeating Agro students in a pie-eating contest.
In 1966-1967 she taught history at City Park Collegiate, in Saskatoon,
then took an opportunity to teach English as a second language in
Tanzania and Barbados. A specialist on the subject prompted her to
write a textbook on the subject.
Teaching in Africa led to a series of positions with Canadian
University Students Overseas (CUSO), in Ottawa. She rose through
the ranks, working in such areas as human resources, volunteer
recruitment, public affairs, and editing CUSO's quarterly magazine.
She was then named director of CUSO's West Africa region,
responsible for the overall planning, development, implementation,
and securing of resources for CUSO in Ghana, Nigeria, Togo, Sierra
Leone, Cameroon, and the Gambia.
In 1989, she joined the United Nations, New York, as the head of
Unifem (United Nations Development Fund for Women), dealing with
issues of importance to women and refugees, some 80 per cent of
whom are women and children.
She has since been promoted to her position in Berlin where she's
the executive co-ordinator of the United Nations Volunteers, one of
the top administrative positions in the United Nations.
Sharon Capeling-Alakija currently lives in Berlin. She is a widow and
has three grown sons.
For more information, please contact:
Iain MacLean
University Secretary
(306) 966-4632
Bill Shurniak receives Honorary Doctor of Laws
Posted May 19, 1998
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 19, 1998
98-05-17-OTHER
Saskatchewan-born financier to receive
honorary degree
Financier and Saskatchewan native, Bill Shurniak, will receive an
honorary Doctor of Laws on May 20, 1998 at the University's spring
convocation.
Shurniak has recently retired after ascending through the ranks of
national and international banking to become the financial advisor of
Li Ka Shing, the Hong Kong real estate magnate and one of the
world's wealthiest men.
Born on the family farm in Limerick, Saskatchewan, Mr. Shurniak did
not attend University after completing high school. Instead, he took
up work as a teller at a Canadian Bank of Commerce branch.
A number of postings to branches in western Canada and Ontario led
to a position at the bank's head office in Toronto.
In 1972 he was made manager of CIBC's operations in Kingston,
Jamaica. In 1974, he was transferred to Hong Kong to head the
bank's operations in the Asia-Pacific region.
This move brought him in contact with Li, who hired Mr. Shurniak into
his organization where, as vice-president, finance, he became Li's
chief financial advisor.
In 1979, he was asked to return to CIBC's head office to take on a
wider set of duties within the bank. While back in Toronto, he
maintained his ties with Hong Kong through periodic travel to the
region, but more or less resigned himself to not living there again.
However, in 1984 Li asked if he would be interested in joining
Hutchinson Whampoa, Li's principal company, which was being
reorganized. He accepted the offer and was soon on his way back to
Hong Kong to join the Group as its finance director.
Shurniak retired in December of 1997, but remains on the board of
Hutchinson-Whampoa. He is also deputy chair of Husky Oil.
Shurniak, who never married, has restored his parents' original
homestead which he uses when he visits Saskatchewan once or
twice a year. He is also interested in establishing an art gallery in his
home town.
For more information, please contact:
Iain MacLean
University Secretary
(306) 966-4632
May 15, 1998
Board approves 1998-99 budget
Posted May 15, 1998
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 14, 1998
Board approves 1998-99 budget
The University of Saskatchewan's Board of Governors has agreed to
continue with Year Two of a two-year budget approved last spring. In
April 1997, the University of Saskatchewan's Board of Governors
approved a two-year budget for 1997-99 which balances the
continuously rising cost base caused by inflation and contractual
obligations with a combination of tuition increases, staffing and other
expenditure reductions, and increased revenue targets.
The budget focuses on maintaining high quality programs and an
enhanced learning experience for students, through such measures as:
- allocating over $1 million to bursaries and other recruitment
and retention initiatives
- an increase of 5 per cent for library acquisitions
- funding for the Student Employment and Career Centre
- funding for a Teaching and Learning Centre which will enhance the
teaching skills of new faculty, thereby enriching the learning
experience for students
- funding an academic program review process which will ensure our
programs remain at the leading edge.
"We are grateful to the provincial government for the increase to our
operating grant for 1998-99. However, we required a 3 per cent
increase each year just to meet our basic financial obligations without
incurring a deficit," explained Board Chair Hal Wyatt. "The remaining 2
per cent was needed to partially restore our salary and wage
competitiveness. We therefore have no option but to continue our most
responsible course of action which is to proceed with the 1997-99
budget plan."
