President and Vice-Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz delivered University Update 2018 to the campus community on Thursday, May 3, 2018. He addressed questions and highlighted a number of exciting initiatives and areas of growth for UPEI. The presentation focused on new programs; investments in staff, faculty and students; the proposed Operating Budget for 2018-19; and expanding UPEI’s global reach. He capped the town hall meeting by announcing plans to celebrate the 50th anniversary of UPEI in 2019.

President Abd-El-Aziz credited the University’s success to UPEI's community members, many of whom filled the auditorium, “It is thanks to their dedication and talent that UPEI provides world-class education for our students so that they can reach their full potential in the classroom and in communities around the world.” 

View the presentation (pdf)

The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) announced today the 15 schools chosen to design, build, and operate tiny satellites known as a CubeSats. UPEI’s “SpudNik-1” will be the creation of undergraduate and graduate students from the Department of Physics and the Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering.

SpudNik-1 will measure just 20 cm x 10 cm x 10 cm, but will utilize an advanced imaging system for precision agriculture. The system will be able to capture precise soil and crop data (texture, topography, moisture content, weed and disease infestations, crop damage, etc.) as well as verify the effectiveness of herbicide and fungicide applications, monitor physical damage due to insects, inundation, wind and hail, and schedule an irrigation plan. The goal is to develop better monitoring systems to promote greater sustainability in agriculture.

“The main design challenge is integrating all of the required subsystems including power, attitude control, communications, image processing, and the mission payload into such as small space,” said Dr. Nicholas Krouglicof, dean of the Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering. “To reduce the development time, we’ll be applying the principles of concurrent engineering with multiple design teams developing the various CubeSat subsystems simultaneously rather than consecutively. We’ll also be applying state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques including metal 3D printing.”

SpudNik-1 will be capable of capturing images at a resolution of between two and ten meters on the ground. This technology has an advantage over drones, as a satellite can capture a greater amount of georeferenced data over a large area in a relatively short amount of time.

SpudNik-1 is a multi-year project, and will provide design projects for several senior and junior teams at the Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering, as well as optical design projects for students in Physics.

“Designing an optical system to capture two-metre resolution images of agricultural fields from a satellite the size of a toaster, 350 kilometres above the Earth’s surface, presents a significant challenge,” said Dr. Bill Whelan, chair of the Department of Physics at UPEI. “Our students will use their knowledge and understanding of physics to design, fabricate, test, and analyze lenses and other optical components, and fit everything inside the toaster.”

The opportunity to work on a real space mission from start to finish, including operating the satellites and conducting science experiments in space, gives students useful experience and skills they need when entering the job market. Students will gain science and engineering expertise from building a satellite destined for space as well as valuable expertise in project management, concurrent engineering, leadership, and communications.

A total of 15 teams composed of 36 organizations will participate in the Canadian CubeSat Project, thanks to several inter-regional, inter-provincial and international collaborations that even include universities from Europe, Australia, and the USA.

CSA experts, as well as representatives from the Canadian space industry, will guide the teams throughout the Canadian CubeSat Project, to optimize the success of each mission.

Once tested and ready for space, the 15 CubeSats, including SpudNik-1, will be launched to and deployed from the International Space Station in 2020–2021.

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.

It’s Convocation Week at UPEI! Here are the details to help you find your way through our annual celebration of our graduating students.

The Convocation ceremonies are held indoors on Saturday, May 12, 2018, at the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre at the University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Avenue in Charlottetown. The morning ceremony begins at 10:00 am; the afternoon ceremony begins at 2:30 pm. Each ceremony is preceded by a procession of graduates across campus. Approximately 950 graduates will make their way across the stage over the course of the day.

Due to safety regulations, seating is limited. All guests must present their invitations in order to be admitted to the Sports Centre.

There is plenty of parking within a five- to ten-minute walk of the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre. Please refer to the campus map for the location of general parking areas on campus. Guests are asked to arrive early to ensure everyone is seated before graduates arrive in their procession (9:45 am and 2:15 pm). 

