Degree program to be offered in Southwestern Saskatchewan

Posted: May 22, 2013 2:00 p.m.

Beginning in September students will be able to earn a nursing degree in Swift Current through the University of Regina's Saskatchewan Collaborative Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Photo: U of R Photography

Students will be able enroll in the Saskatchewan Collaborative Bachelor of Science in Nursing program (SCBScN) without having to move to Regina. Beginning this September, students will be able to complete all aspects of their studies in Swift Current. Instruction will take place at Great Plains College and students will complete their practicum at the Cypress Regional Hospital.

"Offering the SCBScN in Swift Current demonstrates that we’re a provincial university," explains University of Regina President Vianne Timmons.

This is just another example of the impact University of Regina has in Southwestern Saskatchewan. For several years, university classes have been offered at Great Plains College. Among the classes currently offered are biology, chemistry, English, film, history, psychology, religious studies, sociology, social work and theatre. As well, on-line courses are offered.

Many students from Southwestern Saskatchewan finish high school and then head to the University of Regina to earn degrees. Of the 13,119 students now attending the University of Regina, 613 are from the southwest, including Sydney Gossard of Cabri, who is studying English and has worked in Community Relations at SaskEnergy; and Sara Illerbrun in Kinesiology and Health Studies, who is involved in the UR Guarantee program and was a recipient of the U of R Circle of Scholars Scholarship.

The University of Regina also carries out research in the southwest.

For example, the Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Extremes in the Americas (VACEA) project is lead by Dr. David Sauchyn and Harry (Polo) Diaz. Communities engaged with the project include Rush Lake and Shaunavon. The project also includes collaborators in Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Columbia.

Work is nearing completion on impacts of droughts on rural communities, including Coronach, Gravelbourg, Maple Creek and Shaunavon. Similar assessments have been conducted in Cabri and Stewart Valley.

New stories about the University’s connection with Saskatchewan communities will be posted regularly over the next several weeks.