USask graduate explores waste, sustainability and community connections through a global lens
International graduate student with USask’s School of Environment and Sustainability builds strong community ties in Saskatoon through a commitment to environmental sustainability.
By Amy Janzen, SENS Communications
When Prince Sobere George (MSs’25) first began researching graduate programs in sustainability, he wasn’t just looking for another degree. He was searching for something deeper and an opportunity to connect his lived experiences with real-world impact.
That search brought Prince to the University of Saskatchewan’s School of Environment and Sustainability (SENS), where he enrolled in the Master of Sustainability (MSs) program in Regenerative Sustainability.
Originally from the Niger Delta region in Nigeria, George had witnessed firsthand the devastation caused by one of the largest oil spills in history. The environmental and social fallout stayed with him, fueling a lifelong drive to do something that could help communities manage waste more effectively and protect their natural surroundings.
“I was looking for a program that matched my passion for environmental sustainability with a global lens,” said George. “SENS really stood out. The curriculum, the people and the hands-on applications appealed to me.”
George arrived at USask with a solid academic foundation having received a bachelor’s in Agricultural Science and a master’s in Natural Resources and Sustainable Development, where he graduated with distinction. But it was his determination to go beyond the classroom that quickly stood out.
As an international student, he was intentional about building strong connections in his community. Even though he had chosen the course-based stream of the MSs program, he carved out opportunities to get involved outside of the classroom through volunteering and networking.
In the summer of 2024, George worked as a summer student with the Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council on its Waste Reduction Wagon initiative. Over the course of 25 community events, he and the team engaged with nearly 3,000 residents, gathering insights on local recycling and composting practices and the barriers people face in adopting them.
Previously, George had volunteered with the City of Saskatoon’s Greener Together project during October and November 2023, contributing to the development of a Sustainable Quick Guide for ethically sourcing promotional items. He also met with former mayor Charlie Clark to advocate for stronger climate action policies and sustainability planning.
It’s these experiences that led to his first official recognition since moving to Canada.
In May 2025, George received the RCE Saskatchewan Education for Sustainable Development Recognition Award, presented by Her Honour Bernadette McIntyre, Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan. The award celebrates individuals who advance sustainability through education and community engagement.
“This award validates the work I’ve done within the community,” said George. “It affirms my belief in education and engagement as catalysts for sustainable change. As an international student and emerging sustainability professional, this recognition means so much.”
George's commitment to sustainability goes beyond the outreach work he has done since moving to Saskatoon. In Nigeria, George owns and operates a circular fashion brand, SewGeorge Classic Couture, where he repurposes old fabrics into vibrant, memory-preserving patchwork designs.
George sits on the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Board as Vice-Chair, playing an active role in urban environmental stewardship. Within this role, he recently supervised two SENS students through their research projects in the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Areas in Saskatoon.
Now that he’s crossed the convocation stage and completed his final courses, George is focused on building a meaningful career in sustainability and waste management.
“Prince’s dedication to sustainability in practice and meaningfully engaging with communities is truly inspiring,” said Dr. Douglas Clark, (PhD), Executive Director (Acting) SENS. “He’s not just completing his courses. He’s actively shaping local sustainability solutions through the organizations he is working with. He’s productive and a wonderful addition to the SENS alumni pool.”
For George, USask was more than a place to study. It was an opportunity he approached with the purpose of building connections, applying his lived experience, and creating something meaningful for both him and his new community.