February 29, 2000
U of S researchers create diamond grains
Posted February 29, 2000
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - February 29, 2000 | 2000-02-13-AR |
U of S researchers create diamond grains
"This technology could have numerous potential applications," said Professor Akira Hirose. "We would be pleased to see its eventual wide spread use."
Artificial diamonds will be competitive in production costs and be useful in applications such as wear-resistant surface treatment of cutting tools and optical components (e.g., lenses), and heat sinks for semiconductor devices.
Researchers at the Plasma Physics Laboratory recently developed discharge tubes that create the environment necessary for plasma based diamond synthesis.
"The crystal structure is an identical replica of a diamond," said Hirose. "We confirmed the match in the Department of Geological Science by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction measurements ."
"The diamond crystals produced are small grains, and not large enough for commercial use in jewelry," said Hirose, "but growing larger crystals may be possible with continued research and technological refinement."
Other plasma based material synthesis research to produce ultra-fine carbon structures for lubricants and fibers, is also underway.
For more information, please contact:
Professor Chijin Xiao
Plasma Physics Laboratory
Department of Physics and Engineering Physics
(306) 966-6415
OR
Professor Akira Hirose
Plasma Physics Laboratory
Department of Physics and Engineering Physics
(306) 966-6404
February 24, 2000
$2.5 million Study of Aboriginal Prairie Adaptations Approved
Posted February 24, 2000
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - February 24, 2000 | 2000-02-10-OTHER |
$2.5 million Study of Aboriginal Prairie Adaptations Approved
Dr. B.A. (Bev) Nicholson, Professor of Archaeology, Brandon University, is the team leader of the inter-disciplinary, international project and is joined by Dr. Dion Wiseman, Assistant Professor of Geography at Brandon University. Other members of the team are Dr. Scott Hamilton from Lakehead University, Dr. David Meyer, University of Saskatchewan, Dr. Andrea Freeman, University of Calgary, Dr. Oetelaar, University of Calgary, Dr. Alwynne Beaudoin, the Provincial Museum of Alberta, and Dr. Garry Running, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire.
The project will use archaeological, geoarchaeological and historical data together with First Nations oral traditions to gather information about the plains regions of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.
The project will build upon archaeological research and use a variety of information sources including state-of-the-art Geographical Information Systems (GIS) technology, paleobotanical data, soil sciences data, and archival research. An important aspect of the research will be the oral traditions preserved by Native Elders.
"First Nations peoples have occupied the northern plains since the end of the last glaciation and their perceptions will be a valuable aspect of the research," says Dr. Nicholson.
Dr. Meyer brings a research background to the project, in both archaeology and ethnography, with some expertise in historical scholarship as well. He will supervise the Saskatchewan archaeological research, concentrating on three sites in the area of the confluence of the North and South Saskatchewan Rivers. The results of these excavations will be interpreted in the context of the known relationships to the land of local Aboriginal peoples throughout historic times. The resources, travel routes, place names, special places and seasonal rounds of the Aboriginal peoples will be determined through interviews with Cree Elders and through extensive documentary research.
Dr. T. Patrick Carrabré, Vice-President (Academic & Research) at Brandon University, is delighted with the project and says, "this is an important project that can only be accomplished with the kind of research collaboration that is supported by the MCRI program. This partnership draws together significant resources that will sustain a world-class effort."
The information from the present and the recent past will be used to develop models of land use that will aid in the interpretation of scientific data deriving from the ancient past. Similarly, students working with the team over the next five years will have ideal opportunities to study real world research problems. This information will also be valuable for addressing contemporary issues, such as the vulnerability of the Prairies to climate change.
The project will take five years and the funding will be used for equipment, field research and to hire students.
