The next Island Lecture Series, hosted by the Institute of Island Studies at UPEI, will feature guest speaker Heidi Hearing presenting, “The “family farm”: A keyword in Prince Edward Island land politics. The lecture will be held in the Faculty Lounge of SDU Main Building on May 20 at 7:00 pm. (This lecture was previously scheduled for March but was postponed due to weather.) Admission is free and all are welcome.

Hearing’s talk will deal with the struggle to define the “family farm” in PEI and how this ambiguity helps or hinders the work of farmers, agribusiness, and government. It will discuss how participant definitions of the “family farm” contrasted with how they farmed and were sometimes at odds with their ideals. This talk will also shed light on the possible reasons that agribusiness and governments look to the pastoral romanticism of “family farm.”

Heidi Hearing lives in Charlottetown and has recently completed her MA in Anthropology from Memorial University. Her thesis is entitled: “Three keywords in the campaign against farmland consolidation and the loss of small farms through the lens of the Prince Edward Island Chapter of the National Farmers Union." 

MSc in Mathematical and Computational Sciences Thesis Defence

Presenter: Paul Seward

Title: “Advancing Particle Swarm Optimization through Deep Reinforcement Learning”

Metaheuristic algorithms like Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO)  are widely used for complex optimization but often suffer from premature convergence and stagnation. This thesis integrates Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) with PSO to develop intelligent, adaptive strategies that address these inefficiencies. We model the swarm of particles as an agent-controlled environment and explore different DRL architectures that enable discrete, continuous, and subswarm-based interventions. Extensive experiments on the IEEE CEC’13 benchmark suite demonstrate that hybrid DRL-driven policies consistently outperform standard PSO, highlighting the value of multi-action and parallel interventions. This research provides new insights into adaptive metaheuristics and outlines promising directions for intelligent optimization.

Date and Time: May 14 at 9:00 am via Web Conference

To receive the link to the public presentation, please email the graduate studies coordinator at gsc@upei.ca

Everyone is welcome to attend.

The campus community is invited to a research presentation by candidate, Dr. Leandro Passarini, for the Assistant Professor tenure track position cross-appointed between the Environmental Studies and the Master of Cleantech Leadership and Transformation programs. The title of the presentation is "Toward a net-zero future through the advancement of low embodied carbon bio-based materials for climate-resilient and affordable housing in Canada".

Date: May 13, 2025

Time: 1:30 pm

Location: Duffy Science Centre, Room 204

UPEI Chaplaincy Centre is partnering with UPEI Filipino Society [KABAYAN] to remember the lives lost at the Lapu Lapu Festival tragedy in Vancouver last month. A display will be mounted at the Chaplaincy Centre and remain for three days, Monday May 12 to Wednesday May 14.  The display will include an opportunity to leave a written message for our campus Filipino Society.

All are invited to gather on Tuesday May 13 at 4:00 pm for a simple vigil, remembering the 11 lives lost and the impact the tragedy on all who mourn.  

The UPEI Student Union invites all staff and faculty to the UPEI Student Union graduation awards presentation on Monday, May 12, at 1:00 pm at The Fox and Crow. This event will honour the outstanding achievements of students receiving the UPEI Senior Class Spirit Award, UPEI Class of 1998 Leadership Award, UPEI Crescam Serviendo (May I Grow by Serving) Award, and the Owen MacDonald Memorial Award for Student Excellence. We will also recognize the contributions of the 2025 Graduate Class Executives. We hope you will join us in celebrating these students and their dedication to our campus community.

The Department of Religious Studies is offering a free showing of the movie Conclave (2024) followed by a Q&A on the film and the current election of a new pope. 

Tuesday, May 13 at 7:00 pm in the Dr. Steel Recital Hall, Steel Building.

All are welcome to attend this free event.

The campus community is invited to a research presentation by Dr. Evan Andrews, a candidate for the Assistant Professor tenure track position, cross-appointed between the Environmental Studies program and the Master of Cleantech Leadership and Transformation program. The title of the presentation is "The future of fisheries in Canada: Toward regenerative fisheries for climate-ready coastal communities". 

Date: May 12, 2025

Time: 1:30 pm

Location: Duffy Science Centre, Room 204

The Department of Religious Studies will present a free concert celebrating the UPEI Class of 2025 on Monday, May 12, from 8 to 9 pm, in the Dr. Steel Recital Hall, Steel Building. The 8th Avenue Players, a choir of talented professional singers, including UPEI students, will perform songs from "Godspell, the Musical."

All are welcome to attend this free concert.

Shop for your favourite UPEI grad and save 20% on clothing and giftware from May 12 to 16. We're open Monday to Friday 9:00 - 4:00 or shop online 24/7 at upei.ca/bookstore. 

The Department of Student Affairs is offering drop-in academic advising for undergraduate students.

Drop-ins will be held from 2:00–4:00 pm and 5:00–7:00 pm, Thursday, May 15 at Robertson Library, Room 264 – LINC Lab.

Advising will be offered on a first come, first served basis.

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

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

In order to accommodate UPEI computer classroom and lab software adds, drops, or modifications for the 2025 fall semester, we have set a firm deadline of June 1, 2025.

It is critical that you email requests to smahar@upei.ca by the date above indicating the following.

