From the moment a new student walks onto the UPEI campus they are a “Panther for Life,” and for this reason, the UPEI Alumni Association has adopted this phrase as part of its identity. The Association recognizes the importance of encouraging campus pride, and the impact that school spirit has within the university community. Because of this, this award was established in 2023 to acknowledge the contributions of an outstanding student in the campus community.  

Awarded to a current UPEI student (of no particular standing), who exemplifies true Panther pride inside and outside of the classroom. This individual has contributed to the campus community in a meaningful way, whether it be through their volunteerism, participation in UPEI-related events and activities, support of panther sport, or any other significant way, that makes them a strong ambassador for UPEI, both now, and as a future Panther Alumni.

Nominations are accepted on an ongoing basis throughout the year; however, nominations must be received by the end of February each year to be considered for that year’s cycle. Any student, staff, or faculty member may submit nominations. Award nominee must be a current UPEI student. 

To nominate a current student for this award, please fill out our Panther for Life Spirit Award Nomination form here!

In partnership with our friends at the Jack Frost Winterfest, the UPEI Alumni Association is once again excited to offer UPEI alumni a promotional 20% discount on individual and family single-day passes. The promo code is valid until February 8, 2026, and excludes weekend passes and Swift Kick tickets.

Request the promo code before January 31 to be included in a draw to win UPEI Alumni winter gear, Pride the Panther mini mascots, and more.

Research Services is starting work on the next issue of UPEI’s research magazine InView. You may have seen a copy of our first issue from September 2025. 

While we are able to gather a list of funded active research projects, we know that there are certainly more projects that do not have an associated project account. We also understand that certain faculties have a number of faculty members currently working on doctoral degrees. These faculty members are welcome to submit their active doctoral research for consideration. 

Participation in the research magazine does not take much time or effort from faculty members. It involves a 30- to 60-minute recorded interview with Julie VanLeeuwen, Research Navigator, to get a good understanding of the project, a short photoshoot with the UPEI photographer (coordinated by Julie), and a review of the draft article. 

There are many factors that impact the selection of projects featured in InView. We want to ensure equitable representation of faculties and departments, gender, race, career-stage, research type, and signature areas of research excellence. The final list of featured projects will be approved by the Research Advisory Committee.  

If you are interested in having your project featured in the 2025-2026 issue, please send the following information to Julie VanLeeuwen, Research Navigator (jmvanleeuwen@upei.ca) by the end of the day on January 21, 2026. 

• Project title:
• Principal Investigator:
• Any UPEI Collaborators:
• Any External Partners:
• Number of students working on this project:
• Signature Area of Research Excellence (pick one of the following)
• Sustainable Development
• Environmental Stewardship
• Healthy Animals
• Healthy Communities
• Humanity, Justice, and Organizations 

Selected projects can expect to be contacted in February 2026. 

The following programs have been launched for Summer 2026 undergraduate research opportunities:

• NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Awards
• CIHR/NSERC/SSHRC Undergraduate Student Research Awards for Black Student Researchers
• UPEI Engineering Undergraduate Research Awards
• UPEI Science Undergraduate Research Awards
• UPEI Lévesque Undergraduate Research Awards in Human Health 

Guidelines and internal application forms can be found here: https://www.upei.ca/research/undergraduate-research-opportunities

Deadline for all programs: February 20, 2026, 4:00pm

An information session regarding undergraduate student research awards will be held on Friday, January 23, 2026, from 2:30 to 3:30pm in Kelley Building room 211. Students and supervisors are encouraged to attend. 

For more information, contact Leslie Cudmore, Research Grants Coordinator, at lcudmore@upei.ca or 902-566-0709. 

All faculty, students, and staff are invited to the next UPEI Research Breakfast, happening on Thursday, January 29, 2026, hosted by Research Partnerships and Innovation (formerly OCII).

The theme of this breakfast is “Climate Change and Society”. Two UPEI research chairs, Dr. Sara Sadri and Dr. Jean Mitchell, will give short presentations about their research. Presentations run from 8:00-9:00 am, with networking and a continental breakfast available at 7:30 am. This event is FREE, but space is limited. Please RSVP here.

