Over the next several weeks, a number of candidates for tenure-track positions in the School of Sustainable Design Engineering will be visiting campus. The School encourages members of the campus community to attend the public presentations scheduled for each candidate as per the following schedule:

Dongbing Li - Monday, April 20, 2:45-3:45 pm, McDougall Hall, Room 246
"Process and Product Development Based On Fast Pyrolysis of Forestry Residues"

Dongbing Li is a postdoctoral research fellow at the Institute for Chemicals and Fuels from Alternative Resources (ICFAR) at Western University where he has maintained an active portfolio of research projects sponsored by BioFuelNet Canada, Lignoworks Research Network, and industrial partners. His major research interests focus on optimization and value-added opportunities in chemical and bioresource engineering.

Andrew Swingler - Tuesday, April 21, 10:45-11:45 am, McDougall Hall, Room 246
"Who, What, When, How & Why of Micro-Grids, the Impacts for Communities and the latest in R&D"

Andrew Swingler is an expert in micro-grid energy systems with more than 12 years direct industry experience; including serving as Head of Technology Anticipation for Schneider Electric's international solar business. Andrew's experience and expertise ranges across the intelligent grid spectrum from high-performance off-grid PV-hybrid power systems to the integration and optimization of injecting PV and stored energy directly to the grid.

Bishnu Acharya - Wednesday, April 22, 10:45-11:45 am, McDougall Hall, Room 246
"Bioprocessing and Bioconversion of Biomass & Bio-waste to Biofuel and High Value Product"

Bishnu Acharya is the General Manager-Projects for Greenfield Research Incorporated, an energy and environment related research and development company in Halifax. He has been working for developing clean and sustainable energy and bio-resource technologies for the last 8 years with focus on transferring the knowledge gained through research into industrial application. Bishnu has taught both graduate and undergraduate engineering courses at Dalhousie University, the Asian Institute of Technology in Thailand and at Kantipur Engineering College in Nepal.

Dan Nkwetta - Friday, April 24, 2:45-3:45 pm, McDougall Hall, Room 246
"Practicality of Sustainable Energy Systems and Mechatronics: Design, Integration, Automation and Optimization"

Dan Nkwetta is the director of applied alternative and sustainable energy research laboratory (ASERL) and a professor and researcher of sustainable energy systems at New Brunswick Community Colleg, Saint John campus. He also currently serves as expert consultant for NSERC strategic grants, NSERC Community Colleges Innovation Grants, sustainable development technology Canada (SDTC) and national reviewer for Canadian Technologies Accreditation Board (CTAB).

Hossein Ahari - Monday, April 27, 10:45-11:45 am, McDougall Hall Room 246
"Optimization of Laminated Dies Manufacturing"

Hossein Ahari is currently an Assistant Professor in the School of Sustainable Design Engineering at UPEI. He holds a B.Sc. and a M.Sc. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering respectively. After more than seven years working in different industry and research sectors as a mechanical and aerospace engineer and also building a successful career in trade and technology managing his own business, Hossein earned his PhD from the department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering at the University of Waterloo in 2011.

T3 Trius Transit has added a one-time bus service on Sunday, April 19 to assist students writing exams at the University of Prince Edward Island. University Avenue Express route (#1), that travels between the Confederation Centre of the Arts and the Charlottetown Mall, will operate from 8:00 am to 10:30 pm, following the Saturday schedule.

Buses will leave the Confederation Centre every half hour at the top and bottom of the hour, and leave the Charlottetown Mall every 30 minutes, at 15 and 45 minutes past the hour, with stops at UPEI both ways.

Earlier this year, UPEI extended the number of teaching days in the semester due to the number of storm closures, which resulted in a compressed exam period and some exams being scheduled on Sunday, not a normal practice.

Mike Cassidy, President of T3 Trius Transit said, 'When the UPEI administration and Student Union approached me to see if we could accommodate this need, I was only too happy to help out to alleviate some stress for students who are focused on exams.'

