KNOWLEDGE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS MOVE FORWARD AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN

Federal and provincial government officials were at the University of Saskatchewan today to discuss an update on the $22.9 million in funding going towards refurbishing a number of roofs and renovating the Western College of Veterinary Medicine diagnostic lab.

The joint funding is part of the Knowledge Infrastructure Program (KIP) launched in June 2009.

"Our government is pleased to partner with the federal government to support our many post-secondary institutions - including our students, faculty members and staff - across the province," Advanced Education, Employment and Labour Minister Rob Norris said. "This significant provincial investment in advanced educational infrastructure is helping to create jobs, upgrade facilities and build a renewed post-secondary system that is focused on excellence, innovation and inclusion."

Home to several global centres of excellence, the University of Saskatchewan is the largest post-secondary institution in the province and is regarded as one of the foremost medical doctoral universities in the country.

The University of Saskatchewan KIP-funded projects are:

• Renovations of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine diagnostic lab and associated areas that will enhance the College's training, research and clinical programs. These upgraded facilities and technologies will allow the college to make even more vital contributions to Canada's animal, human and public health networks. The project is underway and expected to be completed by December 2010.
• A campus-wide roof renewal project to fix leak-prone roofs on 47 buildings. Upgraded roofs will save energy by reducing heat loss and cooling requirements, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ensure academic and research programs are not interrupted by maintenance issues. Many roofing projects have already started-law building, engineering building, original physics building, and Edwards School of Business building-and are expected to be finished by summer's end.

Brad Trost, Federal MP for Saskatoon-Humboldt, spoke about the federal government's involvement in the program.

"This grant is an example of one of the practical ways our government is supporting Canadian students. By helping maintain and improve our university, we are ensuring that it will continue to compete with other institutes world-wide and remain a highlight for our country and for Saskatchewan," Trost said.

"Whether improving facilities at the WCVM or maintaining infrastructure with campus-wide roof renewal, these Knowledge Infrastructure projects ensure that the U of S is a world-class teaching and research institution with state-of-the-art facilities," U of S Acting Vice-President of Research Karen Chad said. "This federal and provincial support helps provide our researchers and students with the best learning environment possible."

This funding is part of the $55M the province is contributing under the Knowledge Infrastructure Program announced in June 2009. KIP is a two-year $2-billion program that will provide economic stimulus measures to support infrastructure enhancement at Canadian post-secondary institutions, including universities and community colleges. It will result in the creation of jobs for engineers, architects, trades people and technicians, as well as help to ensure that Saskatchewan and Canada are better positioned to contribute to, and benefit from, the global knowledge economy.

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For more information, contact:

Marieka Barrie
Advanced Education, Employment and Labour
Regina
Phone: 306-798-3170
Email: marieka.barrie@gov.sk.ca