by Dr. John Vanleeuwen, Professor of Epidemiology and Ruminant Health Management, Department of Health Management, AVC

In May, Kenya moves into the cool season, but the activity level was anything but cool this past May for those involved in the Queen Elizabeth Scholar (QES) program. The QES team consisted of six Kenyan graduate students involved in training and research projects to complete their Master’s or PhD degrees, four Canadian undergraduate students (two veterinary and two nutrition) helping them, and translators, drivers, and local people hired to help find farms.

There were lots of moving parts—one morning, six vehicles left from the houses we rented, with people involved in different parts of the project going in different directions. After completing required course work in Canada over the past year or so, the Kenyan graduate students were eager to get back to their country to see their loved ones and to begin the field research that complements the efforts of Farmers Helping Farmers (FHF) to improve milk production, food security and nutrition, and overall livelihoods of Kenyan farm families in Naari, Kenya.

Here is an update:

Dennis Makau and Joan Muraya, veterinary PhD students from Kenya, continue monthly visits to train and conduct research on cow nutrition and cow reproduction on 100 dairy farms, respectively. With the drought that occurred last year and continued until March (good rains for the last two months), even farmers following recommended practices have run out of good quality stored feeds for their cows. However, the high-protein shrub seedlings distributed to farmers in early 2016 are doing well on most of the farms that received them, helping to keep cattle protein intakes at a reasonable level. Milk collections at the Naari Dairy have remained at 4000 litres per day, despite the drought, and should go up substantially with the recent rains. Unfortunately, reproduction, which is the first thing to get hit with droughts, has suffered during the last year, with fewer cows showing heat, being bred, and conceiving, despite efforts to enhance uterine health and ovarian cycling. Again, breeding success should improve with the recent rains as animals’ body condition scores improve with better feeding. Monthly data collection and advice on improving nutrition and reproduction should quantify on-going costs and benefits of the training and resources provided.

Emily Kathambi Kiugu, a veterinary MSc student from Kenya, initiated her training and research project on cow comfort on 100 dairy farms. Emily will go to each farm four times. On the first visit, she gets baseline information on cow comfort, including stall design features and management, and she attaches accelerometers to the cows’ legs for three to five days to get lying-down times. On the second visit, she removes the accelerometers and gives specific oral and written advice on how to improve cow comfort with low-cost changes in design and management. A month later, on the third visit, she will reassess stall design features and management, and re-attach the accelerometers. A few days later, on the final visit, she will remove the accelerometers and address stall changes left undone. One farmer started hammering some boards to renovate a stall according to the recommendations while we were washing our boots, which demonstrates the desire of these farmers to improve their farms.

Julia Kenny and Ren Chamberlain (AVC Class of 2019), the 2017 QES veterinary interns, are helping with the veterinary projects above, and they are also involved in a training and research project around silage. They are collecting information about farmers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices around making and feeding silage. FHF has been promoting and facilitating silage-making so farmers have good quality feed even during the dry season. In this part of Kenya, the silage fed to cattle is primarily corn silage. Very few farmers were feeding silage because of the light rains during the last year prior to March 2017 (having exhausted their silage stores), and because of the good rains now (they have lots of fresh feed to give now). However, many farms now have some silage or are making silage for the upcoming dry season. As the summer unfolds, the interns will be able to assess silage quality and ongoing feeding practices. These interns will also be providing advice to these farmers on silage making and feeding, along with other health management recommendations appropriate for the farm.

The veterinary graduate students and undergraduate students are accompanied by two UPEI nutrition undergraduate students, two nutrition graduate students, and one graduate student involved in program evaluation. This group is working on three other research and training projects looking at the farm family benefits from the improved animal health, welfare, and productivity (and income) on the Naari farms, such as human nutrition (e.g., drinking more milk) and gender equity and empowerment.

Together, the group of 10 undergraduate students and another 10 local support people are making great strides in these research project, and sharing stories and cultures, while the local farm families are enjoying their company, learning from the training provided, and benefiting from the resources provided by the project. A success story all around!

