The University of Prince Edward Island and the Souris and Area Branch of the PEI Wildlife Federation have received $48,000 from the Atlantic Salmon Conservation Foundation (ASCF) and $7,000 from the PEI Wildlife Conservation Fund for Atlantic salmon research, monitoring, and conservation in three rivers in Eastern PEI.

Atlantic salmon have declined on PEI and are only present in 20 of the 70 Island rivers they were once thought to inhabit. Despite their precarious status in many of those rivers, salmon numbers in Eastern PEI have been increasing due to the efforts of the watershed group.

Fred Cheverie, watershed coordinator with the Souris and Area Branch of the PEI Wildlife Federation, has overseen the conservation and restoration measures that have led to these increases in the Souris area. The previous discovery of a unique genetic strain of salmon in two rivers in the region has ignited further interest in research and restoration of these populations.

“We believe that the native genetic strain of salmon may be more suited to the PEI environment and may be an important key to the re-establishment of wild Atlantic salmon populations across PEI,” said Cheverie.  “However, we need to better understand the optimal environmental conditions in our streams in order to give them a fighting chance.”

Dr. Michael van den Heuvel, director of the Canadian Rivers Institute and a professor at UPEI, and his students Scott Roloson and Carissa Grove have been working with the Souris and Area Wildlife Branch watershed group to better understand the conservation implications of the genetically unique and possibly ancestral strain of Atlantic salmon in the northeastern cluster of rivers in Souris and Area Wildlife Branch’s management area. Previous work, funded by the PEI Wildlife Conservation Fund and the Regis and Joan Duffy Foundation, has been ongoing in partnership with the Souris group. 

“I believe researchers working hand in glove with the boots-on-the-ground conservations efforts of watershed groups will help us turn around the fate of wild Atlantic salmon stocks on PEI,” said Dr. van den Heuvel. “As compared to the large iconic salmon rivers, funding for Atlantic salmon research and monitoring is thin on PEI. The ongoing support of ASCF and the PEI Wildlife Conservation Fund is absolutely critical to advancing salmon restoration efforts.”

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.

Dr. Malcolm Murray, a professor of philosophy at UPEI, will launch his new book, The Philosopher, a collection of one-act plays at the Playwrights Cabaret on Saturday April 27 at 7:00 pm in the Faculty Lounge of the SDU Main Building at the University of Prince Edward Island. Hosted by the PEI wing of PARC (Playwrights Atlantic Resource Centre), the cabaret celebrates Island playwrights with readings of their plays.

The Cabaret is hosted by PEI PARC members Orysia Dawydiak and Yvette Doucette, with readings by Rob MacDonald, Catherine O'Brien, Nadine Salami, among others. Dr. Murray and friends will read selections from The Philosopher, which will be available for sale. Doors open at 6:30 pm, with a cash bar and nibbles. Admission is by donation.

Comedic, satirical, and at times solemn, The Philosopher showcases the range of human complexity from nonsense to wisdom. Murray’s characters range from a philosopher in chains brought up from the basement to entertain guests, to a psychologist who assists a traumatized patient to become more self-aware, only to result in greater angst. Provocative, perceptive, and rife with questions about the motives and morality of our everyday conduct, The Philosopher ultimately deals with the search for meaning and our need to believe. Murray writes, “Believe what though? Politics. Religion. Sports. It’s obvious that content doesn’t matter. It’s just belief itself. What they fear most is not believing. No one can stand that.”

Apart from being a playwright, Dr. Malcolm Murray is also a fiction writer and philosopher. His produced plays include “Art of Posing” (2014), “The Abettor” (2013), “The Philosopher” (2012), and “Chop Wood, Carry Water” (2008). He is the author of five philosophy books including Morals and Consent (2017). Malcolm lives with his wife, a cat, a dog, and recently, though less agreeably, a raccoon. He teaches philosophy at the University of Prince Edward Island.

Please join Island Studies Press and PEI PARC in celebrating the work of local playwrights. For more information about the book or the launch, please contact Bren at ispstaff@upei.ca or call (902) 566-0386.

