Indigenous inclusion key focus of latest U of S strategic plan
- EFN Staff | October 11, 2018
The University of Saskatchewan (U of S) recently introduced a bold new university plan to guide the institution’s direction over the next seven years which focuses on Indigenization.
The new strategic plan, entitled The University the World Needs, and gifted with the Indigenous names nīkānītān manācihitowinihk (Cree) and ni manachīhitoonaan (Michif)—translating to “Let us lead with respect”— sets priorities and cross-campus commitments through to the year 2025.
“Indigenization is not a separate commitment on its own, it runs through every single commitment that we have,” said U of S President Peter Stoicheff in a media release. “And that’s the university of the future.”
In creating the new unique plan, Indigenous inclusion played a key role which includes Indigenous languages consultation and reflecting the university’s commitment to help fulfil and honour the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action.
The development of the new strategic plan was a marked departure from the way that most universities approach strategic planning process.
“We have heard through this whole discovery process that people expect great things of us," said Debra Pozega Osburn, vice-president of University Relations. “People believe that there are things that we can accomplish, areas in which we can lead, areas in which we can collaborate and partner, things we can do to inspire that will make a big difference here in Saskatchewan, and across the globe.”
The University the World Needs strategic plan prioritizes three key commitments—courageous curiosity, boundless collaboration, and inspired communities—and identifies five areas of impact that the university will focus on—transformational work leading to reconciliation, productive collaboration, meaningful impact, developing distinguished learners, and earning global recognition.
Goals of the strategic plan range from increasing enrolment (to 28,000 students), peer-reviewed funding, and interdisciplinary and collaborative programs and partnerships, to improving academic rankings, enhancing alumni engagement, and continuing to being a leader amongst academic institutions in Indigenization provincially, nationally and internationally.
Work began in 2016 with extensive consultation and collaboration following the approval of the university’s Mission, Vision, Values document. Approval for the new university plan came from its three governing bodies; University Council, Senate, and the Board of Governors.