Campus Notices
Please join us for an in-person event at the Kings Playhouse in Georgetown, PEI, on Monday, March 24, 2025, from 10:00 am–2:00 pm, to officially launch UPEI's new Master of Cleantech Leadership and Transformation (MCLT). This event will be a good opportunity to network, collaborate, and learn with leaders shaping the future of cleantech innovation and education on Prince Edward Island and who designed the MCLT program.
The launch will include an official announcement by President Rodgers followed by a panel discussion, called “From Vision to Action: The Future of Cleantech Leadership and Transformation” with UPEI panelists Dr. Laurie Brinklow, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Arts, Institute of Island Studies; Dr. Pamela Courtney-Hall, Associate Professor, Faculty of Arts, Philosophy; Dr. Nick Mercer, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Science, Environmental Studies, and Faculty of Arts, Institute of Island Studies; Dr. Sébastien Parker, Lecturer, Faculty of Arts, Political Science/Sociology; Dr. Kuljeet Grewal, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering and Faculty of Science, School of Climate Change and Adaptation; Dr. Tina Saksida, Associate Dean, Graduate Programs and Research, McDougall Faculty of Business; and Dr. Marva Sweeney-Nixon, Dean of Graduate Studies and Associate Vice-President of Research (facilitator).
The Cleantech Academy asks you to register here in advance if you plan to attend.
Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in Canada and every three days, someone on PEI is diagnosed with colorectal cancer.
March is Colorectal Cancer Screening Month. Current colorectal cancer screening guidelines on PEI recommend a FIT test (fecal immunochemical test) every two years for Islanders aged 50-74 years of age for average risk individuals. If you are at a higher risk for colorectal cancer (positive family history, blood in the stool, history of colorectal cancer, notice a change in bowel movements, unexplained weight loss, vomiting, experience long-standing diarrhea or constipation) then you should have a colonoscopy and this can be arranged at the UPEI Health & Wellness Centre.
The FIT test is available for anyone who is average risk and aged 50-74 at the UPEI Health & Wellness Centre, located on the second floor north at the W.A. Murphy Building (above the bookstore). If you identify as being higher risk, make an appointment to see a nurse practitioner at the health centre and they can review the screening that is best for you, referring for gastroenterology consult if necessary.
Detecting colorectal cancer at an earlier stage improves your chances of survival and avoidance of treatment. For more information, check out Health PEI’s Provincial Colorectal Cancer Screening Program.
The Robertson Library invites the campus community to a candidate presentation for the library’s permanent-track position of Clinical Librarian.
Candidate: Mr. Jarrod Irwin
Title: evidence-based medicine for undergraduate medical learners
When: Friday, March 28, 2025
Where: Robertson Library, Room 264
At 10:30, Mr. Irwin will give a 45-minute demonstration, on evidence-based medicine for undergraduate medical learners, with 15 minutes for questions and answers.
Jarrod holds an ALA-accredited Master of Library and Information Studies degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is currently the Behavioral and Health Sciences Librarian at Eastern Michigan University.
Library Appointments Committee: Kim Mears, (Chair), Rosie Le Faive, Lisa Chilton (History), Sarah Peddle (Medicine), Tammie Muise (Medicine), Joe Gordon (AVC/Medicine)
The third in this series of President's town halls for the 2025 winter academic semester is called "It's Easy 'Bein' Green'!"
For this town hall, we have invited students to bring forward their ideas for actions that UPEI and its community members can take quickly and easily to enhance our environmental sustainability and reduce negative environmental impact on the University campus.
Students will provide very brief presentations on what actions could be taken from their points of view. The audience will be able to commit to green-enhancing activities too!
President's Town Hall: It’s Easy “Bein’ Green!”
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
11:00 am–12:00 pm
Amphitheatre, Performing Arts Centre and Residence building (PAC121S)
If you are unable to attend in person, you are welcome to join us virtually at this Teams Town Hall link.
The Faculty of Science Graduate Committee invites the campus community to two student seminars on Friday, March 21, at 12:30 pm in the Duffy Science Centre, Room 204.
Tayah Sommer (MSc-HB, Murphy's Lab, Biology), will be presenting "Investigating the role of 3-Hydroxyanthranilic acid in breast cancer metabolism" while Dylan MacLennan (PhD-ESC, Feneque's Lab, SCCA) will be presenting "Achieving energy sovereignty in First Nations".