For more information please contact:
Dr. David Meyer
Co-Investigator
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-4178
email: meyerd@duke.usask.ca
OR
Dr. Bev Nicholson
Principal Investigator
Brandon University
(204) 727-9752
(204) 727-9780
PROJECT SUMMARY
Changing Opportunities and Challenges: Human-environmental interaction within the Canadian Prairies Ecozone
Project director:
Dr. Beverley Nicholson
(204) 727-9752
nicholson@brandonu.ca
University:
Brandon University
Participating universities:
6 (5 Canadian, 1 foreign)
Grant (5 yrs):
Up to $2,498,672
The Canadian Prairies Ecozone [Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba] containing seven different ecoregions, has been frequented by First Nations groups for thousands of years. What landforms did they see? Why were certain areas favoured over others, and for what reasons?
The research team will investigate the human history and ecology of the Canadian Prairie Ecozone over the next five years.
This project will reconstruct the natural and cultural landscapes of ecologically diverse localities within the Ecozone at time intervals of 500, 1500, 3000, 6000 and 9000 years before the present. The research team will use archaeological, geoarchaeological, and ethno-historic information, together with oral traditions preserved by Native Elders, to illustrate patterns of change in the natural and cultural landscapes of contemporary First Nations. They will also create models of Aboriginal land use and landscape traditions reflecting human adaptation over the past 500 years.
PROJECT BACKGROUNDER
Dr. Bev Nicholson, Brandon University is one of seven Co-Investigators who has been awarded a five-year $2.5 million grant to continue research in Canada. The project entitled "Changing Opportunities and Challenges: Local-Scale Human-Environment Interaction in the Canadian Prairies Ecozone" is funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada - Major Collaborative Research Initiatives Program.The grant provides funding for Dr. Nicholson and Brandon University students for the next five years to study localities in the Canadian Prairie Ecozone that exhibit exceptional physiographic and ecological diversity. Work will be conducted in the provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba and will focus on localized, biodiverse locales within the Canadian Priairie Ecozone.
Recent research in Manitoba has been directed towards reconstructing the last several thousand years of landscape evolution and environmental change in the dune-dominated Oak Lake Sand Hills -- one of the areas to be studied in further detail over the next five years.
This project expands on work previously conducted in the three provinces. Research will be concentrated on five "time slices" from the past: 500, 1500, 3000, 6000 and 9000 years ago. The research team will try to better understand human-environment interactions in these places over time. To do this, the team will investigate how the cultural and physical landscapes of the areas have changed through time.
Dr. Nicholson and Brandon University will play a big part of this research endeavour, which includes araeologists, geoarchaeologists, paleocologists, sedimentologists, GIS and cartography specialists as well as geomorphologists and soils people.
Graduates and undergraduates will work with team members in support of the main project objectives, as well as selecting their own piece of the project to work on individually. Students will organize the process of gathering data in the field and analyzing the results.
Grant money will support all aspects of the field work and will include the purchase of a new Geoprobe drill rig, two GPS systems, travel to and from study sites, and a host of laboratory analyses which will be used to reconstruct paleoenvironmental conditions through time.
FUNDING AGENCY BACKGROUNDER
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Major Collaborative Research Initiatives GrantSSHRC's Major Collaborative Research Initiatives [MCRI] program funds large-scale research projects emphasizing collaboration. SSHRC (together with university and other partners) currently supports 26 studies under this program, including the one described above. All have been selected through a highly competitive process on the basis of their significance and research excellence. The following summary presents one of the latest teams to receive funding and its expected contribution to the social, economic and cultural life of prairie Canada.
MCRI and all other SSHRC grants are awarded through peer review - a rigorous andindependent competition process universally recognized as the most effective way to allocate public research funding.
SSHRC is Canada's federal funding agency for research and advanced training in the social sciences and humanities. SSHRC supports research in a wide range of disciplines and fields of knowledge, including economics, business and administrative studies, ethics, education and law, as well as history, literature, philosophy, anthropology, psychology, sociology, fine arts, and native, religious, environmental and women's studies. SSHRC-funded research helps Canadians innovate and compete, maintain their quality of life, and understand a rapidly changing world.
