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Sask. Poly receives $1M donation to upgrade program labs

'We do have some pretty old stuff in the lab. It does need to be replaced,' chuckled student Jordi Hofland

Saskatchewan Polytechnic student Jordi Hofland is excited that his program has received a donation of more than $1 million to support new equipment and student awards.

“That’s just fantastic for students such as myself. It’s just a wonderful opportunity to get the latest technology in the lab, so when we go out into the field, we know we have experience with the tools and the instruments being used today,” said Hofland, in his second year of the Instrumentation Engineering Technology program.

“We do have some pretty old stuff in the lab. It does need to be replaced,” he added with a chuckle. “Some pieces are up to date, but every new piece is welcome. Anytime we can get our hands on new equipment, we’ll work on it all day long.”

Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Moose Jaw campus held a news conference on Sept. 17 to announce that Spartan Controls had donated $1.015 million to the Instrumentation Engineering Technology and Power Engineering Technology programs. During the next 10 years, new equipment will be provided to update the programs’ training labs with modern technology.

Spartan Controls’ donation includes servicing and supports for the new equipment and training services at the Moose Jaw and Saskatoon campuses. This will ensure students, faculty and staff are educated on the newest technology and trends happening in the industry today.

Part of the donation will support student awards.

Spartan Controls has supported the Instrumentation Engineering Technology student awards since 1972. The partnership evolved, and in 2007, the lab was renamed the Spartan Controls Centre for Instrumentation Technology.

“This is awesome; (we’re) glad to be here,” Grant Wilde, president/CEO of Spartan Controls, said after the conference.
 
Spartan Controls is a leading provider of industrial automation in Western Canada. This means, explained Wilde, that from mining potash to developing oil and gas to generating electricity to driving cars, those industrial aspects that power modern infrastructure are automated by control instruments and computer systems.

“We play a big role in delivering the modern lifestyle that we all enjoy … ,” he continued. “With all the modern conveniences we have — including the smartphones we love — making that more tangible is really important.”

During the news conference, Wilde spoke about leadership and how there is a need for meaning and purpose. He listed the 12 Cs of being a leader, such as connection, creativity, calmness, commitment, competence, and courage.

“The more you act on the leadership constants in a meaningful way, the greater the energy; for you as an individual, for the people around you … (and) to your family and friends,” he added.

This generous commitment will help students continue to develop in this field, said Greg Lawrence, MLA for Moose Jaw Wakamow. There is a high demand in Saskatchewan for qualified people to fill jobs in mining, heavy industry, manufacturing, and production. The people who will fill those jobs will likely come from the Instrumentation Engineering Technology and Power Engineering Technology programs.

“It is important that their training be completed with the equipment that they will use in everyday operations,” he added, so they have an immediate effect when they enter the workforce.

“We believe our city is a city of excellence. Sask. Poly is (also) a place of excellence,” said Mayor Fraser Tolmie. “We’re very proud of Sask. Polytechnic and the work it does in the city.”

This is a life-changing donation, said Dr. Larry Rosia, president/CEO of Sask. Polytechnic. What differentiates the institution from others is it works closely with industry in Saskatchewan. That industry is in the college’s DNA since it hires trades employees to be course instructors.

“Partnership with industry is very, very critical,” he added.

Hofland was pleased that, after he graduates in 2021, students will continue to benefit from the upgraded technology.

“It’s outstanding. We couldn’t ask for more,” he added. “It’s a wonderful opportunity Spartan is giving us and we appreciate it and hope to make use of the full donation.”

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