During an event held today at the U of S, Grant Isaac, dean of the university’s Edwards School of Business, announced 15 students successfully participated in a pilot of the Business Co-operative Education Program. The program, which officially got underway in January 2008, pairs the skills and interests of students with various organizations throughout Saskatchewan during a four-to-eight month work placement. Thanks to a $250,000 donation from Cameco Corporation to help the program grow, 46 students are registered for the 2008-2009 academic year. Ultimately the program will accommodate 200 students.

“We are delighted to have partnered with the University of Saskatchewan on a number of initiatives, the most recent being the Edwards School of Business and the Business Cooperative Education Program,” said Rita Mirwald, senior vice-president of corporate services for Cameco Corporation, whose company was one of the program’s first co-op employers. “Cameco Corporation worked with three students during the pilot program and we were very impressed by their high calibre of education and professionalism.”

“The Business Co-operative Education Program is often a student’s first exposure to a professional business environment and is a very practical means of enhancing the student learning experience,” said Isaac. “Students learn from and make valuable connections with business leaders. Companies, on the other hand, gain access to top students as part of their recruiting process, and benefit from the fresh ideas students bring to the work environment.”

The Business Co-operative Education Program also benefits students financially. Canadian Western Bank (CWB) and Certified Management Accountants (CMA) Saskatchewan have both stepped up to provide annual achievement awards to students who exceed their co-op employers’ expectations. During the Friday event, CWB presented Joren Burton and Travis Low each with $2,500 for accomplishments during work placements at UMA Engineering Ltd. and Wiegers Financial Ltd., respectively. CMA Saskatchewan will offer two $2,000 awards annually to co-op accounting students pursuing a CMA designation after graduation.

Located in the heart of Saskatoon, the University of Saskatchewan is one of the leading medical doctoral universities in Canada. With 58 degrees, diplomas and certificates in over 100 areas of study, the University is uniquely positioned in the areas of human, animal and plant studies. World-class research facilities, renowned faculty and award winning students make the U of S a leader in post-secondary education.

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For additional information, contact:

Brent Wellman, Director
Goodspeed Career Services, Edwards School of Business
University of Saskatchewan
Telephone: (306) 966-1283