For more information, please visit SSHRC's website at http://www.sshrc.ca
February 18, 2000
Mark Tewksbury Speaking at U of S
Posted February 18, 2000
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - February 18, 2000 | 2000-02-09-ED |
Mark Tewksbury Speaking at U of S
This year's conference, sponsored by the College of Education, discusses the issues of gays and lesbians in our schools, with topics ranging from "Combating homophobia in the workplace" by Barb Byers, President of Saskatchewan Federation of Labour, to "Making your classroom safe for gays and lesbians" by Gens Hellquist.
Mark Tewksbury will be speaking about living life authentically versus inauthentically, and the costs that come with either choice. He will share his own story of building an enormously successful life by the age of 25, but how that was based on a personal choice to pretend to be something he was not.
Among the speakers is a panel including Jim Hopson, LEADS, Gillian McCreary, SaskEd, Doug Willard, STF, Barry Bashutski, SSTA, and Donna Scott, Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission, who will address: "Next steps to ensure educational equality for students and professional integrity for teachers, administrators, and staff."
The Breaking the Silence Conference will be held at the Quance Theatre, College of Education, March 17 - 18, 2000. For further information and registration please contact, Don Cochrane (306) 966-7521 or check web site at http://www.usask.ca/education/edfdt/breaksilence.htm
For more information please contact:
Don Cochrane Posted February 17, 2000
College of Education
(306) 966-7521
don.cochrane@usask.ca
February 17, 2000
Engineering Students Top Of Their Class
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - February 17, 2000 | 2000-02-07-ENG |
Engineering Students Top Of Their Class
"Once again the University of Saskatchewan was well represented at the conference and competition," said Professor Franco Berruti, Dean of Engineering, "Our college continues to excel in the western region with students that are both strong competitors as well as excellent and proud representatives of this university."
Paul Perrault and Brad Joyce won first place in Extemporaneous Debate that challenges students to apply analytical skills to present a well-reasoned viewpoint with a minimum amount of preparation.
Erin Moss, Kyle Dobson, Jeff Wilkinson and Ben Wagemakers won first place in Team Design which involves a fun but very challenging problem to solve, specific material, limited money and time to put it together.
Jason Leuchen was awarded second place for his entry in Corporate Design which requires competitors to design a solution to an industry problem currently faced by a recognized corporation.
These 7 students will now advance to the Canadian Engineering Competition (CEC) in March at the University of Western Ontario.
Western Engineering Conference & Competition (WECC) is a gathering of engineering students from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, & B.C. which normally happens during the last weekend of January.
For more information please contact:
Professor Franco Berruti
Dean of Engineering
College of Engineering
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-5273
F.Berruti@engr.usask.ca
$10 M in Synchrotron Tenders Awarded
Posted February 17, 2000
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - February 17, 2000 | 2000-02-08-OTHER |
$10 M in Synchrotron Tenders Awarded
As well, CLS Inc., a wholly owned University of Saskatchewan subsidiary, has awarded three contracts totalling $1.3 million for installation and supply of utility equipment to Saskatoon-based firms and one $89,000 contract to a Winnipeg-based firm.
Danfysik A/S's bid for the booster contract was one of four, all from outside Canada. The contract is the largest to date for construction of the $173.5-million national facility.
"The award of this contract to Danfysik A/S is a significant milestone in the development of CLS," said CLS project manager Barry Hawkins. "Not only will the contract be one of the largest issued for the entire project, but the contract award is within the budget for the booster ring package."
Hawkins said the Danish firm is experienced in delivering similar systems to other synchrotrons. "Danfysik A/S is well respected within the synchrotron community," he said.
Construction of the CLS project remains on schedule and on budget. The total budget is comprised of $140.9 million in new construction plus almost $33 million in existing facilities.
A synchrotron is a huge machine that produces extremely bright light by using powerful magnets and radio frequency waves to accelerate electrons to very high speeds and energies. The booster is a circular ring that increases the energy of the electrons each time they go around.
Bright infrared, ultraviolet and X-ray light emitted by these speeding electrons is directed down beamlines to work stations where researchers do their experiments. This brilliant light allows matter to be "seen" at the atomic scale - from the cross-sectional images of a mosquito's knee to the nanosecond-by-nanosecond behavior of protein molecules such as antibodies.