There are a number of accessible parking spots, designated by the International Symbol of Access (wheelchair symbol), situated in front of the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre and the W.A. Murphy Student Centre.

Overflow seating and a live broadcast are available at McMillan Hall in the W. A. Murphy Student Centre, or you can watch live on Eastlink TV and online at upei.ca/live.

UPEI will confer honorary Doctor of Laws degrees upon lawyer and advocate for UPEI William “Bill” LeClair; UPEI founder, booster, and volunteer Anne (Michael) Love; humanitarian, public servant, and business leader J. Weston “Wes” MacAleer; and, proud Islander, successful business woman, respected community leader, tireless volunteer, and mentor E. Anne Smith. Biographies of each recipient can be found here. Mr. LeClair will address the morning convocation. Mr. MacAleer will address afternoon graduates.*

Ceremony Details

Valedictorians*
Morning Convocation: Nathan Hood (Business)
Afternoon Convocation: Alana Jewell (Science)

Macebearers
Morning Convocation: Celeste Desveaux (Veterinary Medicine)
Afternoon Convocation: Matthew Coleman (Science)

Invocation: Sister Susan Kidd, UPEI Chaplain

*Convocation and valedictory addresses will be available, and can be sent out under embargo upon request.

At the 10:00 am ceremony, the following will be conferred: Accounting Certificate, Business Certificate, Public Administration Certificate, Inclusive Education Certificate, Public Administration Diploma, Certificate in Educational Leadership in Nunavut, Bachelor of Business Studies, Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Business Administration—Co-operative Education, Bachelor of Business Administration—Honours, Bachelor of Business in Tourism & Hospitality, Bachelor of Business in Tourism & Hospitality –Co-operative Education, Bachelor of Education in Human Resource Development, Bachelor of Education, Bachelor of Education—français langue seconde, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Master of Business Administration, Master of Education, Master of Nursing, Master of Science—Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Master of Veterinary Science, Doctor of Philosophy—Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, and Doctor of Philosophy—Faculty of Education

At the 2:30 pm ceremony, the following will be conferred: Engineering diplomas, Bachelor of Integrated Studies, Bachelor of Applied Arts in Print Journalism, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Arts—Honours, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Music Education, Bachelor of Child and Family Studies, Bachelor of Applied Science in Radiography, Bachelor of Wildlife Conservation, Bachelor of Environmental Studies, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science—Co-operative Education, Bachelor of Science—Honours Co-operative Education, Bachelor of Science—Honours, Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology, Bachelor of Science in Paramedicine, Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Design Engineering, Master of Science—Faculty of Science, Master of Applied Health Services Research, Master of Arts, and Doctor of Philosophy—Faculty of Science. 

Making Convocation Day a memorable one for graduates and their family and friends is very important to UPEI, so we have provided several pages of information on the Convocation web page—what to expect, where to go, and what to do prior to, and during, Convocation.

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 President and Vice-Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz was named a Top 50 CEO by Atlantic Business Magazine at a formal red-carpet reception, dinner, and awards gala in Halifax, NS yesterday evening.

Since 1999, Atlantic Business Magazine has dedicated one of its six issues per year to profiling Atlantic Canada’s 50 most accomplished business leaders. Nominees for the awards are judged according to their corporate, community, and industry involvement; their organization’s growth in recent years; and, their responses to various managerial challenges. This is the second year in a row that President Abd-El-Aziz has received this recognition.

“It is a great honour to receive this award alongside so many talented leaders in Atlantic Canada,” said President Abd-El-Aziz. “I share this recognition with the great faculty and staff at UPEI who have been so passionate and innovative in advancing the mission of the University of Prince Edward Island.”

He added, “UPEI is very proud to serve as a foundation for our province, generating both social and economic impact. With a quality education and access to amazing experiential learning opportunities, our students are contributing positively to communities at home, in the region and around the world.”

