SIAST is now Saskatchewan Polytechnic

The SIAST brand is a thing of the past.   

Saskatchewan Polytechnic is the new name for the four post-secondary schools in the province who used to fly under the SIAST banner.  

Legislation was introduced last November to allow the new Polytechnic designation, which is more than just a cosmetic change.  

Speaking in Regina as part of the launch, SIAST President Dr. Larry Rosia said one reason behind the name change was to strengthen the message that the campuses offered a broader range of education than what was being perceived.  "A lot of the research we had heard from the people we interviewed and surveyed said SIAST was known as a nursing school and a trade school," Rosia explained, "and we're much more than that.  We have 150 programs and our graduates work in every sector of this economy".

Rosia said another goal of Saskatchewan Polytechnic is to give students an opportunity to take their technical training and transfer it to a university program, if they so desire.

"That's the end goal," Rosia said, "and this opens the door for stronger partnerships with those organizations which will in turn lead to increased transferability.  In fact we're having discussions as we speak with the University Of Regina (and) University of Saskatchewan to enhance those pathways - both ways.  We're seeing an increased number of university students wanting to come to Saskatchewan Polytechnic for a technology diploma as well."  

In July of 2013, it was announced that SIAST would offer their first degree program - students can apply to earn a Bachelor Of Psychiatric Nursing at the Regina campus.

Between the four campuses in Moose Jaw, Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert there are about 26,000 students, including 3000 aboriginal students, which is the highest amount for any post-secondary institution in the province.  

Saskatchewan Polytechnic is also home to 345 international students, up from 80 three years ago.