The 1997-99 budget plan requires reductions for all colleges and
administrative units totalling $2 million, elimination of 22 faculty
positions, and revenue enhancements. Fifty percent of the reductions
were to be achieved in 1997/98 and the balance in 1998/99.
The budget plan also includes a tuition level for Category I programs of
$3,000. This level is substantially lower than comparable universities
such as the University of Alberta ($3,329), and the University of
Calgary ($3,440). It is also competitive with tuition fees at the
University of Regina ($3,000) and the University of Manitoba ($2,610).
The University of Manitoba has placed a greater emphasis on a
differential tuition fee than the University of Saskatchewan, which
means that while tuition for our Category I courses may be slightly
higher, tuition for courses such as Dentistry and Medicine are
substantially lower ($5,704 at the U of S compared to $6,604 at the
University of Manitoba).
Highlights of the 1998-99 Operating Budget are attached.
For more information, please contact:
Hal Wyatt, Chair
Board of Governors
(403) 240-5519
(403) 233-7538 (h)
or
George Ivany, President
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-6212
(306) 975-1081 (h)
or
Tony Whitworth, Vice-President (Finance & Administration)
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-6631
(306) 242-4670 (h)
1998/99 Budget Highlights
Tuition
A student enrolled in all Category I classes would pay $3,000 in tuition.
This level is substantially lower than comparable universities, such as
the University of Alberta ($3,329), and the University of Calgary
($3,440).
Although the exact sums paid by students will vary depending on the
courses they take, in general first-year students enrolled in the
following programs will pay (sums cover a two-semester period):
Agriculture $3,120
Arts $3,030
Science, Education, Nutrition $3,060
Commerce $3,000
Dentistry, Medicine $5,704
Engineering $3,510
Law $3,300
Nursing $3,090
Physical Education $3,105
Pharmacy $3,525
Physical Therapy $3,974
Veterinary Medicine $4,889
Graduate students will pay $3,816 in tuition, up from $3,568 last year.
Recruitment and Retention
Over $1 million will be allocated to fund a variety of mechanisms for
student support including bursaries, retention and recruitment
initiatives. $525,000 of this amount was allocated in 1997-98.
Scholarships and Fellowships
Graduate Teaching Fellowships will increase by 4.4 per cent, to
$354,515 from $341,560. Graduate scholarships are maintained at last
year's level of $3,287,613.
Library Acquisitions
To help combat a double-digit annual inflation rate for library materials,
the budget allows for an increase of 5 per cent for library acquisitions,
or an additional $267,000. The U of S has recognized the importance
of the library throughout its years of budget cuts and has tried to
preserve the library?s acquisitions budget as much as possible.
Student Employment and Career Centre Funding
Funding for the Student Employment and Career Centre will be
maintained at $45,000. The Centre provides a valuable service to
students and to employers.
Student Tour Program
A Student Tour Program will receive a budget of $50,000. Campus
tours were eliminated in the first round of budget cuts five years ago.
Their restoration will permit their use as a means of promotion,
recruitment and community service.
They will also provide a valuable source of part-time employment for
our students.
In 1996-97 the University complex attracted:
- 77,600 visitors of which 72,274 were from outside Saskatoon
- these visitors spent 124,600 visitor days in Saskatoon
- the economic impact of visitors was $9.6 million.
Teaching and Learning Centre
A Teaching and Learning Centre will receive $70,000 in funding. It will
provide the prospect of enhancing the teaching skills of new faculty,
thereby enriching the student learning experience.
Academic Program Review
A total of $35,000 will be set aside for academic program reviews,
which will provide for a thorough consideration, on a periodic basis, of
the objectives of an academic program, the content of the curriculum,
the qualifications of faculty, and the outcomes of the teaching, learning
and service enterprises. The program review will ensure our programs
remain at the leading edge.
Reductions
The Board agreed to proceed with planned budget reductions for all
colleges and administrative units totaling almost $2 million; 50 per cent
of the reduction was to be achieved in 1997/98 and the balance in
1998/99.
