U of S president visits Yorkton

A visit by University of Saskatchewan president Ilene Busch-Vishniac may foretell good news for Yorkton.

At the Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon November 20, Busch-Vishniac outlined her vision for the university including a promise of increasing access to learning opportunities geographically.

"The main message I wanted to convey to the Chamber leaders was that we are the University for all of Saskatchewan and, as such, we're looking for their comments on what we're doing well and what we're not," she said.

Juanita Polegi, Chamber executive director, was very pleased with what she heard.

"[Busch-Vishniac] certainly seems to have a vision of where she wants the university to go," she said. "It sounds like if their commitment to distance education is there, that could very well benefit Yorkton. It will be exciting to see how that all plays out."

Prior to the Chamber lunch, Busch-Vishniac met with Parkland College officials and visited a couple of classrooms.

She said the meeting was about expanding university learning at the college.

"Parkland is a very good partner with us," she said. "We will shortly be having the opportunity for people in Yorkton to get their entire nursing degree through Parkland College."

Currently students can do their first year in nursing at the college, as well as, a variety of other first year classes.

Dr. Fay Myers, Parkland president, said Busch-Vishniac shared a report on distributed learning that the plan is to offer even more full degree programs through the college.

"They know people want to learn where they live," she said. "We were pleased to hear about that."

Polegi said Busch-Vishniac's visit also underscored the value of the airport to Yorkton.

"The president and her entourage flew into Yorkton and it saved them time and money," she said.