Feb 7, 2019- Regina, Saskatchewan — The Saskatchewan Research Network Inc. (SRNET) has installed a new ultra high-speed fibre connection between the University of Regina and Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Regina Campus. The connection supports collaborative applied research and opens up new opportunities to apply advanced learning technologies. Most important, it enables Saskatchewan students, faculty and researchers to collaborate with colleagues across Canada and around the world.

SRNET is the Saskatchewan partner in Canada’s National Research and Education Network (NREN). Comprised of twelve provincial and territorial partners, together with the federal partner CANARIE (Canadian Network for the Advancement of Research Industry and Education), Canada’s NREN connects Canada’s researchers, educators, and innovators to each other and to data, technology, and colleagues connected to over 100 global research and education networks. Over 700 universities, colleges, research hospitals and government research labs are connected to Canada’s NREN.

This improved network connection will allow for unrestricted collaborative research and for classrooms to obtain more global content and for experiential-based learning.

“The improved connectivity will help ensure that as technology continues to rapidly advance, the University of Regina remains responsive to the needs of our faculty, staff, and students,” says Dr. David Malloy, University of Regina Vice-President (Research). “This timely project increases our scholars’ ability to seamlessly connect with our local, national, and international partners, and allows us to explore more opportunities for quality, high impact research and teaching collaborations, now and for decades to come.”

As Saskatchewan Polytechnic is becoming a leader in applied research and technology across a variety of industry sectors, the fibre network will support a more rapid transition from ideas to products and services.

“The benefits of this fibre network upgrade will extend beyond Saskatchewan Polytechnic and the University of Regina,” said Dr. Dennis Johnson, Provost and Vice-President, Academic (interim) at Saskatchewan Polytechnic. “This upgrade allows for improved collaboration between Sask Polytech and our applied research partners, helping to ensure we remain innovative in an increasingly competitive global environment.”

The new connection was made possible through funding support from SRNET’s members and its federal NREN partner, CANARIE. “We are pleased to help strengthen the reach of Canada’s NREN in Saskatchewan by supporting our partner SRNET’s network expansion to new campuses and research institutions,” said Jim Ghadbane, CANARIE’s President and CEO. “Ultra high-speed network access is crucial for innovation across all areas of teaching, learning and research today.”

“This project provides the Regina campus with the same unlimited bandwidth and network services as the rest of the research and education community in Saskatchewan,” says Neil McClughan, President and CEO of SRNET. “It also provides for the future needs of both Saskatchewan Polytechnic and the University of Regina.”

Saskatchewan Research Network Inc. (SRNET) is a member-driven, not-for-profit organization that provides advanced information technology and collaborative leadership to higher education and research institutions in Saskatchewan. As a Saskatchewan partner of Canada’s National Research and Education Network (NREN), SRNET connects the province to national and global data, tools, colleagues and classrooms.

Media Contact:
Grant Bastedo
Takt Communications
(306) 531-3303
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