In addition, the budget framework requires the deletion of 22 faculty
positions: 10 in the College of Arts and Science, 10 in the College of
Education, and 2 in the College of Physical Education. Six of these
positions were deleted last year.
Increased Revenue
Through a variety of non-tuition revenue generation measures, the
University is budgeting for increased revenue from non-student
sources of $530,000 in 1998/99. Over the two year period,
miscellaneous revenue will have increased by $800,000.
1998-99 Capital Budget
The University received $14.4 million from the provincial government
for its 1998-99 capital budget, up from $7.7 million last year. These
funds will be allocated as follows:
- $5.3 million to repairs, rehabilitation and adaptation of buildings
Major projects include repair or replace roofing ($714,000);
steam tunnel replacement ($500,000); electrical system replacement
($290,000); building code upgrades ($205,000).
- $1.3 million to equipment
Allocated based on prioritized submissions from academic and
administrative units.
- $1.4 million to computer network and audio visual and multimedia
equipment
This allocation is split between information technology
infrastructure ($900,000) and audio visual and multimedia
equipment ($500,000).
Examples of information technology expenditures include:
- upgrade connections in student computer labs;
- replace approximately one-quarter of the Library public
access stations;
- upgrade the network connections to several buildings;
- install additional capacity to support rapidly expanding
applications of World Wide Web materials for teaching
and other communication purposes;
- improving electronic mail capabilities.
Examples of audio visual and multimedia equipment expenditures
include:
- renovation to six major lecture theatres;
- upgrading classroom equipment such as overhead projectors,
projection screens and video-data projectors.
- $0.5 million to a program to assist new faculty establish their
research programs.
The allocation of funds for the purchase of equipment has
been cited repeatedly by numerous committees at the U of S as
essential as faculty renewal occurs. This allocation will allow
the U of S to be more competitive in recruiting top quality faculty.
- Up to $5.9 million to service principal and interest payments on
a proposed $75 million debt.
This debt would allow the U of S to address three urgent building
projects:
1) the Thorvaldson Building addition and renovations ($30 million)
2) the Physical Education Centre ($30 million)
3) the College Building restoration ($20 million)
This step will require the support of the provincial government.
Discussions are currently under way with the provincial government.
Diefenbaker Canada Centre to house Amati instruments
Posted May 15, 1998
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 14, 1998
Diefenbaker Canada Centre to house Amati instruments
The University of Saskatchewan's Board of Governors agreed today to
house the Amati instruments at the Diefenbaker Canada Centre, where
they can be acclimatized for one year without being played.
At the end of the year, a Presidential Amati Committee, consisting of
the President, Vice-President (Academic), a member of the Board of
Governors, the Dean of Arts and Science and the Head of the Music
Department will make a recommendation to the Board regarding the
possible use or display of the instruments.
Acclimatization is required to protect wooden objects from warping or
cracking when moved from a more humid climate, like Victoria's, to a
drier climate, like Saskatchewan's. The Diefenbaker Canada Centre is
an A-Level Museum with storage vaults that are climate controlled,
dust-free, with steady humidity levels and ultra-violet radiation light
protection.
The Board had considered a number of options for the Amati
instruments. These ranged from keeping the instruments in storage, to
putting the instruments on display, to seeking funding for a U of S-
based quartet to perform with the instruments. The Board weighed the
cost of each of these options against the benefits to the music
program, and to the university as a whole.
An earlier decision not to use any university operating funds to support
the use of the instruments was one of the key factors that influenced
the Board's final decision. During the First and Best fund raising
campaign, the university had discussions with some potential donors,
but support for the Amatis was not forthcoming.
However, the Board is hopeful that both the university's financial
position, and the opportunities for fund raising, may improve over the
coming year.
The instruments had been on loan to the Lafayette Quartet in Victoria.
For more information, please contact:
Mr. Hal Wyatt, Chair
Board of Governors
University of Saskatchewan
(403) 240-5519
(403) 233-7538
Saskatchewan Crop Research Projects Receive Funding
Posted May 15, 1998
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 15, 1998
98-05-09-AG
Funding for Saskatchewan Crop
Research Projects
More than $1 million has been approved to date this
year for research projects by the Crop Development
Centre (CDC) and the Department of Plant Sciences at the
University of Saskatchewan.
The details of 13 unique projects supported by the
funding were discussed at a news conference in
Saskatoon today by Dr. Gordon Rowland, CDC director; Dr.
