Leading National Director Education Program Launches in Saskatchewan

SASKATOON/REGINA, Oct. 14, 2014 /CNW/ - The Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) announced today that Canada's leading national education program for directors will launch in Saskatchewan this year at the Edwards School of Business, University of Saskatchewan, and the Levene Graduate School of Business, University of Regina.

The Directors Education Program (DEP), jointly developed by the Institute of Corporate Directors and the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management, is a 12-day program offered across four three-day modules. The inaugural offering of the DEP in Saskatchewan will begin in March 2015 at the Edwards School of Business in Saskatoon. The application deadline is January 30, 2015.

"Saskatchewan's diverse economic and business landscape requires a program that can provide for-profit, Crown, and non-profit directors in the province the best knowledge and skills to strengthen and protect the value of the organizations they serve," said Stan Magidson, President and CEO, Institute of Corporate Directors. "The ICD is pleased to be investing in Saskatchewan, and collaborating together with the Edwards School of Business and the Levene Graduate School of Business will ensure Saskatchewan's directors receive a world-leading learning experience."

The curriculum is designed to help directors strengthen their skills in governance areas such as overseeing strategic direction, financial performance, human capital, and enterprise risk along with the behavioural aspects of directorship. The varied backgrounds of the program participants result in a rich classroom experience that includes boardroom simulations, case studies, and breakout group discussions.

"In an ever-changing business environment, one of the best skills a director can bring to the boardroom is staying current," said Richard Powers, National Academic Director of the DEP at the Rotman School of Management. "The DEP offers that opportunity and more through the knowledge exchange and group interactions in the classroom."

The Edwards School and the Levene School will each host two modules of the DEP Program in their respective cities, and faculty will include governance experts, seasoned directors, and faculty from the two universities.

"We are proud to host the Directors Education Program to help better equip directors serving on the boards of Saskatchewan's corporations," said Daphne Taras, Dean of the Edwards School of Business, University of Saskatchewan. "This partnership with the ICD shows the importance of Saskatchewan's thriving economy. Our corporate leaders have a keen interest in professional development and now they can take the DEP in their home province."

"We have a tradition of delivering a high-quality learning experience through our connections with local and provincial business leaders," said Andrew Gaudes, Dean of the Levene Graduate School of Business. "The DEP's reputation as best-in-class furthers the Levene legacy."

Notable graduates of the Directors Education Program include Irene A. Seiferling, President of Board Dynamics Inc., Mary Mogford, Director on the board of Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan, and Robert Watson, President and CEO of SaskPower, all of whom hold the globally recognized ICD.D designation. Completion of the DEP is the first step towards acquiring the ICD.D, which denotes a director's commitment of ongoing learning and development.

About the ICD-Rotman Directors Education Program
The Directors Education Program was jointly developed by the ICD and Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto to help directors strengthen their skills, expand their knowledge and be more effective in creating and protecting value for the organizations and corporations they serve. The DEP is taught by leading business faculty, experienced directors and governance experts at top business schools in Canada: University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management, Asper School of Business at University of Manitoba; Beedie School of Business at Simon Fraser University; Desautels Faculty of Management at McGill University; Edwards School of Business, University of Saskatchewan; Haskayne School of Business at University of Calgary; Levene Graduate School of Business, University of Regina; Sobey School of Business at Saint Mary's University; and the University of Alberta School of Business. Since the launch of the DEP, over 3,200 directors have completed the program. To learn more, visit www.icd.ca/DEP.

About The Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD)
The Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) is the definitive 'go-to' resource and voice for Canada's directors and boards in the for-profit, not-for-profit and Crown sectors.  As the national community for directors, the ICD is a not-for-profit, member-based association with more than 8,800 members and a network of 11 chapters across Canada. Representing the interests of directors, the ICD fosters the sharing of knowledge and wisdom through education, professional development programs and services, and thought leadership and advocacy to achieve the highest standard of directorship. For more information, please visit www.icd.ca.

SOURCE: Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD)

Media Contacts: Maliha Aqeel, Director, Communications, Institute of Corporate Directors, Tel: [phone], ext. 229, Email: [email protected]