Singing impacts lives in positive ways from birth until senior years. It also impacts communities. A workshop entitled “Singing, Song, and Community” will take place Friday, July 22, from 1 pm—4:15 pm in UPEI’s SDU Main Building Faculty Lounge. It begins with a keynote presentation from Rachel Heydon of the University of Western Ontario’s Faculty of Education and coordinator of the Early Childhood Education master’s program. She is also a longstanding research leader within the UPEI-led Advancing Interdisciplinary Research in Singing (AIRS) project and a former faculty member of the UPEI  Faculty of Education. She will speak on “Singing-Infused Multimodal Intergenerational Curricula: (Re) Conceptualizing why Multimodal Literacy Matters,” based on a book co-authored with Susan O’Neill of Simon Fraser University.

The remaining program will include short presentations from leaders of local community organizations who will describe their mandates and suggest how singing connects directly or indirectly with them. The speakers are Jane Arbing (Chances Family Centre PEI), Corrine Hendricken-Eldershaw (Alzheimer Society of PEI), Mark Sandiford (Culture PEI), Pamela Campbell (voice teacher, performer, conductor), and Nathan Hood (president, UPEI Student Union).

After refreshments, the following psychology students, who are conducting research on singing at UPEI, will make brief presentations on their work:  Hailey Arsenault, Quincy Beck (visiting from Brown University), Eric Da Silva, Kyle Dutton, and Julienne Lecky.

The AIRS UPEI Multicultural Choir and Song Circle will close the workshop. Throughout the afternoon, there will opportunity for audience discussion and participation.
The event is under the auspices of the  UPEI-led AIRS project (supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council), the UPEI Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts, and the UPEI Faculty of Education.

Anyone with an interest in community, music and well-being is encouraged to attend. This event is free.

The University of Prince Edward Island prides itself on people, excellence, and impact and is committed to assisting students reach their full potential in both the classroom and community. With roots stemming from two founding institutions—Prince of Wales College and St. Dunstan’s University—UPEI has a reputation for academic excellence, research innovation, and creating positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. UPEI is the only degree granting institution in the province and is proud to be a key contributor to the growth and prosperity of Prince Edward Island.
 

Dr. Robert Gilmour, Vice-President Academic and Research at the University of Prince Edward Island, today announced a new UNESCO Chair in Island Studies and Sustainability. The chair will be co-held by Dr. James Randall, a geographer and coordinator of UPEI’s Master of Arts in Island Studies (MAIS) program, and Dr. Godfrey Baldacchino, a professor of sociology at the University of Malta and an Island Studies teaching fellow at the University of Prince Edward Island.

“The UNESCO Chair is a singular achievement for the university, particularly for the program in Island Studies,” said Dr. Robert Gilmour. “The chair formalizes and reinforces the combined efforts of our former Canada Research Chair, Dr. Baldacchino, and the current coordinator of UPEI's MAIS program, Dr. Randall, and, as such, significantly enhances the international impact of one of the university's signature initiatives.”

The UNESCO Chair in Island Studies will work to establish and expand academic and research programmes on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Sub-National Island Jurisdictions (SNIJs). It will operate from the premise that SIDS and SNIJs are innovative, entrepreneurial, and connected, not vulnerable, lacking, and isolated. The chair is one of 700 UNESCO chairs around the world and is the first in Atlantic Canada.

“The relevance of islands to our world at the moment is unparalleled. From political turmoil in the South China Sea, to the impacts of climate change, to refugee movements through Europe, to the role of offshore financial centres, stories about islands and islanders seem to be in the news every day,” said Dr. James Randall. “This Chair brings together the people and the organizations doing island studies research and learning in order to help us solve some of the great challenges facing our world.”

The principal long-term mission of the Chair of Island Studies and Sustainability is to contribute to the sustainable development of SIDS—a UNESCO priority since the articulation of the Millennium Development Goals in 2000—and to extend this priority to SNIJs. The chair proposes to harness the insights and experience of island studies scholars, students, governments, and organizations worldwide, many of which the co-chair-holders, the Institute of Island Studies, and partners and supporters have already established.

“It is a great privilege to be the co-holder of the UNESCO Chair Program at UPEI along with my colleague Dr. Jim Randall,” said Dr. Godfrey Baldacchino. “UPEI has made huge investments in island studies over almost four decades and has developed a world class and world renowned reputation and expertise as a result. Most island studies roads lead to, or pass through, Charlottetown; the UNESCO Chair is a natural transition which now allows us to take the game to the next level, whether in public engagement, cutting edge scholarship, or research funding.”

