Collaboration for the Energy Transition: GIEMS Leads Panel Discussion at UPLift 2025

The Global Institute for Energy, Minerals, and Society (GIEMS) was proud to participate in the UPLift 2025 Conference, a leading forum dedicated to advancing innovation and collaboration across Saskatchewan’s energy and minerals sector.

GIEMS Executive Director Tom Kishchuk moderated a panel titled “Collaboration for the Energy Transition: The Role of the Global Institute for Energy, Minerals, and Society (GIEMS).” The session brought together academic and industry leaders to explore how Saskatchewan’s world-class research ecosystem can drive sustainable growth in uranium, potash, and lithium development.

“Uranium, potash, and lithium are at the heart of the global energy transition,” said Kishchuk during his opening remarks. “But success requires more than technology alone — it requires collaboration across academia, industry, government, and communities.”

Panelists Dr. Joyce McBeth from the University of Regina, Graeme Drysdale from Saskatchewan Polytechnic, and Dr. Greg Poelzer from the University of Saskatchewan shared their perspectives on how their institutions are preparing the workforce, advancing innovation, and aligning research with the province’s growth and sustainability goals.

The discussion highlighted the importance of partnerships—the very foundation on which GIEMS was built. Established in 2025 as an equal collaboration between the University of Regina, the University of Saskatchewan, and Saskatchewan Polytechnic, GIEMS was conceived to act as a catalyst for research, innovation, and training that advances the energy transition in Saskatchewan and beyond.

By convening expertise across disciplines and institutions, GIEMS is building a platform where innovation can be accelerated, resources can be utilized more effectively, and Indigenous economic reconciliation can be advanced as part of a shared vision for a sustainable future.

The UPLift 2025 panel underscored how collaboration across sectors will be essential to ensuring Saskatchewan continues to lead globally in responsible energy and minerals development.

Learn more about the UPLift Conference: https://uraniumpotashlithium.org/