The Government of Canada, the Government of Saskatchewan and the University of Saskatchewan today announced the creation of a new Canadian Wheat Alliance (CWA). This initiative will coordinate research and development projects to improve the yield of Canadian wheat by reducing losses under extreme weather conditions such as drought, heat, cold and diseases. "The Canadian Wheat Alliance will improve the quality of Canadian wheat, and enhance Canada’s competitive position in the growing world market," said Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, on behalf of the Honorable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology). "The benefits of this Alliance will flow throughout the entire value chain, strengthening our producers’ bottom lines and our overall economy."
"Saskatchewan is a leader in agriculture research and production, and this initiative will help to grow our industry and entire provincial economy," said Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart. "Our government remains committed to agriculture and this research will help to increase wheat production, open up new opportunities to promote and market Saskatchewan wheat, and provide long-term benefits for our producers."
"With renowned plant breeding expertise available in areas such as our Crop Development Centre, the University of Saskatchewan is a recognized leader in agricultural and food production research," said Dr. Ilene Busch-Vishniac, University of Saskatchewan President. "Through this alliance, we will continue to work with our partners to further strengthen the knowledge and tools needed to improve wheat, a crop that brings nearly $4 billion annually to the farm gate in Canada."
This important network combines the expertise of the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the Government of Saskatchewan and the University of Saskatchewan. The Government of Canada will invest nearly $85 million in funding and in-kind contributions toward the Alliance. The Government of Saskatchewan has committed an additional $10 million to support wheat research in the province over the next five years, of which $5 million is dedicated to support the CWA activities and leverage contributions from other stakeholders. The University of Saskatchewan is contributing $1.4 million per year in in-kind contributions. The CWA brings together federal, provincial and academic expertise and welcomes the engagement of both public and private sector organizations.
On May 7th, the Government of Canada announced the refocused NRC and outlined how its new structure would bridge the gap between knowledge and discoveries, and industrial innovation. The Canadian Wheat Alliance is an example of the kind of research and technology development that NRC will pursue in order to benefit Canadians.
The National Research Council of Canada is a research and technology organization focused on real-world applications contributing to a stronger and more prosperous Canada. NRC provides access to strategic research and development, technical services and specialized scientific infrastructure.
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Media Relations Team
National Research Council of Canada
613-991-1431
Toll-free: 1-855-282-1637
http://mail to media@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
Cory Kolt
Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, Regina
306-787-2359
http://mail to cory.kolt@gov.sk.ca
For more information, contact:
Jennifer Robertson
Communications Officer
Institutional Planning and Assessment
306-966-7815
jennifer.robertson@usask.ca
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About TransformUS
TransformUS, under the direction of President Ilene Busch-Vishniac, is a process in which all academic and support service programs supported by the operating budget will be reviewed simultaneously and equally against criteria that will be developed by two task forces. The Academic Program Transformation Task Force will set criteria and review all academic programs offered through the university. The Support Service Transformation Task Force will set criteria and review the administrative support programs within both the academic units and the administrative units. Both task forces will provide a prioritization report to the President’s Office by November 30, 2013. Following receipt of the reports of the task forces, decisions will be made by the governing bodies of the university to invest resources, make no changes, or eliminate or reduce programs or activities that rank as having lower priority according to these criteria.
TransformUS is targeted to achieve $20–25 million in savings annually once fully implemented. Of this, a minimum of $5 million will be made available for new investments in the highest-ranking academic programs and administrative services.
Support Service Transformation Task Force
Final Criteria and Weightings
Importance to the University of Saskatchewan (26%):
This criterion will focus on the overall importance of the support service to the success of the institution.
Internal demand (17%):
This criterion will focus on factors related to the level of internal (inside the institution) need for the support service.
External demand (10%):
This criterion will focus on factors related to the level of external (outside of the institution) need for the support service, as well as external mandates influencing the support service’s efforts.
Quality (16%):
This criterion will focus on the quality of the support service.
Cost effectiveness (21%):
This criterion will focus on the resources consumed and the revenues generated by the support service relative to its output.