“It is most edifying to see the strong relationship between the University of Prince Edward Island and the University of Malta cemented with this prestigious UNESCO Chair appointment—a first for both our institutions,” said Professor Alfred J. Vella, Rector of the University of Malta, in Malta. “In this way, our respective expertise in the study of islands and small jurisdictions is better recognized. I look forward to an even stronger island studies program, driven by the competitive advantage that our two institutions enjoy in this field.”

This chair is created through the UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs Programme, which has promoted international inter-university cooperation and networking since 1992 to enhance institutional capacities through knowledge sharing and collaborative work. The programme supports the establishment of UNESCO Chairs and UNITWIN Networks in key priority areas related to UNESCO’s fields of competence–i.e. in education, the natural and social sciences, culture, and communication.

The University of Prince Edward Island prides itself on people, excellence, and impact and is committed to assisting students reach their full potential in both the classroom and community. With roots stemming from two founding institutions—Prince of Wales College and Saint Dunstan’s University—UPEI has a reputation for academic excellence, research innovation, and creating positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. UPEI is the only degree granting institution in the province and is proud to be a key contributor to the growth and prosperity of Prince Edward Island.

UPEI Athletics and Recreation is proud to introduce the Panther Academy After-School Program, coming this fall in the Chi-Wan Young Sport Centre. The Panther Academy is dedicated to providing all of our participants with opportunities to learn in a safe and fun environment.

UPEI offers a large selection of age-appropriate games, activities, and sports to help develop the social, physical, intellectual, creative and emotional needs of children. We have a large, spacious gymnasium with play-centered equipment for younger children and more game-oriented play for older children. A quiet classroom space for learning and homework and a smaller activity area for one-on-one learning and activities are also available.

“We are very excited to expand our Panther Academy to include after school programming,” said Chris Huggan, director of Athletics and Recreation at UPEI. “We have excellent facilities, staff and programs in place, and we are eager to further engage children in the community in an active, educational manner.”

The Panther Academy’s philosophy is entrenched in the belief that individual and group play through physical activity enhances a child’s ability to learn and improve intellectually as well as develop their ability to cooperate, learn individual responsibility, and foster caring partnerships. The psychological and physical well-being of each of our participating children is the utmost priority, and their safety and enjoyment in our programs is our number one concern. We encourage participation in all activities to better enhance the children’s overall experience.

The Panther Academy After-School Program is run by certified staff and qualified university students. Student staff are chosen for their maturity, ability to relate to children, and leadership skills. All staff receive High-Five training along with CPR/First Aid/AED training and a mandatory extensive learning week led by our Programming Coordinator.

The University of Prince Edward Island prides itself on people, excellence, and impact and is committed to assisting students reach their full potential in both the classroom and community. With roots stemming from two founding institutions—Prince of Wales College and Saint Dunstan’s University—UPEI has a reputation for academic excellence, research innovation, and creating positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. UPEI is the only degree granting institution in the province and is proud to be a key contributor to the growth and prosperity of Prince Edward Island.

Students at the new School of Sustainable Design Engineering recently competed in an international, intercollegiate racing competition held in Rochester, New York. Each year, the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), holds three competitions in North America, which are open for universities around the world to participate. The final competition this year saw nearly 100 teams compete from countries such as the United States, Canada, Mexico, India, Brazil, and Venezuela. This was UPEI’s first time competing in such an event.

The competition challenges students to design and build a mini Baja-style dune buggy to simulate a real-world engineering design team. Students develop a business and marketing plan, aiming to mass-produce these vehicles as a start-up company. The vehicle design and Dragon's Den-style business proposal are then presented to judges in sales and design presentations. The Baja vehicle then raced against other teams in multiple dynamic events, such as a 100-foot hill climb, acceleration, manoeuvrability, and suspension, as well as a final 4-hour endurance race to complete the competition.

