Campus Notices

Teaching Community Conference 2026 - Call for Proposals Deadline Extension

Teaching Community Conference 2026 - RSVP and Call for Proposals

The UPEI Teaching and Learning Centre is hosting its annual full-day Teaching Community Conference on Tuesday April 28, 2026.  This year’s theme will be: Connected Teaching: Connecting with Community, Self, and Place. RSVP Here.

The Teaching Community Conference is an opportunity to breathe further life into our  strategic commitment to innovative and connected teaching, research, and scholarship by sharing our experiences, challenges, and opportunities of advancing teaching and learning at UPEI. Conference participants are invited to reflect on this theme and consider relevant questions such as:  

  • What supports, skills, and critical capacities do faculty need to embrace the relational and connected nature of teaching?
  • As we consider expanding the walls of our classrooms and broadening our partnerships, how do we ensure we aren’t simply supplementing traditional teaching practices but rather transforming what teaching itself means?
  • How does a commitment to relational and connected teaching help build faculty capacity to recognize and respond to structural barriers students face?  

We are looking for proposals from the UPEI community that highlight current  teaching and learning initiatives, share  new ideas, and build collaborative strategies for a more inclusive accessible, and courageous university. Proposals from staff and faculty are welcome. There are four formats suggested for proposals:

  • Traditional Oral Presentation: Presenters share a talk about a teaching and learning project or topic related to the theme, speaking for about 20 minutes, followed by 5-10 minutes for questions.
  • Lightning Talk: "Small Shifts, Significant Gains." Presenters share a teaching strategy or practice that they’ve found effective in supporting student learning, speaking for about ten minutes, followed by a short group discussion.
  • Interactive Workshop: A hands-on session that encourages active participation and collaboration among attendees. The workshop could involve group activities, discussions, practical exercises, etc.
  • Indigenous Sharing Circle: A facilitated, safe space for individuals to come together to discuss topics related to the theme, share their experiences, listen to each other, build relationships, offer support, and connect with each other.
  • Facilitated Round table Discussion: A structured, collaborative conversation led by a facilitator to encourage open dialogue, balanced participation, and exploration of shared issues among participants. The session is guided by clear objectives and prompts, resulting in documented insights and agreed‑upon themes or recommendations.  

The deadline is extended to Monday, March 9, 2026. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to TLC@upei.ca.  

Proposals can be submitted here.

IT Systems and Services Closed for Department Training

Please be advised that the IT Help Desk will be closed Tuesday, March 3 from 1pm-4pm for a scheduled department development session. The Help Desk will remain closed for the remainder of the day.

Only truly critical issues will be responded to via the ITSS Critical Phone Line: 902-566-0465, Option 2

Thank you for your understanding as we continue to invest in ongoing service improvement.

ITSS Operations

Save the date - Explaining Professional/Clinical Service for Tenure and Promotion workshop

If you have Professional/Clinical Service responsibilities and you are preparing a tenure or promotion application in the next year then this workshop is for you.  Join Aimie Doyle from AVC and Charlene VanLeeuwen in the TLC to talk about effective ways to share the many details of your professional service activities in your tenure or promotion application on May 14 at 1:30pm in the Teaching and Learning Centre. 

IKERAS BA Program Event

We are pleased to invite you to join us as we celebrate the launch of our new Major in Indigenous Studies.

This special event will introduce the program, highlight its vision and significance, and bring our community together in recognition of this important milestone.

Date: Wednesday, March 4
Time: 12:30 – 2:30 pm
Location: Schurman Market Square, Room 248, Don and Marion McDougall Hall

The celebration will feature traditional ceremonies led by our MCs, Bethany Paulisyn and Grace McQuaid, including:

• An Honour Song performed by Judy Clark, Thirly Levi, Doris Googoo, and Alicia Muttart
• Seven Sacred Teachings in Mi’kmaq shared by Doris Googoo

This new Major in Indigenous Studies reflects our ongoing commitment to Indigenous knowledge, education, research, and community engagement. We look forward to sharing more about the program and the opportunities it will create for our students and community.

We hope you can join us for this meaningful occasion.

ESC/HB Seminar Series: Dr. K. Devon Lynn

The Faculty of Science Seminar Series invites the campus community to a presentation by Dr. K. Devon Lynn (Environmental Studies and Cleantech Academy) entitled "The efficacy of artificial reef structures in raising marine biodiversity" on Friday, February 27, at 12:30 pm, Duffy Science Centre 204. Everyone is welcome. 