Opportunity analysis (10%):
This criterion allows the support service to describe the additional contributions it could make with specified additional resources.
Based on results, support services will be placed in one of the following categories (quintiles):
1. Candidate for enhanced resourcing
2. Maintain with current resourcing
3. Retain with reduced resourcing
4. Reconfigure for efficiency/effectiveness
5. Candidate for phase out, subject to further review
SASKATOON – The idea of growing your own garden or starting a new landscaping project can be an overwhelming idea for the new gardener or homeowner. With the May long weekend fast approaching, the University of Saskatchewan’s GardenLine has started taking calls for this growing season. GardenLine is a free service offered through the University of Saskatchewan College of Agriculture and Bioresources to help answer gardening questions and concerns.
]]> "From the expert gardener to the first timer or even commercial businesses, all questions are welcome with eagerness," said MaryLee McArthur, GardenLine coordinator, with the College of Agriculture and Bioresources. "After such a long winter, we are really looking forward to supporting residents on anything yard and garden related."GardenLine offers help with plant and pest identification, can suggest plants or trees that are ideal for yards and our climate and other useful landscaping tips. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned expert, you'll find useful gardening tips and inspiration from picking up the phone.
For information or advice call 306-966-5865. The phone line will run until August 31, Monday to Thursday, from 9 am to noon and 1 pm to 4 pm. While the advice is free, long-distance charges will apply. Questions can also be emailed to gardenline@usask.ca.
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For more information, contact:
Jennifer Thoma
Media Relations
University of Saskatchewan
306-966-1851
jennifer.thoma@usask.ca
SASKATOON – The University of Saskatchewan’s Edwards School of Business will introduce a new credit course for high school students in the fall designed to give young people an understanding of the role of business in the world and of career potential in the field.
]]> To be offered through distance learning in the Sun West School Division in west-central Saskatchewan, Introduction to Business will educate students "about the various roles and functions of business, and about the types of personal skills and qualities they need to succeed in business,” said Keith Willoughby, associate dean academic in Edwards. "They’ll not only learn to identify these skills and qualities in themselves but the course will also give them the chance to practice and refine those skills."-30-
For more information, contact:
Jennifer Thoma
Media Relations
University of Saskatchewan
306-966-1851
jennifer.thoma@usask.ca
SASKATOON – The University of Saskatchewan Board of Governors has approved the university’s 2013-14 operating budget, which contains a projected deficit of $3.3 million. While this deficit, at less than one per cent of projected expenses for the year, demonstrates progress against financial challenges, the university still needs to ensure that expenses will not outpace revenues going forward.
]]> For 2013-14, operating budget revenue is projected at just under $468 million, reflecting increases from the prior year primarily in provincial funding and tuition revenue, both announced in March. Operating budget revenue represents about half of total university revenue; the remainder is restricted for specific purposes, such as research and capital, and cannot be used for operations.Projected operating budget expenditures of just over $471 million for 2013-14 reflect increases in salaries and benefits and the estimated partial-year effect of anticipated pension payment legislation.
The $3.3 million projected deficit for 2013-14 incorporates the following actions taken to date to generate budget reductions. Without these actions, the projected deficit this year would be higher.
-$10 million in permanent budget reductions, including workforce planning
-$2 million of additional planned spending in 2013-14 for infrastructure renewal (RenewUS) that the university has chosen to defer
-$3.3 million relating to the usual adjustments that occur during the detailed budgeting process as a result of updated information such as utility costs
"During 2013-14 we will work to address the remaining projected operating budget deficit of $3.3 million," said Acting Vice-President Finance and Resources Greg Fowler, "by continuing to prudently manage spending and by implementing actions during 2013-14 in accordance with ongoing operating budget adjustments."
Said Provost and Vice-President Academic Brett Fairbairn, "The early work under the operating budget adjustments initiative is encouraging and has helped us move forward with about $10 million in permanent budget reductions. We will continue our efforts to prevent the large gap, which in 2012 was projected to reach $44.5 million by 2016, between our expenditures and revenues. We are committed to ensuring our university maintains a position of financial sustainability while responding to a changing post-secondary environment. Ultimately, we will align our resources in support of becoming a better university, more strongly focused on our priorities."
