Physics to move to UPEI School of Sustainable Design Engineering building
The Department of Physics at the University of Prince Edward Island will be relocating to the new facility being constructed to house the UPEI School of Sustainable Design Engineering, President and Vice-Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz announced Friday at a meeting of the University Senate.
“I am so delighted to see my colleagues in the School of Sustainable Design Engineering and Department of Physics coming together and forging more interdisciplinary links to ensure our students have broader knowledge and hands-on experience,” said Dr. Abd-El-Aziz. “The future of universities will be built on a foundation of strong programs, collaboration, interdisciplinarity, and experiential learning. I am very proud that UPEI is actively building this foundation in support of enabling our students to reach their full potential in both the classroom and the community.”
The relocation of the Department of Physics will take place this summer. Both engineering and physics faculty will have their offices, labs, and classes in the new building.
Acting Chair of Physics James Polson added, “The physics and engineering departments have a history of working together. By now being in the same building and sharing resources such as labs and project studios, our students will further benefit.” Dr. Polson explained, “The prospect of growing collaboration is exciting, as UPEI’s research agenda will also be strengthened. For example, one of my physics colleagues has been essential in the development of the four multi-disciplinary centres of excellence in the School of Sustainable Design Engineering.”
Associate Dean of Engineering Nicholas Krouglicof said, “Since arriving at UPEI, I have had the pleasure of working with outstanding colleagues that have a great vision for the new UPEI School of Sustainable Design Engineering. This includes faculty from other departments such as physics, who have partnered with engineering for many years.” Dr. Krouglicof added, “We welcome our physics colleagues to the new facility as we know it will create many more opportunities for collaborative research and strengthen existing partnerships.”
“Faculty of Science departments at UPEI are recognized for their strong desire to work together across disciplines,” remarked Dr. Debbie MacLellan, Dean of Science. “We have recently witnessed this collaborative effort when Mathematics and Statistics and Computer Science merged to form the new School of Mathematical and Computational Sciences. With this latest announcement that Physics will be located in the new engineering facility, I expect more innovative programming and research synergies as an outcome.”
The new building and home of the UPEI School of Sustainable Design Engineering and Department of Physics will open in August 2016.
