Every member of our university community—students, staff and faculty—is helping to make the University of Saskatchewan the best place it can be for everyone. In the days ahead, I hope you all have the time to celebrate the best of the holiday season with family and friends, and have the chance to rest and reflect on all that you have accomplished in 2023 and the opportunities that await in the new year.
As we look back on the achievements of 2023, we are excited to have reached a record enrolment of more than 26,000 students, and our alumni family has grown to more than 171,000 in 130 countries around the world.
With world-class researchers and facilities, and advanced academic programs and priorities, we are proud to be one of the top medical-doctoral research universities in Canada, with our reputation on the rise internationally as we continue a steady climb in the most influential and prestigious world university rankings. With the continued implementation of our Indigenous Strategy and adoption of our EDI Framework for Action across the university, we are moving forward in a collective way, committed to doing all that we can to make this campus community a welcoming place for one and all.
To begin the 2023/24 academic year in a culturally meaningful way, we were honoured to see the revival of the Welcome Back Powwow and Métis Dance Celebration last September, the largest Indigenous cultural event of the year. And the tradition of supporting Huskie Athletics took centre stage during USask Homecoming with more than 10,000 fans filling Griffiths Stadium in Nutrien Park for the largest crowd to ever watch a regular-season Huskie football game.
This year also marked the launch of the largest comprehensive campaign ever undertaken in Saskatchewan. With a goal to raise $500 million, the Be What the World Needs campaign will be a game-changer for all of us at the university. Through this campaign, we will expand critical research, increase student supports, enhance the student experience, inspire Indigenous achievement, and create visionary new spaces and places. This ambitious campaign involves all our campuses, colleges and schools, all disciplines, and all areas and aspects of our university community. Whether you are a student, a faculty or staff member, or part of our alumni family, we thank you for your support.
As we get ready to turn the page on 2023, I hope you will look back on your achievements and accomplishments over the past year with pride. I also hope you will take some time for yourself to relax and refresh, and re-connect with colleagues, family, friends, and all those who matter most in your life. In these times of difficult world events, it is important to acknowledge what we are grateful for in our own lives.
On behalf of the senior leadership team at the University of Saskatchewan, I wish you all health and happiness, and all the best in the new year.
Sincerely,
Peter Stoicheff
President and Vice-Chancellor
University of Saskatchewan