SASKATOON – Three years after introducing a mining engineering program at the University of Saskatchewan (U of S), five of its students graduated Monday. They studied in the university’s mining and mineral processing options program.
“It signals a return to mining engineering in Saskatchewan,” said Al Shpyth, executive director of the International Minerals Innovation Institute (IMII).
The U of S and IMII partnered to bring the program to life.
The option, which is an add-on to degrees in chemical, geological and mechanical engineering, is the first offering of its kind at the U of S since 1976, Shpyth said.
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Despite lagging prices and sales for potash and the recent closure of the Rabbit Lake Cameco uranium operation, Shpyth said there are plenty of opportunities for graduates in the province.
“The industry here is still really strong. We’ve got ten major operating mines that always have a need for new skills and new talents,” he said.
Other members of the College of Engineering graduated Monday, along with students in the College of Agriculture and Bioresources.
Tina Thomas completed a master’s degree, which she hopes will help with her career as a grain buyer.
“My colleagues are pretty awesome and it’s a great experience because I talk to so many different kinds of people and I get to use a little bit of what I’ve learned from agriculture,” Thomas said.
U of S convocation continues Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at TCU Place.
This spring, 3,422 students will graduate from the university.
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