Malcolm Devine, head Department of Plant Sciences and
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food Minister Eric Upshall.
Upshall said the funding approval demonstrates the
provincial government?s commitment to ongoing
scientific research in the quest for solutions to weed,
insect and other problems as well as contributing to the
increased diversification of Saskatchewan?s agriculture
and food sector.
The funds are being provided through the Agriculture
Development Fund (ADF) administered by Saskatchewan
Agriculture and Food to help finance project-oriented
research in crops, horticulture, soils, livestock and other
value-added opportunities.
"We?ve invested about $19 million in crops research at
the University of Saskatchewan in the last five years,"
Upshall said. "CDC?s portion is $13 million and the
Department of Plant Sciences received almost $6 million.
This research funding is helping farmers to diversify,
reduce costs, control crop pests and to remain
competitive in world markets. SAF?s continued support
of these objectives is illustrated by an additional $1.9
million in this year?s budget for research and adoption of
technology, an increase of 15 per cent."
"The superb support the Crop Development Centre has
received over the years from Saskatchewan Agriculture
and Food has allowed the CDC to become the leader in
crop diversification in Canada. This partnership in
agriculture research is the envy of other provinces and
ensures Saskatchewan?s continued expansion in crop
production and processing," Rowland said.
The CDC and the Department of Plant Sciences projects
involved in the new funding cover a broad spectrum.
They include:
- development of hulless barley
- development of disease resistant strains of wheat
and the use of DNA testing to screen varieties for
desired characteristics
- the study of newly developed potato varieties with
major potential in U.S. markets to measure adaptability
to prairie conditions
- evaluation of alternative wheats for suitability in
noodle and specialty breads production
- methods of altering the structure of raspberry canes
to induce fruit growth on one side of the cane for easier
picking.
Upshall said successful varieties developed by the CDC,
such as Laird lentil and Harrington barley, have provided
farmers and processors with an income alternative
worth hundreds of millions of dollars. "Introduction of
new crops like hulless barley will set the standard for
livestock feed in the future."
"There are numerous research activities that illustrate
innovative developments that are ?made in
Saskatchewan? to further improve crop varieties and the
management practices that make our agriculture sector
one of the best in the world," Upshall said.
"Over the years, we have developed a strong team of
scientists from different disciplines ? plant breeding,
genetics, crop quality, molecular biology and
horticulture ? who work together to improve the range
of crops available to Saskatchewan farmers," Devine
said.
For more information, contact:
Dr. Gordon Rowland Dr. Malcolm Devine
Crop Development Centre Dept. of Plant Sciences
University of Sask. University of Sask.
Saskatoon Saskatoon
Phone: (306) 966-4977 Phone: (306) 966-4944
Martin Wrubleski
Agriculture Research Branch
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-5960
May 14, 1998
Spring Convocation to be held May 19 - 21, 1998
Posted May 14, 1998
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 13, 1998
98-05-08-OTHER
Spring Convocation to be held
May 19 - 21, 1998
The University of Saskatchewan expects to confer over 2,400
degrees, diplomas and certificates on students at its annual Spring
Convocation May 19 - 21, 1998.
The convocation ceremonies will be held in the Centennial
Auditorium, beginning at 9:30 a.m. each of the three days. A
reception for graduates and their guests, sponsored by the University,
will be held from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the atrium of the Geology
Building.
Honorary Doctor of Laws degrees will be conferred on Sharon
Capeling-Alakija (May 19), William Shurniak (May 20); and an
Earned Doctor of Letters on Che Kan Leong (May 21). University
President Dr. George Ivany will deliver the statement to the
graduands, with Chancellor Peggy McKercher presiding.
For more information contact:
Annetta Gellner
Office of the Registrar
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-6728
May 13, 1998
Ninth Annual Donald Mitchell Memorial Lecture
Posted May 13, 1998
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 12, 1998
98-05-05-ME
The Ninth Annual Donald Mitchell Memorial Lecture entitled The
Health Consequences of Silicone Breast Implants will be delivered by
Dr. Matthew Liang on Wednesday, May 20, 1998 at 12 noon in the
Theatre in the Mall, Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon.
Dr. Liang is Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and
Professor, Department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard
School of Public Health. He is an internationally renowned
clinician/scientist who has made major contributions to the field of
Rheumatology especially with regard to health outcomes research.