The booster contract includes the design, fabrication, and supply of the booster, plus installation supervision and commissioning. Design work is already underway. The entire synchrotron machine will be built by February of 2003, with operations slated to start in late 2003.
Work on the latest equipment supply contracts is now underway and will be complete by January 2001. The contracts awarded include:
- An $800,000 contract to Vortec Engineering Sales Ltd., a
Saskatoon-based
firm, to supply three closed-circuit coolers for the building.
- A $300,000 contract to HVAC Sales (1977) Ltd., a Saskatoon-based firm,
to
supply the packaged air handling equipment that will be used to circulate
air throughout the synchrotron building.
- A $250,000 contract to Trane Company, a Saskatoon-based firm, to
supply a
central water chiller with a 650-ton water cooling capacity to remove heat
from the synchrotron.
- An $89,000 contract to Winnipeg-based Otis Canada Inc. to supply and install a hydraulic elevator.
Around the world, major corporations are using synchrotrons to develop better drugs, more effective oil additives and the next generation of computer chips. Other applications range from tiny biomedical implants and stronger metal alloys for airplane wings to better athletic shoes and more absorbent disposable diapers.
The CLS will attract more than 2,000 researchers per year once beamlines (conduits for carrying synchrotron light to scientific workstations) are fully operational.
For more information contact:
Barry Hawkins
CLS Project Manager
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-6065
Kathryn Warden
Research Communications Officer
University of Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 966-2506
Fax: (306) 966-2411
Email: kathryn.warden@usask.ca
February 11, 2000
$1 M in Medical Research Council Grants Awarded to U of S Faculty
Posted February 11, 2000
(* Please note the description of Wei Xiao's research has been modified.)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 31, 2000
2000-01-18-OTHER
$1 M in Medical Research Council Grants Awarded to U of S Faculty
Five faculty members from the University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine
will share a total of more than $1 million in research grants over three
years from the Medical Research Council of Canada (MRC), Ralph Goodale,
Minister of Natural Resources Canada, announced today in Saskatoon.
The researchers will tackle projects ranging from the prevention of
pneumonia in acute stroke patients, to developing specific tumor drugs which
can help in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
In making the announcement, Goodale applauded the successful U of S
researchers. "The contribution of Saskatchewan's researchers in increasing
our health science knowledge is a resource we must cultivate and maintain,"
he said. "Through MRC and eventually, the Canadian Institutes of Health
Research, Saskatchewan researchers will continue to provide Canada's health
care system with a sound scientific foundation."
The results announced today are from the September 1999 health research
competition. Across Canada, the MRC has approved approximately $158 million
in funding over five years for operating and equipment grants, clinical
trials, HIV/AIDS and genomics research.
There were 23 applications for operating grants from the U of S. The
university had a success rate of 22 per cent, its best rate in three years.
"This is an example of improving research success at U of S and we really
hope to continue this in the future," Louis Delbaere, MRC regional director
for Saskatchewan and professor of biochemistry, applauded the university's
success.
- Jim Xiang of the Saskatoon Cancer Centre will receive an annual $58,135
grant for three years to develop tumor-specific pharmaceuticals that will
target tumor cells in cancer patients more effectively than current
treatment. This will help in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
- Peter Bretscher of the department of microbiology and immunology will
receive an annual $129,137 grant for three years. He is searching for an
appropriate vaccination strategy that could be used to prevent and treat
human diseases caused by parasitic infectious agents such as the bacteria
that causes tuberculosis. His research has already shown that lowering the
vaccination dose will generate an immune response that will ensure
protection against natural infections such as tuberculosis.
- Jay Biem of the department of medicine will get an annual $43,500 grant
for two years to study the accuracy of a combination of simple, non-invasive
bedside tests to check for the acute stroke patient's ability to swallow and
protect the airway. Stroke frequently causes disorders of swallowing and
airway control that can lead to pneumonia and death. A simple diagnostic
screening tool could help decide which patients can safely eat and drink and
which patients require further diagnostic testing and treatment. This tool
could prevent pneumonia and decrease health care costs by eliminating the
need for barium swallow X rays.
