Saskatchewan Polytechnic, the University of Saskatchewan, and the University of Regina have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to foster collaboration and partnership in the mining and energy sectors. This MOU establishes a framework for cooperation in the creation of a new institution called the Global Institute for Energy, Mines, and Society (GIEMS), which will be based in Saskatchewan.
Premier Scott Moe expressed his enthusiasm for this development, stating that Saskatchewan is already a frontrunner in cutting-edge research and that the establishment of GIEMS will further enhance the province’s impressive portfolio of research organizations. The primary objective of this agreement is to provide practical and effective means for these Saskatchewan post-secondary institutions to collaborate on research and innovation in the mining and energy fields.
The MOU was signed by Dr. Jeff Keshen, President and Vice Chancellor of the University of Regina, Dr. Peter Stoicheff, President and Vice Chancellor of the University of Saskatchewan, and Dr. Larry Rosia, President and CEO of Saskatchewan Polytechnic. The signing took place at the Saskatchewan Pavilion during the Conference of Parties COP28 conference in Dubai.
Dr. Keshen emphasized the shared commitment of these institutions to be highly responsive to the needs of the economy, including employers, industries, and workforce development. He expressed excitement about the opportunity to amplify their global impact as innovators in sustainable energy and mining through collaborative efforts within GIEMS.
GIEMS aims to address industry needs by establishing state-of-the-art research and development capabilities. Additionally, it will provide training and experiential learning opportunities to cultivate a skilled workforce in areas such as trades, engineering, and scientific disciplines.
Dr. Stoicheff highlighted the intention of GIEMS to create innovative solutions for meeting the world’s energy demands. He expressed the University of Saskatchewan’s eagerness to collaborate with the University of Regina and Saskatchewan Polytechnic, leveraging their world-class research and teaching expertise to contribute to the development of this new institute.
Through this collaboration, these post-secondary institutions aspire to accelerate research and innovation in mining, energy, and critical minerals within the province. The partnership will contribute to a more sustainable future for Saskatchewan, a province heavily reliant on the mining and energy sectors.
Dr. Rosia emphasized the significance of the mining and energy sectors to Saskatchewan’s economy and the growing global demand for critical minerals. He expressed Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s excitement in joining their partners in signing the MOU, highlighting their applied research expertise and commitment to unlocking the immense potential for innovation in mining and energy while preparing the workforce of tomorrow.
Each institution already collaborates with the mining and energy industries to address challenges in these sectors. By working together in a collaborative and coordinated manner through GIEMS, they aim to enhance their effectiveness in providing solutions.
This announcement was made at the Saskatchewan Pavilion during COP28, which is currently taking place in Dubai, UAE, from November 30 to December 12, 2023.