Seventeen years after the first North Atlantic Forum (NAF) was hosted in Charlottetown, UPEI’s Institute of Island Studies and Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation (CRRF) are pleased to invite Islanders to the 10^th NAF and 27^th CRRF conference—Building Community Resilience: Innovation, Culture, and Governance in Place—in partnership with the City of Summerside. Both NAF and CRRF are committed to supporting healthy communities, as demonstrated in our collaborations with Island-grown businesses, including the Summerside-based Samuel's Coffee House; Island Taylored Meats, Montague; and Charlottetown’s Prince Edward Island Farm Centre and Legacy Garden, during this four-day event.

Building Community Resilience opens at Summerside’s Harbourfront Centre (7:30 pm, Wednesday, September 16) with a public “fireside chat" focused on the effects of globalization. Dr. Kelly Vodden and Dr. Sally Shortall, leading academics in rural community development from Memorial University of Newfoundland and Queen’s University, Belfast, respectively, will speak to "Globalization: Who's Winning? Who's Losing?" The Premier and UPEI President will bring greetings on behalf of the Province and University. The opening is free to attend and includes the launch of Place Peripheral: Place-based Development in Rural, Island, and Remote Regions (ISER Books, Memorial University) and a special journal issue of the Scandinavian Journal of Hospitality and Tourism. The evening closes with a reception.

Share your thoughts on “voluntary simplicity” and how you might envision “a planned way down in terms of physical consumption” as part of the Island’s future at one of the pre-conference AHAH! Workshops. FairTrade Canada founder Bob Thomson, who introduced the international “convivial degrowth” movement to Montreal in 2012, will lead sessions in Souris (September 13, Souris Striders Ski Lodge, 2-4 pm) and Charlottetown (September 15, 12 pm, UPEI Faculty Lounge and 6-9 pm, Murphy Community Centre).

On September 17, the Mayor of Summerside, Bill Martin, will be on hand to welcome us to Summerside and to kick-start the conference at the Loyalist Country Inn, followed by a keynote address on indigenous resilience by Daniel G. Pottle, Nunatsiavut Minister of Finance, Human Resources and Information. Stories of international resilience will be highlighted by guest speakers Maura Walsh (Chief Executive Officer, IRD Duhallow, Ireland) and Shey Conover (Vice President, Programs, Island Institute, Maine). The keynote sessions offer opportunities for conversations about youth mobilization, gendered resilience, tourism development, environmental management, Aboriginal issues, and much more.

In order to showcase the Island’s own path to resilience, Friday’s agenda includes tours of Summerside’s wastewater treatment improvements and Slemon Park, as well as field trips engaging with Lennox Island’s heritage, the Kensington North Watershed area’s environmental challenges, and the Evangeline Region’s cultural economy. The conference closes in Charlottetown at the Farm Centre and Legacy Garden on 2:30 pm Saturday, September 19. 

Building Community Resilience will bring approximately 70 unique perspectives from across and beyond the North Atlantic to the Island, through a series of papers, panels, and presentations. The conference draws from CRRF’s countrywide presence and the international network of researchers built as the NAF travelled from Prince Edward Island to Newfoundland and Labrador, Cape Breton Island, the Shetland Islands in the UK, the island of Bornholm in Denmark, and Iceland. The aim is to build momentum and extend support for communities to achieve societal and economic health and stability. French and English simultaneous translation will be available.

Join us to learn about how to get involved in the 11^th North Atlantic Forum, to be hosted in Norway in 2017. Check pei2015.crrf.ca for upcoming details about the post-conference Summerside Youth Forum, planned in collaboration with the City of Summerside. A detailed conference program and schedule are accessible on the website as are online registration options for community tours, daily attendance, and full conference activities.

Contact NAF 2015 Conference Coordinator Emily Thomas at naf@upei.ca or (902) 566-0909. 

University of Prince Edward Island Director of Athletics and Recreation Chris Huggan is excited to introduce Mike Peterson, Stanley Chaisson, Jen Nicholson, and Rob MacKenzie as the coaching staff for UPEI’s varsity Cross-Country and Track and Field Club. All four individuals bring a wealth of experience in the sport.