- Peter Yu from the department of psychiatry will receive an annual $63,989
grant for three years to study the involvement of an enzyme (SSAO) in
initiating damage of blood vessels. This investigation will uncover the
pathological mechanism of diseases such as diabetic complications and
Alzheimer's disease. The study could lead to new strategies in the treatment
of these illnesses.
- Wei Xiao of the department of microbiology and immunology will receive an
annual $75,509 grant for three years and $2,500 for equipment. The aim of
his research is to identify and better understand the pathway involved in
repairing damaged DNA and preventing mutations. All living cells have
mechanisms whereby they can repair their DNA when it becomes damaged. Lack
of such repair systems has been associated with diseases including cancer.
This study could lead to prevention and cure of diseases caused by
mutations.
In addition to the operating grants, the U of S received one maintenance and
equipment grant.
- Louis Delbaere will receive an annual $37,869 maintenance grant for five
years to maintain an X-ray area detector that will collect data from protein
crystals to examine protein structures. A long-term goal is to use the
information to design new pharmaceuticals that will help in the treatment of
diseases such as diabetes.
Delbaere's grant was one of 18 maintenance and equipment grant application
that were submitted across Canada. A total of 10 were approved, for a value
of $967,000.
The Medical Research Council of Canada is the major federal agency
responsible for biomedical health research in Canada. Its role is to
promote, assist and undertake basic, applied, and clinical research in
Canada in the health sciences.
For more information, contact:
Barry McLennan
Assistant Dean of Research
College of Medicine
(306) 966-4338
Cynthia Holmes
Communications Assistant
Office of the Vice-President (Research)
(306) 966-2427
U of S Wins On A New Playing Field
Posted February 11, 2000
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - February 11, 2000 | 2000-02-06-C0 |
U of S Wins On A New Playing Field
Amber Wooff and Doug Winslow, third year accounting students, won the Grant Thornton Accounting Case Competition held in Winnipeg this past weekend.
"U of S accounting graduates continue to be eagerly sought after by employers throughout Western Canada," said Professor Gary Entwistle, College of Commerce. "This award is one indication as to why."
The team was coached by Entwistle, with assistance from Professor Colin Boyd and fourth year accounting students Sandra Baptiste and Jaeson Jaman.
"The U of S sends a great team every year," said John Gunn, National Human Resources Partner for Grant Thornton, and organizer of the competition, "but Doug and Amber really represented the U of S exceptionally well."
The accounting firm, Grant Thornton Chartered Accountants, has sponsored the competition for the past five years, and this is the first time that the U of S has won.
Other competing universities included UBC, Simon Fraser, University of Alberta, University of Calgary, University of Lethbridge and University of Manitoba.
For more information please contact,
Professor Gary Entwistle
Accounting Department
College of Commerce
(306) 966-8403
$1 M in Medical Research Council Grants Awarded to U of S Faculty
Posted February 11, 2000
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 31, 2000
2000-01-18-OTHER
(Please note the description of Wei Xiao's research has been modified)
$1 M in Medical Research Council Grants Awarded to U of S Faculty
Five faculty members from the University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine
will share a total of more than $1 million in research grants over three
years from the Medical Research Council of Canada (MRC), Ralph Goodale,
Minister of Natural Resources Canada, announced today in Saskatoon.
The researchers will tackle projects ranging from the prevention of
pneumonia in acute stroke patients, to developing specific tumor drugs which
can help in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
In making the announcement, Goodale applauded the successful U of S
researchers. "The contribution of Saskatchewan's researchers in increasing
our health science knowledge is a resource we must cultivate and maintain,"
he said. "Through MRC and eventually, the Canadian Institutes of Health
Research, Saskatchewan researchers will continue to provide Canada's health
care system with a sound scientific foundation."
The results announced today are from the September 1999 health research
competition. Across Canada, the MRC has approved approximately $158 million
in funding over five years for operating and equipment grants, clinical
trials, HIV/AIDS and genomics research.