“We would like to thank all of our sponsors who made travelling to and competing at this competition possible,” said Andrew Simmons on behalf of the UPEI Baja Team. “We were fortunate to receive overwhelming support from the entire community, including sponsors such as Princess Auto, City of Summerside, University of Prince Edward Island, and many other local businesses and individuals. We were pleased with our performance in our inaugural year, placing 84th overall, and we look forward to improving next year. As the University expands through the new School of Sustainable Design Engineering, competing at these international events provides us with opportunities to gain practical skills and valuable experience. We hope that through ongoing support from the community, we can grow Prince Edward Island's international reputation and promote its innovative and competitive engineering program.”

The University of Prince Edward Island prides itself on people, excellence, and impact and is committed to assisting students reach their full potential in both the classroom and community. With roots stemming from two founding institutions—Prince of Wales College and Saint Dunstan’s University—UPEI has a reputation for academic excellence, research innovation, and creating positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. UPEI is the only degree granting institution in the province and is proud to be a key contributor to the growth and prosperity of Prince Edward Island.

Alison Reindel, a fourth-year student at UPEI’s Atlantic Veterinary College, has been selected to present a research poster at the American Public Health Association’s (APHA) annual conference in Denver, Colorado, on November 2, 2016.

Reindel’s poster will describe the research project she conducted at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia. Last summer Reindel was accepted into the prestigious Dr. James A. Ferguson Emerging Infectious Diseases Fellowship Program, a nine-week summer program funded by the CDC. The program provides educational and professional development opportunities for Fellows interested in research into infectious diseases and health disparities.

During her time at the CDC, Reindel worked on a research project exploring the development of an in vitro model to study respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which is a major cause of severe lower respiratory tract illness in infant, elderly and immunocompromised patients. Clinical manifestations of RSV range from symptoms associated with a mild common cold to severe respiratory distress and failure. By the age of two, the vast majority of children will have already had an RSV infection that often goes unnoticed; however in infants born premature, the immunocompromised, or the elderly, an RSV infection is much more severe, causing bronchiolitis or pneumonia which often requires hospitalization.

RSV poses significant health and financial burdens on a global scale. Currently, there are only two US Food and Drug Administration-approved treatments available for RSV, and both come with significant drawbacks. With the vast burden of disease, raising health care costs, and concerns regarding the effectiveness and risks associated with the current RSV antiviral therapies, additional research in the development of alternative treatment methods is a priority. Reindel’s research project aids in providing a mechanism to study RSV infection to further advance potential treatment options.

Reindel, who hails from Rochester, New York,  hopes to incorporate her interest in public health into her career as a veterinarian. Her experiences in teaching, veterinary medicine, and infectious disease studies will be used to advance the education, detection, prevention, and treatment of infectious and zoonotic diseases and thus positively advance both animal and human health.

“The intersection of animal, human, and environmental health is exciting. Through the “One Health” concept, I plan to use what I learn in veterinary medicine to help people and their animals to be safe and healthy.”

Following graduation in 2017, Reindel plans on completing a Master of Public Health degree, while gaining experience in mixed-animal clinical practice.
 

Dr. Larry Hammell, Professor and Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Research at the Atlantic Veterinary College, has been honoured with the 2016 Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) Merck Veterinary Award for his contributions to aquatic animal health and aquaculture industry. Dr. Hammell received the award on July 7 during the CVMA’s 2016 annual conference in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Congratulations, Dr. Hammell!

The following is a media release issued by the CVMA:

PEI Veterinarian Recognized Nationally for Outstanding Aquatic Animal Medicine

OTTAWA, Ont. – Dr. Larry Hammell was awarded the 2016 Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) Merck Veterinary Award for his monumental commitment to the enhancement of a sustainable aquaculture industry through logical evidence-based decision-making and for his contributions which have directly influenced aquatic animal health policy worldwide.

Dr. Hammell is recognized nationally and internationally for his contributions in aquatic epidemiology, aquatic animal health research and aquatic food animal production medicine. He is founder and co-director of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Collaborating Center for Epidemiology and Risk Assessment for Aquatic Animal Diseases along with the National Veterinary Institute of Norway. Dr. Hammell plays an integral role on the research team that was awarded the UPEI Canada Excellence Research Chair in Aquatic Epidemiology. He has led extensive consultative and training collaborations with Norway, New Zealand, Central and South America, Southeast Asia, and across Canada. As frontrunner on the global stage, he led the development of the Disease Technical Working Group for Salmon Aquaculture Dialogue with the World Wildlife Fund and more recently has been involved in several OIE aquatic Professional Veterinary Services assessments.

