In brief: grad students, Chinese universities and lentil production.

Grad Students’ Association opens new space
The University of Saskatchewan Graduate Students’ Association opened a newly renovated student commons space in the former Emmanuel and St. Chad Chapel on Jan. 15, kicking off the opening with a dandy reception. The new commons features stained glass windows and vaulted ceilings, a boardroom, offices and a space to study and socialize. The renovations were funded by the GSA, the U of S and various partners.

College of Graduate Studies and Research partners with six Chinese universities
A recent agreement between the U of S and six Chinese universities will provide graduate study opportunities for 20 PhD students. The partnering universities have committed to recruit and recommend scholars approved by the Chinese Scholarship Council. The U of S will provide up to 20 tuition scholarships and an additional $4,000 in top-up scholarships to selected students.

Participating institutions include the Beijing Institute of Technology, Jilin University, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Northwestern Agriculture and Forest University, Northwestern Polytechnical University and Northeastern Normal University.

U of S researcher awarded $3.8 million to improve Canada’s lentil production
Bert Vandenberg, a U of S pulse crop researcher, has been awarded $3.8 million from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council to conduct studies on lentil genetics that could lead to more resilient and nutritious varieties.

More than 30 per cent of the global lentil supply originates from lentil varieties developed by Vandenberg. Over the next five years, Vandenberg will investigate lentil genetics to increase disease resistance and add nutritional value. His research program will also use new genetic technologies to assist in breeding lentil varieties.

Though lentils are one of Canada’s newest crops, they are becoming more important to Canada’s pulse crop industry. Canada is now one of the world’s largest lentil producers, with Saskatchewan producing 99 per cent of the country’s crop. Saskatchewan made a record $1.6 billion in pulse exports in 2008.

Over the next five years, Vandenberg plans to train up to 15 graduate students in plant genetics and breeding.