There were 23 applications for operating grants from the U of S. The
university had a success rate of 22 per cent, its best rate in three years.
"This is an example of improving research success at U of S and we really
hope to continue this in the future," Louis Delbaere, MRC regional director
for Saskatchewan and professor of biochemistry, applauded the university's
success.
- Jim Xiang of the Saskatoon Cancer Centre will receive an annual $58,135
grant for three years to develop tumor-specific pharmaceuticals that will
target tumor cells in cancer patients more effectively than current
treatment. This will help in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
- Peter Bretscher of the department of microbiology and immunology will
receive an annual $129,137 grant for three years. He is searching for an
appropriate vaccination strategy that could be used to prevent and treat
human diseases caused by parasitic infectious agents such as the bacteria
that causes tuberculosis. His research has already shown that lowering the
vaccination dose will generate an immune response that will ensure
protection against natural infections such as tuberculosis.
- Jay Biem of the department of medicine will get an annual $43,500 grant
for two years to study the accuracy of a combination of simple, non-invasive
bedside tests to check for the acute stroke patient's ability to swallow and
protect the airway. Stroke frequently causes disorders of swallowing and
airway control that can lead to pneumonia and death. A simple diagnostic
screening tool could help decide which patients can safely eat and drink and
which patients require further diagnostic testing and treatment. This tool
could prevent pneumonia and decrease health care costs by eliminating the
need for barium swallow X-rays.
- Peter Yu from the department of psychiatry will receive an annual $63,989
grant for three years to study the involvement of an enzyme (SSAO) in
initiating damage of blood vessels. This investigation will uncover the
pathological mechanism of diseases such as diabetic complications and
Alzheimer's disease. The study could lead to new strategies in the treatment
of these illnesses.
- Wei Xiao of the department of microbiology and immunology will receive an
annual $75,509 grant for three years and $2,500 for equipment. The aim of
his research is to identify and better understand the pathway involved in
repairing damaged DNA and preventing mutations. All living cells have
mechanisms whereby they can repair their DNA when it becomes damaged. Lack
of such repair systems has been associated with diseases including cancer.
This study could lead to prevention and cure of diseases caused by
mutations.
In addition to the operating grants, the U of S received one maintenance and
equipment grant.
Louis Delbaere will receive an annual $37,869 maintenance grant for five
years to maintain an X-ray area detector that will collect data from protein
crystals to examine protein structures. A long-term goal is to use the
information to design new pharmaceuticals that will help in the treatment of
diseases such as diabetes.
Delbaere's grant was one of 18 maintenance and equipment grant application
that were submitted across Canada. A total of 10 were approved, for a value
of $967,000.
The Medical Research Council of Canada is the major federal agency
responsible for funding biomedical health research in Canada. Its role is to
promote, assist and undertake basic, applied, and clinical research in
Canada in the health sciences.
For more information, contact:
Barry McLennan
Assistant Dean of Research
College of Medicine
(306) 966-4338
Cynthia Holmes
Communications Assistant
Office of the Vice-President (Research)
(306) 966-2427
February 09, 2000
International Conference at U of S
Posted February 09, 2000
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - February 8, 2000 | 2000-02-04-AG |
International Conference at U of S
Jack Stabler, Head of the Agriculture Economics Department said, "With such a stellar group of speakers, anyone who attends this conference would benefit from the information."
The experts will provide insights into four major topics of discussion: environmental policies, state-trading enterprises (STEs), regional trade agreements and how the World Trade Organization will influence rural development policies, consumer protection regulations and the structuring of health and sanitary measures.
The conference is in response to the next round of World Trade Organization negotiations, in which agriculture is again at the top of the agenda for discussion.
The conference is from February 12 - 14 at the Saskatoon Inn. For more information or to register please contact: Pauline Molder, Cooperative Education Program Coordinator University of Saskatchewan (306) 966-7796.
