Saskatchewan Polytechnic Relocates Programs, Disrupts Student Lives

Some students at Saskatchewan Polytechnic are facing significant challenges after the institution announced the relocation of certain programs to other cities. This decision affects students midway through their studies, compelling them to either move across the province or discontinue their education.

In a recent email to students enrolled in the electronic systems engineering technology (ESET) program, Sask Polytechnic indicated that starting this fall, the program would only be offered in Regina. For many, including first-year student Alex Loewen, this news was unexpected and disheartening. Loewen, who has lived in Saskatoon his entire life, expressed frustration, stating, “I was expecting to complete the two-year ESET program in Saskatoon, but now apparently that is not the plan anymore.”

This abrupt change has left students like Loewen with difficult choices. Married with children aged six and eight, he conveyed the emotional weight of potentially uprooting his family for a year of education. The email from Brenda Suru, dean of the faculty of technology and skilled trades, cited operational efficiency and the creation of new innovation-focused centers as reasons for the relocation.

“It’s not just the ESET program being shifted,” noted Timothy Carlow, another first-year student. He highlighted that the instrumentation engineering technology program will also be moved from the Moose Jaw campus to Saskatoon, impacting an additional 75 students. Carlow emphasized that many students chose these programs specifically because they were offered in their hometown, and they now wish to complete their studies with the instructors they have come to know.

The announcement has drawn criticism from local politicians. Kim Breckner, the NDP Opposition’s critic for trade and export development, condemned the decision during a press conference. “This is not normal. It’s not right,” she stated. Breckner argued that the provincial government should intervene, claiming the changes reflect a lack of competence and concern from Premier Scott Moe and his administration regarding the impacts of their policies on Saskatchewan residents.

The extent of the program relocations remains unclear, as a spokesperson for Sask Polytechnic declined to provide further details, citing respect for employees. The institution has reached out to affected students to discuss completion options and has promised comprehensive support during this transition.

The Ministry of Advanced Education has not yet responded to inquiries regarding the situation. Recently, Sask Polytechnic has faced financial difficulties, largely attributed to a decline in international student enrollment. In response, the institution has made several budget cuts, including the closure of campus bookstores and layoffs of faculty and staff.

As students navigate these changes, the future of their educational journeys hangs in the balance. The impact of such decisions not only affects their academic pursuits but also their personal lives, as they weigh the prospect of relocation against the continuity of their education.