“I am thrilled to have Mike, Stanley, Jen, and Rob as coaches for our Cross-Country running team. The recent growth of cross-country running on PEI is largely attributed to their passion, effort, and commitment. They will attract the best runners from schools across PEI and far beyond. Under their leadership, it will not take long until we are a force to be reckoned with in the AUS.”

After establishing a successful program at Colonel Gray High School, Mike Peterson, an avid marathoner, is happy to start the process of building a cross-country program at the university level. Whether it is his own children, a new runner, or an elite athlete, he enjoys helping people develop into the best that they can be.

Peterson says, "I am extremely excited that UPEI is joining the AUS cross-country scene. One of my goals at Colonel Gray was always been to keep people running after they finish high school. This will give more local athletes the opportunity to compete at a high level, right here in their own backyard.”

Stanley Chaisson has been involved in running for over 15 years as a competitor and coach. He competed for Dalhousie University in cross-country and track and field becoming a CIS All Canadian in 2004. He has since trained and coached runners of all abilities and distances. He is presently a Physical Education teacher at Kensington Intermediate High School and is eager to be a part of the UPEI coaching staff.

“Running has always been a part of my life,” adds Jen Nicholson. “I ran cross-country in elementary school and off and on throughout my teenage years. There wasn’t a cross-country team at my university, but I wish I had the opportunity because you push yourself harder when you know you have team that’s counting on you. I am really looking forward to passing on my love for the sport and working with such a great group of people”.

Rob MacKenzie of Long Creek, has been running competitively on PEI for the past 15 years. MacKenzie has raced many distances, from the mile right up to the marathon, and enjoys working with other local runners to help them reach their running goals.

MacKenzie adds, “I’m really excited to help UPEI get a cross-country program up and running. This is a great opportunity for Island high-school athletes who wish to run competitively at a higher level upon graduating.”

The varsity club invites all those interested in joining to contact Mike Peterson at mapeterson44@hotmail.com. The next training session is Tuesday and Wednesday at 4:00 pm at the UPEI Alumni Canada Games Place track.

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 UPEI Panther Subway Athletes of the Week for the week of September 14-20 are Alyssa Ferguson, Field Hockey, and Harminder Singh, Men’s Soccer.

UPEI Athletics and Recreation showcases these talented athletes to recognize their hard work and dedication to their respective sports. UPEI Athletes of the Week are also nominated to Atlantic University Sport and Canadian Interuniversity Sport for possible recognition in the region and/or country.

Ferguson, a second-year Bachelor of Business Administration student from Murray River, PEI, had strong performance for UPEI Field Hockey during the first Atlantic University Field Hockey League tournament at St. FX. The midfielder scored 4 goals on the weekend, two during the Panthers 3-2 win over Dalhousie and 6-0 win over St. FX.

Singh, a fourth-year Bachelor of Science student from Cremona, Italy, played strong during the weekend for the Panthers. During the 4-0 win over St. FX Singh scored 2 goals.  The Panthers are relying on the veteran Singh to compete each and every game and provide offensive support.

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 and UPEI Turf
• 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 is initiating a new project in response to the ongoing crisis and conflict in Syria. The 'UPEI Syrian Student Project', led by UPEI’s International Relations Office (IRO) and the Robertson Library, will support up to ten students currently living in Syria who are unable to continue their studies due to conflict. The UPEI Syrian Student Project will provide:

• Full tuition for one year via the new Syrian Student Scholarship
• Free access to UPEI’s EAP services
• A student laptop from the Robertson Library

The students eligible for the project will come to UPEI from various stages of their post-secondary education. The project would provide the student’s first full year of study up to $12,000.

The project was conceived in a conversation between colleagues at UPEI’s Welcome Day and moved quickly from there.

“We have watched the Syrian humanitarian crisis on TV and have been moved to help complete strangers,” said Dr. Barbara Campbell, Director of International Relations at UPEI. “With the beginning of our UPEI Syrian Student Project, we have a chance to help young students who are family members of our local Syrian community. This is family helping family as we welcome them to come and study at UPEI.”