'We realized that, with the adjusted schedule, some students might face difficulty in securing transportation to campus on Sunday,' added Jackie Podger, UPEI's Vice-President Administration and Finance. 'UPEI thanks Mike for helping us address this challenge by adding the Sunday bus service.'

'Students don't need the added pressure of finding a way to get to campus during the exam period,' commented UPEI Student Union President Lucas MacArthur. 'The Student Union applauds UPEI and T3 Transit in coming up with a solution!'

For the full, regular T3 Trius Transit Schedule, visit www.triustransit.ca

UPEI's Executive MBA Program, in partnership with Island Advance and the PEI BioAlliance, is hosting a public talk by Jacques Dénommée, a founding partner of AXIAStrategists, a collaborative platform of strategic advisors with more than 30 years of experience in team management. The talk is entitled 'Innovation: at the Core of Value Creation' and takes place at 6:30 pm, Wednesday, April 29 in the Alex H. MacKinnon Auditorium, room 242 of UPEI's Don and Marion McDougall Hall. The event will also include a Q & A session.

What drives value within the entrepreneurial journey? The development of a good product and a superior ability to deliver its benefits to clients is central to good business practices. However, that formula may be the demise of a business if it is not constantly challenged by the possibilities emerging from the business environment.

Dénommée will explore the role of dynamic innovation in business sustainability, discuss the primary challenges to an innovative culture, and examine tools and practices to assist businesses in maximizing value creation.

Prior to founding AXIAStrategists, Dénommée was an investment partner with a leading Canadian venture capital fund. He has held key board positions and participated in the development of various Canadian companies, such as Miranda Technologies, Metrowerks, Optosecurity, Netistix (BSM), Télécité and Sciemetrics. Jacques is also heavily involved in several innovative platforms such as NSERC program i2i, Devtech (Quebec International), and University Business Games. He regularly lectures at McGill's Desautels Faculty of Management, Université Laval, and Hautes Études Commerciales on the theme of value creation and sustainable economic development through the creation of innovative ecosystems. He is also the author of The Business Paradox, published by Friesen Press.

For more information: 902-566-6474 or mba@upei.ca.

The University of Prince Edward Island is proud to be a member of Universities Canada, formerly known as AUCC or the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada. Today, at its national meeting of university presidents in Halifax, NS, the organization unveiled its new brand.

The considerations that led to the evolution from AUCC to Universities Canada / Universités Canada included the need for clarity about the organization's mandate and role. Universities Canada's mission is to foster and promote the interests of higher education and university research. It participates in the development of public policy to find solutions to the economic and social challenges facing Canada. Universities Canada works closely with governments, private sector and the public to raise the profile of higher education.

The ability to adapt the new look to highlight key words and values truly reflects the innovative, focused and dynamic nature of the organization-the new name and look are bold and timeless. From an international perspective, the move to Universities Canada / Universités Canada reflects the global trend by sister organizations, such as Universities UK and Universities Australia.

View a short video for additional insights into the evolution and development of the new Universities Canada brand.

UPEI student-athletes are showing that 'Panthers care' at SUBWAY® locations across the province today as part of SUBWAY® Cares for Kids Day.

The event is an initiative of SUBWAY® Canada in partnership with Children's Miracle Network. On Thursday, April 23, SUBWAY® Restaurants on PEI will be accepting donations in support of the Maritime's local Children's Miracle Network member hospital, the IWK Health Centre.

Approximately 30 members of UPEI Panther teams will be in SUBWAY® Restaurants from Summerside to Montague, handing out free cookie coupons to thank patrons who have donated to the campaign.

The University of Prince Edward Island announced today that four Islanders will receive honorary Doctor of Laws degrees at Convocation 2015. Honorary degrees will be conferred upon retired business leader and Senator, and former PEI premier, The Honourable Catherine Callbeck; multiple award-winning singer-songwriter Lennie Gallant; retired educator, and former MLA, Leader of the Official Opposition, and Provincial Treasurer Patricia Mella; and beloved pastor, member of the Queens County Fiddlers, retired UPEI professor, and former UPEI chaplain Father Charlie Cheverie.

