Join the Faculty of Science Graduate Studies Committee for a Master of Science thesis defense on Monday, July 29 at 8:30 am in the Main Building, room 113. Christopher Rock will defend his Master of Science thesis entitled: The Synthesis, Characterization, and Analysis of Polynorbornenes Containing Various Organometallic Species All are welcome to attend.

UPEI Athletics and Recreation would like to determine the level of interest from students and community members in forming a power lifting club to be based out of UPEI’s Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre. Those interested are invited to an information meeting in the Sports Centre Boardroom on Wednesday, July 31 at 7:00 pm. More information is available by emailing panthercentral@upei.ca or by calling (902) 566-0368.

An opportunity for everyone to see the new University of PEI "Fablab", a community facility in the Engineering Department with 3D printers, a laser cutter-etcher and a milling machine. Come and learn about fabrication, the "maker" movement, and about how you can use this equipment yourself!

The University has engaged an independent panel of three reviewers to conduct an assessment of programs and activities related to Island Studies. Panelists include Dr. Liette Vasseur of Brock University, Dr. Graham Whitelaw of Queen's University, and Mr. David MacDonald, PC. On Wednesday, August 14, Dr. Graham Whitelaw and Mr. David MacDonald will conduct the second site review and meet with as many of the key stakeholders as possible. Interested members of the campus community are invited to an Open Campus Meeting on Wednesday, August 14 from 4:00–5:00 pm in the Kelley Memorial Building, room 211. The Terms of Reference for the assessment are available upon request by emailing dlawless@upei.ca

UPEI welcomes all new students and their families to campus before classes begin on Saturday, August 31 from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm. It’s a chance to tour campus, pay for tuition and other services, pick up your ID card, kick-off O-Week, shop at the Bookstore, and meet staff, faculty, your Student Union, and new friends! This year’s Welcome Day will also include parent sessions for parents of residence and non-residence students and a barbeque for all from 12:00–2:00 pm. Parent Sessions will take place at: 10:00 am and 1:00 pm in room 243, Don and Marion McDougall Hall 11:30 am and 2:30 pm in room 142, Bill and Denise Andrew Hall (for parents of students living in residence) Join the hub of activity in Schurman Market Square in Don and Marion McDougall Hall where you will find representatives from Residence Services, Registrar’s Office, Accounting, Student Affairs, Webster Academic Services and many more! Join us for Welcome Day so you can be UPEI-ready before classes even start! Check out the video below to see what Welcome Day 2012 looked like.

The PirateBox project, initiated by David Darts, professor at NYU (http://daviddarts.com/piratebox/?title=PirateBox) enables the creation of inexpensive wireless file-sharing boxes that allow the sharing of files with those around you. With a PirateBox you can share files in a classroom, or a neighbourhood, or a restaurant, or from the back of your bicycle, all in a way that is completely self-contained and disconnected from the Internet. On August 18 at Confederation Landing Park the Robertson Library Hacker in Residence, Peter Rukavina, will host a free, informal "Make Your Own PirateBox" workshop. Details and registration are at: http://hacker.vre.upei.ca/make-your-own-piratebox-workshop-august-18-20…

Dr. Samuel Workenhe, DVM, PhD is a Post-doc from McMaster Immunology Research Centre and is a candidate for the Adjunct and Graduate Faculty appointment in the Department of Pathology and Microbiology. He will be presenting a seminar entitled "Use of oncolytic viruses for the treatment of cancer" on Tuesday, August 20, 2013 at 2:00 pm in AVC Lecture Theatre A. All are welcome to attend.

Twenty-four students are currently enjoying a week-long taste of veterinary medicine at this summer's Atlantic Veterinary College Summer Academy. The program provides an exceptional opportunity to explore the profession in a hands-on, authentic way. The Atlantic Veterinary College Summer Academy is a five-day residential program where students interact with the College's faculty, staff, and students.

The AVC Blue Coat Ceremony is one of the most meaningful of AVC’s annual special events, marking a student's admittance to veterinary school. Scheduled for Friday, August 23 in the Wanda Wyatt Dining Hall,the AVC Blue Coat Ceremony provides a remarkable welcome to the College’s new students and their families as they gather with faculty and staff mentors to celebrate the students’ achievement in joining the ranks of veterinarians in training. Following dinner, each student is presented with their blue coat by a family member, friend or mentor,symbolizing their entrance into veterinary medical school.

AVC Open House is a one-of-a-kind, family-friendly, wonder-filled, hands-on experience unlike any other! Come and get to know us better during our AVC Open House, offering a unique, interactive, and behind the scenes look into veterinary medicine. Activities include a mini-zoo, a teddy bear clinic, an exotics adventure, an opportunity to gown and glove like veterinary surgeons and attend to pretend patients, a pet parade, clicker training demonstrations, exhibits on some animal “oddities,” and more. Kids can also have some fun at the Stick Horse Rodeo. Everyone is welcome and admission is free!