GradDigest

September 2025

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

What’s Happening This Month

At UR, graduate school is more than just research and coursework—it's a journey of discovery, growth, and connection. FGSR is here to support your success every step of the way, from your first class to your final defense.

Welcome Week - Aug 29 - Sep 12

Make the most of the new semester!

Aug 29, 10 am - Fall 2025 Orientation - RIC 119/Zoom

Aug 29, 11 am - Academic Integrity Session - RIC 119/Zoom

Aug 29 - Sep 6 - Pick up your BINGO card at the FGSR Office in CK 227 for a

chance to win prizes

Sep 3, 4-6 pm - GradNight with GATE - Trifon's in Lab Cafe

Sep 4, 10 am - GAPHow to become a TA - CW 113/Zoom

Sep 5, 12 pm - Pizza (& Bingo) with URGSA - CW 215 (Registration required.)

Sep 10, 10:30 am - How to Apply for Scholarships - Zoom

Sep 10, 2 pm - How to Write a Doctoral Research Proposal for Funding

Applications - CK 226

Sep 12, 12 pm - Student - Supervisor Relationships - CK 226 (Registration

required. Space limited.)

For more information or to register for these events, visit here.

Academic Supports

Additional Writing Supports

Thesis Thursdays

FGSR Graduate Writing Group: virtual writing group (not in person)

Every week, join your fellow grad students for a morning of focused writing time and make progress on your thesis (or other academic writing).

Thursdays Sep. 11 - Dec. 4

(no session on Nov. 13)

9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

FGSR Graduate Virtual Presentations to Support Thesis Writing Thursdays, Sep. 11 - Dec. 4

(no session on Nov. 13)

1:30 - 2:30 p.m.

Watch for details on presentation topics coming soon.

Workshops: How to complete Doctoral Applications for (virtual):

· Sep. 4, 2p.m. - CIHR Register here .

· Sep. 8, 2p.m. - NSERC Register here .

· Sep. 9,2p.m. - SSHRC Register here .

· Sep.10, 10:30 a.m. - GAP How to apply session- Register here .

· Sep. 10, 2p.m. - How to write a Doctoral Research Proposal- in person CK226- Register here .

Scholarships & Funding

Fall competition opens Sep 1 in our Graduate Awards Portal (GAP). Never use GAP before? Used it but want tips on your application? Join us for the GAP how to apply session and we will show you how to use the system and give you tips and tricks on how to apply. Register here.

Tri-council scholarship is open for Doctoral awards, with Master’s awards set to open September 3rd.

More Info Visit the Scholarships Page

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.

Sep 3, 2 pm - URI's Financial Literacy Managing Money as a Student workshop with RBC. Register here.

Sep 8, 12-2pm - Real Talk with GATE drop-in discussion about all things entrepreneur in ED609

Sep. 11, 10 am - Digital Research Skills - Data Cleaning with OpenRefine + Register here.

Sep 22, 12-2pm - Real Talk with GATE drop-in discussion about all things entrepreneur in ED609

Sep 24, 12 pm - Dollars & Sense: Smarter Spending for Students. Register here.

POSTDOCTORAL APPRECIATION WEEK (PDAW) - SEP 15-19

Sep 16, 11:30 - 1 pm - Postdoc Luncheon with ALT-Ac Panel (Watch your email for how to register)

Sep 19, 12 pm - Conference Proposal Writing Workshop. Zoom. Register here.

Visit here for more virtual PDAW events.

GATE's CAREERS WEEK - SEP 15-19

Sep 15, 12pm - Career Direction for Grad Students (CESL). Zoom. Register here.

Sep 16, 12pm - Customizing Resumes for Grad Students (CESL). Zoom. Register here.

Sep 17, 12pm - Networking for Grad Students (CESL). Zoom. Register here.

Sep 18, 12pm - LinkedIn Power Hour with GATE. Zoom. Register here.

Sep 22 – CESL Career Days

Sep 24 – CESL Volunteer Fair

Upcoming Events

COFFEE WITH THE DEAN

Thursday, Sep. 25, 9:15 - 10:15 a.m.

in CK 226 (FGSR Boardroom)

Come have coffee with the FGSR Dean and Associate Deans, and open up conversation about surviving and thriving in grad school.

GATE goes to...

Join Hannah & Ashley and have them help you network at these events.

Sep 11 - 5:30 pm: Sask Startup Summit Community Night. Tickets available here.

Sep 18 - Women Entrepreneurs of Sask Conference Tickets available here (Discount code: GATE_WESK_0925)

Sep 23-24 - ICED Energy Innovation Conference in Estevan on rural innovation.

Reach out to hannah.tait@uregina.ca if you are interested in joining them.