Join us for a morning of knowledge-sharing and networking with fellow researchers and industry, community, and government partners over a delicious breakfast!

Research Partnerships and Innovation is the new name for the Office of Commercialization, Industry and Innovation (OCII)! We are kicking off the new year with a renewed focus on our core mission and our role in the PEI innovation ecosystem. 

Research Partnerships and Innovation is a name that reflects the work that we do connecting UPEI researchers with industry, community, and government partners, contributing to economic and social development in the region. 

We are still the same team here to support you. Check out our website upei.ca/rpi to learn more about what we do. 

Kick off the semester by attending our networking event for the Harry W. MacLauchlan Entrepreneurship Program (HWMEP)! Join us on Wednesday, January 21 from 5:30 - 7:30 pm, in 201 Robertson Library.

This is the best opportunity before the competition officially starts for you to meet fellow competitors, find potential partners, and ask questions to CCCE staff about the competition before the application deadline of February 10, 2026! The networking event is open to any current UPEI student, regardless of interest in the HWMEP competition.

Register today!

The Robertson Library is hosting library tours from January 19 to February 5, and we would love for you to join us.  The tour is an excellent opportunity to explore the library spaces and learn more about what the library has to offer.

Use this link to book your tour.  

We can't wait to welcome you and show you around!

The new UPEI Laboratory Safety Manual, 3^rd Edition, has been uploaded to the Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) SharePoint site! You may use the HSE SharePoint search engine or click the ‘Laboratories’ button to access.

All laboratory workers - a person employed in a workplace; or a person in a workplace for any reason in connection there with are responsible for following all applicable safety rules and practices as outlined in the Laboratory Safety Manual.

For questions regarding the Laboratory Safety Manual, please reach out to HSE@upei.ca.  

Who’s it for?
All UPEI staff, faculty, and students who want direct, plain‑language answers from IT Systems and Services (ITSS). Bring your questions about services, support, projects, security, and how to work effectively with ITSS.

What is an AMA?
An AMA is a live Q&A where you ask anything related to ITSS—no slide deck, no long presentations. Managers from across ITSS are on hand to answer and point you to the right next step.

Who will be there?

• Information Security & Information Management: Dave Kubert
• Operations: Douglas Burton, Deryl Gallant
• Enterprise Applications: Cory MacDougall
• Solution Development & Deployment: Leigh McIsaac
• Network & Infrastructure: Graham Nixon
• HEF Technology & Solutions: Kelly Dawson, Tyler Dickieson

Why attend?

• Direct answers. Ask about services, priorities, timelines, and how to get things done.
• Clarity on support. Learn how tickets are triaged and escalated, when the phone line is for critical issues, and how to get after‑hours help in true emergencies.
• Actionable takeaways. Leave with links and steps you can use the same day.

What we covered last time (highlights):

• Help Desk access & the phone line
• Support hours
• Ticket priorities & escalation
• Responsible AI & Copilot
• “Speaking IT” resources
• Asset inventory

How to ask questions (before or during):

• Live: Ask in the session on January 20 from 11:45-1:15—no need to submit in advance.
• In advance or if you can’t attend: Send your question via email to itss-admin@upei.ca

Need help registering for courses or making a course plan? The Academic Support Services team is offering drop-in academic advising for returning undergraduate students! 

Drop-in appointments are first come, first served and will be offered Monday to Friday on the following weeks:

• January 5-9
• January 12-16
• January 19-23 

Come to the fifth floor of Dalton Hall and check in at the front desk to meet with an advisor!

**These are short, drop-in sessions so please do as much planning as possible before you attend.

For questions, please contact us at: studentserv@upei.ca or 902-566-0488.

The Island Lecture Series presents a talk by Jeff Collins, “Power Plays: Newfoundland's Fight Over Churchill Falls,” on January 20, 2026, at 7 pm, in the Faculty Lounge, Main Building Room 201, University of Prince Edward Island. 