He is a gifted communicator who has served as a guest lecturer and
visiting professor at major universities throughout North America and
Europe.
Dr. Liang will also be speaking on The Workup and Management of
CNS Lupus at the Department of Medicine Grand Rounds at 8 a.m. on
Wednesday, May 20 in Room 4314 Royal University Hospital. All
interested are cordially invited to attend.
A news conference will be held on May 20 at 11 a.m.
in Room 357 Ellis Hall.
For further information or to arrange for an interview, please contact:
Dr. K.L.N. Blocka
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-8267
May 11, 1998
Courtney Awarded Killam Research Fellowship
Posted May 11, 1998
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 7, 1998
98-05-04-AR
Political Studies Professor Wins Prestigious
Research Fellowship
University of Saskatchewan political studies professor John Courtney
has been awarded a Killam Research Fellowship to study the future of
electoral representation in Canada.
He is among 13 outstanding Canadian researchers to receive the
prestigious award this year in a competition administered by the
Canada Council for the Arts. He is the fourth U of S professor to win
the $53,000 research grant which is renewable for a second year.
Dr. Michael Corcoran, U of S vice-president of research, said the
award is a tribute to the university and the political studies department
in particular. Previous winners were professors David Smith (1995)
and Norman Ward (1974) of political studies and Kiyoshi Izumi (1968),
who taught architecture in the former environmental studies
department of the Regina campus of the U of S.
"There are many excellent scholars at this institution, and it is
gratifying to see one of our best get some well-deserved recognition from
the Killam Program," Dr. Corcoran said.
The fellowship enables recipients to devote up to two years to full-time
research and writing in a research project deemed by a national
selection committee of 15 eminent scientists and scholars to be of
outstanding merit.
Professor Courtney will examine the clash between the traditional
"one person/one vote" concept of electoral representation and the
emerging concept of representational guarantees for some linguistic
and racially identifiable groups such as francophone minorities and
Aboriginal people.
"The principle of voter equality has come up against the reality of an
increasingly multicultural and Charter conscious society," he said.
For instance, to enhance representation of Native voters in Canada, a
1991 federal royal commission report called for creation of up to eight
Aboriginal constituencies across the county with guaranteed seats in
Parliament. That approach was rejected by the 1995 Royal
Commission on Aboriginal Peoples which called instead for a third
level of government for Aboriginal people.
Increasingly, the courts are called upon to play the role of arbiter in
disputes that arise over questions of representation, he noted. In New
Brunswick, for instance, fracophones have launched a court
challenge, contending that with 40 per cent of the population, they
should have 40 per cent of the province?s seats in the House of
Commons.
"My study is going to look at the basis of these types of claims and
consider their implications for the larger political system," he said.
He noted that in the U.S., similar demands for representational
guarantees have been made successfully by New York Jews,
Mexican-Americans in California and Florida, and urban Blacks.
The Killam money will go into university coffers, enabling the
department to hire someone for up to two years while Professor
Courtney is released from his teaching and administrative
responsibilities.
This will help to bring "new blood into the university," Professor
Courtney noted, adding "There are so many young academics on the
market who are looking for work and this allows at least one of them to
come in for a two-year contract to teach."
Professor Courtney, who earned a Ph.D. from Duke University and a
master?s of business administration (MBA) from the University of
Western Ontario, joined the U of S in 1965.
He is the author of two books and editor or co-editor of another four.
His book "Do Conventions Matter? Choosing National Party Leaders
in Canada" was short-listed in 1996 for the seventh annual Harold
Adams Innis Book Prize which recognizes excellence in research and
writing in the social sciences.
For more information, contact:
Professor John Courtney
(306) 966-5637
(306) 966-5250 fax
E-mail: courtney@sask.usask.ca
May 06, 1998
U of S student wins awards for business plan
Posted May 06, 1998
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 6, 1998
98-05-03-CO
U of S Student Wins Awards for Business Plan
Fourth Year Marketing Student, Tamara Forrester, recently received two
awards for a Business Plan that she developed. The plan described a
company called Contact Professional Event Management Inc., a
business designed to organize sporting events, special events and
conferences for small and large businesses, non-profit organizations and
the tourism industry.
