Developing–and exercising–durable CORE skills

Developing durable skills is analogous to building core strength. Just like physical core strength is key to fitness, durable skills are essential to long-term success in education, work, and life. In this post, we briefly outline why you shouldn’t neglect your core durable skills, and then provide streamlined and effective ways to develop and practice your durable skills–that don't involve planks, an exercise ball, crunches, a set of dumbbells, or hundreds of sit-ups. (Estimated reading time: 3 minutes)

Connecting in SITE events

This blog post is for you if you are new to SITEs, you will soon be participating in a SITE, or you are simply curious. (Estimated reading time: 4 minutes, 31 seconds)

How to get started (when no one’s the "official" boss)

We’ve all been there. You’re in a small team meeting. There’s no official chair, no boss, no one to steer the ship. You’re all technically equals and you’re supposed to collaborate. But instead, you’re staring at a grid of silent faces on Zoom or, worse yet, all you see are those deadly cameras-off circles! Cue the awkward silence. Maybe a few fake coughs. Someone clears their throat. No one makes eye contact. So, what do you do when you need to start the meeting, but everyone’s acting like it’s their first day of kindergarten? Glad you asked. In this post we share seven fun, low-pressure ways to get things rolling—even when there is no boss. (Estimated reading time: ~4 minutes)

Donors’ gifts help USask purchase vital animal health care tools

The Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) is celebrating the opening of a new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine and a linear accelerator—part of a vital animal health care and education project that wouldn’t have been possible without significant support from donors.

USask expands health care training with three first-in-Saskatchewan programs

Three new health education programs have launched at the University of Saskatchewan (USask). The School of Rehabilitation Science, housed within the College of Medicine, is now accepting applications for Saskatchewan’s first occupational therapy and speech-language pathology programs. The College of Medicine has also welcomed its first cohort into the new Master of Physician Assistant Studies program.

Health and data at heart of USask congress

Now in its seventh year, the University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) People Around the World (PAW) international congress will bring together community members, researchers, industry partners and students for data-driven discussions about global challenges.

Giving Day 2025: Supporting research that could revolutionize the future of medicine

On September 10, the University of Saskatchewan (USask) community will come together in support of Giving Day, an annual 24-hour fundraising initiative. Among the researchers that could benefit from donor support that day is Dr. Stephen Lee, an associate professor, infectious disease and internal medicine physician, and member of the College of Medicine’s artificial intelligence (AI) education committee, who is exploring how AI could fundamentally change health care.

Beyond the Bowl: Sept. 2025

Here's a look at some of the major new appointments and announcements from the past two months across campus at the University of Saskatchewan (USask).

A user’s guide to adapting your mindset for the “real world”

We’ve all heard the saying: “Practice makes perfect” and in a highly controlled environment like “school” this might be so. But in the real world, that’s not always the case. In fact, perfection is often unrealistic—and the pursuit of it can be stressful, even harmful. So why do we continue to promote this in academia? This post explores the transition from academic training to clinical practice, and offers insights for both learners and instructors on how to better navigate between the classroom and the real world. (Estimated reading time: 6 minutes)

VIDO researcher named Emerging Leader in Health Sciences

University of Saskatchewan (USask) and Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) researcher Dr. Arinjay Banerjee (PhD) is one of five Canadian researchers elected by the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS) for its inaugural Emerging Leaders cohort.

SDG Spotlight: Goal 9

Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

A user’s guide to navigating uncertainty

If you've ever faced a tough decision, made a diagnosis, or even just tried to plan your week in a fast-changing world, you're already familiar with uncertainty. This post explores uncertainty, why it can be uncomfortable, and provides a guide for navigating uncertainty. (Estimated reading: 3 minutes, 30 seconds)

Bringing AI into the classroom

Sundus Zia, a third-year medical student at the University of Saskatchewan, is exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) can play a role in medical education.

Summer reading list from the Office of the Vice-Provost Indigenous Engagement

As part of National Indigenous History Month and National Indigenous Peoples Day, June 21, we thought it would be helpful to provide a summer reading list for those interested in furthering their learning in the areas of Truth and Reconciliation, Indigenization, Decolonization, and Indigenous research methodologies.

USask races past campaign goal to raise close to $571 million

Today marks a major milestone for the University of Saskatchewan (USask) and the province, as the Be What the World Needs Campaign—the largest fundraising campaign in Saskatchewan’s history—crosses the finish line. Together, alumni, individual, and corporate donors have helped USask surpass its audacious $500-million goal, reaching a grand total of $570,739,155.

The power of social capital: Better care through stronger connections

Who do you rely on in your world? Who relies on you? Who do you trust? Who knows that you can be trusted? These are the people in your network. Just as it is important to have a personal network of people we trust, it is equally important to have a robust professional network. The relationships we have in the workplace, and the social capital we build with our colleagues and patients, can make the difference between a job in which we survive and a job in which we thrive. Whether these connections with colleagues and patients are several times a day or once a year, in-person or asynchronously through emails, texting, referrals or charting, these connections matter. Regardless of the frequency or the mode, relationships are critical. Read on for more on social capital, its importance for providing high-quality coordinated patient care, and tips for cultivating social capital in professional networks. (Estimated reading time: ~4 minutes)

Regional veterinary college at USask celebrates 60 years

SASKATOON – The Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) is celebrating its past and future contributions to the veterinary profession during the regional college’s 60th anniversary homecoming on June 6-7.