"No more giveaways" is a longstanding idea built into Newfoundland nationalism. Controlling resources and achieving as many benefits as possible for the local population even predates Confederation with Canada in 1949. However, it is the sense of betrayal and lost opportunity associated with a 1969 agreement with Quebec to develop the Churchill Falls hydro-electric dam that stands alone as the symbol of this sentiment. 

Now, as the people of Newfoundland and Labrador near the closing decade-and-a-half of that original contract, they are presented with a new deal, a “memorandum-of-understanding” between the two provinces that would extend the partnership and potentially develop even more hydro-resources in the province. The deal's proponents, chiefly the provincial Liberal party, which lost this year's election, say it will bring billions in new revenue to a province teetering on financial calamity. For detractors, chiefly the new provincial Progressive Conservative government, it is a deal that, at a minimum, is worthy of review given the legacy of 1969. 

This talk will situate the current debate within this historical context and show that for the government in St. John's, and the province as a whole, there are no nuanced answers when nationalist sentiment shadows public policy.

Jeffrey F. Collins is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Prince Edward Island. A native of Placentia, Newfoundland, he has written numerous articles and essays on Newfoundland political history and public policy challenges. 

The lecture is free, and all are welcome. For more information, contact Bren Simmers at 902-566-0386 or ispstaff@upei.ca.

Research Services is starting work on the next issue of UPEI’s research magazine InView. You may have seen a copy of our first issue from September 2025. 

While we are able to gather a list of funded active research projects, we know that there are certainly more projects that do not have an associated project account. We also understand that certain faculties have a number of faculty members currently working on doctoral degrees. These faculty members are welcome to submit their active doctoral research for consideration. 

Participation in the research magazine does not take much time or effort from faculty members. It involves a 30- to 60-minute recorded interview with Julie VanLeeuwen, Research Navigator, to get a good understanding of the project, a short photoshoot with the UPEI photographer (coordinated by Julie), and a review of the draft article. 

There are many factors that impact the selection of projects featured in InView. We want to ensure equitable representation of faculties and departments, gender, race, career-stage, research type, and signature areas of research excellence. The final list of featured projects will be approved by the Research Advisory Committee.  

If you are interested in having your project featured in the 2025-2026 issue, please send the following information to Julie VanLeeuwen, Research Navigator (jmvanleeuwen@upei.ca) by the end of the day on January 21, 2026. 

• Project title:
• Principal Investigator:
• Any UPEI Collaborators:
• Any External Partners:
• Number of students working on this project:
• Signature Area of Research Excellence (pick one of the following)
• Sustainable Development
• Environmental Stewardship
• Healthy Animals
• Healthy Communities
• Humanity, Justice, and Organizations 

Selected projects can expect to be contacted in February 2026. 

The following programs have been launched for Summer 2026 undergraduate research opportunities:

• NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Awards
• CIHR/NSERC/SSHRC Undergraduate Student Research Awards for Black Student Researchers
• UPEI Engineering Undergraduate Research Awards
• UPEI Science Undergraduate Research Awards
• UPEI Lévesque Undergraduate Research Awards in Human Health 

Guidelines and internal application forms can be found here: https://www.upei.ca/research/undergraduate-research-opportunities

Deadline for all programs: February 20, 2026, 4:00pm

An information session regarding undergraduate student research awards will be held on Friday, January 23, 2026, from 2:30 to 3:30pm in Kelley Building room 211. Students and supervisors are encouraged to attend. 

For more information, contact Leslie Cudmore, Research Grants Coordinator, at lcudmore@upei.ca or 902-566-0709. 

Kick off the semester by attending our networking event for the Harry W. MacLauchlan Entrepreneurship Program (HWMEP)! Join us on Wednesday, January 21 from 5:30 - 7:30 pm, in 201 Robertson Library.

This is the best opportunity before the competition officially starts for you to meet fellow competitors, find potential partners, and ask questions to CCCE staff about the competition before the application deadline of February 10, 2026! The networking event is open to any current UPEI student, regardless of interest in the HWMEP competition.

Register today!

The UPEI Health Research Network is inviting full-time and part-time undergraduate students to join the Connections Program. This is a research program focused on health and well-being for undergraduate students on campus. The program will begin last week of January OR the first week of February 2026 (will be confirmed soon).

