The University of Saskatchewan (U of S) is a Canadian public research university, founded in 1907, and located on the east side of the South Saskatchewan River in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. An "Act to establish and incorporate a University for the Province of Saskatchewan" was passed by the provincial legislature in 1907. It established the provincial university on April 3, 1907 "for the purpose of providing facilities for higher education in all its branches and enabling all persons without regard to race, creed or religion to take the fullest advantage". The University of Saskatchewan is now the largest education institution in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. The university began as an agricultural college in 1907 and established the first Canadian university-based department of extension in 1910. 300 acres (121.4 ha) were set aside for university buildings and 1,000 acres (405 ha) for the U of S farm, and agricultural fields. In total 10.32 km (3.985 sq mi) was annexed for the university. Currently, main University campus is situated upon 2,425 acres (981 ha) with another 500 acres (202.3 ha) allocated for Innovation Place Research Park.