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| Volume 10, Number 11 | February 7, 2003 |
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MacKinnon gives upbeat message in first 'Report to Regina'REGINA - U of S President Peter MacKinnon took his message of the University's key role in the future growth of Saskatchewan to the provincial capital city Jan. 28. In a luncheon speech billed as a 'Report to the Community', MacKinnon told an audience of 150 civic leaders - including government officials, businesspeople, major donors to the University, and alumni - that the U of S has for its 96 years served all of Saskatchewan, and intends to continue to drive provincial growth. "We are in transition to the knowledge society and knowledge economy ... Research-intensive universities are the key elements in innovation (and) whether or not Saskatchewan is successful as a participant within Canada in (the federal government's Innovation Agenda) will depend, more than any other factor, on the success of the University of Saskatchewan," MacKinnon told the crowd. He said while he agrees that too many educated people leave the province, "most of the graduates of the University of Saskatchewan build their careers in this province." MacKinnon told the Regina audience the U of S is committed to excellence and research growth. He cited the Canadian Light Source (CLS) synchrotron, the Innovation Place research park, and its broad range of health sciences colleges coupled with the extensive College of Agriculture. And he said the recently adopted U of S strategic directions - stressing excellence by international standards, identification of areas for pre-eminence, and maintaining a sense of place - give the University a renewed vision for its second century. U of S Government Relations Director Cindy Paquette says the crowd was enthusiastic about MacKinnon's speech. "It went over very well. People were happy to see the U of S take this initiative - and many said they were inspired by Peter's positive message for growth," Paquette says. She adds that in the past messages like this are "sometimes gloomy or negative, about budgets or the agricultural crisis - but this was positive, forward-looking and upbeat about opportunities for Saskatchewan that maybe haven't been talked about or considered enough." Paquette says the luncheon, held at the Hotel Saskatchewan, was a cost-recovery event paid for by the guests. She says while MacKinnon has visited Regina leaders before as part of his ongoing provincial tour to cities and towns, this was his first report to the Regina community. Plans call for it to become an annual event.
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