UPEI’s Department of Athletics and Recreation celebrated the 2018–19 season at the 50^th annual UPEI Athletic Awards Gala on Friday, April 5, recognizing outstanding student-athletes who have excelled in sport, the classroom, and serving the community. This year, the UPEI Alumni Association’s Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year award went to Bailey Smith, a sprinter on the UPEI Track and Field Team. The Male Athlete of the Year is Kameron Kielly of the UPEI Men’s Hockey team.

The event, held at the Rodd Charlottetown Hotel, included student-athletes, coaches, staff, along with members of the university community, alumni, donors, sponsors, and booster club supporters.

In addition to the Athlete of the Year awards, varsity team and competitive club awards were presented. The Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Rookie of the Year award winners from each team include (note that the MVP is listed first followed by Rookie of the Year):

Men’s Soccer: Sam Smiley, Chris Sear
Women’s Soccer: Amanda Stayner, Maddie Hurley
Women’s Rugby: Anneke Dykerman, Brinten Comeau
Women’s Field Hockey: Alyssa Ferguson and Hannah Gormley, Erica Penwell
Men’s Hockey: Kameron Kielly, Doug Blaisdell
Women’s Hockey: Camille Scherger, Jolena Gillard
Men’s Basketball: Milorad Sedalervic, Jamesley Jerome
Women’s Basketball: Jenna Mae Ellsworth and Carolina Del Santo
Cross Country (women): Michaela Walker, Tatiana Kelly
Cross Country (men): Nick Robertson, Nick Robertson
Women’s Volleyball: Abbie Ronalds
Men’s Rugby: Mark Lloyd, Blake Jurkowski
Track and Field (women): Bailey Smith, Nathalie Lane
Track and Field (men): Damon MacDonald, Mohammed Hamza

The W.A. Ledwell Award is presented annually to a student who has demonstrated outstanding athletic ability in the intercollegiate program, academic excellence, and the qualities of leadership, sportsmanship, and citizenship. This year’s recipient is Brent Andrews of the UPEI Men’s Hockey team.

The Gordon and Muriel Bennett Award is presented to a male or female student athlete who, over four years, has best combined athletic achievement and academic excellence. This year’s winner is Danielle Younker of UPEI Women’s Soccer.

About the UPEI Athletes of the Year

Kameron Kielly is a centre on the UPEI Men’s Hockey team and a second-year business student from Charlottetown, PEI. His 15 goals this season put him in third place for the scoring title in the AUS. Add his 28 assists, and he was also third for overall points. In just his second season, Kielly was named an AUS Second-Team All-Star. He was also named the U SPORTS Athlete of the Month for October.

Bailey Smith, a sprinter on the UPEI Track and Field team, is a third-year nursing student from Mount Stewart, PEI. She was named the AUS Female Track Athlete of the Year for the second year in a row and won the silver medal at the U SPORTS Track & Field Championship in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Go Panthers Go!

Dr. Alaa S. Abd-El-Aziz, President and Vice-Chancellor, and J. Gordon MacKay, Chair of The INSPIRE! Campaign, announced today that through the support of alumni, friends, foundations, companies, and government, the University of Prince Edward Island has exceeded its campaign goal of $50 million. UPEI has raised $50,256,292 to support its strategic priorities of creating new knowledge and delivering exceptional learning experiences that prepare students for success.

In addition to surpassing the campaign target ahead of schedule, the President also announced that UPEI has secured another $3 million donation from private donors, who wish to remain anonymous, and which has been earmarked for several health and wellness initiatives over and above INSPIRE! projects.

“This is a great day for UPEI and our students, faculty and staff. With 3,013 donors—679 of them new—from 10 countries, including all 13 provinces and territories in Canada, and 32 states in the United States, The INSPIRE! Campaign has been a tremendously successful and far-reaching friend- and fund-raising effort,” said President Abd-El-Aziz. “Along with our campaign chair, Gordon and co-chairs, Blair MacLauchlan, Ray Keenan, Donna Hassard, and John Horrelt, I thank all of our donors for making this ambitious goal become reality.”

Launched on October 2, 2015 in conjunction with Founders Day and the participation of UPEI past-presidents Dr. Ron Baker, Dr. Peter P.M. Meincke, Dr. Elizabeth Epperly and Premier Wade MacLauchlan, The INSPIRE! Campaign had four priority areas: sustainable design engineering, experiential and global learning, veterinary medicine, and athletics and recreation. Led by a cabinet and team of champions, the campaign was slated to continue until October 2019, but will now wrap up six months early, during UPEI’s 50th anniversary year.