Information about the university’s operating budget adjustment scan be found at www.usask.ca/finances. An update on the operating budget adjustments initiative and where we are at with regard to our financial challenge will be provided at our next financial town hall meeting from 12:30-1:30 p.m. on June 13, 2013 in Convocation Hall.
-Provost and Vice-President Academic Brett Fairbairn is available for interviews from 2-3 pm, Thursday, May 9.
-Acting Vice-President Finance and Resources Greg Fowler is available for telephone interviews from 3-4 pm, Thursday,
May 9.
To schedule an interview or for more information, contact:
Kate Blau
Communications Advisor
Financial Services Division
306-966-6092
kate.blau@usask.ca
SASKATOON – Saskatoon – In response to the budgetary pressures, the University of Saskatchewan will no longer maintain its flock of about 300 sheep on its campus farm but it will make animals available to meet teaching and research needs in the College of Agriculture and Bioresources and for the Western College of Veterinary Medicine.
Buhr said the college has decided to focus its limited budget for campus farm activities on poultry, dairy and beef, and will purchase sheep as needed for future student learning opportunities and research.
The college will be seeking a single buyer for the sheep flock in the next few weeks.
"The college values providing an experiential learning experience to students and that isn’t changing,” she said, pointing to the new Rayner Dairy Research and Teaching Facility, which will include an interpretive gallery and overhead walkway showcasing modern dairy and agriculture production systems.
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For more information, contact:
Kira Glasscock
College of Agriculture and Bioresources
(306) 966-6873
kira.glasscock@usask.ca
SASKATOON – A new initiative at the University of Saskatchewan will see $175,000 invested annually to support faculty and graduate student efforts in working with communities across the province and around the world.
The funding was announced today at the university's first Engaged Scholar Day, a full-day event designed to stimulate ideas on community engagement and outreach through featured presentations, a conversation research café, and a poster exposition highlighting local, provincial and international community engagement work by faculty and graduate students.
The funding, some of which was announced earlier this year, is targeted toward faculty, and supports research grants and awards, a doctoral fellowship, enriched community-engaged teaching activities, and an annual symposium on engaged scholarship.
Carlson explained that some elements are totally new, such as a new academic journal on scholarly engagement, and a grants program to provide resources for faculty members to sponsor and co-author papers with graduate students.
"Traditionally, researchers have published about the results of their work; less attention has gone into sharing and evaluating the process of how they were successful when engaging with communities," he said. "This journal and these special graduate student catalyst scholarships are intended to fill that gap."
In addition, a seed funding program will back projects designed to garner further research grants while other initiatives will support experiential learning projects, especially those that involve students in research. On the outreach side of the equation, a K-12 school outreach program will fund initiatives that inspire students to pursue a university education. A unique database and web portal is also in the works to preserve oral histories recorded by faculty and graduate students in partnerships with communities.
"These initiatives give our students added resources to expand their community-engaged research and teaching activities," said Carlson. "And researchers have new opportunities to create academically rigorous new forms of knowledge in partnerships with communities in a manner that will help to change and improved people’s lives – an important objective for this university."
More information about the Engaged Scholar Day event is available online. Faculty, students and their community partners can apply for the funds by contacting Carlson or by visiting http://www.usask.ca/vpadvancement/outreach.
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For more information, contact:
Keith Thor Carlson
Special Advisor - Outreach and Engagement
(306) 966-5902
keith.carlson@usask.ca
Michael Robin
Research Communications Specialist
(306) 966-1425
michael.robin@usask.ca
SASKATOON – Four University of Saskatchewan health researchers have been awarded $100,000 each through Grand Challenges Canada to help make their innovations a reality to improve health, particularly in the developing world.
