Over the next several days an in-depth review of the budget is needed to determine the full impact to the university—USask President and Vice-chancellor Peter Stoicheff said he is initially encouraged.
“Our top priority for this budget was to see a continuation of government’s confidence in our value to the Province of Saskatchewan through sustained funding levels,” said Stoicheff. “The Government of Saskatchewan’s budget announcement today provides that, and the move to a multi-year funding model provides predictability as well, allowing us to better forecast and plan here at USask. We appreciate the government's confidence in USask and the continuing commitment to post-secondary education in Saskatchewan.”
The announced funding also demonstrates the Government of Saskatchewan’s recognition of the value USask provides to the province, and the positive impacts of the graduates and the ground-breaking research taking place here, Stoicheff added.
“The past year has been challenging for all universities, and we are very grateful for the government’s support,” Stoicheff said. “The University of Saskatchewan and the Government of Saskatchewan have proven to be partners to the benefit of our province, that has never been more evident during the past year of the pandemic. Together we were able to advance our teaching, learning and research mission for the benefit of the people of Saskatchewan.”
Over the past year during the pandemic, USask has stepped up to protect the campus and broader community in numerous ways. From the incredible vaccine research happening at VIDO to USask researchers developing everything from therapeutics and treatment programs to ventilation solutions to limit the spread of COVID-19 aerosols, USask has strived to be the university the world needs. And when the pandemic ends, and Merlis Belsher Place transitions from being a field hospital and a mass immunization clinic back to a community sports complex, USask will continue to support the province however possible.
The 2021-22 budget is available online at www.saskatchewan.ca/budget.