Join the Honourable David MacDonald as he leads discussions on topics around the theme of Now That’s a Really Great Question,“Can Mother Earth and her peoples survive and thrive in the Anthropocene?”

These UPEI breakfast seminars will be held Tuesday mornings from 8:00 am to 10:00 am from July 4 to August 22 at 618 University Avenue, Charlottetown. The series is sponsored by the UPEI Climate Research Lab.

“David MacDonald has a prestigious history of working on the important issues that shape not only Prince Edward Island and the country of Canada, but also the world,” said Dr. Adam Fenech, director of the Climate Research Lab. “His detailed knowledge of the economic, social, and ecological sustainability of Prince Edward Island is unparalleled, and this series allows us all to learn from it.”

Each seminar will have a different topic.

July 4, 2017
Are Oceans Us? The Climate/Ocean Crisis: How can we end the Global ‘Addiction’ to Fossil Fuels?

July 11, 2017
Is Politics the Art of the Deal? What is indispensable about Politics in our Global Village?

July 18, 2017
How can we create a Habitable, Thriving and Just Future?

July 25, 2017
Who’s Speaking, Who’s Listening, Who Cares? Why is the Medium really the Message?

August 1, 2017
Is Capitalism over? What are Healthy Models for a Caring Economy?

August 8, 2017
Why does our culture depend on Violence? If we love this Planet, can we Live in an age of Mass Destruction?

August 15, 2017
Why Racism? Its Roots and Branches—‘The African Condition’ meets ‘Black Lives Matter’

August 22, 2017
Is Reconciliation possible? Why do we need to ‘Unsettle the Settler’?

Register for individual seminars by contacting climate@upei.ca or 902-894-2852

David MacDonald grew up in Prince Edward Island. He is a graduate of Prince of Wales College, Dalhousie University, and Pine Hill Divinity Hall. He also holds several honorary degrees in law and divinity. He was ordained as a United Church Minister in June of 1961, serving as pastor of the United Church in Alberton, Prince Edward Island from 1962 to 1965.

He was elected as a Progressive Conservative Member of Parliament in 1965, 1968, 1972, 1974, 1979, and 1988; first, as the representative for western PEI, and second, for Rosedale (Toronto Centre). In 1979, he was appointed Secretary of State, Minister of Communications, and Minister Responsible for the Status of Women. In June 1997, he was the NDP candidate for Toronto Centre–Rosedale. In 1984, he was appointed Canadian Emergency Coordinator/African Famine and, in 1986, Canadian Ambassador to Ethiopia, Sudan, and Djibouti.

From 1989–1993, he chaired the House of Commons Standing Committee on the Environment, the ad hoc Parliamentary Committee on AIDS, and the House of Commons Liaison Committee. Since the early 1990s, he has been actively involved in a number of national and international organizations committed to just and sustainable communities, human rights, and peace. Since 2008, he has been a member of the Board of Directors for Faith and the Common Good, a national interfaith network and charitable organization. Since December 1998, he has served as Special Advisor on Indian Residential Schools for the United Church of Canada and, more recently, on Climate and Ocean Change.

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 Dean of Nursing Scholarship Fund will help to support nursing students with funds raised at a gala hosted by the UPEI Faculty of Nursing last evening.

The semi-formal event raised $3185.00 and saw approximately 90 students, alumni, faculty, staff, and supporters come together to acknowledge the success and growth of nursing at UPEI. The University introduced nursing education at the baccalaureate level in 1992; it is now the proud alma mater of nearly 1000 nursing alumni.

“The intention of the gala was to celebrate our Faculty’s growth and how much we have accomplished,” said Dr. Gulrose Jiwani, Dean of Nursing. “From a single program with 16 students to a full-fledged faculty that offers two undergraduate programs, a Master of Nursing program, and post-graduate certificate courses to more than 300 students, the UPEI Faculty of Nursing is second to none.”

