UPEI business students Parker Baglole and Ryan Cassidy recently placed first in the ethics section of the 35th annual Inter-Collegiate Business Competition (I.C.B.C.)-Canada's premier undergraduate business case competition. Baglole and Cassidy are the first UPEI students to win a section of the I.C.B.C. case competition.

Entry into this prestigious competition is achieved after a five-page paper submission is reviewed and approved. Over 180 entries are received for the eight events, with only the top six teams for each section invited to attend and compete in the competition hosted by Queens University in Kingston, Ontario.

Baglole recalls the five-and-a-half-hour time limit they had to prepare a PowerPoint presentation on a case they had never before seen, having no access to the Internet for guidance. 'It was a lot of hard work, and I know we wouldn't have accomplished this success without the support from the School of Business, our faculty advisor, Edward Gamble, and our case competition peers,' said Baglole. 'It was awesome to help UPEI be recognized on a national level against some of the biggest schools in Canada and from around the world.'

The ethics case dealt with undisclosed sponsorships in the blogosphere. While currently not illegal and an extremely cheap and effective way to market products, teams had to determine whether or not a particular company should pursue an action like this. If a team were to recommend that the company not market products in this way, which Baglole and Cassidy did, they had to come up with other strategies that would cause no harm to the business or violate any business interests.

The ethics section finalists included teams from UPEI, Simon Fraser University, the University of Alberta, the University of Calgary, Saint Mary's University, and the University of New South Wales (Australia). UPEI placed first in the ethics event with the University of New South Wales (Australia) in second-place, and the University of Calgary in third.

For Cassidy, the I.C.B.C. awards banquet the following evening was surreal and memorable. 'It was a tremendous feeling hearing UPEI's name called, and knowing all our preparation and work paid off,' he said.

Edward Gamble, the team's faculty advisor, was proud to witness a first-place finish from a UPEI case team. 'This is the result of focused efforts from our case students, professors, and the Dean,' he said.

UPEI's dean of the School of Business, Alan Duncan was thrilled to hear of the case team's exciting news. 'Congratulations to Parker and Ryan on such an outstanding achievement,' he said. 'This is one of the pinnacles of case competitions, and their achievement reflects their effort, dedication, hard work, and knowledge gained through the business program.'

For more information, visit http://www.icbconline.ca/

A multidisciplinary team of researchers on PEI recently completed an anonymous, provincial, population-based study to determine the incidence of prenatal fetal alcohol exposure in PEI newborns. The team consisted of researchers and clinicians from the University of Prince Edward Island, the Queen Elizabeth and Prince County hospitals, the PEI Reproductive Care Program, and the Motherisk Laboratory at Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children.

The PEI Meconium Study, facilitated by the Canadian Association of Paediatric Health Centres (CAPHC) with funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada, was led by Dr. Janet Bryanton, associate professor, UPEI School of Nursing and Dr. Kathy Bigsby, pediatrician, QEH.

Prior to this study, PEI had no reliable data about the incidence of alcohol use during pregnancy. It is well-known that alcohol use in pregnancy can cause a range of disabilities; however, it is highly challenging to accurately determine the incidence of prenatal alcohol use in a population. The heavy stigma associated with drinking in pregnancy results in both under-reporting by pregnant women and reluctance on the part of their health-care providers to ask about prenatal alcohol use.

Meconium samples (i.e. a baby's first bowel movements) were anonymously collected from the diapers of all babies born to PEI mothers over a one-year period, including those born at IWK in Halifax. Samples were tested for biomarkers of prenatal alcohol exposure (FAEE), a unique laboratory test developed at the Motherisk Laboratory in Toronto. Close to 1,300 samples were collected and tested; the study results show that at least 3.1% of PEI babies were exposed to frequent prenatal alcohol consumption after the first trimester of pregnancy, placing these children at risk for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). It is expected that approximately 40% of exposed babies (1.3% of babies born in this population or at least 16 babies) will have FASD.

This is the first province-wide study in Canada to comprehensively evaluate the incidence of prenatal alcohol exposure. Regional studies conducted in other areas of Canada show similar rates of prenatal alcohol exposure, demonstrating that Islanders are dealing with a similar public-health impact of prenatal alcohol exposure as the rest of the country.

Whereas not drinking is the best choice for a woman who is or might become pregnant, there are many complex factors that may influence why a pregnant woman may use alcohol. The results of this study provide a basis upon which to begin discussion about a multifaceted approach to addressing prevention, early identification, and intervention for FASD.

Sister Sue Kidd, UPEI chaplain, will deliver the first talk in the UPEI University 100 Vern Smitheram and Andy Robb Leadership Development Speakers Series Winter 2013, on the theme of 'Leadership, A Call to Service' on Tuesday, January 29, 1:00-2:15 pm in UPEI's Don and Marion McDougall Hall, Room 328.

Prior to serving UPEI as chaplain, Sr. Sue's career included high school teaching in Toronto, parish and community renewal, serving as vocation director for her religious community, and two years of youth ministry in Cameroon, West Africa. She has also appeared as a CBC guest commentator with Peter Mansbridge for the papal visit of 2002 for World Youth Day, and the funeral of Pope John Paul II in 2005.

'Leadership, A Call to Service' is an opportunity to engage students and the community in important conversations about the theory and practice of leadership. An informal discussion period will take place following the talk. All are welcome to attend.

On Tuesday, January 29 at 7:30 pm, the UPEI Music Department Recital Series presents Canadian pianist Julien LeBlanc. Renowned for his great musical sensibility and his talent as a communicator, Julien will present a solo recital featuring the works of Scarlatti, Schumann, and Ravel.

