UofC

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the 2022/2023 academic year on behalf of the Graduate Students’ Association (GSA). To our returning students, for more than two years we have faced extraordinary challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Not only have we made significant sacrifices for our collective safety, but we have also demonstrated flexibility, endurance, resilience, and ability to adapt to an ever-evolving situation. To our new students, from far and near, you have made an important decision to join the University of Calgary at a challenging time. However, both incoming and returning students, be assured that you are joining a diverse, vibrant, and committed university community that creates numerous opportunities to learn, discover, and develop both personally and professionally. I hope all of you can find the space within the university community to flourish and thrive.

As a graduate student here at the University of Calgary, you are a member of the GSA. The GSA represents the collective interests of all graduate students, ensuring that your voices are heard and acted upon. This means that you can anticipate being part of a supportive students’ association. A key goal of the GSA is to continue advocating to leaders and stakeholders for a university community that is free of all forms of intolerance and discrimination. I encourage you to be an active member by engaging in the events and activities of the GSA, your Department Graduate Association, and Graduate Student Groups. Let us work together to make the GSA a strong and representative voice for all graduate students. Here is the contact information of the executives in case you would like to connect with us.

Finally, being a graduate student comes with unique experiences and challenges. The GSA recognizes this and strives to develop a network of resources to best support you. I invite you to browse the GSA website to learn more about some of the ways we are improving the graduate student experience. Included on this website is information about health and dental services, financial resources, academic support resources, and graduate student events. I wish you a very productive and successful academic year as you embrace the new learning opportunities and the challenges that await you.

Saaka Sulemana Saaka

GSA President 2022-2023