'Each honorary degree recipient exemplifies success in their chosen field, whether it be politics, business, education, religious life, or arts and culture,' said President and Vice-Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz. 'We are so excited to honour these distinguished individuals who have contributed so much to their communities. As our graduates begin to imagine how their education will lead to their own success, they will be inspired by the stories of how our honorary graduands have made their mark.'

The University's Senate approved the honorary graduands at a meeting earlier this year in accordance with University policy that states that honorary doctorates of laws will be presented to individuals who display the highest levels of achievement in public and community service.

The Honourable Catherine Callbeck has a long and active involvement in business, politics, and charitable and public service groups at all levels, and is a woman of many firsts and honours. She received her early education Central Bedeque and Summerside, later receiving degrees from Mount Allison University and Dalhousie University. After a period of teaching, Ms. Callbeck returned to PEI where she became involved with the family business-Callbeck's Limited and Callbeck's Furniture. She was the second woman ever elected to the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island and, from 1974-78, served as the first female Minister of Health and Social Services, Minister Responsible for the Disabled, and Minister Responsible for Non-Status Indians. In 1988, she was the first woman elected as the Member of Parliament for Malpeque, making her the second woman ever to be elected to the House of Commons from PEI. She returned to provincial politics in 1993 when she was elected Leader of the Liberal Party of PEI, and soon after, the first woman in Canada to be elected as Premier. In 1997, she was called to the Senate of Canada and retired in July 2014.

Father Charlie Cheverie is one of PEI's most respected citizens. He was educated at Saint Dunstan's University, Holy Heart Seminary, and the Catholic University of America, where he received a doctorate in biology. He was ordained as Roman Catholic priest in 1957 and in 1959, he began an outstanding career of teaching and research at Saint Dunstan's University, and its successor, UPEI. Following his retirement from teaching in 1997, he served as Chaplain at UPEI. 'Father Charlie' also served as a commissioned officer and military chaplain in the Canadian Armed Forces. His devotion to the province and to the well-being of its people has been demonstrated in many ways, through his promotion of traditional music, his efforts to sustain and protect the natural environment, and, of course, by his dedication as a teacher. His leadership is a special blend of personal example, wisdom, and general insight into the ways of people. Over the years, he has received numerous awards-for example, the Rotary Mentor Award and Order of PEI-and was conferred as Professor Emeritus and named a UPEI Founder in 2009.

Lennie Gallant, a native of Rustico and graduate of UPEI, has been fully engaged for more than four decades in his career as a singer, songwriter, musician, and producer. He has recorded ten albums (eight in English and two in French), which have won him a host of awards and nominations from the Juno, East Coast Music, Canadian Folk Music, Étoile, and Éloize awards. He has received numerous honours including the Order of Canada, Red Cross Humanitarian Award and UPEI Distinguished Alumni Award. Mr. Gallant and his band have toured North America and Europe in both acoustic settings and with symphony orchestras, while over 30 artists from around the world have recorded his songs. His hard-hitting lyrics, chronicling the lives of people dealing with tremendous adversity and serious issues, articulate the feelings of many caught up in desperate situations. At the same time, his musical stories celebrate the beauty of lifestyle and landscape with their stirring poetry. He is very generous with his time and talent but is best known for his work with UNESCO and World Vision.

Patricia Mella is a retired educator and politician who continues to serve her Island community. Born in Port Hill, Ms. Mella received her early education in Bloomfield and Kinkora and graduated in 1965 from St. Dunstan's University with a major in English. She received her Master's Degree in Medical Sociology from the Catholic University of America and, in 1973, a Bachelor of Education from UPEI. Ms. Mella enjoyed an extensive teaching career in Washington, DC; Ottawa and Kingston, Ontario; and Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. She returned to PEI in 1979, teaching Political Science and English at four Charlottetown area schools-Colonel Gray, Queen Charlotte, Birchwood, and Charlottetown Rural. Elected Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of PEI in 1990, she became Leader of the Official Opposition in 1993. In 1996, she became the Provincial Treasurer and Chair of Treasury Board and later was appointed Minister Responsible for the PEI Public Service Commission, PEI Liquor Control Commission, PEI Lending Agency, and Status of Women. She has served on a number of community organizations including the Teachers Federation of PEI, Southport/Bunbury/Crossroads Recreation Commission, Forum for Young Canadians Symposium, and Charlottetown Christian Council (as president).

