University of Regina first in Canada to guarantee student success

REGINA, Sept. 30 /CNW/ - The University of Regina has launched a unique program guaranteeing students a successful career launch following completion of their undergraduate degree. The UR Guarantee is built on the strength of the University's Co-operative Education Program and commitment to experiential learning, and guarantees all students who complete the program requirements a great job within six months of graduation.

"The quality of our teaching and research and our long history of partnership with Saskatchewan- and nationally-based companies is the foundation of the UR Guarantee," says U of R President and Vice-Chancellor Vianne Timmons. "Our University stands alone in making this commitment to our students."

Under the UR Guarantee program, students will take advantage of academic success, campus engagement, service leadership and career counseling opportunities to prepare them for the job market in their chosen field. The University of Regina was the first university in Western Canada to start a Co-operative Education program, which is now available in nearly 50 disciplines. The University's Co-op program boasts more job placements than all other post-secondary institutions in the province combined. Last year, U of R Co-op students earned close to $7 million in wages.

"As an established member of our Saskatchewan business community, Meyers Norris Penny is proud to support this innovative UR Guarantee program," says Sean Wallace , Regional Managing Partner of Meyers Norris Penny . "MNP has had a long established relationship with the University of Regina, the Paul J. Hill School of Business and the U of R Career Centre. Since many of our brightest and best team members have been discovered directly through the Co-operative Education initiative, we are strong advocates of this program."

All 2009 undergraduate students with 30 or fewer credit hours are eligible for the UR Guarantee program. Students who complete the UR Guarantee program but cannot find a position in their field within six months following graduation may take up to 30 undergraduate credit hours during the following year. The cost of tuition will be covered.

The UR Guarantee program is one of a series of new programs and services being developed under the University of Regina's new strategic plan called mamawohkamatowin: Our Work, Our People, Our Communities. The word mamawohkamatowin is Cree and means co-operation and working together towards common goals. The strategic plan can be found at www.uregina.ca/home/strategic.

For further information: Dale Johnson, External Relations, Phone: [phone], Fax: [phone], Cell: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]