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. 

The University of Prince Edward Island conferred degrees, diplomas, and certificates to more than 950 graduates today as part of Convocation 2018.

 This year includes the first-ever cohort from the Bachelor of Science in Paramedicine. Convocation 2018 also saw graduate-level graduates from six faculties, and the largest ever cohort of PhDs to cross the stage at UPEI at 18.

The families and friends of the Class of 2018 gathered for two ceremonies today in UPEI’s Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre, the first at 10:00 am, and the second at 2:30 pm.

UPEI Chancellor Don McDougall led both ceremonies; President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz addressed both ceremonies.

“Class of 2018, I know, you have bold ideas and aspirations as you prepare to make your individual marks on the world,” said Dr. Abd-El-Aziz. “Some of you may be starting a job in your field of study, or continuing your education through post-graduate studies, or perhaps looking forward to personal growth through experiences such as world travel. Whatever your next step may be I encourage you to continue to learn and grow—and most importantly to dream big! Your future is bright with endless possibilities.”

The University also conferred honorary Doctor of Laws degrees on four recipients: lawyer and advocate for UPEI William “Bill” LeClair; UPEI founder, booster, and volunteer Anne (Michael) Love; humanitarian, public servant, and business leader J. Weston “Wes” MacAleer; and, proud Islander, successful business woman, respected community leader, tireless volunteer, and mentor E. Anne Smith.

“Your platform is a tool for social good,” said morning valedictorian Nathan Hood of Charlottetown. “With it, continue to develop your personal, unique voice. Think about what matters most to you in your life and in your community and make sure that is reflected in the stories you tell. And never forget to use your platform to elevate the voices of others who need to be heard. You never know who is listening.”

Alana Jewell, from York, PEI, addressed the afternoon ceremony. “We have made it through the bumps in the road to our degrees and diplomas with the help of others by learning how to react to situations out of our control and by focusing on bettering ourselves rather than changing other people. These actions are a start to answering the question ‘what’s next?’ So, while we may not have the full answer now, our time at UPEI has equipped us with the skills to find out what that might look like.”

Chancellor McDougall conferred the title of Professor emeritus to two distinguished colleagues from UPEI’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine: Dr. Pierre-Yves Daoust of the Department of Pathology and Microbiology and Dr. Darcy Shaw of the Department of Companion Animals.

UPEI held its annual Senior Class Awards at a ceremony the day before, where a number of academic and student prizes were awarded. The complete list will be posted in the coming days at upei.ca/seniorclassawards. The Governor General’s academic medals were presented by the Honourable Antoinette Perry, Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island. The Governor General’s Gold Medal (graduate level) was awarded to Gabriela Arias de Sanchez (Doctor of Philosophy—Faculty of Education). The Governor General’s Silver Medal (undergraduate level) was awarded to Skylar Tang (Bachelor of Science—Biology).

Congratulations to all the graduates!

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.

Darrell Glenn, coach of the UPEI Men’s Basketball team, is pleased to announced the recruitment of Jack MacAulay. MacAulay is a former AUS Rookie All-Star from Charlottetown who played two seasons with Cape Breton University, but is ready and eligible to suit up as a Panther.

“We are very excited about adding Jack to our team this upcoming season,” said Glenn. “Jack is an exceptional three-point shooter and will bring toughness and a competitive spirit to our group.”

In his last season of play in 2016-2017, MacAulay averaged more than ten points per game and shot 36.7% from the three-point line.

“I’m excited to officially join the Panther family,” said MacAulay. “We have a lot of work to do, and I can’t wait to get going!”

MacAulay is a student in UPEI’s Faculty of Business.

Go Panthers Go!

UPEI’s School of Graduate Studies will be hosting the annual UPEI Graduate Studies and Research Conference May 16 through 18. This will be the first time graduate students from all UPEI faculties will jointly participate in presenting their research at a university-wide event. 