“This effort has been about friend-raising,” added MacKay. “It was important to have people involved who were supporters, not necessarily only alumni, but those connected to, and known by, the different communities that were our four priorities. We have built strong relationships that will benefit UPEI in many ways for years to come.”

MacKay concluded the event and the campaign with recognition for President Abd-El-Aziz and Myrtle Jenkins-Smith, executive director, and the staff of the Department of Development and Alumni Engagement.

“With their leadership and coordination, we’ve not only achieved our goal, but have exceeded it, and ahead of schedule," said MacKay. "Those of us who became part of the Cabinet and champions are proud to be associated with UPEI, and although today marks the end of the campaign, it will not end our association with this excellent institution.”

Jessica Pottie, a third-year student at the Atlantic Veterinary College, loves to sew. When she heard that first-year student Carolina (Carl) Vicente had to suspend her veterinary education last fall because she had been diagnosed with breast cancer, she decided to use her sewing skills for a good cause.

Jessica didn’t know Carolina, but she felt the need to help. She bought pink fabric printed with the ribbon used to raise awareness of breast cancer and made over 30 scrub caps and 60 catnip toys. In her spare time, she sold the caps and toys online and at AVC, making $700 to help Carolina.

Jessica’s sewing project was the second one to raise funds to help Carolina. Earlier this year, the AVC Wellness Committee and Bark For Life PEI raised $6,005.00 during an aptly named collaborative fundraising initiative, Mission PAWSible. From November 27, 2018, to January 16, 2019, AVC students, faculty, and staff were tasked with doing 20 hours of activity—with their pets or on their own—and collecting pledges for the cause.

The funds raised went to Carolina and Bark For Life PEI to help Islanders and their families who are dealing with cancer. Carolina is currently at her home in Mount Olive, New Jersey, where she is receiving treatment.
 

The Atlantic Veterinary College is offering its annual AVC Summer Academy program from August 4–9, 2019. This academically based program is open to high school graduates accepted to a university, undergraduate students, and university graduates who are interested in pursuing an education in veterinary medicine. During the week, participants will get a hands-on overview of each year of the four-year veterinary curriculum taught at AVC. They will attend classes and labs, and participate in a field trip.

The deadline to apply is May 24. For more information, please visit www.upei.ca/avc/summer-programs/academy

UPEI President and Vice-Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz returned to Canada today after a three-day visit to Hong Kong.

As part of UPEI’s 50th Anniversary celebrations, President Abd-El-Aziz attended a UPEI Alumni and Friends–Hong Kong Chapter event on Monday, March 25.  The well-attended event included UPEI alumni from a variety of graduating classes.

The next day, he delivered a presentation to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong on how UPEI is a leader in providing global and experiential learning opportunities to students that allow them to fulfil their potential and contribute to society. The Chamber organization is one of the largest and most influential international chambers in the Asia-Pacific region and serves members from not only Canada but also other foreign jurisdictions based in Hong Kong. Its services include advocacy engagement, business promotion, business matching, learning and training seminars, site visits, and delegation visits.

The President capped his Hong Kong visit by speaking to a grade 11-science class at the Delia School of Canada, one of Hong Kong’s leading private international schools. The School features a technology emphasis and follows curriculum accredited by the Ministry of Education of Ontario, Canada and the Education Bureau, Hong Kong.  Delia enrols students from over 50 countries and maintains an annual enrolment of over 1000 students, providing quality early learning, elementary and secondary education to students from Pre–Grade 1 to Grade 12. 

President Abd-El-Aziz said, “I was so excited to speak to these prospective students about UPEI’s applied programs because we share a mission with their current school: to guide students in becoming global citizens, and our leaders of tomorrow.”

By: Dr. John VanLeeuwen, Professor of Epidemiology and Ruminant Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College

On January 25, 2019, in partnership with Farmers Helping Farmers of PEI, the “Canadian vet team” left for Kenya with suitcases and boxes full of veterinary medicine. The team consisted of me and three senior AVC students Jolene Vermeulen, Samantha Pomroy, and Katie Gottleib. Prior to leaving, a number of veterinary pharmaceutical companies donated products for the project. These products allowed us to provide suitable treatments for the animals that we encountered. Thank you, Bimeda, Boehringer, Elanco, Merck, and Vetoquinol.