Everyone is welcome.
On March 27, the UPEI Wind Symphony, under the direction of Dale Sorensen, will present a concert of music on the theme of exploration-of nature, space, sound, and self. The program will include an arrangement of Bedrich Smetana’s Vltava (The Moldau), alongside evocative works by Julie Giroux (Mystery on Mena Mountain), Judith Zaimont (City Rain), and Canadian composer Nova Pon (Tilting Sunward). Of special note will be the performance of Rescue by PEI-born composer E.K.R. (Evan) Hammell, a former student at UPEI. Rounding out the program will be works by Andrew Boysen, Jr. (I Am), Giovanni Gabrieli (Canzon in Double Echo for three antiphonal brass choirs), Yukiko Nishimura (Star Ship), and Dana Wilson (Sang!).
Tickets are available in advance at upei.universitytickets.com or by cash at the door. Admission is $20 for adults and $10 for students.
Accessible parking is available, and the recital hall has an accessible entrance via elevator.
Title: Repurposing Biomass and Organic Waste into Engineered Biocarbon Materials
Presenter: Dr. Yulin Hu, assistant professor, Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering, University of Prince Edward Island
Date and Time: March 21, 2025, 1:30–2:30 PM (Atlantic Time)
Registration: https://t.ly/f2e2q (The webinar is free, but registration is needed to receive the Zoom link).
Join the Catherine Callbeck Centre for Entrepreneurship for an engaging session on risk mitigation delivered by Permjot Valia! This in-person workshop will provide insight on what types of risk exist, how startups and organizations can categorize and prioritize risks, how risks can be perceived as opportunities, and what tools can be used to demonstrate risk to external stakeholders.
This event is part of the Harry W. MacLauchlan Entrepreneurship Program, but anyone from the public is welcome to attend!
The workshop is taking place in Catherine Callbeck Centre for Entrepreneurship, 201 Robertson Library on Wednesday, March 26 from 1:00-3:00 pm. You can register to attend the in-person workshop here!
Permjot Valia (he/him) is a globally recognized mentor, facilitator and business coach. He founded MentorCamp and was Lead Mentor of Cape Breton’s Navigate Startup House. He served as a Mentor-in-Residence at the University of Arkansas Sam Walton School of Business and has helped multiple researchers commercialise their research. This work continues through the 3 day Lab2Market program he delivers across Canada to researchers. He is an expert pitch coach, with companies he has coached winning over $10m in prize money. Permjot serves on Boards of several startups, works with Dal Innovates, and lectures globally on business modelling, strategy and leadership.
The Catherine Callbeck Centre for Entrepreneurship is hosting a virtual workshop on pitching fundamentals on Tuesday, March 25, from 12:00-2:00 pm with world-renowned pitch coach Permjot Valia! Participants will learn tools, tips, and tricks around executing a business pitch effectively, efficiently, and engagingly!
This event is part of the Harry W. MacLauchlan Entrepreneurship Program, but anyone from the public is welcome to attend! Please note: AI notetakers will be prohibited from joining the session.
Register to attend the virtual workshop here!
Permjot Valia (he/him) is co-founder at Nava Develop Inc., a business development firm serving innovation focused corporates, startup organizations and academic institutions. A globally recognized mentor, facilitator and business coach, he has led strategic planning successes for organizations throughout Canada’s innovation ecosystem. He founded MentorCamp and was Lead Mentor of Cape Breton’s Navigate Startup House. He is an expert pitch coach with companies he has coached winning over $10m in prize money. Permjot serves on Boards of several startups, works with Dal Innovates, and lectures globally on business modelling, strategy and leadership. He is passionate about contributing to Canada’s economic development and cultural success.
Join the Catherine Callbeck Centre for Entrepreneurship for an engaging session on risk mitigation delivered by Permjot Valia! This virtual workshop will provide insight on what types of risk exist, how startups and organizations can categorize and prioritize risks, how risks can be perceived as opportunities, and what tools can be used to demonstrate risk to external stakeholders.
This event is part of the Harry W. MacLauchlan Entrepreneurship Program, but anyone from the public is welcome to attend! Please note: AI notetakers will be prohibited from joining the session.