The UPEI Syrian Student Project team will also facilitate finding employment on campus for as many of the students as possible. The team is currently seeking additional supports for the students from various organizations for subsequent years of study.

“On behalf of UPEI, I am pleased to support this initiative to create scholarships for post-secondary students living in war-torn Syria," said UPEI President Alaa Abd-El-Aziz. “I am so proud that many UPEI and community members were able to mobilize so quickly during this ongoing and evolving crisis to develop this unique program that will allow up to ten Syrian students to continue their studies.”

UPEI is working with Prince Edward Island’s Syrian community to identify students eligible for the Syrian Student Project and Syrian Student Scholarships. A number of students have already been identified who are currently enrolled in a Syrian university, but are unable to resume their studies because of the conflict.

A fall tradition that dates back to 1988 will continue this September as students at the Atlantic Veterinary College open the doors for AVC Open House. The free family-friendly event will be held on Saturday, September 26, from 10 am to 2 pm. Visitors will enjoy animal-related fun including demonstrations and exhibits, the ever-popular Teddy Bear Clinic, face-painting, dressing like a surgeon, the parade of dog breeds, and much more. We welcome you to tour our College and learn more about our facilities, our equipment, and what we do every day.

Come and join the fun! Call 902-566-0589 for more information. Personal pets are not allowed at AVC Open House.

The UPEI Panther Subway Athletes of the Week for the week of September 7–13 are Danielle Younker, Women’s Soccer, and Brett Strba, Men’s Soccer. UPEI Athletics and Recreation showcases these talented athletes to recognize their hard work and dedication to their respective sports. UPEI Athletes of the Week are also nominated to Atlantic University Sport and Canadian Interuniversity Sport for possible recognition in the region and/or country.

Who: Danielle Younker, Women’s Soccer; and Brett Strba, Men’s Soccer

What: UPEI Panther Subway Athletes of the Week

When: Week of September 7–13

Where: University of Prince Edward Island

Why:  Younker, a first-year Bachelor of Science student from Charlottetown, PEI, had a great debut weekend for the Panthers. During the Panthers 3-0 loss and 2-2 tie, Younker immediately stepped up against the defending AUS champions Seahawks with an excellent display of determination and composure on the ball while also scoring a goal against one of the best defences in the league. Danielle epitomized the Panther spirit throughout both games in her individual and team play.

Strba, a first-year Bachelor of Business Administration student from Windsor Junction, Nova Scotia, recorded a shutout in his first game as a Panther. Strba started both games for the Panthers during the weekend split against the MUN Seahawks. The Panthers took the Saturday game 1-0 while the Seahawks won 2-0 on Sunday.

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 and UPEI Turf
• 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 marked a milestone on September 10 when the School of Sustainable Design Engineering welcomed 12 students into the third year of study for its new Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Design Engineering degree program. The first-ever, third-year cohort was part of an orientation day for all engineering students at Greenwich, Prince Edward Island National Park.

While engineering has a long history at UPEI, the four-year Sustainable Design Engineering degree was announced last year. The unique program has a project-based curriculum that puts a specialized focus on the design process across the various traditional engineering disciplines.

“The beginning of the academic year is always a special time at UPEI, but this week is especially meaningful as, for the first time in history, the University is offering a third-year engineering curriculum as part of our new four-year degree program,” said President and Vice-Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz. “These students, in 2017, will represent the first graduating class with a UPEI engineering degree.”

“Students attending UPEI this fall will be among the future leaders of Prince Edward Island. It is important that we are involved in helping them develop their potential,” Minister of Workforce and Advanced Learning Richard Brown said. “We are so pleased to see PEI’s investment in the School of Sustainable Design Engineering take shape so quickly, and that the program is welcoming third-year students for the first time.”