During the three-week trip, almost 150 animals were examined for various health or productivity issues, and over 600 cattle from over 250 farms were dewormed. And over 1,000 farmers attended nine seminars on prevention and treatment of various conditions, and ways to provide better nutritional management and cow comfort for better milk production. The “walk-in clinic” in the Mbaaria Market area near Kiirua was another highlight, with all members of the team processing hundreds of cattle for deworming.

In terms of long-term sustainability of the efforts, six Kenyan veterinary students joined our team and gained an enormous amount of practical experience in the field on technical skills, clinical reasoning, problem work-ups, and decision-making that will benefit them greatly as they enter their veterinary careers. We also worked with animal health personnel who received continuing education in the areas served by the Buuri Dairy Farmers Co-op, Naari Dairy Farmers Co-op Society, Ngusishi Dairy Farmers Co-op, Ex-Lewa Dairy Co-op, Kiamaruga Dairy Group, Lunuru Dairy Co-op, and Wakulima Dairy Ltd. While in Kenya, the progress and activities for the two Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarship programs funded in 2014 and 2017 were also assessed, and knowledge translation activities for the research results were continued with the dairy farmers.

The farmers showed a very strong desire for veterinary services and extension in these areas. The major health problems observed included infectious diseases such as East Coast Fever, anaplasmosis, and lumpy skin disease; parasite infestations; udder infections; and insufficient nutrition, leading to low milk production, poor reproduction, and inadequate growth.

The Canadian and Kenyan (“Kenyadians”) veterinary students learned a lot from each other and from the Kenyan animal health technicians and veterinarians about life in Kenya, and the great challenges of international development work, self-sustainability, veterinary medicine, and producing and marketing milk in poor, remote areas of the country. It was very encouraging to see significant improvements in farm management and production among farms visited during previous trips. The Kenyan farmers and animal health professionals were all very appreciative of our efforts.

I look forward to returning in 2020 to continue to partner with the dairy groups as they work toward self-sufficiency. Thank you again to all our supporters for their assistance in making this possible. Special thanks to the following who donated cash to support the students (in no particular order): Drs. Amanda Alexandre, Mark Verschoor, Susan Purdy, Andrea Dube, Sharon Helymck, and Lise Chiasson, and Fundy Veterinarians, Ross Veterinary Services, Douglas Animal Hospital, Shediac Veterinary Hospital, and Cornwall Veterinary Clinic. Asante sana!

Dr. Alaa S. Abd-El-Aziz, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Prince Edward Island, and professor of chemistry, was recently named a Fellow of the prestigious Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), a professional association in the United Kingdom with the goal of “advancing the chemical sciences.”

Formed in 1980 from the amalgamation of the Chemical Society, the Royal Institute of Chemistry, the Faraday Society, and the Society for Analytical Chemistry, the RSC has a Royal Charter and the dual role of learned society and professional body. The designation “FRSC” is given to a group of elected Fellows of the society who have made major contributions to chemistry and other interface disciplines.

Congratulations, President Abd-El-Aziz!

Join Senator Peter Harder on Wednesday, March 27 at 2:00 pm in the Faculty Lounge, SDU Main Building for a public lecture on the importance of Canada’s chamber of “second sober thought”, especially to smaller provinces. He will elaborate on how the new independent system actually enhances the voices of the smaller provinces, as well as those of minority groups and Indigenous Canadians. He will also discuss the need for a Senate committee to keep a close eye on Senate expenses in the wake of the spending difficulties of the last Parliament.

Senator Harder entered the Upper Chamber in April 2016, as the first Independent Senator appointed under a new non-partisan selection process that invites all eligible Canadians to submit applications. He arrived in the Senate with nearly 30 years of experience in the federal public service, and a decade serving as a volunteer in various organizations and as a member of several boards of directors.

In the Senate, Senator Harder is tasked with both shepherding government legislation through the Upper Chamber and leading efforts on reform towards a more independent, accountable and transparent institution.

The Senator’s visit to Charlottetown is day two of a two-day trip in Atlantic Canada. Earlier on Wednesday, he will visit a local school where students will sing O Canada in Mi’kmaq. Senator Harder meets later in the day with the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI.

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.