Self-declared Aboriginal student enrolment at the University of Saskatchewan is up 8.4 per cent this school year over last year.
The university says, as of the first day of classes (September 6), there were a total of 2,224 Indigenous students registered in fall term classes.
“Attracting and retaining motivated Aboriginal and international students is a priority for us,” said Patti McDougall, the university’s vice-provost of teaching and learning. “Our new Gordon Oakes Red Bear Student Centre is a safe and welcoming place that respects the diversity of all people, and will play a large role in the success of our diverse student body.
McDougall said she expects the number of self-declared Aboriginal students to increase as the year goes on, with another self-identification campaign set to begin in late September.
Meanwhile, overall enrolment at the U of S is up 2.6 per cent from the previous year with 20,234 undergraduate and graduate students registered.