Forrester received awards at both the Queen's Entrepreneurial
Competition in Kingston, Ontario and the Donald Duncan - Duncan
Aviation Business Plan Competition in Lincoln, Nebraska.
The Queen's Competition is the only national entrepreneurial competition
held in Canada. Approximately 30 plans were received from across the
country with nine being selected as finalists. Contact Professional Event
Management Inc. received the Most Creative Business Idea award from
Scotiabank. One of the judges, Vice President of Marketing for the
Royal Bank also offered Forrester the opportunity to work with the Royal
Bank in Toronto on one of their major events to be held this May.
This is the second year in a row that the U of S has won an award at the
Queen's Entrepreneur Competition. Last year was the University's first
year attending the competition.
Forrester's second award was achieved at the Duncan Aviation Business
Plan Competition. This competition is North American wide and is one of
the top three such open competitions held in the United States. In the U.
S., most colleges have preliminary competitions to select their entry to
this event. The top six finalists are chosen after competitors present
their plan to a panel of judges from the business community. Then they
present their plan again for the final prizes. Tamara qualified for the
finals and placed fifth overall. This was the first time the University of
Saskatchewan had attended this competition.
Tamara plans to open her business, Contact Professional Event
Management Inc., in the fall.
Her business plan was originally developed for a class, MGT498, where
she was coached by Monica Kreuger.
While at the Lincoln competition, Monica Kreuger and Tamara Forrester
also attended the College Entrepreneurs of the Heartland Conference.
For more information please contact:
Monica Kreuger, Sessional Lecturer or Tamara Forrester
College of Commerce Waskesiu, SK
University of Saskatchewan (306) 663-5425
(306) 241-0941
May 05, 1998
Brennan inaugural holder of Chuck and Norma Childers Chair
Posted May 05, 1998
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 5, 1998
98-05-02-CO
U of S establishes Chair for Saskatchewan
Enterprise
The University of Saskatchewan today announced the establishment of
The Chuck and Norma Childers Chair for Saskatchewan Enterprise,
and announced that Dr. John Brennan will be the inaugural holder of
the Chair.
The Chair, which is housed within the College of Commerce, is
designed to encourage:
- applied research into all aspects of Saskatchewan enterprise;
- dissemination of this research to students, Saskatchewan
businesses and in the broader global environment; and
- opportunities for students to contribute to and learn from
Saskatchewan enterprise.
The Chair is being funded out of the $5 million gift from the Potash
Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc. to the University of Saskatchewan?s
First and Best campaign. The University chose the name of the Chair
to honour the support and commitment of Chuck and Norma Childers
to the University.
Dr. Brennan?s appointment takes effect July 1, 1998 for a three year
period.
Dr. W. John Brennan has been a faculty member in the College of
Commerce since 1967. He served as Dean of the College from 1981 -
1996. His area of expertise is professional accounting and financial
accounting standard setting.
Dr. Brennan was a member of the Board of Directors of Wascana
Energy Inc., a publicly traded Toronto Stock Exchange listed company,
from 1986 to 1997. He served as the Chair of the Audit Committee
and a member of the Corporate Governance and Nominating
Committee of that Board. He has also served on the Boards of the
Institute for Canadian Bankers and the Banff School of Advanced
Management for several years. John now serves as a Board Member
of the Saskatoon Airport Authority and as a Director and Chair of the
Audit Committee of SciTec Instruments Inc. an Alberta Stock
Exchange listed high tech company based in Saskatoon with
manufacturing operations in The Netherlands and Saskatoon.
Dr. Brennan holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Loyola
College in Montreal and MBA and PhD degrees from the University of
Michigan.
Dr. Brennan will be working on two projects - Corporate Board
Governance and Saskatchewan Business on Display. The Chair
provides funding for these projects to be undertaken.
"The Chuck and Norma Childers Chair in Saskatchewan Enterprise will
provide an opportunity for the University of Saskatchewan to work
more closely with the Saskatchewan business community in solving
their problems and in developing strategies to operate successfully in
the global economy," said U of S President George Ivany. "This sort of
support benefits our faculty, our students, and our partners in business.
There will be an impact on the College?s curriculum and students will
learn more about the issues and challenges of Saskatchewan
enterprise."
"Norma and I are honoured by the establishment of the Chuck and
Norma Childers Chair in Saskatchewan Enterprise," said C. E.