]]> Anh Dinh and Khan Wahid from the College of Engineering are working on separate devices that will allow health professionals to gather crucial data for diagnosing heart disease and bowel disease in the field – including rural areas – and transmit it to specialists in larger centres.Dinh is working on a low-cost, easy to use medical device which pre-diagnoses heart disease using portable sensors and a laptop computer. The device promises to deliver the same sort of echocardiogram, heart rate, and continuous blood pressure data available in doctors’ offices at a fraction of the cost.
"The cost of a cardiogram is about $300, which is out of reach of people in developing countries," Dinh said. "Developing a low-cost device can extend the benefits of electrocardiograms to millions of people."
Wahid is working on an improved video endoscopy capsule to give doctors a clearer, more complete picture of illnesses such as Crohn’s disease and colon cancer, ported right onto patients’ smartphones.
"Doctors are not satisfied with the current image quality from endoscopy capsules. We are working to improve the technology in several ways, which will lead to more consistent, accurate diagnosis," Wahid said.
Nazeem Muhajarine, from the College of Medicine’s Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, is developing MHealth. This service harnesses the power of cell phones – which are cheap and extremely common in Vietnam – to deliver essential health information via text messaging. This is especially valuable to migrant workers in that country, who live and work with little societal and institutional support.
"We provide tailored health information delivered directly into the hands of participants," Muhajarine said. "We back this up with GIS maps showing where they can go to find the health care they need."
Dr. Darryl Adamko, from the Department of Pediatrics, is developing a simple test based on molecules generated by the body in response to different lung diseases. Such ailments can be particularly dangerous, especially for children, in the developing world.
"We have a test that uses a simple urine sample that we think is applicable to a typical doctor’s office setting," he said.
Funded by the Government of Canada, Grand Challenges Canada awards grants to individuals around the world that pursue bold new imaginative ideas to tackle health problems in in low and middle income countries and Canada. For more information, visit www.grandchallenges.ca.
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For more information, contact:
Laura Herman
Communications
College of Medicine
(306) 966-6059
laura.herman@usask.ca
SASKATOON – Researchers in the University of Saskatchewan Department of Food and Bioproduct Sciences are taking aim at two of the biggest sources of salt in the Canadian diet: our daily bread and the processed meats that often go with it.
]]> "Canadians are consuming way too much salt," said U of S researcher Mike Nickerson, who holds the Ministry of Agriculture Strategic Research Chair. Nickerson leads a team working with industry to reduce salt in bread and baked goods.World Health Organization statistics show Canadians are among the highest consumers of salt in the world, and according to a 2010 report by Health Canada’s Sodium Working Group, bread and baked products are the single largest source of salt in their diet, at 14 per cent. Processed meats are second, at nine per cent.
Health Canada has decreed salt intake must come down by 2016, a deadline that has industry scrambling.
Nickerson explained salt is a huge challenge for organizations like Canada Bread, one of the country’s largest bakeries and one of the funders of his project.
Bakers are looking to cut salt levels by nearly a third, but reducing it can make the dough a sticky, equipment-fouling mess, Nickerson said. His task is to shed light on how proteins and starches interact with water, yeast and salt to find out how sodium controls dough structure.
Meanwhile, wheat breeder Pierre Hucl at the U of S Crop Development Centre is looking at what varieties perform well in low-salt bread recipes. What he finds could determine what varieties farmers grow to serve Canadian and international markets.
The other part of the salty sandwich – processed meats – is the target of associate professor and meat scientist Phyllis Shand.
"The salt in processed meats has very important technological functions that make it very difficult to take sodium out," she said. Salt helps preserve meat, she continued, a role less critical with modern refrigeration but still important because reducing it could encourage the growth of bacteria.
Salt imparts much of the texture and "mouth feel" to products by interacting with proteins in the meat to provide structure and water holding, Shand explained. This is important because consumers will not buy processed meats with too much liquid in the packaging.
Swapping in alternative ingredients like potassium chloride (another salt), enzymes or even flax meal help stabilize the meat protein, but none provide the total answer as they can adversely affect taste and price. Shand is optimistic a combination of tweaking ingredients and procedures could work. For example, bologna could be made one day, refrigerated, then cooked the next day.
