University of Saskatchewan

Overview

The University of Saskatchewan is a Canada-based public research university located just on the east side of the Saskatchewan River in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Also known as USask, it is one of the country’s leading research universities with significant contributions in bacterial and viral vaccine development, including the vaccine for COVID-19. USask’s research programs also include clinical research and animal care with a particular focus on cattle, swine, poultry, and alternative livestock diseases. Because of USask’s dedication to groundbreaking research efforts on agriculture, medical, environmental sustainability, and other areas, it has become the only university in Canada to have received Canada First Research Excellence Fund grants twice.

As a research-intensive institution, USask houses some of the most sophisticated facilities not only in Canada but in the world. One of these facilities is the Canadian Light Source, which is considered as the national synchrotron light source facility, established in 1999 after a three-decade campaign for Canada to have its own synchrotron radiation facility. Also located in USask is the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization—International Vaccine Centre or the VIDO – InterVac, a research center dedicated to studying infectious diseases that affect human health and livestock. VIDO – InterVac receives funding from the government of Canada and Saskatchewan as well from private companies and organizations. There is also the Fedoruk Centre, whose research centers around nuclear energy and developing technology and policies for environmental sustainability.

Academically, USask’s course offerings encompass a wide range of disciplines from agriculture, aboriginal business management studies, biomedical neuroscience, international studies, sociology, and more. USask also offers courses that focus on indigenous studies, such as indigenous governance and politics, resource management, indigenous storytelling, the Indian Teacher Education Program (ITEP), and others.

USask’s beginnings can be traced as far back as 1907 when the establishment of a publicly funded and independent academic institution was made possible by a provincial statute called the University Act. The university opened for admission in 1912 and expanded immediately by adding several new colleges such as agriculture and bioresources, law, engineering, pharmacy, education, medicine, and more.

More than 100 years since its founding, USask continues to carry on its legacy of breaking new grounds through transformative research. By collaborating with the Canadian government, private organizations, scientists, and industry experts, USask strengthens its global profile by making significant contributions to improve the lives of the people in its community, country, and people from all over the globe.