Not only is having a third-year cohort new, but also offering it in 2015 was earlier than planned. Because a number of students expressed interest in continuing on to earn their degree at UPEI, the School responded by launching the third-year curriculum this year as opposed to next. Eight third-year students are from UPEI while four are from Saint Mary’s, Cape Breton, Dalhousie, and Brazil universities, respectively.

“I would like to thank the School’s faculty and staff for their strong commitment and determination in initiating this early launch of the third-year cohort,” said President Abd-El-Aziz.

It was also it was the first time the School held its orientation day off-campus. This development was due to the recent signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Parks Canada and the University to explore common areas of interest. The first exploration as a result of the MOU has been with the School of Sustainable Design Engineering around a number of first-year student projects.

“UPEI is so excited to have forged a relationship with Parks Canada as we share similar values as public institutions,” added President Abd-El-Aziz. “This is the first time our Engineering program has worked directly with Parks Canada, becoming the School’s flagship ‘first-year student client’.”

At Greenwich, Engineering faculty hosted students to a number of activities as part of the School’s annual orientation. The students were introduced to the School’s faculty, many of them new to UPEI to accommodate the program expansion, as well to the curriculum and focus areas. The day fittingly included design-related challenges geared to team building and fun design innovation.

Associate Dean of Engineering Nicholas Krouglicof said, “This is a momentous year for UPEI’s new School of Sustainable Design Engineering. We are so pleased to be welcoming our new students and celebrating the introduction of our new four-year program at the Prince Edward Island National Park’s Greenwich site. We will undoubtedly have many more projects, partnerships, and success stories to celebrate in the future.”

Anthony Parker, a third-year UPEI engineering student from Enfield, Nova Scotia, who earned his diploma from Saint Mary’s University, summed it up, “I chose UPEI to complete my engineering degree as the design focus really suited me. The multidisciplinary aspects of program are really different as compared to what other schools offer. I am really enjoying UPEI campus life already and the orientation at Greenwich was a great way to kick the year off!”

The UPEI Panther Subway Athletes of the Week for the week of September 21-27 are Amy Andrews, Women’s Rugby and Harminder Singh, Men’s Soccer. UPEI Athletics and Recreation showcases these talented athletes to recognize their hard work and dedication to their respective sports. UPEI Athletes of the Week are also nominated to Atlantic University Sport and Canadian Interuniversity Sport for possible recognition in the region and/or country.

Andrews, a third-year Bachelor of Science student from Charlottetown, PEI, was an important contributor during the Rugby Panthers 27-5 win over the Saint Mary’s Huskies on Saturday. Andrews scored 12 of the points and was strong in the front row. Andrews stood out with her agility in loose play, support offensively, and in the rucks defensively.

Singh, a fourth-year Bachelor of Science student from Cremona, Italy, continued to perform offensively for the Men’s Soccer Panthers this weekend and earned his second consecutive Athlete of the Week honours. On Friday versus the University of New Brunswick, Singh scored in extra time to help the Panthers tie 1-1, and then at Université de Moncton on Sunday, he scored the game winner during the Panthers 2-1 win over the Blue Eagles.

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 and UPEI Turf
• 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 Field Hockey team is ready to host the second tournament of the Atlantic University Field Hockey League season this weekend at the UPEI Turf Facility.

Participating universities include:  UPEI, Saint Mary’s, Dalhousie, Acadia, University of New Brunswick, Mount Allison, and Saint Francis Xavier. 

The UPEI Panthers have been training hard and are prepared for a great weekend. The top tier results from the first league tournament had the Panthers, SMU, and DAL all finishing with a win and a loss. UPEI finished with 3 goals for and 3 goals against, SMU had 1 goal for and 1 goal against, and DAL had 3 goals for and 3 goals against.

“We are looking forward to playing at home and improving upon a solid start to the season,” says Coach Sheila Bell. “On Saturday it will be important to bring together all aspects of our game and improve our transition play against SMU and DAL.”

Kathryn Koughan has led the way on defence while Alyssa Ferguson has dominated in the offensive circle for the Panthers. Koughan, a fourth-year Business student who has been a league all star for the past three years, league MVP, and First Team All Canadian in 2013, and Emily Ross, a fourth-year Nursing student, will both play their final tournament at home.

