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| Volume 9, Number 11 | February 8, 2002 |
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U of S & Mongolian University sign pact
The U of S has signed a co-operation agreement with the Mongolian State University of Agriculture (MSUA), paving the way for faculty visits, student exchanges, and collaboration in agricultural research and teaching. U of S President Peter MacKinnon and MSUA President Altansukh Norov signed the five-year agreement Jan. 31 at a ceremony in the Agriculture Bldg. It calls for research and training visits by faculty and staff, information and technology exchanges, joint research activities, and student exchanges. MacKinnon said, “International partnerships like this give us an opportunity to see beyond provincial and national borders and contribute to the global community of scholarship. This agreement provides practical experience and research opportunities for our faculty and students as well as an international perspective that enhances the excellence of our programs.” MacKinnon noted that the great similarity between Saskatchewan and Mongolia in climate, soil, moisture, erosion and weed conditions makes it an ideal partner for the U of S. President Altansukh, ending a Jan. 24-31 visit to Saskatoon and Ottawa, said he is impressed with the U of S College of Agriculture and looks forward to the opportunities this agreement will provide for mutually beneficial exchanges between the U of S and MSUA. Altansukh added, “I really appreciate this opportunity to develop the agreement. In recent months, each university has worked hard to find common areas of interest and expertise. This agreement, resulting from our ongoing dialogue, provides for sincere and sustainable co-operation in agriculture and other areas..” Dean of Agriculture Ernie Barber said, “The College of Agriculture is pleased to be a catalyst in the developing partnership between the U of S and Mongolian State University. Right now, Mongolian agriculture looks like Prairie agriculture looked 50 years ago – so there is a tremendous opportunity for us to share knowledge.” Barber said while the College of Agriculture is the lead department, the agreement could eventually include others like Engineering, Commerce, and Arts & Science. U of S International Director Asit Sarkar said he is encouraged by this agreement. “It reflects the importance of internationalization at the University of Saskatchewan. Fostering relations with Mongolia will allow our scholars and students to learn more about, and contribute to, developing nations.” The signing caps developments between the U of S and MSUA over the past year, which have resulted in a number of initiatives such as a Minimum Tillage Project between Canada and Mongolia, co-ordinated by a current visiting scholar to the U of S, Degi Chuluunbaatar, who is also Manager of the Mongolian Farmers’ & Flour Producers’ Association.
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