The University of Saskatchewan has launched a series of Provincial Tours to help ensure the University builds relationships with rural communities.

Dr. Debra Pozega Osburn, Vice President of the University of Saskatchewan, visited Agriculture Canada’s Research Centre and the high school; where she met with students, parents, City officials, as well as business and community leaders on Wednesday.

She says Swift Current was the first stop on a series of Provincial tours for the University.

"These provincial tours are going to help us ensure that the university is well connected and appropriately connected with the many communities throughout Saskatchewan," she said. "We are doing a lot of work in these communities; we have many students and alumni in these communities, we want to be sure we have the right partnerships and also the right presence."

She says a great part of the economy here is driven by Agriculture, adding it’s clear that Swift Current is proud of its young people, their future and its diversity:

"People here are concerned about access to education, particularly in the post-secondary sector, interestingly we heard that there are concerns about social issues such as housing, mental health issues, and the overall health and wellness issues, and also, and I think this is something that was important for us to hear. Thinking about the local businesses that are owned by the sons and daughters of the community and succession planning on these businesses."

She says right now they have about 250 students from the South West enrolled in the University and about 2000 alumni.