Saskatchewan Polytechnic backtracks on program move for current students

Saskatchewan Polytechnic says Saskatoon-based ESET students will no longer be required to relocate to Regina after the school reversed its earlier decision.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic says students in Saskatoon will not be required to relocate 250 km to Regina following a recent program decision that drew concern for many.

The institution confirmed this week that students entering the second year of the electronic systems engineering technology (ESET) program will be able to continue their studies in Saskatoon.

The update comes after first-year students were informed last month that their program would be moved to Regina this fall – a change that would have required them to transfer to a campus more than 250 kilometres away.

The university originally stated that “If some choose to pursue other options and not move to Regina, the program will still be delivered to a smaller cohort.”

However, the decision was backtracked after a statement issued Friday stated that they would continue allowing current ESET students to complete the program in Saskatoon.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic said the original decision was part of broader academic program adjustments tied to financial pressures.

“Saskatchewan Polytechnic recently took the necessary step to implement academic program adjustments to address a financial shortfall resulting from changes in federal immigration policies and to support long term program sustainability,” the statement said.

The school said earlier plans had called for Saskatoon-based students entering year two to complete their program in Regina, but that decision has since been reversed.