The Convocation ceremonies will take place on Saturday, May 9 in the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre with the first ceremony beginning at 10:00 am and the afternoon ceremony at 2:30 pm. Callbeck will address the morning convocation while Mella will speak during the afternoon ceremony.

Charlottetown, PEI (April 30, 2015)-University of Prince Edward Island graduates, their families, and friends are invited to a gathering to celebrate, in prayer and song, the accomplishments of the Class of 2015.

Sunday, May 3, 2015 at 5:00 pm (note new time)
Steel Recital Hall, UPEI

Family invitations will not be sent out this year so please help spread the word.

For further information, contact Sister Susan Kidd, CND, Campus Minister at sukidd@upei.ca or 902-894-2876.

The UPEI Island Studies Student Association (ISSA) and the Institute of Island Studies (IIS) present an "Island to Island Benefit" for Vanuatu at Hot Shots Lounge on Longworth Avenue Saturday, May 2, starting at 8 p.m.

The island nation of Vanuatu was recently hit by Cyclone Pam, destroying much of its infrastructure and housing. UPEI faculty member Dr. Jean Mitchell (Anthropology) has spent time researching on those islands, working with youth and locals. ISSA and the IIS want to connect Islanders here with Islanders there, to show our support and solidarity. Funds raised will support a youth project on the island of Tanna.

Says ISSA Acting President Katharine MacDonald, "After this winter, we know as Islanders how harsh weather can be. This season has been rough for Vanuatu as well. The students, faculty and staff in Island Studies want to show solidarity and support from Islanders to Islanders, and build some long-lasting relationships there. Dr. Mitchell has worked closely with the Cultural Centre on Tanna, and we're excited to help it support its community again."

Acts include Bonnie LeClair; Mike Mooney, Laurie Brinklow and Sean Kemp; Aster; Iain McCarvill; Pete Forbes and band; and Mitch Schurman.

Cover is by donation ($5 suggested); everyone nineteen and over is welcome!

The University of Prince Edward Island Women's Rugby coach Shannon Atkins is excited to announce that Anneke Dykerman has agreed to join the Panthers in September 2015.

Dykerman currently attends Colonel Gray High School and has been a member of the Colonel Rugby team for three years. During her grade 10 year, Dykerman was selected as a league All-Star/MVP and, in grade 11, a league All-Star. Dykerman has played with the U18 provincial rugby team for two years.

A multi-sport athlete, Dykerman was also a member of the Colonel Gray field hockey team and is the recipient of three league All-Star awards. Dykerman has played organized hockey for 12 years, participating in major tournaments such as the Atlantic Provinces and national championships. Academically, Dykerman maintains an honours average and always make time for her studies.

Dykerman says, 'I'm honoured and excited to be able to bring my skills and dedication as a student-athlete to Panther Rugby and UPEI for the next four years.'

'It is exciting to have a new, young, dynamic player such as Anneke added to the team,' adds Coach Atkins. 'Her speed and aggression will be a welcome bonus in the 2015 season."

Dykerman is studying foods and nutrition and has the goal of becoming a registered dietician.

About UPEI Athletics and Recreation

• Nine varsity sports and six club team programs
• Proud member of the AUS and CIS
• Athletic facilities include: Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre, UPEI Alumni Canada Games Place
• Home of Panther Sports Medicine
• Other facilities available to students and the community at large include: fitness centre, squash and racquetball courts, competition and leisure pool with hot tub, and two ice arenas