Upcoming Deadlines

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

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

The Interdisciplinary Series for Professional Intellectual and Research Engagement (INSPIRE) group supports student success through interdisciplinary collaborating and knowledge sharing.

Contact: INSPIRE@uregina.ca

BIPOC GSA

The BIPOC Graduate Student Association warmly invites all grad students to join and become part of a supportive and dynamic community dedicated to fostering diversity and inclusion.

Contact: grad.BIPOC@uregina.ca

Important Dates in September:

Sep 21 - International

Day of Peace

Sep 30 - National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Celebrating Student Success

Successful PhD Dissertations

July 15 - August 14

Stjepan Oresic (Physics, supervised by Dr. Zisis Papandreou )

Thesis: Signal extraction and simulations for η → π0γγ and η → π+π−e+e− decays at the Jefferson Lab Eta Factory

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

Thesis: Development of multifunctional nanocomposite ultrafiltration membranes for enhanced wastewater treatment

Matthew Alexander (Mathematics, supervised by Dr. Martin Frankland)

Thesis: A Frobenius and Hopf algebraic formulation of quantum field theory

Danielle Caissie (Clinical Psychology, supervised by Dr. Kristi Wright)

Thesis: Wellbeing, protective factors, and service needs of parents of young children with congenital heart disease

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

Thesis: Optimization-driven general equilibrium analysis for multi-dimensional effects of low-carbon energy-system transition under uncertainty

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

Thesis: Development of highly-refined energy-system modeling methods for managing transitions towards net-zero greenhouse-gas emission

Olufemi Oluyemi (Electronic Systems Engineering, supervised by Dr. Paul Laforge and Dr. Abdul Bais

Thesis: Machine learning driven parameter extraction for microwave filter design

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!

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.

That’s why we’re launching Thriving in Graduate School, a monthly series built around six keys to success:

Achieving – Learn how to set meaningful goals, stay motivated, and build the habits that help you reach important milestones—from completing your thesis to preparing for your career after graduation.
Engaging - Discover ways to dive into your research, your program, and your community. Engagement fuels learning, builds confidence, and helps you feel connected to something bigger.
Connecting – Strong relationships with peers, mentors, and faculty can make all the difference. We’ll share ideas for developing meaningful connections and a sense of belonging in your academic life.
Balancing – Balance is the foundation for sustainable success. You’ll find tips on managing your time, maintaining your health, and caring for yourself alongside your academic commitments.
Enjoying – It’s easy to get caught up in deadlines and pressure. We’ll explore how to find joy in learning, celebrate small wins, and stay inspired by your passion for your field.
Being – Your mindset matters. We’ll look at how to build resilience, confidence, and purpose so you feel prepared for whatever comes next.

Each month, we’ll share strategies, inspiration, and practical tips to help you not just survive, but truly thrive.

For September, join Welcome Week activities—like FGSR BINGO or Grad Night with GATE—to kick off the term, meet new people, and start strong.

Our first feature, Achieving: Progressing Toward Your Goals, arrives next month.

Stay tuned, and let’s make this year one of thriving in every sense.

Reference: Coe-Nesbitt, H. A., Soleas, E. K., Moucessian, A. M., Arghash, N., & Kutsyuruba, B. (2021, July). Conceptualizing thriving: An exploration of students’ perceptions of positive functioning within graduate education. In Frontiers in Education (Vol. 6, p. 704135). Frontiers Media SA. doi: 10.3389/feduc.2021.704135

Monthly Contest

Kick-off Fall 2025 with Welcome Week BINGO!

How to play:

Pick up your BINGO card at Orientation or FGSR Front Office (CK 227)
Participate in some activities that will complete at least one line (up, down, across or diagonal)
Bring your BINGO Card to the Pizza Lunch on Friday Sep 5 for a chance to win some FGSR Swag.
Register for the Pizza Lunch here.

Other Opportunities

Did you know there is a CESL Job Board? Check it out here.

Open student positions on campus can be found at urcareers.

Changing jobs can feel like culture shock. In the recent Responsibilities May Include article offers four strategies for early success when starting a new position.

Apply for the SK Post-Secondary Student Council—a unique opportunity to share your perspective, build leadership skills, and help shape the academic landscape in our province. Applications (including nomination form and résumé) are due by September 14 at 11:59 p.m. CST to amy.hunter@uregina.ca.

Join UR's Canadian Research Data Centre Network (CRDCN) on September 17, 2025, for a free half-day hybrid event features: (1) research-policy nexus session and (2) research data management training session. Visit here for more information or to register.

Sept 25-27 - C-SET's Festival of Art and Discourse. Enjoy 37 speakers spanning film, book launches, performances, workshops, art, and more. Check it out here.