“Serving on the Nursing Gala organizing committee has been a valuable and fun experience,” said third-year nursing student Chloe Roche. “It is very rewarding to know that all of our hard work and planning has resulted in a beautiful evening for the UPEI Faculty of Nursing community and a new scholarship for some of my peers.”

Congratulations to Dr. Etienne Côté, professor of cardiology at AVC, on being selected the 2017 Continuing Educator of the Year--Small Animal during the 89th Western Veterinary Conference (WVC) in Las Vegas last March. The WVC Continuing Educators of the Year Awards are given in six categories to acknowledge the significant role of instructors who share their knowledge in innovative ways to enhance animal health. Over 14,000 veterinary professionals attended the conference where they heard from over 325 speakers on topics relevant to veterinary medicine.

The entire University of Prince Edward Island community was shocked and deeply saddened to hear of the death on July 2 of Robert “Rocky” Paquet, a long-time service worker with UPEI’s Facilities Management department who always had a smile and glint in his eye. Although always hopeful, in recent weeks, he had become adversely affected by a heart condition and was in Halifax seeking treatment at the time of his death. Rocky would have turned 61 years old later this month.

Rocky reached his 25-year anniversary of employment with UPEI in 2016 and while he was well-known for his polished floors and attention to detail as a cleaner, he was most recognized for the exam-week chili lunches that he organized for students twice a year. He was honoured for his contributions to the University and to student life with a Presidential Recognition Award of Merit for Campus Spirit in 2013 and with a UPEI Student Union Staff Award in 2014.

“The entire University community is saddened by the passing of Rocky, who was a dedicated employee and legendary for organizing the exam lunches,” said Vice-President Administration and Finance Jackie Podger. “I remember meeting him shortly after beginning at UPEI and his passion for helping students and willingness to lend a hand was evident right away. On behalf of President Abd-El-Aziz, I extend my sincere condolences to Rocky’s family, friends, and colleagues. He will be greatly missed.”

Born in Chatham, New Brunswick, Rocky moved to PEI in his youth and attended Charlottetown Rural High School, always calling the Island his home.

Sister Sue Kidd, UPEI’s chaplain, fondly remembers her dear friend and lunch collaborator. “He had a huge heart and cared deeply about others and all of God’s creations. As I looked for photos to remember Rocky, I realized I have many pictures of chili pots and happy students, but very few of the man who made it all happen. That is typical of Rocky’s way—working diligently in the background to serve others. ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.’”

Robert “Rocky” Howard Paquet was the son of the late Reginald and Agnes (Findlay) Paquet. In addition to his extended UPEI family, he is remembered by several brothers and sisters; many nieces and nephews; and his beloved dogs.

The University has lowered flags in front of Kelley Memorial Building and at UPEI Alumni Canada Games Place to half-mast in Rocky’s memory. Funeral arrangements have not yet been confirmed. A memorial service will be held at the UPEI Chaplaincy Centre in September.

AVC’s annual ice cream social, held on June 29, was a resounding success—such a success that event organizer Janice MacWilliam had to go running for more ice cream!

During the social, Dr. Greg Keefe, dean of AVC, presented Dean’s Awards of Excellence to Heather MacSwain, Office of the Associate Dean of Academic and Student Affairs; Theresa Andrews, Farm Services; and Allan Keoughan and Sharon Gormley, Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

“Our staff members are essential to the College’s success through their contributions in teaching and research support, service activities, and administration,” said Dean Keefe as he congratulated and thanked the award winners.

Retiring faculty and staff were also honoured: Heather Briand, Biomedical Sciences, for 31 years of service; Betty Gregan, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, 29 years; Patty McKenna, Pathology and Microbiology, 27 years; Dr. Hans Gelens, professor of small animal internal medicine, Companion Animals, 20 years; and Dr. Wendy Duckett, professor of large animal medicine, Health Management, 19 years. Dr. Keefe thanked the retiring staff and faculty members for their many years of service at AVC and wished them good health and happiness during their retirement.

