GDI is a Saskatchewan-based educational, employment and cultural institute serving Métis across the province
May 5, 2021
In collaboration with the Ministry of Advanced Education and all Saskatchewan post-secondary institutions, the Gabriel Dumont Institute (GDI) will be safely reopening to more students and employees in fall 2021.
GDI has been working closely with our partners in post-secondary education as we plan for fall 2021 delivery. GDI’s situation is unique, with programs and classrooms in at least 16 Métis communities across Saskatchewan providing a broad range of programs from Master and Bachelor degrees; to diploma and certificate programs, as well as multiple levels of Adult Basic Education. As such, GDI’s response is tailored to the best needs of each particular program and community in question.
As an increasing number of people in the province have become fully vaccinated, we are working together to return to face-to-face learning environments. The Ministry of Health and the Chief Medical Health Officer support institutions developing plans for a return to face-to-face learning for fall. However, it will be important to remain flexible as the COVID-19 situation in Saskatchewan remains fluid.
There will not be a one-size-fits-all approach to fall delivery but rather what’s best for each program and location. Currently, as it stands, the Institute will continue to utilize a hybrid or blended approach to education delivery. This approach combines online, classroom, laboratory, shop, and clinical instruction and has been successful over the past year. As we progress through the pandemic, the Institute will slowly transition into spending more time face-to-face learning to ensure we are providing the safest learning environments for all students and faculty. This concept reflects comprehensive planning work done by our staff and faculty in recent weeks. It also provides the programming flexibility needed to manage the risks of the pandemic while ensuring the health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff.
Over the past year, we have overcome and adapted to these unprecedented times. The resilience of our staff, students, and faculty is immeasurable. The innovative practices that we have used over the past year to learn and teach remotely will help our institute grow and thrive in the future.
As we continue the battle with the COVID-19 pandemic, our top concern remains the health and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff. We must continue to follow all mandatory public health orders and occupational health and safety guidelines. We strongly encourage all of our staff and students to get their COVID-19 vaccination as soon as they are eligible.
For the latest updates regarding COVID-19 please visit https://www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19-Latest-Updates.
GDI is a Saskatchewan-based educational, employment and cultural institute serving Métis across the province