Dr. Dale Sorensen Trombone Recital

The Department of Music presents Fantaisie de trombone, a recital featuring UPEI faculty members Dr. Dale Sorensen (trombone) with Dr. Magdalena von Eccher (piano), showcasing three 20th-century works by French women composers, along with 21st-century masterpieces by James M. David and Susan Mutter.

Tickets are available in advance at upei.universitytickets.com or by cash at the door.

Order your custom program hoodie or crew

You can now pre-order a custom hoodie (Black or Forest Green) or crew (Sport Grey) with your UPEI program on it. From February 20 to March 4 place your pre-order on our website and choose the custom program hoodie or crew of your choice. Pick up or delivery of all orders will be mid-April. If you are a current UPEI staff member enter the promo code STAFFWEB to use your staff discount. Contact us at bookstore@upei.ca for more information. 

https://upei.bookware3000.ca/Catalogue/custom-merch

PhD Dissertation Defense - Diane Montgomery

The Faculty of Education invites all to attend the public presentation of Diane Montgomery's PhD Dissertation Defense, "A Student-Directed Holistic Assessment Approach to Help Teachers Develop Self-Regulated Learners and Support the Diverse Needs of Students in Inclusive Educational Settings "

Please join us in person at Memorial Hall, Room 417 or through Teams: see the link below:
D. Montgomery PhD Dissertation Defense | Meeting-Join | Microsoft Teams
 

Music Recital: Fantaisie de trombone

This trombone and piano recital featuring UPEI brass professor Dr. Dale Sorensen with Dr. Magdalena von Eccher will showcase three 20th-century works by French women composers, along with 21st-century masterpieces by American composers James M. David and Susan Mutter.

Fantaisie de trombone will take place on Sunday, March 1 at 2:30pm on the SDU Stage at Steel Recital Hall. Accessible parking is available, and the theatre has an accessible entrance via elevator.

Admission: $30 adults, $25 seniors, $10 students. FREE for all UPEI students with a valid ID card. Tickets are available in advance at upei.universitytickets.com or by cash at the door.

Don't Miss the OCEPD's Spring 2026 Professional Development Opportunities

We’re excited to share a fantastic lineup of Spring 2026 Professional Development opportunities offered by the Office of Continuing Education and Professional Development (OCEPD) at UPEI — designed to help you grow your skills, expand your expertise, and elevate your impact.

UPEI Staff Special Rate:
A reminder that UPEI staff and faculty are eligible to take select OCEPD Certificate programs at a reduced tuition rate of just $995 — a great way to invest in yourself and your professional journey. 

Spring 2026 Certificate Programs

Why Take a Certificate?

Each of these OCEPD Certificate programs is practical, evidence-informed, and directly applicable to your work at UPEI. Whether it’s enhancing communication, boosting team morale, improving safety, strengthening analytics, or fortifying wellbeing — these Certificates are designed to give you the skills to improve in your role and contribute to stronger well-being. 

Ready to enroll or learn more?
Visit the full OCEPD Certificate listings on UPEI’s Professional Development site: https://www.upei.ca/professional-development/certificates

Feel free to reach out if you’d like help selecting the right program for your goals — we’re cheering you on as you continue your professional development journey!

Robertson Library Book Club

You're invited to the Robertson Library Book Club! Throughout Winter Term 2026, we will read and discuss three books on the topic of indigeneity in the region of Turtle Island known as Canada. Book club meetings will be co-hosted by Morgan Varis, a sessional instructor from IKERAS (Faculty of Indigenous Knowledge, Education, Research, and Applied Studies). These meetings will take place on the last Monday of each month from January - March and will be held in the Robertson Library lobby at noon (12pm); light refreshments will be provided. 

Our next meeting is Monday, March 30, 12pm-1pm, discussing The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline (fiction)

"Humanity has nearly destroyed its world through global warming, but now an even greater evil lurks. The Indigenous people of North America are being hunted and harvested for their bone marrow, which carries the key to recovering something the rest of the population has lost: the ability to dream. In this dark world, Frenchie and his companions struggle to survive as they make their way up north to the old lands. For now, survival means staying hidden - but what they don't know is that one of them holds the secret to defeating the marrow thieves." The Marrow Thieves won the Governor General's Literary Award for Young People's Literature (Text) in 2017. -Cormorant Books

Copies of all three books are available to borrow from the Robertson Library (courtesy of PEI Public Library/Service des bibliothèques publiques ÎPÉ and their book club kit program):

Birdie by Tracey Lindberg
Out of the Depths by Isabelle Knockwood
The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline

Hope to see you there!

