That was on display and then some during the 2019 Convocation Ceremony on Friday afternoon at the Hildebrand Chapel in Caronport – students from India, Congo, Thailand, Nigeria and South Sudan crossed the stage to receive parchments after graduating from programs in business, health sciences, information technology, construction… essentially, if it’s a job that exists, Sask Polytech has a hand in it.
That diversity in students and what the post-secondary institution has to offer was a main message in the President’s Address delivered by Dr. Larry Rosia – and how embracing change was going to be key to their lives going forward.
Rosia pointed to changes in Saskatchewan that saw the province go from an agriculture-based economy to one that embraced mining, oil and gas and technology, all within less than a century. And all along the way, workers were needed to provide skills that often either didn’t exist or were in their infancy at the time.
That meant expanding the workforce. And that meant looking outside of our traditional borders.
“As our world and province changed, we as an institution also have to change as teaching and learning evolve,” Rosia said before citing a passage form the book ‘Robot-Proof: Higher Education in the Age of A.I. by Joseph Aoun.
“One of the quotes that resonated with me was ‘by immersing faculty and staff and students in diversity and celebrating its lessons, we enrich their minds, we broaden their thinking and we build their valuable human literacy’,” Rosia said.
“We have a very diverse student body at our Moose Jaw campus. Ours is a microcosm that enables us to appreciate the very understandings and values that people from different cultures bring to an issue or a situation. This will serve you well in the workplace and elsewhere.”
Rosia added that such diversity also spreads to the impact graduates will have on the future and the world around them.
“Each of you has certain gifts, each of you has unique talents which combined with the skills you can learn here will take you to levels you can never imagine,” he said.
“To each and every one of you, I encourage you to fully immerse yourself in all that you do. In your work, in your families and in your communities. Each of you has unique gifts and talents, share them with others… know that Saskatchewan Polytechnic will always be there to help you throughout your careers.”
The school handed out several honours during the event, with one of the most special reserved for retired Lt. Col. Maryse Carmichael, the first female pilot and commanding officer with the 431 Air Demonstration Squadron, also known as the Snowbirds. Carmichael was presented an Honorary Diploma, an award bestowed by Sask. Polytech to recognize extraordinary individuals who are making a difference in communities throughout Saskatchewan and beyond (see related story).
The Governor General’s Bronze Medal for academic achievement was presented to Adult 12 student Colton Dietrich.
The Student Outstanding Citizenship Award – presented to a student at each campus who has inspired and encouraged others to make positive changes – was won by Yashkaran Bagga, a graduate of the Geomatics and Surveying Engineering Technology Program.