His expertise and involvement is widely recognized amongst his colleagues: “Larry’s knowledge, leadership skills, and most importantly, his enthusiasm/dedication has pushed me and other veterinarians to commit to research participation and furthered continued education,” says Dr. Michael J. Beattie, Chief Veterinarian Aquaculture of the New Brunswick Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries. “It is important to recognize individuals such as Dr. Hammell, whom by their unselfish deeds, have improved the sector of animal production on a regional, national and international level.”

Dr. Hammell was one of a core group of industry and provincial veterinarians who lobbied tirelessly for two decades for the legitimization of the veterinary profession in aquatic animal health. In 2003, he was instrumental in consolidating the role of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) as lead federal agency for the National Aquatic Animal Health Program (NAAHP), which is co-delivered by the CFIA and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

As an aquatic veterinary epidemiologist, Dr. Hammell has been the lead proponent on many large, clinical research projects and partnerships with industry and government agencies. He is currently Professor and Associate Dean (Graduate Studies and Research) at the Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC), University of Prince Edward Island. He recently completed the directorship of the AVC Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences, and Innovation PEI Research Chair in Epidemiology for Aquatic Food Production.

“Dr. Hammell has been a pillar in support of the growth of a sustainable aquaculture industry in Newfoundland and Labrador that is directly responsible for improving the socio-economic circumstances for the province’s citizenry,” says Dr. Daryl Whelan, Chief Aquaculture Veterinarian, Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture.

The Merck Veterinary Award, sponsored by Merck Animal Health, is presented to a veterinarian whose work in large animal practice, clinical research, or basic sciences is judged to have contributed significantly to the advancement of large animal medicine and surgery, including herd health management.

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The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) is the national and international voice for Canada’s veterinarians, providing leadership and advocacy for veterinary medicine. Each year, CVMA proudly recognizes individuals and groups for their outstanding contribution to veterinary medicine. Visit canadianveterinarians.net to learn more about CVMA.

Contact:    Tanya Frye, Acting Manager of Communications & Public Relations,  Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA),  613-236-1162 ext. 128 or tfrye@cvma-acmv.org

University of Prince Edward Island Men’s Basketball Head Coach Tim Kendrick is pleased to announce that Nathan Anderson from Nassau, Bahamas, has committed to the Panthers for the upcoming 2016-17 season. The 6 foot, 6 ½ inch, 215-pound forward is a graduate of C.C. Sweeting High School.

“I am really ecstatic and excited to be attending a great school like UPEI,” said Anderson. “I really appreciate the opportunity that Coach Kendrick has given me. I will put my best foot forward and give my greatest effort, both in the classroom and on the court!”

“We are very pleased to add Nathan to our roster for the next five years,” said Kendrick. “He has good size and, from everything we have seen and heard, a willingness to work hard on the court and off. He is athletic, strong, and runs the court well. He will most definitely add to our front court depth, and we expect him to improve steadily throughout his career here at UPEI!”

Coach Kendrick said former Panther Basketball athlete Curtis Robinson played an important role in bringing Anderson to UPEI, adding that it is a pleasure for him to work with Panther alumni both currently on and off Island.

“I have certainly called on our UPEI alumni at times for recruiting help over my five years. A few that immediately come to mind are Peter Gordon, Curtis Robinson, and Kenny Duncan. Curtis has been instrumental in this case with bringing Nathan here. He even worked him out for us, and had it videoed and sent to me immediately. I talk to Peter several times a year, and Kenny has been great as well.”

Anderson has been accepted into the UPEI Faculty of Arts program.

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

The University of Prince Edward Island prides itself on people, excellence, and impact and is committed to assisting students reach their full potential in both the classroom and community. With roots stemming from two founding institutions—Prince of Wales College and Saint Dunstan’s University—UPEI has a reputation for academic excellence, research innovation, and creating positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. UPEI is the only degree granting institution in the province and is proud to be a key contributor to the growth and prosperity of Prince Edward Island.

Calling all UPEI, SDU, and PWC alumni! Join your classmates and come home to PEI for Reunion Weekend 2016 on the beautiful and vibrant UPEI campus, August 4-6.

A variety of receptions, award ceremonies, and class milestone reunion gatherings are sure to be special and memorable events. A significant highlight will include the official opening of the new School of Sustainable Design Engineering and the 50th milestone reunion celebration for the SDU Class of 1966. The Barn Reunion will bring together those to remember the building where generations of students spent their time out of class.