For more information, please contact:
Jack Stabler, Head
Agriculture Economics
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-4009
Gary Storey, Professor
Agriculture Economics
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-4020
Hans Michelmann, Professor
Political Science
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-4274
February 07, 2000
U of S Wins CIDA Award of Excellence
Posted February 07, 2000
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - February 4, 2000 | 2000-02-03-INT |
U of S Wins CIDA Award of Excellence
The Ministério da Saúde (Ministry of Health), República de Mozambique and the University of Saskatchewan College of Dentistry joined forces from 1989 to 1997, to develop essential elements for the training of primary oral health-care personnel.
The project involved teaching, curriculum, development, research, establishment of a training centre, and technical advice on a variety of issues, including project management.
"The University was given the opportunity to get involved, through CIDA, and we are pleased to be a part of that," said Asit Sarkar, director of U of S International, "The University's response was unique in not only teaching what we knew, but designing a custom learning package for them, it was a great challenge and opportunity."
The College of Dentistry's work with Mozambique's Ministério da Saúde created the School of Dentistry of the Health Institute of Beira, Mozambique, where 36 dental therapists have already obtained their diplomas.
This school's program focuses on a learning process called "pasantia" that is deeply rooted in Mozambian culture. This approach integrates several aspects of human development and generates community involvement, making the project relevant and sustainable.
Today, the dental school at the Beira Institute of Health is a full training facility with revenue-generating capacity. It is staffed by qualified Mozambicans and offers an indigenously developed curriculum which grants diplomas to its graduates.
For more information please contact,
Asit Sarkar, Director
U of S International
(306) 966-5904
Law Lecture: "Why Australia Kept the Queen"
Posted February 07, 2000
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - February 7, 2000 | 2000-02-04-LA |
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
"Why Australia Kept the Queen"
George Williams, Senior Lecturer, Australian National University, will deliver a lecture entitled "Why Australia Kept the Queen", on Monday, February 14, 2000.
The lecture will take place in the Moot Court Room, College of Law, beginning at 12:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend.
For more information, contact:
Sharon Wandzura-Fehr
Administrative Office
College of Law
(306) 966-5873
February 04, 2000
Dean of Engineering recruited by UWO
Posted February 04, 2000
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - February 3, 2000 | 2000-02-02-ENG |
Dean of Engineering recruited by UWO
Engineering schools and departments of computer science in the eastern part of the country are currently undergoing immense growth and that trend is expected to continue over the next decade as the Ontario government dedicates increasing funds to these priority areas.
"The opportunity to be a part of this transformation is an exciting one," said Berruti. "My time in Saskatchewan has been rewarding, but I am ready for the new challenges created by Ontario's commitment to information technology, particularly software development."
Berruti was recruited to the University of Saskatchewan from Alberta in 1996. One of his priorities was to increase interaction between the academic world and industry. His efforts to build partnerships with the business community resulted in a variety of new opportunities for the college including the Innovative Teaching and Learning Centre (ITLC), the Cameco Access Program for Engineering and Science (CAPES), and a donation of $1.25 million to create an endowed chair in information technology.
Berruti also worked to reach groups that are traditionally under-represented in engineering schools and in the profession, launching programs to draw more women and Aboriginal students to the program.
"Franco has brought enormous energy and vision to the College during his tenure as dean," said University of Saskatchewan president Peter MacKinnon. "His tireless efforts on behalf of the college have conferred tremendous benefit not only on the College of Engineering, but on the university and the province, as well."
Recruitment of students has also been a priority for Berruti and he organized several events to inform students at both the elementary and high school levels about the profession of engineering and the careers it offers. Most recently Berruti organized an event at the University of Saskatchewan to bring the ACTAL Caswell Elementary school students onto campus to participate in activities in seven different colleges and departments.
Franco's enterprise and enthusiasm will be sorely missed," said Michael Atkinson, vice-president (academic). "He has been a vigorous participant in Deans' Council both on behalf of his College and on behalf of the university.
The search process for a new dean will begin immediately.
For more information, please contact:
Franco Berruti
Dean of Engineering
University of Saskatchewan
Phone: (306) 966-5273
Cell: (306) 221-4717
Michael Atkinson
Vice-President (Academic)
University of Saskatchewan
Phone: (306) 966-8484
