PREMIER CELEBRATES ACADEMIC HEALTH SCIENCES CENTRE FUNDING

Premier Lorne Calvert today hosted a luncheon in celebration of the provincial government's commitment of $100 million to the University of Saskatchewan's new Academic Health Sciences Centre.

"This funding represents the largest single capital contribution to a university in the province's history," Calvert said. "The Academic Health Sciences Centre will strengthen the province's ability to recruit and retain health professionals, faculty and students. The Centre will also contribute to the province's priority of research and patient-centred health services."

"We are pleased that the Government of Saskatchewan is demonstrating its support of this innovative project in such a substantial way," University of Saskatchewan President Peter MacKinnon said. "The Academic Health Sciences Centre will improve the University's capacity to meet the needs of the province by enhancing our ability to compete for new medical specialists, supporting important health research and providing state-of-the-art learning facilities for our health science students."

Increased provincial revenues have allowed the Government of Saskatchewan to make this significant contribution now. The $100 million in funding demonstrates the government's 2003 commitment to provide support for this priority project. Saskatchewan Learning will continue to work with the University of Saskatchewan to determine additional funding needs.

The new Academic Health Sciences Centre will be organized around an integrated training model that will have the different faculties working collaboratively, sharing training and lab space. The government's investment will ensure that health sciences graduates continue to be trained in a top-quality environment. Saskatchewan people benefit when our medical professionals receive their training in facilities that are on the leading edge of research and medicine.

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For More Information, Contact:

Jacquie McLean Learning Regina Phone: (306) 787-5609