Funding for Shand’s research is provided through Saskatchewan’s Agriculture Development Fund and the Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency. Nickerson’s work is supported by the Western Grains Research Foundation, Saskatchewan’s Agricultural Development Fund, and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council.
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For more information, contact:
Michael Robin
Research Communications Specialist
(306) 966-1425
michael.robin@usask.ca
Saskatoon – After spending the past seven months counselling criminals in Vancouver and mediating land claims in New Zealand, University of Saskatchewan student Lana Garcelon is ready to apply her passion for Aboriginal justice closer to home.
A member of the English River First Nation, Garcelon is one of more than 260 students who have completed the ABJAC program. While many opt to complete their practicum placements with organizations in Saskatchewan, Garcelon took it upon herself to line up internships in considerably more foreign locales.
From September to December 2012, she worked with the Native Courtworker and Counselling Association (NCCA) of British Columbia. Stationed predominantly in Vancouver’s east side, Garcelon helped Aboriginal clients navigate the criminal justice system.
"The clients were always so thankful to have our support," she said. "We'd be in hallways and lobbies (at court houses) looking for any Aboriginal people, seeing if they needed our assistance in any way."
In January, Garcelon travelled to New Zealand for a three-month internship with the Maori Land Court. Working the land court’s front desk and travelling the country to meet with clients, Garcelon said she was struck by the mutual respect different cultures have for one another.
"What I really liked was the widespread acceptance and understanding towards Indigenous people. It’s inspirational, because you come back (to Canada) and think it’s possible that those kinds of attitudes can become more common here as well."
Garcelon is graduating with a three-year BA in sociology along with an ABJAC certificate, and she plans to pursue a law degree after taking a year or two off to gain some work experience.
"I’ve always had a passion for Aboriginal justice. Being a First Nations person, I’ve grown up seeing the results of the injustices done to Aboriginal people in Canada. My mom is a residential school survivor, so it's something I’ve witnessed and I want to be a part of the solution."
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For more information, contact:
Kirk Sibbald
Communications Officer
College of Arts & Science
306-966-1982
Cell: 306-251-0641
kirk.sibbald@usask.ca
Blaine Favel, president and CEO of Calgary-based One Earth Oil and Gas Inc. and an influential First Nations leader in the province and the country, has been appointed chancellor of the University of Saskatchewan (U of S).
“I am honoured that the senate of the University of Saskatchewan is confident in my ability to fulfil this esteemed position,” said Favel. “I very much look forward to sharing the story of the University of Saskatchewan everywhere I go. One of my goals as chancellor is to be a champion and advocate for this world-class institution, a university that is making a difference in the world on many fronts.”
Favel earned a bachelor of education degree from the U of S in 1987, then went on to receive a law degree from Queen’s University in 1990 and a master’s of business administration degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Business in 2001. In 2012, the U of S awarded him an honorary doctor of laws degree.
He was Chief of the Poundmaker Cree Nation and served as Grand Chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations from 1994-98. During that time, he led the development of the First Nations Bank of Canada and the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority. Favel was also a senior diplomat as the Counsellor on International Indigenous Issues with the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, served as a special advisor to the Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine, and was a panellist on the Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
As chancellor, Favel will preside at university convocation ceremonies, confer degrees, chair University Senate and take a seat as an ex officio member of the Board of Governors.
“Mr. Favel brings to our university a strong reputation as a positive force for change and his experience aligns closely with our institutional priorities,” said President Ilene Busch-Vishniac. “We look forward to his contributions as an Aboriginal leader, a business leader and a person with an extensive background in governance.”
Favel said he believes Saskatchewan’s current resource boom and the challenge of educating and employing Aboriginal people are two areas where the University of Saskatchewan can play a positive role in shaping the province’s economic and social future.
“I believe, as chancellor, I will have the opportunity to bring together the university and the various communities it serves in the spirit of common interest in order to deliver on the promise of growth and prosperity.”
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For more information, contact:
Patty Martin
Director, Strategic Communications
University of Saskatchewan
306-966-6919 or 306-229-8179
patty.martin@usask.ca