For a full schedule of events, see upei.ca/reunionweekend.

The University of Prince Edward Island prides itself on people, excellence, and impact and is committed to assisting students reach their full potential in both the classroom and community. With roots stemming from two founding institutions—Prince of Wales College and Saint Dunstan’s University—UPEI has a reputation for academic excellence, research innovation, and creating positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. UPEI is the only degree granting institution in the province and is proud to be a key contributor to the growth and prosperity of Prince Edward Island.

UPEI’s new 76,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art School of Sustainable Design Engineering building officially opened its doors to students, staff, faculty, and the public today.

“This is the day where our dream becomes reality, when we open our doors to students so they can design solutions to real-world challenges,” said Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, President and Vice-Chancellor of UPEI. “Virtually every inch of this building was created to serve a unique aspect of the sustainable design engineering program. The building has just one traditional classroom, and every other learning space is designed to support experiential learning.”

Built on time and on budget, the new school features:

• project ideation rooms
• design studios
• seven unique labs
• a green roof, and
• a design competition centre.

Group clinic bays will accommodate students and the work that they are completing for both community and industry partners, making this program unique in Canada, offering more design clinics. Typically engineering students have one or two opportunities to participate in a design clinic while UPEI’s program facilitates one during each year of study. “Student learning is further enhanced in the design clinic setting through the exposure to problems that are presented by industry and community partners,” President Abd-El-Aziz added. “The possibilities for community and industry relationships on a local, regional, national, and global basis are endless.”

UPEI’s approach allows students to prepare for the business model of engineering from day one, and for the diverse array of clients that they will encounter throughout their careers. The program, which was approved and began accepting students in 2014, offers three focus areas to students: bioresources, mechatronics, and sustainable energy; the stream that students choose will then determine the clinical projects that they are assigned.

“The opening of UPEI’s new School of Sustainable Design Engineering is a major leap forward for research and design capacity in Prince Edward Island, and will play a leading role in identifying solutions to real-world challenges faced by our industries,” said the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-food Canada, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). “This new facility supports Canada’s Innovation Strategy and the Atlantic Growth Strategy, both of which are priorities for building a vibrant economic future for Atlantic Canada.”

“The expansion of UPEI's engineering program is precisely the kind of innovation that we need on Prince Edward Island to ensure a prosperous future for our young people and Island economy. The Government of PEI congratulates the University and is pleased to be a partner in this new School of Sustainable Design Engineering,” said the Honourable Wade MacLauchlan, Premier of Prince Edward Island.

More than a dozen new faculty members have been hired for the School—unique in the post-secondary education landscape of today—and together they represent a wide array of engineering expertise that will support four industry centres of excellence.

The inaugural class of the UPEI School of Sustainable Design Engineering will graduate in May 2017.

The University of Prince Edward Island prides itself on people, excellence, and impact and is committed to assisting students reach their full potential in both the classroom and community. With roots stemming from two founding institutions—Prince of Wales College and Saint Dunstan’s University—UPEI has a reputation for academic excellence, research innovation, and creating positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. UPEI is the only degree granting institution in the province and is proud to be a key contributor to the growth and prosperity of Prince Edward Island.

For more than two hundred years, Prince Edward Island has been home to a strong fiddling tradition: a blend of Scottish, Irish, and Acadian influences. Nearly every district had its stock of fiddlers who played their lively, highly expressive music year-round at house dances, weddings, “frolics” (work parties), church picnics, community socials, and schoolhouse dances. 

This traditional PEI fiddling style has not previously been well represented on either commercial or field recordings, but you can learn more about it in a two-day course, taught by Ken Perlman, curator of the Bowing Down Home website and author of Couldn't Have a Wedding Without the Fiddler: The Story of Traditional Fiddling on Prince Edward Island.

The registration fee for this two-day course is $100. See upei.ca/skillsdevelopmentandlearning for more details.

The University of Prince Edward Island prides itself on people, excellence, and impact and is committed to assisting students reach their full potential in both the classroom and community. With roots stemming from two founding institutions—Prince of Wales College and Saint Dunstan’s University—UPEI has a reputation for academic excellence, research innovation, and creating positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. UPEI is the only degree granting institution in the province and is proud to be a key contributor to the growth and prosperity of Prince Edward Island.