Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc. (PotashCorp) and the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT) participated in a ceremony today marking the grand opening of a new space for SIIT learners.

The PotashCorp Student Success Centre will serve as a hub for student development, providing learners with computers, study programs and other resources to help them succeed through to graduation. Ray Ahenakew, SIIT Interim President and Bill Doyle, President and CEO of PotashCorp, participated in the grand opening, joined by members of the company’s Board of Directors.

“At PotashCorp, we understand that our growth, and the future of our home province, depends on the success of our young Aboriginal people,” said Doyle. “We hope that this new space will nurture student growth and achievement and help SIIT graduates establish strong roots for the future.”

Since 1976, SIIT has served Aboriginal students looking to pursue careers in business, industrial trades, health care and information technology. SIIT initially delivered on-reserve adult academic upgrading, introductory skills and trades, and basic management training to First Nations adults throughout Saskatchewan. Today, SIIT’s programming has evolved to include certified technical, vocational and trades programming to meet the training needs of both students and industry.

“The PotashCorp Student Success Centre will give our students the type of supportive learning environment they need to succeed,” explained Ray Ahenakew, Interim President of SIIT. “This is another positive partnership that benefits everyone in the future.”

According to Ahenakew, the centre was named in honour of PotashCorp to recognize its $750,000 contribution to renovate the space and the company’s longstanding support of SIIT scholarships.

“PotashCorp’s investment in student success means a lot,” said Stephanie Turner, a first year student enrolled in SIIT’s Business Administration program. “It says that we’re on the right track and people believe in us. It gives us the motivation to keep going.”

As the world’s largest crop nutrient company, PotashCorp plays an integral role in global food production. The company produces the three essential nutrients required to help farmers grow healthier, more abundant crops. With global population rising and diets improving in developing countries, crop nutrients such as potash, phosphates and nitrogen offer a responsible and practical solution to help produce the food we need, from the land we have.

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