More Sask students pursuing agriculture-related careers

Feb 8, 2018 | 11:26 AM

The University of Saskatchewan’s College of Agriculture and Bioresources is experiencing a bit of a growth spurt, according to this year’s enrolment numbers.
 
In 2012, the college’s strategic plan set a target enrolment of 850 students by 2017. Last Fall, they had 1,299 students enrolled in the first term.
 
Associate Dean Fran Walley said she thinks a part of the reason for the increase is the college’s post-graduation job potential.
 
“90 per cent of our graduates end up getting hired in full time employment, so students in many of our programs are ending up with a job,” she said.
 
Walley said there’s been a big increase in the number of students from urban centres, and also northern Saskatchwewan specifically from First Nations communities. Walley said a lot of students are attracted to the college’s newer programs like renewable resource management and agri-business.
 
“We expected an enrolment of 20 students a year when we introduced it [several years ago] and we had to limit it this year to 90 students,” she said.
 
 
 
nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca
 
On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell