UPEI math students Mostafa Fatehi and Jonathan Murley, both of Charlottetown, earned some of the best marks ever by UPEI math students participating in an international math competition during a competition hosted by Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University recently.

This success comes hot on the heels of their second-place finish at the Atlantic Provinces Council on the Sciences’ 31st annual Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science Conference held in Fredericton recently.

 The international math competition at Virginia Tech attracted 397 students from 67 schools from across the United States and Canada. The two-and-a-half-hour competition is often used by large schools to choose their best math students for upcoming competitions.

 A third-year math and physics student, Fatehi tied for 16th place with 40 out of 70 possible points.

 “This is the best score ever posted by a UPEI student in this contest,” says Dr. Dan Ryan, chair of the UPEI Mathematics and Statistics Department. “In the words of Dr. David Horrocks, the students’ math coach, ‘It’s exciting to see UPEI up there with the likes of Princeton, Duke, and Purdue!’ In fact, of the 15 who scored higher than Mostafa, most were from either Princeton or Duke.”

 Murley, a second-year math student, tied for 87th place, says Ryan, which is an excellent result for a second-year student.

 “To put the achievements of both these students into perspective, 58% of the students who wrote this exam scored 0 out of 70 possible points!”

 Competition results can be found at www.math.vt.edu/people/plinnell/Vtregional.

 Both students plan to return to the competition next year and look forward to the opportunity to compete with some of the best math students in North America. The Mathematics & Statistics Faculty are proud of their students and congratulate them on a job very well done.

Islanders have been keenly debating the impact of the fixed link before, during and after its construction. The Confederation Bridge's 10th anniversary, celebrated last May, spawned the latest series of reflections, including a scholarly book about the impact of bridging islands on PEI and on other islands around the world by UPEI professor Godfrey Baldacchino.

Discussing the pros and cons of fixed links was recently taken over to Japan, a sprawling island archipelago held together by bridges. Dr Baldacchino, who is Canada Research Chair in Island Studies at UPEI, was the distinguished guest speaker at a seminar organized by the Canada Project and the International Affairs Centre at the International University of Kagoshima (IUK), Kyushu Island, Japan, on October 27.

UPEI and IUK have a cooperation agreement that has seen many tangible benefits. IUK student Yoshiko Nishiyama spent a semester in Charlottetown in 2006, while three students from the UPEI School of Business (Neil Matheson, Kara Mackenzie and Erica Richardson) are currently enjoying a semester of studies and intercultural exchange at IUK.

The seminar included a musical performance by Amami Island singer Akemi Fuji, and brief presentations by the three UPEI exchange students about their experiences. The visit was coordinated by Professor David McMurray (who is Canadian) for the Canada Project and Director of the International Affairs Centre at IUK.

"During my presentation", explains Dr Baldacchino, "I outlined the complex relationship between isolation and integration that challenges every island community, and how different island people have seen a change in this relationship exacerbated by the construction of bridges, causeways or tunnels, linking their islands to mainlands: in tourism, trade, cost of property, environmental fall-outs and population change, to name a few. The Japanese were extremely attentive to such a critical assessment. They take bridges so much for granted in Japan, that they often fail to appreciate that there is an element of controversy surrounding their construction."

There were various opportunities to discuss further collaboration between IUK and UPEI during this visit. One of these includes research into the branding of Kyushu island products (such as the famous shochu alcoholic drink) and how this benefits from a close association with the branding of the island itself. Another is to engage faculty from UPEI's unique Master of Arts in Island Studies to spend time teaching at Kagoshima. Dr Baldacchino was kindly hosted to dinner during his visit by the Dean of Graduate Studies at IUK, Professor Megumu Kinugawa, during which time gifts were exchanged.

Dr Baldacchino's book Bridging Islands: The Impact of Fixed Links (2007) is published by PEI's Acorn Press and is available from local bookstores.

The University of Prince Edward Island is the top university in the Maritime provinces in terms of overall achievement and prospects for success and sustainability, but it faces serious challenges in today’s highly competitive and risky environment for Atlantic Canadian universities, said President Wade MacLauchlan in his annual University Update on November 22.

President MacLauchan’s address was attended by university students, faculty and staff as well as members of the general public, and is available on the Internet.

UPEI is very successful, particularly in enrolment, teaching, and research and development, but demographic and economic trends, relative to Canada and the world, are not working in favour of P.E.I. or the region, he said. It will take a strong sustained effort involving talent, focus and strategic investment if UPEI is to continue to thrive in the future.

He called on the provincial and federal governments to make comprehensive investments in education and research at UPEI on a scale equivalent to the commitment to establish a single provincial university 40 years ago. He suggested that multi-year investments of $60 to $100-million per year for five years from the federal and provincial governments, targeted at advanced education, research and innovation, including private sector innovation-based initiatives, are necessary if Prince Edward Island is to have a sustainable economy and make a difference in the world.

He challenged the community in general to support UPEI by surpassing the university’s Building a Legacy campaign’s $50-million target by the end of 2008. Funds from the campaign, now over the $40-million mark, support UPEI's research and teaching programs and facilities, including the establishment of funded chairs and enhanced funding for scholarships, especially for graduate students.

President MacLauchlan also highlighted some of UPEI’s recent accomplishments and priorities for the future, including maintaining current undergraduate enrolment through 2012-13; increasing numbers of international, mature and graduate students; tripling external research funding from $13.2 million to $40 million; and recruiting and retaining leading faculty who are committed to teaching and research excellence.

To view details of the University Update, please visit upei.ca and follow the link on the UPEI home page.

Dr. Ray Doiron, of the UPEI Faculty of Education, has been named one of the 2007 recipients of the Champion for Children Award.

Premier Robert Ghiz and Dr. David Wong, Chair of the Premier's Council on Healthy Child Development, announced the recipients of the Champion for Children Award on Monday, November 26.

A former public school teacher, Dr. Doiron has taught in the Faculty of Education since 1994. In recent years, he has done much to champion the cause of literacy and health literacy for children. Doiron has established countless initiatives and programs that involve children, parents, teachers, early childhood educators, community organizations and associations in learning about healthy living and learning.

A sample of research projects to his credit include 'Eating Between the Lines,' an early literacy healthy eating program for preschool children and their families; the impact of 'Project L.O.V.E.' on elementary children's literacy achievement; and 'Literacy in the Lives of Boys,' a school-wide, community-based study.'

He is an advocate for healthy child development issues including literacy and nutrition to policy makers. He was past chair of the PEI Literacy Alliance and co-director of PEI's Literacy Research Network.

The Champion for Children Awards celebrate the outstanding work and contributions made by individuals, organizations, communities and businesses who directly and positively impact the daily lives and future outcomes of young children and their families.

UPEI alumnus Danny Murphy, owner of DP Murphy Inc, and his wife Martie also were honoured with an award. The Murphys are strong supporters of UPEI as well as numerous organizations that benefit the Island community, particularly youth.

Other 2007 winners included kindergarten teacher Melissa Brownlow, of South Granville, and the Catholic Family Services Bureau.

Congratulations to Dr. Doiron, Danny and Martie Murphy, and all the winners!

UPEI alumnus and staff member Leo Cheverie recently received the 2007 Alumni Award by World University Service of Canada (WUSC), a leading Canadian development agency.

Involved with WUSC at UPEI for some 20 years, Cheverie is known for his participation in WUSC initiatives on campus, particularly the student refugee sponsorship program. This program allows student refugees from developing countries to resume their studies at Canadian universities. Some 45 student refugees from Africa and Asia enter Canada in a typical year.

WUSC local committees on campus must raise awareness of the student refugee sponsorship program and recruit sustainable financial support for it. Cheverie has played a vital role in all aspects of the student refugee sponsorship program at UPEI, from fundraising to helping student refugees adapt to their new environment socially, culturally and academically.

Cheverie graduated from UPEI in 1984 with a B.A. in history, and currently works on campus as a library technician at Robertson Library. He has been active in various social justice, labour and international development organizations on the Island and elsewhere for two decades.

A leading Canadian international development agency, WUSC is a network of people and post-secondary institutions whose mission is to foster human development and global understanding through education and training.

For information about the WUSC Local Committee at UPEI, contact Cheverie at lcheverie@upei.ca or 892-4404, or student co-chair Jennifer Morningstar at jmorningstar@upei.ca.

Wade MacLauchlan, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Prince Edward Island, congratulates third year arts student Caitlin Brown (left), of Richmond, PEI, and third year music education student Deidre Gallant (right), of O’Leary, on winning Millennium Excellence Awards. Brown and Gallant each received a $4,000 award. The Millennium Excellence Awards are awarded based on academic achievement, community service, leadership, and interest in innovation. Created by the federal government, the Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation is committed to providing opportunities for Canadians to learn, grow, and contribute to their communities.

The University of Prince Edward Island is committed to enhancing inclusion and accessibility for people with disabilities through a multi-year project that will see improved exterior and interior access to buildings and facilities on campus.

University officials launched the “Plan For Inclusion: A Response to the UPEI Accessibility Audit” at an event in the Duffy Science Centre on Monday, December 3. The event was held in conjunction with the annual International Day for Persons with Disabilities on December 3, first proclaimed by the United Nations in 1992.

The plan was developed by the UPEI Access-Ability Committee as the result of an accessibility audit of the campus carried out in December 2006 and January 2007 by the architectural firm Sperry & Partners Ltd., of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. The audit covers the main UPEI campus, including academic and service buildings and residences.

Wade MacLauchlan, president and vice-chancellor of UPEI, praised the committee for its work.

“The UPEI Access-Ability Committee has produced a very fine piece of work in this comprehensive audit,” says MacLauchlan. “We owe a great debt of gratitude to committee chair Joanne McCabe and the entire team who produced this report and developed the multi-year commitments that we undertake today.”

Committee member Paul Cudmore, a UPEI student who uses a wheelchair, is pleased with the university’s commitment to improving the campus for people who have disabilities.

"The physical accessibility and culture of inclusion at UPEI provides a great atmosphere for people with disabilities to pursue their post-secondary goals,” he says.

Under the plan, which will be implemented over seven years, all new construction and major upgrading projects on campus, including buildings, parking areas, pedestrian routes, adaptive technology and other services, will meet or exceed barrier-free and universal guidelines.

Funding for the plan will come from UPEI’s capital budget, and will cover ongoing maintenance of accessibility-related upgrades and repairs, and continued disability awareness training for UPEI faculty and staff, as well as the actual improvements.
Improvements will include better lighting and signage, particularly for barrier-free entrances; replacement of the ramp in Memorial Hall; installation of automatic door openers where needed; designation of wheelchair spaces in teaching rooms; installation of assistive hearing systems in auditoriums and classrooms; renovation of non-accessible washrooms; and the continued replacement of door knobs with lever handles.

Significant improvements have already been put in place under the plan, including construction of a new outdoor ramp and accessible door to Dalton Hall; the addition of 11 new parking spots for people with disabilities; replacement of door knobs with lever handles in some high-traffic areas; and putting accessible desks in all accessible teaching classrooms.

The University of Prince Edward Island’s Computer Science and Information Technology department has received national accreditation for its degree programs for the first time from the Canadian Information Processing Society (CIPS).

Gerald Caissy, president of the CIPS-Charlottetown Section, made the announcement at a professional development event held by the local group recently. On behalf of Sylvia Osborn, chairperson of the CPIS Computer Science Accreditation Council, he presented a plaque to Dr. Christian Lacroix, dean of the UPEI Faculty of Science, and Professor Wayne Cutcliffe, of the Computer Science and Information Technology department.

The department offers a major and an honours degree in computer science, and a computer science co-op education program.

“Accreditation ensures that our programs meet national standards with respect to the core body of knowledge taught in our courses,” says Cutcliffe. “It allows our graduates to qualify for the Information Systems Professional (ISP) designation after they acquire two years of professional experience. Certification of IT professionals is, and will become, more important as the public will demand not only technical competency, but also assurance that IT professionals are acting in the public interest. At the national level, CIPS is engaging IT industry and government leaders in the benefits of having employees who set high standards for the profession.”

A computer science accreditation review team visited UPEI in March 2007 and prepared a report for the CIPS Computer Science Accreditation Council. Over its summer meetings, the council granted accreditation for the university’s computer science programs for three years.

In his remarks at the event, Caissy noted that UPEI now joins regional institutions such as Dalhousie University, University of New Brunswick, Saint Mary’s University and Acadia University in the computer science CIPS accreditation arena.

Founded in 1958, CIPS is the professional association for Information Technology (IT) practitioners in Canada, representing more than 6,000 IT professionals on important issues affecting their industry and profession. It is also responsible for pursuit of the legislation and regulation of the ISP designation.

With funding from ACOA and Technology PEI, UPEI will establish a video game programming stream within the Department of Computer Science and Information Technology. The courses offered will be among the first in Canada at the undergraduate level.

The university will receive $426,245 from ACOA, through its Business Development Program, and $445,000 from Technology PEI for the project.

"By providing Islanders with an opportunity to study and work in this exciting emerging field, the university is endeavouring to address the demands of both students and employers. The program to be introduced is demanding, but for those students who rise to the challenge, the future looks extremely positive,” said Vianne Timmons, UPEI Vice-President of Academic Development.

The funding will allow UPEI to market new programs and purchase the necessary hardware, software and curriculum resources. Funding from both levels of government will help advance the video game industry on PEI by further developing a skilled workforce that is ready to meet the demands of the growing information technology sector.

Gerald Keddy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and the Honourable Richard Brown, Minister of Development and Technology, announced the funding last week as part of a total investment of $1.3-million for UPEI and Holland College for new video game training and programming.