Julien is a well-sought-after soloist, chamber player, and accompanist. Based in Montreal, he tours the country extensively allowing audiences from coast to coast to enjoy his performances with different formations, as well as in solo recitals.

He was artist-in-residence at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton from 2005-2009. He holds a post-graduate diploma in accompaniment from the Royal Academy of Music (London, UK), a doctorate in piano performance from the Université de Montréal, as well as an Artist Diploma from the Glenn Gould School (Toronto) where he studied with André Laplante.

The performance will take place in UPEI's Dr. Steel Recital Hall. Tickets are available at the door for $15 and $10 (students and seniors).

UPEI's synchronized swimming team will host their 'Sync or Swim' fundraiser on Wednesday, January 30, 8-9 pm at the CARI Complex. The team will showcase various routines as well as a highlight routine which showcases incredible lifts and jumps. The UPEI men's rugby club will perform their very own routine, which is sure to be entertaining.

The synchro team recently competed at the Canadian University Synchronized Swimming League (CUSSL) Eastern Canadian Divisionals hosted by Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario where they had an impressive first-time showing with a second-place team result, first-place solo result, and first and third place finishes in the duet event.

The team's next competition is the CUSSL Nationals held in London, Ontario on February 9 at Western University. UPEI will compete against approximately 18 other teams and is currently training three days a week with three-hour practices. Duet and solo routines require an additional two or three practices per week.

'This is a very talented, motivated, and determined group of young women,' said swimmer and coach Ally Merrill. 'When we set our minds on something, we are a force to be reckoned with. If we perform at the level I know we are capable of, there is no doubt we will be returning from Nationals with gold medals around our necks.'

'Sync or Swim' tickets can be purchased for $10 or $8 (students), or $15 VIP (which includes on-deck seating and a special screening of the routines underwater). Tickets are available from any UPEI synchro team member, or at the W.A. Murphy Student Centre on January 29 and 30, 11:30 am-2:00 pm. All funds raised from the event will help cover training and travel costs.

For more information on UPEI's synchro team, contact Danielle Stewart at danielle.stewart@live.ca.

Student Affairs invites the entire campus community to our open house-come see our "refreshed digs," chat with our team, and learn about our services and supports for students and our initiatives to improve the student experience at UPEI. Drop by to enjoy some cookies and coffee on us! All are welcome!

The success of UPEI case competition teams continues with a team winning the right to compete internationally. Team IJAM- comprised of fourth-year business students Isaac Townshend, John Williams, Alex Whalen, and Mary Whitrow-was recently accepted into the Network for International Business Schools (NIBS) 2013 Worldwide Case Competition in Leuven, Belgium. This is the second time a UPEI case team will compete at an international case competition.

The NIBS case competition consists of a qualifying round and a championship round. In the qualifying round, IJAM was given a case the team had never before seen-on sustainability in China's pharmaceutical industry-and was asked to create a case-analysis report in eight hours or less.

Of the 22 teams attempting to qualify, only 10 teams successfully advanced to the week-long championship round on March 3. UPEI will compete against the likes of Thailand's Assumption University, Finland's Lahti University of Applied Sciences, and Germany's Heilbronn University.

Whitrow and her teammates are grateful for the chance to compete at the international level. 'We've dedicated many long hours to secure our spot in the championship round,' she said. 'We couldn't have done it without the guidance of our professor, Edward Gamble, and the support from faculty, staff, and the UPEI community. We look forward to representing the University and Prince Edward Island in March.'

'The continued success of our case teams demonstrates the strong foundational education that students receive through the UPEI business program,' said Alan Duncan, dean of the school of business. 'It also highlights the effort, dedication, and inspiration of the team and its professor. The quality of the program is highlighted by the quality of our students. These students demonstrate this quality at each and every competition entered.'

This success does not come without a cost. These students have invested a significant amount of time, effort, and their own financial contributions to compete at this level. For more information on how to support Team IJAM, please contact their faculty advisor Edward Gamble at (902) 620-5144, egamble@upei.ca, or Alan Duncan at (902) 566-0340, awduncan@upei.ca.

For more information on the NIBS 2013 Worldwide Case Competition, visit: http://www.khleuven.be/nibs/.

UPEI offers students many ways to help fund their post-secondary education, including second-semester bursaries for current students.

Second-semester bursary applications must be submitted on or before February 15, 2013. Each submission requires a completed second-semester bursary and financial-need form.

Visit upei.ca/scholarships to access the forms or call Heather Keoughan, Scholarships and Awards Coordinator at (902) 566-0358 for more information.

On Saturday, February 2 at 7:30 pm the UPEI music faculty will be showcased in their annual gala concert at the Dr. Steel Recital Hall. The concert is an opportunity for faculty members to perform some of their favourite repertoire as solo and ensemble musicians.

The evening will feature solo performances by Karem J. Simon (clarinet), Jim Dickson (guitar), Morgan Saulnier (flute), and Frances Gray (piano). 'Wonderland Duets' based on the poems of Lewis Carroll will be performed by Gregory Irvine and Robert Nicholson on tuba, with narrator Stephen Bouey and Jacqueline Sorensen who will join Frances Gray in Dvorak's piano duet 'Slavonic Dances Op.46.'

Tickets are available at the door for $15/$10 (students/seniors). For tickets and information, contact Susan Stensch at music@upei.ca or 566-0507.

At the next Research on Tap, join us for a discussion about a life-saving device that some reject. Dr. Robert Gilmour, UPEI's vice-president of research will lead a discussion entitled: Is your life worth it? The science and ethics of implantable defibrillators.