“Graduate students drive the university’s research programs,” said Dr. Larry Hammell, dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies at UPEI. “This conference provides an important opportunity to appreciate their great work across a wide spectrum of research interests.”

These three days are a celebration of the accomplishments of UPEI’s graduate students and their research efforts. Over the course of the two days, graduate students will present their research orally. There will also be invited presentations, including the R.G. Thomson Lecture by Dr. George Gitau from University of Nairobi given immediately following the opening ceremonies.

Opening ceremonies will be 9:00 am, Wednesday, May 16. All are welcome to attend at no cost (please register here). Most activities will occur in AVC Lecture Theatre A and the McCain Foundation Learning Commons at AVC. For a full list of presentations, see the conference schedule.

Island Studies Press will launch its newest book, Called to Serve: Georgina Pope, Canadian Nursing Military Heroine, by Katherine Dewar in both Charlottetown and Summerside. The Charlottetown launch is Thursday, May 24, at 7:00 pm at the Carriage House at Beaconsfield Historic House, while the Summerside launch is Sunday, June 24, 2:00 pm, at the Eptek Art and Culture Centre.

Called to Serve documents the life and times of Prince Edward Island’s Georgina Fane Pope (1862– 1938), daughter of William Henry Pope and Helen DesBrisay Pope. Her journey takes us from PEI, where, inspired by Florence Nightingale, she developed a “burning desire” to become an army nurse; to the Boston States where she trained; to the battlefields of Africa and Europe where she served as a nursing sister and Superintendent of Nurses―and established the nursing corps of the Canadian Army Medical Corps. Matron Pope was the first Canadian Nurse decorated with a Royal Red Cross, Class 1.

In 2007 Georgina Pope’s bronze bust became one of the 14 heroic figures forming a part of the Valiants Memorial in Confederation Square, Ottawa. She also appears on the Canadian $5 coin.

Georgina Pope will also be honoured at a “Celebration of Service” in the Atrium of the Daniel J. MacDonald Building in Charlottetown on Thursday, May 17, at 7:00 pm. Local actors will bring her story to life, accompanied by the PEI Regiment Band and the Canada Remembers Chorus. An exhibition entitled “Inspired by Nightingale: Called by God” will also open. Admission is free and everyone is welcome.

Katherine Dewar is the author of the award-winning book, Those Splendid Girls: The Heroic Service of Prince Edward Island Nurses in the Great War, 1914 –1918. Dewar is retired from a career as a nursing instructor at the PEI School of Nursing, and is now committed to researching PEI’s colourful nursing history. Those Splendid Girls was shortlisted for an Atlantic Book Award, won the Publication of the Year award from the PEI Museum and Heritage Foundation and the City of Summerside’s Heritage and Culture department. Dewar herself is the recipient of the PEI Museum and Heritage Foundation Award of Honour for her outstanding contribution to Prince Edward Island heritage. 

The launches are free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Laurie at iis@upei.ca or (902) 894-2881. Books will be on sale for $27.95 in bookstores in mid-May.

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 annual Presidential Recognition Awards of Merit and 25-Year Service Awards were presented to faculty and staff at a ceremony on May 16, 2018. The awards, created by President and Vice-Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, recognize outstanding performance and dedication to students and our community on-campus, provincially, and globally.

Receiving Presidential Recognition Awards of Merit for Faculty and Librarians were the following:
• Scholarly Endeavours: Dr. Travis Saunders, Faculty of Science/Applied Human Sciences
• Combined Achievement: Dr. Dany MacDonald, Science/Applied Human Sciences; Dr. William Montelpare, Science/Applied Human Sciences, and Margaret and Wallace McCain Chair in Human Development and Health