The AUFH tournament will feature two-tier play on Saturday and exhibition play on Sunday.

Tier 1 consists of UPEI, SMU, and Dalhousie. They will play a round robin with full games consisting of two 35-minute halves. This will be the first time in ten years of the AUFH league’s existence that the top tier has played full regulation games.

Tier 2 consists of UNB, St FX, Acadia and Mt A—they will also play a round robin with 25-minute halves.

On Sunday, Tier 1 and Tier 2 will play eight exhibition crossover games (25/25 minutes) beginning at 9:00 am.

Schedule

Saturday, October 3

1:00 pm UPEI vs DAL
2:15 pm MtA vs UNB
3:15 pm StFX vs ACA
4:15 pm SMU vs UPEI
5:30 pm StFX vs MtA
6:30 pm UNB vs ACA
7:30 pm DAL vs SMU
8:45 pm MtA vs ACA

Sunday, October 4

9:00 am UNB vs StFX
10:00 am ACA vs UPEI
11:00 am SMU vs StFX
12:00 pm DAL vs ACA
1:00 pm UPEI vs UNB
2:00 pm DAL vs MtA
3:00 pm UNB vs SMU
4:00 pm UPEI vs MtA

This weekend’s results will determine the final standings for the AUFH Championships, October 17–18, in Halifax.

The University of Prince Edward Island announced its new slate for the volunteer Board of Governors today, fittingly on Founders Day, a day when UPEI honours those who contribute to the institution.

The Board of Governors, which is instituted under the terms of the University Act, consists of volunteers appointed from several organizations (Senate, Board, Alumni Association, Government of PEI, and Faculty). These volunteers are responsible for the governance of the University.

President and Vice-Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz said, “We are thankful to have representatives that volunteer and give generously of their time to serve on our Board of Governors. We value and appreciate that they share their great wisdom and experience from a variety of backgrounds to advance the priorities of the University.”

“I would like to thank outgoing Chair Tom Cullen who has served UPEI for many years on the Board and in a number of capacities. His support and the amount of time he has donated to this volunteer role was exemplary,” added Abd-El-Aziz. “I also thank Liz Maynard and Marva Sweeney-Nixon, outgoing board members who have also been tremendous assets to our Board. We thank them for their volunteer service.”

New board appointees include Ms. Mary Best, Ms. Bertha Campbell, and Professor Rabin Bissessur.

Taking on the Chair role is Mr. Pat Sinnott, who previously chaired the Finance and Audit Committee and was also Vice-Chair of the Board.

“We welcome the new appointees to the Board of Governors,” said Chair Pat Sinnott. “UPEI appreciates and thanks them for their commitment and for volunteering their time to UPEI and the community.”

2015-16 UPEI Board of Governors

Mr. Pat Sinnott, Chair of the Board
Dr. Don McDougall, Chancellor of UPEI
Dr. Alaa S. Abd-El-Aziz, President and Vice-Chancellor of UPEI
Mr. Duncan Shaw, Chair - Development, Fundraising and External Relations Committee
Mr. Shawn Murphy, Chair - Governance and Appeals Committee
Mr. Scott D. Harper, Chair - Human Resources Committee
Mr. Ron Keefe, Chair - Finance and Audit Committee
Ms. Margo Thompson, Chair - Property and Asset Committee
Mr. Andrew Bartlett
Ms. Mary Best
Mr. Ryan Bradley
Professor Rabin Bissessur
Mr. John A. Buchanan
Ms. Bertha Campbell
Professor Gary Conboy
Ms. Tracey Cutcliffe
Professor Don Desserud
Dr. Linnell Edwards
Mr. Dana Kenny, Student Union President, UPEI
Mr. Ed Lawlor
Dr. Brian McMillan, President - Holland College
Professor Jim Sentance
Mr. Pierce Smith, Student Union Representative
Ms. Shauna Sullivan Curley, QC
Professor Lowell Sweet
Mr. Xuan ‘Frank’ Zhou