Team-based events: A tale of perspective

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” (Charles Dickens) That line might feel dramatic when applied to interprofessional learning activities, but in reviewing thousands of participant event responses to learning experiences over the years, we’ve noticed something fascinating. In the same event, with the same instructions, the same platform, and the same expectations, participants’ comments range from the majority appreciating the opportunity to a few indicating that the experience was more of an obligation than an opportunity. How is this possible? Read on for our take. (Estimated Reading Time: ~4 minutes)

Wildfires across Canada

Yesterday a state of emergency was declared in Saskatchewan in response to the wildfires burning in the north.

USask recognizes Pride Month

The University of Saskatchewan (USask) is proud to celebrate and support the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community — during Pride month and every month.

The paused project: When collaboration meets real life

This post reflects on the sometimes-slow, sometimes-silent journey of a collaborative research project—namely, a scoping review that started with promise but encountered the all-too-relatable obstacles of schedules, silence, and shifting focus. If you’ve ever been part of a team project—especially one outside the confines of a classroom deadline—you may already know this: collaborative research doesn’t stall because of a lack of interest, but because life sneaks in and communication sneaks out. This blog is a reflective look at why my scoping review project, once brimming with potential, slowly ground to a halt this spring. Spoiler: we didn’t fail. But we did fizzle… temporarily. And understanding why might help keep future projects from the same fate. (Estimated reading time: 4 minutes)

Response to Recent Anti-EDI Opinion Piece

The University of Saskatchewan-USFA Collective Agreement 2023-27 requires that faculty intending to serve on committees devoted to the appointment, promotion, salary review, and tenure processes for other faculty attend an anti-racism and unconscious bias training session.

Five USask faculty members honoured with distinguished professorship

The honorary title of distinguished professor is an award that celebrates lifetime achievement in research, scholarly, and artistic work. Three University of Saskatchewan (USask) faculty members and two professors emerti were selected to receive the honorary title this year.

SDG Spotlight: Goal 15

Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss

USask recognizes Asian Heritage Month

Recognized nationwide, May is Asian Heritage Month. This month honours the legacy and contributions of members of the Asian communities that span East Asia, South East Asia, South Asia, Western Asia, and Central Asia.

USask celebrates 2025 Images of Research contest winners

For the past 11 years, the University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) Images of Research contest has showcased the stunning research, scholarly and artistic work of USask staff, students, faculty and alumni. From honeybee yards to the hidden universe inside ourselves, this year’s contest captured the essence of USask research in eight winning photographs.

USask nursing student gives back to members of her community

Kellsey Brazeau’s compassion has driven her to go back to her home community of Fort Qu’Appelle, Sask. Brazeau was honoured with an Indigenous Achievement award for community engagement on Thursday, March 13 at the University of Saskatchewan (USask).

USask project supports health initiatives for African women and girls

SASKATOON – A five-year global initiative in community health and One Health—in collaboration with University of Saskatchewan (USask) faculty and students—will help empower poor, marginalized farmers in rural Africa, especially female-headed households, women and girls.

Nutrition Month at USask: Nourish to Flourish

The Dietitians of Canada Nutrition Month campaign is held each March to promote the importance of healthy eating and the role of dietitians in improving the health and well-being of Canadians.

Call for Indigenous Artists

Shop USask and the Health Sciences are seeking emerging or established local Indigenous (First Nation, Métis, or Inuit) artists for projects involving commissioned artwork and opportunities to sell handcrafted pieces at Saskatoon retail locations.

Putting anatomical names to the face: Face painting in the dental hygiene program

Overview: Anatomy coloring books have been on the scene for many years, but imagine seeing this as you walk by a classroom in the Dentistry wing of Health Sciences: Students are painting each other’s faces! In a traditional university classroom these learners are actively engaged in painting the muscles of the face on a classmate. You might shake your head and do a double-take but if you have spent time in the Dentistry wing, this is the kind of innovative, hands-on learning experience happening at the College of Dentistry at the University of Saskatchewan where art meets–and enhances–science. Active and experiential learning makes a huge difference in engagement, understanding, contextualization, and the retention of complex concepts for future “hands on” application. Using face painting as an educational tool is one example of how we're challenging traditional approaches and creating engaging, memorable learning experiences. In this post we explore why face painting might just be the future of dentistry-related anatomy education. (Estimated reading time: 5 minutes)

SDG Spotlight: Goal 4

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

New $24 million funding to spearhead pandemic preparedness research

SASKATOON/OSLO — While the world continues to recover from the last pandemic, a major investment from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) could help the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) prepare the world for the next infectious disease crisis.

Welcome back to campus: Winter Term 2025

Winter Term has officially begun, and I want to warmly welcome you to the University of Saskatchewan. Whether you are joining us for the first time or are returning to our university, I wish you a wonderful new year ahead.

USask launches micro-credential focusing on adult depression

The University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) College of Nursing is offering a new micro-credential that will equip students with the ability to update their knowledge and skills in the care and treatment of individuals living with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), commonly referred to as clinical depression.