AVC’s big reunion celebration is almost here! On Friday, July 14, Dean Greg Keefe will host an All-Year’s Reunion at 7:00 pm, in The McCain Foundation Learning Commons. Two classes are celebrating milestones—the Class of 1992 its 25th anniversary at the All-Years’ Reunion, and, on Monday, July 17, the Class of 2007 its ten-year anniversary in the Commons at 5 p.m.

During the All-Years Reunion, the inaugural AVC Alumni Challenge Cup will be awarded to the class with the greatest proportion of grads who donate $25 or more to the College. And Dean Keefe will present Dr. Alice Crook, coordinator of the Sir James Dunn Animal Welfare Centre, with AVC’s 2016 Atlantic Award of Excellence in Veterinary Medicine and Animal Care. It will be a jam-packed evening with local entertainment and delicious food!

Alumni will also have the chance to learn about the new AVC Alumni Association, a great way to stay in touch with their alma mater and classmates. For more information or to get involved, please contact Janice MacWilliam, special events coordinator for AVC, at jmacwilliam@upei.ca, or Anthony Gill, manager of alumni engagement for UPEI, at adgill@upei.ca.

The University of Prince Edward Island is thrilled to announce a $30,000 funding grant through the Rick Hansen Foundation’s Access4All Program, a Canada 150 Signature Initiative aimed at breaking down barriers for people living with disabilities.

In celebration of Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation, the Rick Hansen Foundation, with support from the Government of Canada, invited schools and community groups to learn more about accessibility, identify barriers, and apply for grants of up to $30,000 to undertake and celebrate accessibility infrastructure improvements in public places and spaces.   

With the participation of the Government of Canada, this grant will fund a “Barrier Buster” Project that will see ten buildings on the UPEI campus receive infrastructural accessibility upgrades. The project funding was acquired through THE INSPIRE! CAMPAIGN at UPEI, and will also support an awareness event and announcement, detailing the upgrades and improvements, later this fall.

“We want to help ensure that every individual in the UPEI community has the opportunity to realize their full potential,” said Vice-President Administration and Finance Jackie Podger. “This begins with creating inclusive and accessible communities, and we’re proud to be able to improve and upgrade our facilities with support from the Government of Canada and the Rick Hansen Foundation.”

While approximately 500 students are registered with UPEI Accessibility Services, the upgrades and improvements to the UPEI campus will impact and benefit the entire community.

The entire University of Prince Edward Island community was saddened to hear of the passing of historian and UPEI sessional lecturer Boyde Beck on Tuesday, July 18, from complications associated with pancreatic cancer.

He died at his summer home in Cable Head East at the age of 56.

Beck was a historical research officer with the PEI Museum and Heritage Foundation and a long-time lecturer with UPEI’s Department of History.

The Dieticians of Canada recently honoured Dr. Melissa “Misty” Rossiter at the 2017 National Conference Award Ceremony in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Dr. Rossiter received a Member Recognition Award, which recognizes volunteerism, expertise, and achievements that contribute to the advancement of the profession in the areas of leadership, innovation, education, and association catalyst.

Dr. Rossister was honoured in the leadership category. According to the award website:

“Dr. Rossiter’s nomination highlights the diverse roles dietitians can develop and nurture and in the process help create effective public health policy. As a primary or co-investigator, her research focus is assessing and promoting nutritional health for women and children. By examining the Nutrition Standards in Child Care in PEI, Melissa’s research progressed to engaging the child-care community in conversation about feeding young children through the Early Years Centres Evaluation project. She is a member of the Obesity Prevention from Conception pan-Canadian team and a DC representative with The Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada developing clinical practice guidelines on female nutrition. Dr. Rossiter’s contributions demonstrate strong leadership and commitment in promoting nutrition health and building the profession’s knowledge base.”

Congratulations, Dr. Rossiter!

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.