Are you interested in meeting new people in a friendly, inclusive, and non-judgmental environment? In this program, you will learn about food, health, stress, coping strategies, and physical activity.

The Health Research Network is offering this free, eight-week program to help students learn about health and well-being while connecting with the student community. Participants must be able to complete the pre and post-screening assessments (completed before the program begins and also once more after the program finishes) and be able to attend all eight sessions.

The program includes:

• Eight weekly group sessions (2 hours each):
  • 1 hour with a Registered Dietitian and Health Educator
  • 1 hour of physical activity led by a Kinesiologist
• Optional open gym times
• All sessions take place in the lower level of the Steel Building
• Snacks are also provided at each session!

The sessions are student-centered, and all levels of experience and ability are welcome.

If you are interested, please email Anja and Laurie at connections@upei.ca to get more information or to book the required pre-program screening assessment.

Research Services is starting work on the next issue of UPEI’s research magazine InView. You may have seen a copy of our first issue from September 2025. 

While we are able to gather a list of funded active research projects, we know that there are certainly more projects that do not have an associated project account. We also understand that certain faculties have a number of faculty members currently working on doctoral degrees. These faculty members are welcome to submit their active doctoral research for consideration. 

Participation in the research magazine does not take much time or effort from faculty members. It involves a 30- to 60-minute recorded interview with Julie VanLeeuwen, Research Navigator, to get a good understanding of the project, a short photoshoot with the UPEI photographer (coordinated by Julie), and a review of the draft article. 

There are many factors that impact the selection of projects featured in InView. We want to ensure equitable representation of faculties and departments, gender, race, career-stage, research type, and signature areas of research excellence. The final list of featured projects will be approved by the Research Advisory Committee.  

If you are interested in having your project featured in the 2025-2026 issue, please send the following information to Julie VanLeeuwen, Research Navigator (jmvanleeuwen@upei.ca) by the end of the day on January 21, 2026. 

• Project title:
• Principal Investigator:
• Any UPEI Collaborators:
• Any External Partners:
• Number of students working on this project:
• Signature Area of Research Excellence (pick one of the following)
• Sustainable Development
• Environmental Stewardship
• Healthy Animals
• Healthy Communities
• Humanity, Justice, and Organizations 

Selected projects can expect to be contacted in February 2026. 

Effective December 2025, the Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) unit was shifted to operate within the Department of Human Resources (HR). Previously, HSE operated within the Office of the Vice-President Administration and Finance.

This change will strengthen collaboration and leverage expertise in both areas to cultivate more connection between occupational health and safety practices and employee well-being initiatives. 

The HSE team's current structure and office location at AVC 428S remain unchanged. Please refer to the Health, Safety, and Environment SharePoint site for more information about the team’s commitment to ensuring UPEI is a healthy and safe environment in which to work, study, and visit. 

The following programs have been launched for Summer 2026 undergraduate research opportunities:

• NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Awards
• CIHR/NSERC/SSHRC Undergraduate Student Research Awards for Black Student Researchers
• UPEI Engineering Undergraduate Research Awards
• UPEI Science Undergraduate Research Awards
• UPEI Lévesque Undergraduate Research Awards in Human Health 

Guidelines and internal application forms can be found here: https://www.upei.ca/research/undergraduate-research-opportunities

Deadline for all programs: February 20, 2026, 4:00pm

An information session regarding undergraduate student research awards will be held on Friday, January 23, 2026, from 2:30 to 3:30pm in Kelley Building room 211. Students and supervisors are encouraged to attend. 

For more information, contact Leslie Cudmore, Research Grants Coordinator, at lcudmore@upei.ca or 902-566-0709. 

Research Partnerships and Innovation is the new name for the Office of Commercialization, Industry and Innovation (OCII)! We are kicking off the new year with a renewed focus on our core mission and our role in the PEI innovation ecosystem. 

Research Partnerships and Innovation is a name that reflects the work that we do connecting UPEI researchers with industry, community, and government partners, contributing to economic and social development in the region. 

We are still the same team here to support you. Check out our website upei.ca/rpi to learn more about what we do.