Nutrien supports University of Saskatchewan with transformational $15 million campaign donation
SASKATOON – Nutrien’s purpose is to Feed the Future. The University of Saskatchewan (USask) aspires to Be What the World Needs. By joining forces on new initiatives, student support and critical research, these ambitious organizations will advance sustainable agriculture around the globe and help train the scientists and engineers of the future who will ensure critical growth and success in the agriculture and mining sector and beyond.
A transformational $15 million donation from Nutrien to USask – the single largest gift to date in the Be What the World Needs Campaign – will drive a new era of innovation, collaboration, and success.
“We are deeply grateful for this incredible donation which builds on our long-standing relationship with Nutrien over the past five decades,” said USask President Peter Stoicheff. “Nutrien is our valued partner and the largest corporate donor in USask’s history, having generously invested more than $50 million over the years to support the university’s research mission and to help prepare our students to become the next generation of leaders.”
A large portion of the gift will establish the Nutrien Centre for Sustainable and Digital Agriculture, housed in the College of Agriculture and Bioresources. The Nutrien Centre will focus on research, training and innovative technologies that accelerate farming into the digital age and create more sustainable and resilient food systems around the world. Within the centre, this gift will provide funding for a research chair position, facility modernization, as well as startup support for research and outreach activities.
Nutrien’s donation will also establish the Nutrien Future Fund for the college, provide scholarships for AgBio students, and fund Indigenous and community engagement initiatives, like the kihci-okâwîmâw askiy (Great Mother Earth) Knowledge Centre. In addition, Nutrien’s gift will support scholarships for engineering students and the creation of a state-of-the-art lecture theatre in the College of Engineering.
“We at Nutrien are proud to continue our decades-long partnership with the University of Saskatchewan through a transformative $15 million donation,” said Nutrien President and CEO Ken Seitz. “This investment supports research, education, and innovation that aims to tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Together, we strive to strengthen global food security and contribute to building resilient agricultural communities both locally and globally.”
USask is currently engaged in the largest campaign in Saskatchewan’s history to raise $500 million to support critical research, Indigenous achievement, student success, and visionary spaces. As of the latest update, the Be What the World Needs Campaign sits at just over 90 per cent raised ($475 million) with about five months left to go. Nutrien’s gift signals an important milestone in the campaign as it approaches the finish line.
“USask has never been better equipped to confront humanity’s most complex issues, but we can’t make this bold vision a reality without generous donors and champions like Nutrien to lead the way,” said USask Vice-President University Relations Cheryl Hamelin. “We are asking alumni and our strong community of supporters to join us, as our friends at Nutrien have, in addressing the world’s greatest challenges and creating a brighter future together.”
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For media inquiries, contact:
Victoria Dinh
USask Media Relations
306-966-5487
victoria.dinh@usask.ca
Shawn Churchill
Nutrien Media Relations
306-230-7749
shawn.churchill@nutrien.com