University of Regina celebrates 43rd convocation under the glow of graduates’ success
As the University of Regina prepares for its 43rd spring convocation, faculty and staff are glowing with pride over their own report card, signed by former students.
A recent student survey conducted by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Advanced Education showed that U of R graduates love their university – so much so, they gave it A-level marks on several fronts.
Among the survey findings are that 91 per cent of U of R graduates were satisfied or very satisfied with their educational experience; 89 per cent voted the same way on the quality of teaching; and 82 per cent would recommend their programs to others.
Not only that, but 88 per cent of former students were employed within two years after graduation, the highest rate among Saskatchewan post-secondary institutions. Their salaries averaged $61,426, up from $57,813 in 20092010.
U of R President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Vianne Timmons, was “very pleased” but not surprised by the survey outcome.
In 2009, under Timmons’ leadership, the university launched the UR Guarantee program, which she says could be a contributing factor to the success U of R graduates are experiencing.
“We have 1,600 students involved in the UR Guarantee program. It’s a program designed for student retention, but also to prepare them for the workplace,” said Timmons in an interview.
Those who enroll in the UR Guarantee program are guaranteed employment in their fields within six months, or are provided another year of university classes free of charge.
“The recent study done by the province shows we have the highest employment of any post-secondary institution in Saskatchewan. I’m really pleased,” added Timmons.
“We know the UR Guarantee program works. We have eight per cent higher retention of students who enroll in it. We have also seen great results in terms of employment. I think it’s pretty remarkable.”
Another contributing factor to success is the university’s extensive co-operative education program.
“We have 900 students who do co-op placements during the year, and they earned $9 million in wages last year. That’s something I think is fabulous.
“They can do two terms on campus, and in the third term do a work placement in their field of study. It extends the time spent at university by one year for some, but they earn while they learn.”
The survey found that 57 per cent of U of R students have no student debt. Timmons attributes that partly to the co-op program, but also to the university’s considerable investment in scholarships and bursaries.
“Another thing that encourages students, is hiring them on campus,” said Timmons. “We know that students who work on campus have better retention rates. So there’s no one thing we’re doing; it’s multiple things we’ve been doing.”
This year, 2,088 U of R students will graduate, close to the record number. Additionally, three honorary degrees – the highest honour the University can bestow – will be presented.
Tim Hearn, retired chairman, president and chief executive officer of Imperial Oil Ltd., grew up in Regina. He graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Science, and joined Imperial Oil fresh out of university as a marketing representative and was promoted to increasingly senior positions until reaching the top posts in his company. Hearn will receive an honorary degree on Thursday, June 8.
Beverley Ann Busson was in the first class of female RCMP members training in Regina in 1974. Busson went on to break a lot of ground during her career with the RCMP, culminating in being named the first female commissioner in 2006. Her lifelong love of learning began by earning an education degree prior to her RCMP training. During the 1980s, she studied criminology at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver and earned a law degree at the University of British Columbia in 1990. Busson will receive an honorary degree on Friday, June 9.
Entrepreneur Ken Levene earned a Bachelor of Commerce from McGill University and an MBA from the Harvard School of Business. He became the third generation operator of Crescent Furniture, which operated until 1984. In 2005, Levene made a $4-million donation to the University to establish the Kenneth Levene Graduate School of Business. Levene will receive an honorary degree on Wednesday, June 7.
More exciting things are coming up for the U of R. Next year, the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, the largest academic conference in Canada, comes to the university and the city.
“We have a team that has been working for over a year on this. The city has been amazing. This is not just about the University; it’s about the city and Saskatchewan,” said Timmons.
She expects 7,000 people to attend, mainly academics from all over Canada, but also from all over the world.
It’s a feather in the university’s mortarboard.
“We’re over 40 years old; we’re hitting the 15,000 student mark,” said Timmons. “We have come of age.”