The workshop is taking place virtually on Tuesday, March 25 from 4:00-6:00 pm.
You can register to attend the virtual workshop here!
Permjot Valia (he/him) is a globally recognized mentor, facilitator and business coach. He founded MentorCamp and was Lead Mentor of Cape Breton’s Navigate Startup House. He served as a Mentor-in-Residence at the University of Arkansas Sam Walton School of Business and has helped multiple researchers commercialise their research. This work continues through the 3 day Lab2Market program he delivers across Canada to researchers. He is an expert pitch coach, with companies he has coached winning over $10m in prize money. Permjot serves on Boards of several startups, works with Dal Innovates, and lectures globally on business modelling, strategy and leadership.
The UPEI Faculty of Education invites all to attend the public presentation of Paulina Huayamave Hernandez's PhD dissertation defense, "Transformative Teacher Education in Search of the Sumak Kawsay (the Good Living): A Mixed-Methods Study on Critical Global Citizenship Education in Ecuador" on March 27 at 11:30 am.
Please join us in person in Memorial Hall, Room 417 or via Zoom at https://upei.zoom.us/j/65282001257?pwd=B7Tu73zBAAMGJPl7yzCHCMDOb3Igsa.1
The Sir James Dunn Animal Welfare Centre (SJDAWC) at the Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC) invites you to its three-part webinar series exploring animal welfare issues in small mammals kept as pets. This series will provide participants with insights on the care and welfare of small companion animals, with an emphasis on rabbits and rodents.
The webinars feature Dr. Lee Niel, Dr. Carol Tinga, and Dr. Dan O’Neill, and will take place on April 15, 22, and 29, beginning at 4:00 pm.
Veterinarians and veterinary technicians are eligible for continuing education credit. The webinar cost is $50 per webinar, or $120 for all three. There will be no charge for students.
IMPORTANT TO NOTE: Participating veterinarians and veterinary technicians are eligible to earn one hour of RACE-accredited continuing education per webinar. Participants are required to attend the live webinar to earn this credit. RACE-program number: 20-1286545.
The third in this series of President's town halls for the 2025 winter academic semester is called "It's Easy 'Bein' Green'!"
For this town hall, we have invited students to bring forward their ideas for actions that UPEI and its community members can take quickly and easily to enhance our environmental sustainability and reduce negative environmental impact on the University campus.
Students will provide very brief presentations on what actions could be taken from their points of view. The audience will be able to commit to green-enhancing activities too!
President's Town Hall: It’s Easy “Bein’ Green!”
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
11:00 am–12:00 pm
Amphitheatre, Performing Arts Centre and Residence building (PAC121S)
If you are unable to attend in person, you are welcome to join us virtually at this Teams Town Hall link.
The Faculty of Science Graduate Committee invites the campus community to two student seminars on Friday, March 21, at 12:30 pm in the Duffy Science Centre, Room 204.
Tayah Sommer (MSc-HB, Murphy's Lab, Biology), will be presenting "Investigating the role of 3-Hydroxyanthranilic acid in breast cancer metabolism" while Dylan MacLennan (PhD-ESC, Feneque's Lab, SCCA) will be presenting "Achieving energy sovereignty in First Nations".
Everyone is welcome.
The UPEI Philosophy reading group will meet on Thursday, March 20, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. in downtown Charlottetown (the exact location is TBD). All are welcome.
During this gathering, we will discuss Mark Fisher's Capitalist Realism: Is There No Alternative? The following passages capture the spirit of the book:
"It is easier to imagine the end of the world than the end of capitalism"
"Capitalist realism insists on treating mental health as if it were a natural fact, like weather (but, then again, weather is no longer a natural fact so much as a political-economic effect). In the 1960s and 1970s, radical theory and politics (Laing, Foucault, Deleuze and Guattari, etc.) coalesced around extreme mental conditions such as schizophrenia, arguing, for instance, that madness was not a natural, but a political, category. But what is needed now is a politicization of much more common disorders. Indeed, it is their very commonness which is the issue: in Britain, depression is now the condition that is most treated by the NHS. In his book The Selfish Capitalist, Oliver James has convincingly posited a correlation between rising rates of mental distress and the neoliberal mode of capitalism practiced in countries like Britain, the USA and Australia. In line with James’s claims, I want to argue that it is necessary to reframe the growing problem of stress (and distress) in capitalist societies. Instead of treating it as incumbent on individuals to resolve their own psychological distress, instead, that is, of accepting the vast privatization of stress that has taken place over the last thirty years, we need to ask: how has it become acceptable that so many people, and especially so many young people, are ill?" - M. Fisher
If you would like to attend, please reach out to Dr. Max Schaefer at mschaefer@upei.ca for more information.
