PREMIER WALL UNVEILS PLAQUE FOR UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN HEALTH SCIENCE PROJECT

Premier Brad Wall and University of Saskatchewan (U of S) President Peter MacKinnon officially unveiled an engraved plaque today at the U of S to mark progress on the new Health Sciences D-wing expansion and to recognize the provincial government's contribution to the project.

The Government of Saskatchewan's commitment of more than $300 million is the largest ever contribution to a capital project in U of S history and part of the overall commitment to post-secondary education over the past four years, including:

• A record $2.8 billion invested in the post-secondary system;
• Increasing funding to Saskatchewan universities by 40 per cent, including $247 million in operating funding; surpassing the government's commitment of $125 million;
• 3000 per cent increase in funding for student housing to build 650 new beds for students; and,
• Introducing the Graduate Retention Program which, to date, issued approximately 49,000 certificates to recent post-secondary graduates in Saskatchewan, who are now able to get their tuition costs back if they remain in the province after they graduate.

"Our government recognizes the value of investing in Saskatchewan's post secondary education to support Saskatchewan's strong and steady economy," Premier Brad Wall said. "The Health Sciences project will help to attract the most talented medical personnel, educators and researchers, which will provide better training for health professionals and increase the quality of care so people across our province can experience the Saskatchewan Advantage first-hand."

The project involves the construction of two additions and extensive renovations to the existing Health Sciences Building. Various components will open as they are completed, with the final components expected to be complete in 2015-16. Today's unveiling was held in the still-under-construction D-wing entranceway.

"The pursuit of this project would not have been possible without the significant investment and continued support of the province," MacKinnon said. "This initiative will put us at the forefront of post-secondary institutions in terms of taking a truly collaborative or team approach to how we train health-care professionals in Saskatchewan and how we conduct important and potentially life-changing research. And although construction of this monumental project will continue for some time, it is exciting to see the substantial progress that has already been made."

Premier Wall was joined at the plaque unveiling by Advance Education, Employment and Immigration Minister Rob Norris and Health Minister Don McMorris.

Students, faculty, researchers and staff from a number of health sciences colleges will occupy the Health Sciences project where they will teach, learn and conduct research together in an integrated setting. The project will also provide expanded learning resources for health-care instructors, clinical supervisors and practitioners across the province.

For more details on the Health Sciences project, visit www.usask.ca/healthsciences.

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For more information, contact:

Marieka Barrie
Advance Education, Employment and Immigration
Regina
Phone: 306-798-3170