Childers, PCS Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. He
continues, "Its objectives of encouraging research into all aspects of
Saskatchewan enterprises and linking students more closely with local
enterprises are goals I support and appreciate."
For more information please contact:
Lynne Pearson, Dean
College of Commerce
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-4786
May 04, 1998
For Whom the Flag Flies at Half-Mast
Posted May 04, 1998
For Whom the Flag Flies at Half-Mast
The University community was saddened to hear of the passing of Helen
Myers. A Memorial Service was held on Saturday, May 2.
The flag atop the Thorvaldson Building will fly at half-mast today in
memory of Myers.
Myers, who had recently retired, was a long-time employee of the U of S.
She worked in the Department of Sociology, the Department of Economics,
and Royal University Hospital.
May 01, 1998
U.S. Drug Design Expert to Speak on Synchrotron Benefits
Posted May 01, 1998
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 30, 1998
98-04-12-OTHER
U. S. Drug Design Expert to Speak on Synchrotron
Benefits
Dr. Cele Abad-Zapatero, associate research fellow at Abbott
Laboratories in Illinois, will give seminar and lead a roundtable
discussion Friday, May 1 at 2 p.m. on The Impact of Synchrotron
Radiation in Biotechnology: Present and Future in Room 106 Biology
Building.
The event is jointly sponsored by the U of S Office of the Vice-
President (Research) and the Saskatoon and District Chamber of
Commerce. Canadian academic and commercial scientists are keen
on seeing a proposed synchrotron go ahead in Saskatoon.
Synchrotrons are sources of intense light?from infrared to X-ray
wavelengths?which can be used for biotechnology, medical,
chemical, environmental and materials research.
Dr. Abad-Zapatero was the driving force behind getting a beamline
built for protein crystallography research at a billion-dollar, two year-
old synchrotron at the Argonne National Laboratory in a Chicago
suburb.
The beamline, a device for focusing particular wavelengths of
synchrotron radiation onto samples to be analyzed, is shared by 12
drug companies in the U.S. Protein crystallography involves
determining the structure of protein molecules, research which can
lead to the design of new drugs.
"He?s particularly knowledgeable about building a beamline at a major
synchrotron for protein crystallography, and that?s what we really need
to do here," said U of S chemist Wilson Quail.
Quail and U of S biochemist Louis Delbaere do protein
crystallography research which they hope may one day lead to a new
drug to treat diabetes. But they have to travel to the U.S., Germany,
and Japan to collect synchrotron data.
"Our access is being diminished continuously because these other
places are being so heavily booked by their own scientists," said
Quail. "It would be infinitely better to have a synchrotron here."
He says synchrotron data are far superior to data obtained at
traditional X-ray sources. "We get higher quality resolution so we can
see the fine details of molecular structure much more accurately," he
said.
Scientists from 100 universities, 36 companies and 27 research
institutions currently are performing or preparing experiments at
Chicago?s Advanced Photon Source. When the huge machine is
fully utilized, some 4,000 scientists a year are expected to carry out
research at the facility. Illinois?s governor has included $6.7 million in
the state?s 1999 budget to construct a commercial beamline that will
enable small- and medium-sized firms to use the machine on a fee-for-
service basis.
Dr. Dennis Skopik, director of the Saskatchewan Accelerator
Laboratory on the U of S campus, says the Illinois synchrotron has
much higher energy and is much more expensive that Saskatoon?s
proposed Canadian Light Source (CLS).
"But we?d produce the same quality of X-ray beams due to a newer
technology," he said. "With both synchrotrons, the X-ray beam is a
million times more powerful than medical X-rays."
Surveys show Canadian protein crystallographers have to wait
between three months and two years to use foreign synchrotrons. This
severely restricts Canadian researchers because their competitors
move ahead in the meantime. "Canadian researchers are being left
out of the ?hot? areas of research," said Skopik.
A proposal for partial funding of the CLS will be presented to the newly
created Canada Foundation for Innovation this summer.
Dr. Abad-Zapatero will be available for media interviews at 3:30 p.m.
For more information, contact:
Dr. Dennis Johnson
University of Saskatchewan Professor Emeritus
President-Elect of the Saskatoon and District Chamber of Commerce
(306) 966-6061
(306) 966-6058 fax