Meeting of the UPEI Senate

The sixth meeting of the UPEI Senate will take place on Friday, February 27, 2026, from 3:00 to 5:00 pm in Room 102 at Alumni Hall (618 University Avenue). View the 2025-2026 calendar of Senate meetings or documents for the upcoming meeting. (Posted one week before the meeting)

All meetings are open to members of the University community, although certain in-camera items (e.g., granting of degrees) may require the Senate to go into a closed session. Only members of Senate are permitted to address the Senate unless otherwise recognized by the chair. 

For logistical purposes, members of the UPEI community who wish to attend the open session of a UPEI Senate meeting are asked to contact senate@upei.ca one week prior to the meeting. While Senate is an in-person meeting, members of the University community may request a virtual connection when they are unable to attend in person. 

ESC/HB Seminar Series: Dr. K. Devon Lynn

The Faculty of Science Seminar Series invites the campus community to a presentation by Dr. K. Devon Lynn (Environmental Studies and Cleantech Academy) entitled "The efficacy of artificial reef structures in raising marine biodiversity" on Friday, February 27, at 12:30 pm, Duffy Science Centre 204. Everyone is welcome. 

Dr. Dale Sorensen Trombone Recital

The Department of Music presents Fantaisie de trombone, a recital featuring UPEI faculty members Dr. Dale Sorensen (trombone) with Dr. Magdalena von Eccher (piano), showcasing three 20th-century works by French women composers, along with 21st-century masterpieces by James M. David and Susan Mutter.

Tickets are available in advance at upei.universitytickets.com or by cash at the door.

Recognition of Founders Ceremony for the 2025 Founders

Recognition of Founders Ceremony to honour the 2025 Founders 

  • Dr. Debbie MacLellan
  • Donna Barnes
  • Dr. Gerald Johnson

Thursday, February 26, 2026 - 1:30 pm
Schurman Market Square, Don and Marion McDougall Hall

All are invited! 

 

Free sticker at the Bookstore this week

All this week you can get a free sticker of your choice with any purchase over $20.00 at the UPEI Bookstore. 

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for all the details of this promotion as well as our contests, sales, and newest products. 

Public presentation on education and AI at UPEI on February 26

Members of the public are invited to attend a panel titled “Education in the Age of AI: Reimagining the Educational Landscape” on February 26, from 6:30 to 8:00 pm, in the Alex MacKinnon Auditorium (Room 242), Don and Marion McDougall Hall, UPEI. Dr. Tess Miller, a professor in the UPEI Faculty of Education, and PhD students Rahula Samaran, Saniya Shaikh, and Xiaohan Yang, all of whom are doing research in AI, will give presentations on education and various aspects of AI.

For more information, go to https://www.upei.ca/communications/news/2026/02/public-presentation-education-and-ai-upei-february-26

IKERAS Tenure-Track Candidate Research Presentation

Dr. Kayla Murphy, BA, MEd, Ed.D., a candidate for the tenure-track associate professor position in the Faculty of Indigenous Knowledge, Education, Research and Applied Studies (IKERAS), will give a research presentation titled "Relational Accountability in Education: Indigenous Methodologies, Student Experience, and Institutional Responsibility” on Friday, March 6, 2026, at 11:30 am in Bill and Denise Andrew Hall, Room 142.

Work-integrated learning bursary applications due March 1

Do you have students in unpaid work-integrated learning placements or projects this semester? 30 bursaries, valued at $1,000 each, have been created for students who are taking part in work-integrated learning with an industry or community partner as part of their UPEI coursework during the 2026 Winter semester. 

Full details, including application form, can be found at https://www.upei.ca/exed/students/wil-bursary 

Applications are due by March 1.

Study Abroad Information Session

The UPEI Office of Study Abroad and International Partnerships is excited to host a Study Abroad Information Session on Thursday, February 26, from 1:00-2:00 pm in the Robertson Library Annex, Room 209.  We will explain the different Study Abroad Programs, explore UPEI's various partner schools, discuss funding opportunities, share past student experiences, and answer any questions you may have! 

To claim a seat, please sign up here!

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