GradDigest

October 2025

A monthly newsletter from the Faculty of Graduate Studies & Research, for and about graduate students and postdoctoral scholars.

Dr. Kelvin Ng

FGSR Outstanding Graduate Supervision Award 2025 recipient

FGSR is proud to announce Dr. Kelvin Ng, Professor in Environmental Systems Engineering, as the 2025 recipient of the FGSR Outstanding Graduate Supervision Award. He is recognized for inspiring excellence and integrity in scholarship, fostering inclusive and supportive learning environments, and guiding students in their academic, professional, and personal development.

What’s Happening This Month

Research Week - October 27-31

Interested in participating?

Register for the Student Research Showcase | Oct 29, 1-5 pm - Celebrate the exciting research of U of R students at this in-person event featuring:

Poster Competition - 1–3 pm, RIC Atrium - Judging and cash prizes. To participate, register here by Oct 3.
Lightning Talks: 5-minute presentations from 1-5 pm and cash prizes. To participate, register here by Oct 3.
Reception & Winner Announcements at 4:30 pm

Postdoc Showcase | Thursday, Oct 30, 3 - 4 pm, Atrium, Innovation Place, to celebrate the research contributions of U of R postdoctoral fellows. To participate, register here by Oct 3.

For all the events happening over the week, visit Research Week. Check back often as other events are being added to the schedule.

Academic Supports

Thesis Support

Oct 2, 1:30-2:30 pm - How to submit your thesis for defense -Not sure how to submit your thesis for defense? This virtual information session is for you!

Other Writing Supports

Digital Research Skills

Oct 1, 3pm – Advanced Searching and Library Research*

Oct 9, 12pm – Managing your References with Zotero+

Oct 14, 10am – Research Data Management and Data Management Plans*

Oct 16, 1:30pm – Conducting a Literature Review*

Oct 21, 10am – Research Data Management and Data Deposit+

Oct 28, 10am – Research Data Management: File Organization and Data Storage+

Visit DRS or register here.

Thesis submission deadlines:

Fall term PhD thesis submission deadline: October 24, 2025
Fall term Master’s thesis submission deadline: November 7, 2025

Convocation deadlines:

2026 Spring (June) Convocation application deadline: January 31, 2026.

Contact: grad.defense@uregina.ca

Mark Your Calendars!

Upcoming Workshops

Staying connected! Be sure to check the FGSR Events Calendar to register for upcoming skill-building workshops, and take part in our many events.

Nov 4, 12–4:30pm – Reverse Career Fair

GATE's Career Launch

Attend one of the CESL Grad Student workshops to receive an invite to the Reverse Career Fair!

Oct 1, 12pm – Job Searching (CESL)

Oct 2, 12pm – Customizing Resumes (CESL)

Oct 8, 12pm – Interview Prep (CESL)

Oct 9, 12pm – Networking (CESL)

Oct 10, 12pm – LinkedIn Power Hour (GATE)

Other Workshops

- Oct 3, 12pm - Managing your Money with CPA. Register here.

- Oct 15, 12pm - Discover MITACS Opportunities - Register here.

- Oct 24, 12pm - 10 Healthy Habits of Financial Management with CPA. Register here.

Upcoming Events

GradNight

Oct 1, 4-6pm at Trifons in Lab Cafe - Join us for GradNight to meet fellow students, chat with the Deans, and enjoy nachos on FGSR!

Virtual Coffee with the Dean

Oct 23, 12-1pm via zoom

Join Dean Aziz Douai and the Associate Deans Chris Oriet and Christine Massing for a virtual meeting with our graduate students via zoom to discuss issues important to student success. Focus this month will be on accessing Student Supports virtually.

GATE Goes to…

Join GATE in connecting with industry, expand your network, and gain fun, real world experiences.

Real Talk with GATE

Join Hannah and Ashley for a drop-in session where they’ll answer your questions and connect you with others ready to make a difference.

Click here to register for these opportunities and upcoming events.

More Info Visit the Scholarships Page

Scholarships & Funding

Oct 9-23 - Saskatchewan Innovation and Excellence Awards. Open to all faculties but review the terms to ensure your program is eligible.

Oct 1, 2pm - Master's Session - How to Write a Research Proposal- in person. CK 226. Register here..

Get Involved

Joining a student group is a fun and powerful way to connect with others, share your passions, and make grad school more rewarding.

INSPIRE GSA

Looking to connect, learn, and grow as a graduate student? The Interdisciplinary Series for Professional Intellectual and Research Engagement (INSPIRE) is a student-led initiative at the University of Regina offering events and worships to strengthen academic and professional success. Want to get involved?

Contact: INSPIRE@uregina.ca

BIPOC GSA

Fall Potluck & Trivia Night – Join us on Oct 10, 7–10 pm, in CT215 for food, trivia, and community! Bring a dish to share—or just come enjoy the celebration. Limited spots, so RSVP today!

Important Dates in October:

Latin American Heritage Month

Oct 4 - Missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people

Celebrating Student Success

Successful PhD Dissertations

August 15 - September 14

Muhib Ullah (Electronic Systems Engineering, supervised by Dr. Abdul Bais)

Thesis: Replace with thesis title

Juliet Bushi (Faculty of Education, supervised by Dr. Fatima Pirbhai-Illich)

Thesis: Unveiling the lived experiences of Black students in elementary and high schools in Regina, Saskatchewan

Jing Huang (Environmental Systems Engineering, supervised by Dr. Guohe (Gordon) Huang)

Thesis: Development of nanocomposite- and aerogel-enhanced ceramic filtration systems for drinking water treatment

Siyu Wang (Environmental Systems Engineering, supervised by Dr. Gordon Huang)

Thesis: Compound climate extremes, sea-level variability, and marine heatwave risks in the western Pacific Sea

Angel Chow (Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy, supervised by Dr. Margot Hurlbert)

Thesis: A mixed-methods approach to explore the role of government policies and socio-psychological factors in influencing zero-emission vehicle adoption in Saskatchewan, Canada

Mohammad Ghiasi (Electronic Systems Engineering, supervised by Dr. Zhanle Wang)

Thesis: Modeling, control and optimization of greenhouse with renewable energy integration

Temofe Akaba (Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy, supervised by Dr. Justin Longo)

Thesis: The diffusion of service design in government: Identifying barriers and enablers

For more student success stories, visit our Student Success page here.

Share Your Story! We’d love to celebrate your achievements and hear how grad school has shaped your journey. Email us your story and a photo—we might feature you on our social media or in the GradDigest to inspire others!

Other Opportunities

Oct 1, 12-1pm zoom - JSGS presents Innovation Federal Credit Union's Truth and Reconciliation Journey & the Indigenous Connection Strategy featuring Dean Gagné. For more info or register here.

Oct 22 - 24 - Canadian Career Virtual Symposium hosted by GPDN for grad students. View the program and agenda. Register here to attend this free conference.

Oct 1-31 - CERIC - grad students studying career counselling, career development, or related fields to join the Graduate Student Engagement Program (GSEP). Applications for the $1000 GSEP Award are due October 31, 2025. Apply here.

Nov 3 & 4 - 2025 GPDN Annual Conference - Successes, Challenges, and New Directions, online. Grad students & postdocs connect and explore career supports. Fee: $50. For info or register here by Oct 24.

Thriving in Graduate School

Your Guide to Success, Balance, and Fulfillment

Graduate school is more than a degree—it’s a season of growth, challenge, and discovery. But it can also be demanding, with coursework, research, and life all competing for your time.

Achieving: Progressing Toward Your Goals (read the article here.)