Presidential Recognition Awards of Merit for Staff were presented in the following categories:
• Support of Student Success: Mary Mullen, English for Academic Preparation
• Volunteer and Community Service: Megan Glover, Science/Physics
• Exemplary Service: Joy McKinnon, English for Academic Preparation; Sharon Martin, Science/Biology; Lisa Sanderson, Sustainable Design Engineering; Blair Vessey, Information Technology Systems and Services
• Campus Spirit: Cathy Gillan, Experiential Education and Work-Integrated Learning

Receiving 25-Year Service Awards were Dr. Larry Hammell, Interim Dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies, and Associate Dean, AVC Graduate Studies and Research; Heather Keoughan, Registrar’s Office; Dr. Richard Kurial, Faculty of Arts/History; Jackie MacPhail, Facilities Management; Jane McKay, Office of the Dean of Arts; and Ricky Milton, AVC Hospital Administration.

The UPEI Student Union also presented awards at the event. David Varis, Arts, won the faculty prize, and Heidi MacDonald, Student Affairs, the staff award. Campus minister Sister Sue Kidd was presented with an honorary lifetime membership in the Student Union.

On May 9, the UPEI Faculty Association recognized the achievements of its members at its annual faculty recognition night:
• Hessian Award for Excellence in Teaching: Dr. Henrik Stryhn, AVC/Health Management
• Hessian Award for Excellence in Teaching (sessional): Dr. Laurie Brinklow, Arts/Institute of Island Studies
• Merit Awards for Outstanding Service: Dr. Lisa Chilton, Arts/History, and Dr. James Sentance, Arts/Economics
• Merit Awards for Scholarly Achievement: Dr. Udo Krautwurst, Arts/Sociology and Anthropology, and Dr. Shafiqul Islam, Science/Mathematical and Computational Sciences.

Recognized as retirees were Gwendolyn Cairns, Nursing; Dr. Pierre-Yves Daoust and Dr. Paul Hanna, AVC/Pathology and Microbiology; Dr. Hans Gelens, AVC/Companion Animals; Dr. Jeanne Lofstedt, AVC/Health Management; and Dr. Richard Wills, Arts/Sociology and Anthropology.

Congratulations, everyone!
 

Dr. Alice Crook, coordinator of the Sir James Dunn Animal Welfare Centre at the Atlantic Veterinary College, has received international recognition for her work in animal welfare from the World Veterinary Association (WVA) and Ceva Santé Animale, a multinational veterinary pharmaceutical company.

During the WVA’s 34th annual Congress in Barcelona, Spain, in early May, Dr. Crook was awarded the WVA Animal Welfare Award for North America. She is one of only five veterinarians world-wide who received the prestigious awards.

“On behalf of AVC, I congratulate Dr. Crook on receiving this prestigious international award,” says Dr. Greg Keefe, dean of AVC. “Animal welfare is at the heart of what we do as veterinarians, and Dr. Crook’s contributions to this field are exemplary. She is a great role model for other veterinarians, veterinary students, and others whose work involves animal welfare.”

A media release issued by the WVA and Ceva says each of the winners typifies the critical role of veterinarians in the protection and improvement of the welfare of all animals. The other winners are from Brazil, China, Senegal, and Sweden.

“The two winners from Canada and Sweden equally exemplified the important societal role that veterinarians have in researching, advocating and educating politicians, public health authorities, media and the general public in implementing the highest animal welfare standards,” says the release.

Since 1994, Dr. Crook has led the development and growth of the SJDAWC, which promotes animal welfare through research, service, and education. She works with veterinarians, students, governments, humane societies and other similar organizations, and the general public to promote animal welfare. And she shares her knowledge and expertise with veterinary students, teaching them to become leaders in animal welfare.

Dr. Crook’s particular areas of interest are animal abuse and effective veterinary response, pain management, welfare-friendly veterinary practice for large and small animals, feral cat welfare, and enactment of effective animal welfare legislation nationally and provincially. For many years, she was a valued member of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association’s Animal Welfare Committee, and continues to contribute to the work of the committee.

Click here to watch a video created by the WVA about Dr. Crook's work.