Cameco, a leading global nuclear fuel and energy company, has pledged \$10 million to the University of Saskatchewan (USask) to support new programs and initiatives aimed at benefiting students, northern and Indigenous communities, and the province’s energy and mining sectors. This donation is one of the largest gifts announced in USask’s ongoing “Be What the World Needs” campaign and builds on decades of partnership between Cameco and the university.
The funding will establish an undergraduate Nuclear Fuel Cycle program combining geology, geophysics, and engineering disciplines, as well as a graduate certificate in Energy and Resource Management that will attract students from fields such as policy studies, law, sustainability, and business. The donation will also help promote science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education among northern and Indigenous students, starting from early learners through initiatives like the Science Ambassador program and the Cameco STEM Pathways Initiative at USask’s Prince Albert campus.
USask President Peter Stoicheff said the gift reflects a shared commitment to addressing complex global challenges. “This generous gift from Cameco will help ensure USask is a leader in energy and mining research and education and builds hope for the economic future of our province,” he said.
Cameco CEO Tim Gitzel called the donation the largest in the company’s history. He highlighted its importance for encouraging students, especially from northern and Indigenous communities, to pursue STEM careers in mining, nuclear energy, and related industries. “This investment will support a wide range of disciplines and foster tomorrow’s leaders, innovators, and builders,” Gitzel said.
The donation also includes funding for faculty research and will support innovative projects through a mining and nuclear energy technology accelerator. This initiative is linked with the Global Institute for Energy, Minerals and Society (GIEMS), a nonprofit research center created to promote clean energy transitions by connecting academia, industry, public, and nonprofit sectors. GIEMS is jointly supported by USask, the University of Regina, and Saskatchewan Polytechnic.
Dr. Angela Jaime, USask’s Vice-Provost of Indigenous Engagement, welcomed Cameco’s focus on supporting Indigenous students in STEM. “It’s incredibly important for Indigenous people to see themselves in industry and to have academic support. This gift supports both those goals,” she said.
Fourth-year mechanical engineering student Christopher Hansen expressed gratitude for the new programs. “I chose engineering to make a positive impact on our community by solving real-world problems. These new nuclear energy programs at USask will greatly benefit our province,” he said.
Cameco has donated over \$8.5 million to USask in the past 20 years, supporting Indigenous health research, northern community development, scholarships, research chairs, women in STEM initiatives, and Huskies athletic events. With this new commitment, Cameco’s total contributions to the university now exceed \$18.5 million.
USask Vice-President of University Relations Cheryl Hamelin said the gift brings the “Be What the World Needs” campaign closer to its \$500 million goal. She praised Cameco’s support as critical to advancing research, Indigenous achievement, and student success. “We are stronger together,” Hamelin said.
The campaign concludes on June 18, positioning USask to continue leading in research, education, and community impact across Saskatchewan and beyond.