• New Software Requirements (Licensed or Freeware).  Provide both Software name and Vendor
• Version Upgrades to existing software. Are multiple versions required? If yes, please provide specifics
• Software that can be decommissioned

NOTE:

• Software must be Windows 11 compatible
• Software must be licensed as network installation. Single workstation installations cannot be accommodated

Please begin to obtain and prepare any installation media (CD’s, DVD’s, thumb drives etc.) and related licensing information such as serial numbers. I will contact you after reviewing your email requests to coordinate a time to drop off media if file size permits, upload the installation file(s), zip them, if necessary, to Google drive and share for download.

Please do not drop off any media to the ITSS Help Desk.

The June 1, 2025 deadline is necessary to allow sufficient time to plan and implement the installation of new and upgraded software. This ensures our students will have the software resources they need. Any requests received after the deadline will be applied in the next round of software updates.

Click on the link below for a list of the currently installed software and their versions installed in the student labs and classrooms on campus.

UPEI LAB AND CLASSROOM SOFTWARE

The UPEI Student Union invites all staff and faculty to the UPEI Student Union graduation awards presentation on Monday, May 12, at 1:00 pm at The Fox and Crow. This event will honour the outstanding achievements of students receiving the UPEI Senior Class Spirit Award, UPEI Class of 1998 Leadership Award, UPEI Crescam Serviendo (May I Grow by Serving) Award, and the Owen MacDonald Memorial Award for Student Excellence. We will also recognize the contributions of the 2025 Graduate Class Executives. We hope you will join us in celebrating these students and their dedication to our campus community.

The Department of Religious Studies is offering a free showing of the movie Conclave (2024) followed by a Q&A on the film and the current election of a new pope. 

Tuesday, May 13 at 7:00 pm in the Dr. Steel Recital Hall, Steel Building.

All are welcome to attend this free event.

The campus community is invited to a research presentation by Dr. Evan Andrews, a candidate for the Assistant Professor tenure track position, cross-appointed between the Environmental Studies program and the Master of Cleantech Leadership and Transformation program. The title of the presentation is "The future of fisheries in Canada: Toward regenerative fisheries for climate-ready coastal communities". 

Date: May 12, 2025

Time: 1:30 pm

Location: Duffy Science Centre, Room 204

The campus community is invited to a research presentation by Dr. Evan Andrews, a candidate for the Assistant Professor tenure track position, cross-appointed between the Environmental Studies program and the Master of Cleantech Leadership and Transformation program. The title of the presentation is "The future of fisheries in Canada: Toward regenerative fisheries for climate-ready coastal communities". 

Date: May 12, 2025

Time: 1:30 pm

Location: Duffy Science Centre, Room 204

On Thursday, May 8, the Robertson Library will host a tea party from 2:00-4:00 pm in RL308 to celebrate its 50th anniversary. Please join us as we reminisce and celebrate 50 years! All are welcome.

The Department of Religious Studies will present a free concert celebrating the UPEI Class of 2025 on Monday, May 12, from 8 to 9 pm, in the Dr. Steel Recital Hall, Steel Building. The 8th Avenue Players, a choir of talented professional singers, including UPEI students, will perform songs from "Godspell, the Musical."

All are welcome to attend this free concert.

The campus community is invited to a research presentation by Dr. Alaba Boluwade, candidate for the tenure track position in Environmental Studies cross-appointed with the new Master of Cleantech Leadership and Transformation. Dr. Boluwade will present on the topic of "Water Quality Modeling, Precipitation Analysis, and Climate Change Resilience: Case Studies that Extend Knowledge in Canada’s Path to Net Zero Emissions".

Date: Thursday, May 8, 2025

Time: 1:30-2:30 pm

Location: Duffy Science Centre, Room 204

The Class of 2025, family and friends, are invited to celebrate the Mass for Graduates at the UPEI Chaplaincy Centre on Wednesday, May 14 at 4:30 pm. Presider and homilist will be Bishop Joseph Dabrowski, CSMA. For more information contact Sister Sue at sukidd@upei.ca, or Lauren at lvanvliet@upei.ca

With the recent measles outbreaks in Canada and the United States, Islanders are wondering if they need to be vaccinated. Anyone without immunity to measles is at risk when traveling by air or to areas with active cases, including parts of Canada. Current outbreaks are driven by unvaccinated and under-vaccinated groups. Two doses of the safe, effective, and free measles vaccine provide 99% protection.

Immunization Recommendations

Born before 1970? You’re considered immune due to natural exposure and high herd immunity. Individuals born before 1970 may receive one lifetime dose of MMR (Measles-Mumps-Rubella) vaccine especially if travelling.

Born after 1970? You should have 2 doses of the MMR vaccine if you have no evidence of having had the disease(s) or documentation of 2 doses of measles vaccine. 

Student entering post-secondary education or healthcare workers or military personnel? You should have 2 doses of the MMR vaccine if you have no evidence of having had the disease(s) or documentation of 2 doses of measles vaccine. 

In PEI, the MMRV vaccine (Measles-Mumps-Rubella-Varicella) is part of childhood immunization: 

• 1st dose at 12 months 
• Booster at 18 months 

How to Get Vaccinated 

Older children and adults who haven’t been vaccinated should complete their two-dose MMR series. 

If you have a PEI Health Card, book an appointment to get vaccinated. 

If you don’t have a PEI Health Card, you can get your measles vaccine at a Public Health Nursing 

Book an appointment with a registered nurse at the UPEI Health & Wellness Centre to discuss measles and other vaccines. 

Learn More: 

• Measles, Mumps & Rubella Vaccine Info: Click here 
• Check if You’re Due for a Vaccine: Click here 
• MMR Vaccine Explained (Video): Watch here