Title: Repurposing Biomass and Organic Waste into Engineered Biocarbon Materials
Presenter: Dr. Yulin Hu, assistant professor, Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering, University of Prince Edward Island
Date and Time: March 21, 2025, 1:30–2:30 PM (Atlantic Time)
Registration: https://t.ly/f2e2q (The webinar is free, but registration is needed to receive the Zoom link).
The UPEI Bookstore now has Class of 2025 hoodies and crews along with grad bears, key chains, mugs and more. Shop online 24/7 at upei.ca/bookstore.
The call for Three Minute Thesis (3MT) participants is now open. To check eligibility and register, complete the 2025 UPEI Three Minute Thesis participant registration form. Deadline to register is Monday, April 21, 2025 at 4:00 pm.
What is Three Minute Thesis?
The Three Minute Thesis (3MT) challenges thesis-based master's and doctoral students to explain their research project to a non-specialist audience in just three minutes.
Prizes for the top three presenters, and the winner of the UPEI 3MT progresses to represent UPEI at the regional competition.
Participants will develop presentation and communication skills and share their research with a broad audience.
Participants will be supported by three optional workshops, including:
- Planning your 3MT
- Designing your visuals
- Presentation skills and practice
The Faculty of Graduate Studies will be hosting the 3MT competition on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, from 5:00-7:00 pm at the Fox & Crow, W.A. Murphy Student Centre.
Check eligibility and register by completing the 2025 UPEI Three Minute Thesis participant registration form.
The Catherine Callbeck Centre for Entrepreneurship is hosting a virtual workshop on pitching fundamentals on Tuesday, March 25, from 12:00-2:00 pm with world-renowned pitch coach Permjot Valia! Participants will learn tools, tips, and tricks around executing a business pitch effectively, efficiently, and engagingly!
This event is part of the Harry W. MacLauchlan Entrepreneurship Program, but anyone from the public is welcome to attend! Please note: AI notetakers will be prohibited from joining the session.
Register to attend the virtual workshop here!
Permjot Valia (he/him) is co-founder at Nava Develop Inc., a business development firm serving innovation focused corporates, startup organizations and academic institutions. A globally recognized mentor, facilitator and business coach, he has led strategic planning successes for organizations throughout Canada’s innovation ecosystem. He founded MentorCamp and was Lead Mentor of Cape Breton’s Navigate Startup House. He is an expert pitch coach with companies he has coached winning over $10m in prize money. Permjot serves on Boards of several startups, works with Dal Innovates, and lectures globally on business modelling, strategy and leadership. He is passionate about contributing to Canada’s economic development and cultural success.
Join the Catherine Callbeck Centre for Entrepreneurship for an engaging session on risk mitigation delivered by Permjot Valia! This virtual workshop will provide insight on what types of risk exist, how startups and organizations can categorize and prioritize risks, how risks can be perceived as opportunities, and what tools can be used to demonstrate risk to external stakeholders.
This event is part of the Harry W. MacLauchlan Entrepreneurship Program, but anyone from the public is welcome to attend! Please note: AI notetakers will be prohibited from joining the session.
The workshop is taking place virtually on Tuesday, March 25 from 4:00-6:00 pm.
You can register to attend the virtual workshop here!
Permjot Valia (he/him) is a globally recognized mentor, facilitator and business coach. He founded MentorCamp and was Lead Mentor of Cape Breton’s Navigate Startup House. He served as a Mentor-in-Residence at the University of Arkansas Sam Walton School of Business and has helped multiple researchers commercialise their research. This work continues through the 3 day Lab2Market program he delivers across Canada to researchers. He is an expert pitch coach, with companies he has coached winning over $10m in prize money. Permjot serves on Boards of several startups, works with Dal Innovates, and lectures globally on business modelling, strategy and leadership.
