USSU President reflects on exciting opportunity to unite post-secondary learning in Saskatchewan.

On September 20th, Saskatchewan Polytechnic announced that it will be closing the doors of its campus on Idylwyld Drive. In its place, the Idylwyld campus and the other Polytech locations around Saskatoon will be centralized in one location: Innovation Place on the USask campus.

The provincial government has shared that it will contribute up to $200 million toward the building of the new campus. The timeline for construction has not been released yet, but planning should take place over the course of the next year. 

Many city planners have agreed that the move is a smart decision. The new location will benefit from the Bus Rapid Transit plan, which has bus stops at five places along the university’s perimeter. There is also a possibility that stronger traffic infrastructure will be developed with the new campus. 

Another interesting feature of the new location is that it will unite students from Sask Polytechnic and USask in one center of learning. Premier Scott Moe shared during a media conference that there have been record increases in student enrolment at Saskatchewan’s post-secondary institutions, and he expects that to continue.

Through this centralized campus, a wide array of institutions and styles of learning will be brought together to apply their research and work. It will also bring students together with businesses, entrepreneurship and more. USask President Peter Stoicheff noted that nowhere else in Canada or the United States has combined these sectors to this extent.

Sask Polytechnic President and CEO Larry Rosia said that this campus is “a once in a generation opportunity to create a 21st century learning environment that supplies the expert workforce… for existing, as well as emerging industries.” 

Rosia went on to say that he believes the work of institutions like Polytechnic and the university are very closely integrated, and can benefit greatly from one another; for example, the university makes new discoveries and Polytechnic applies them.

USSU President Ishita Mann believes that the closeness of USask and Polytechnic will “foster a more collaborative and interconnected relationship.”

“We anticipate a vibrant exchange of perspectives, which is vital for a dynamic and inclusive community,” Mann said.

She believes that this move will be a positive step for post-secondary education in Saskatoon.

“The relocation opens avenues for multidisciplinary learning and paves the way for innovative teaching methodologies,” said Mann. 

Mann recognizes that there might be some challenges introduced by this relocation, particularly where housing is concerned. Nevertheless, she thinks that the move will have a positive effect on the campus’ culture, and shared that the USSU will work together with the Saskatchewan Polytechnic Students’ Association and the university administration to provide students with the resources they need.

Mann also shared her hope for the future of post-secondary learning, which is to adopt a holistic approach that will produce well-rounded graduates. “I hope to see curriculums that are not only academically challenging but also deeply interwoven with real-world applications.” She also believes that this vision should emphasize personal development, diversity and inclusivity, and receiving education that is “adaptive and future-ready.”

“Ultimately, this vision is about redefining the role of post-secondary institutions in society,” said Mann. “It is about producing leaders, innovators, and responsible citizens who are equipped to tackle the challenges of an ever-evolving global landscape.”