The University of Prince Edward Island was recognized by the PEI chapter of the Canadian Paraplegic Association (CPA-PEI) at their annual awards and recognition night, May 19, for efforts in making the campus more accessible.

Representatives from UPEI's Accessibility Services department were on hand to accept the ‘Partners in Progress' award.

Jodi LeBlanc, accessibility services coordinator at UPEI, said, 'It is so encouraging to receive this award. Not only does this recognition affirm the progress that the University has been making over the last few years in improving campus accessibility for students, staff and faculty, and the community, but it also drives us to continue this important work.'

'UPEI is entering the sixth year of a seven-year plan to improve accessibility,' said Paul Cudmore, executive director of CPA-PEI. 'We're proud to have partnered with UPEI on a number of their plan initiatives, including an accessible washroom for Main Building and sports equipment for, and access to the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre. It is fitting that we commend them for their efforts with the ‘Partners in Progress' Award.'

In fact, the Sports Centre at UPEI is the only fitness facility in the province that features accessible fitness equipment. Angela Marchbank, fitness and wellness coordinator at UPEI, said that discussions with Cudmore led to UPEI investing in equipment from the Cybex Total Access product line that people with disabilities can use for their fitness program: chest press, overhead press, rowing, and lat pull down machines. A funding partnership with the CPA-PEI also allowed UPEI to make improvements to the front doors allowing access to the building.

The Dominion of Canada General Insurance Company and the Confederation Centre of the Arts were also recognized at the event for promoting and improving accessibility. After the awards were presented, Cassie Campbell, two-time Olympic gold medalist and six-time world women's hockey champion, addressed the audience as part of CPA Month. Campbell was born in Ontario and is now a CBC Hockey Night in Canada host based in Alberta; her parents and extended family are from Prince Edward Island.

Brian Wagner, assistant vice-president, Graduate Studies, invites the campus community to attend the second annual Graduate Research Recognition Day on May 25, 2011 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm in the Alex H. MacKinnon Lecture Theatre (Room 242) and Schurman Market Square in McDougall Hall.

This event is being planned and presented by the Office of Graduate Studies, the Graduate Studies Advisory Committee, and the Graduate Student Association.

Graduate Research Recognition Day is a showcase of graduate student research and includes oral and poster presentations from graduate students from all programs across campus. A presentation on, and celebration of, graduate student scholarship and award success over the past year will also take place. Lunch and refreshments will be served.

Everyone is encouraged to attend this event, and discover the range, quality and impact of graduate student research at UPEI. For more information, email Colleen Gallant in the Office of Graduate Studies.

The University of Prince Edward Island welcomes the best gymnasts in the country May 23-28th for the Canadian Gymnastics Championship. The competition gets underway at the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre and MacLauchlan Arena on Tuesday, May 24 and is hosted by the Island Gymnastics Academy. see schedule/results

Over 900 gymnasts will be in Charlottetown for the five-day event including national team member and carded athlete, Matthieu D'Amour, from Stratford, PEI, and Scott Chandler, from Emerald, who at 35, will be the oldest gymnast ever to attend the nationals.

The national championship also serves as a showcase event for many US colleges who are looking to recruit Canadian gymnasts. The Island Gymnastics Academy last hosted the Canadian Gymnastics Championship in 1994.

Read preview article in The Guardian: Canadian gymnastics championship arrives in Charlottetown

Robert Steininger, a leading bioscience expert, will present Biotech-savvy Students: An Industry Perspective, May 31, as part of the Premier's Innovation Speaker Series, hosted by UPEI's Centre for Health and Biotech Management Research (CHBMR).

Bioscience businesses looking to recruit skilled employees are invited to a presentation by Robert Steininger, says Innovation and Advanced Learning Minister Allan Campbell.

'I am pleased that Robert Steininger is coming to Prince Edward Island to share his experiences and insights on promoting outreach programs in the biosciences sector,' said Mr. Campbell. 'Engaging youth to enter our strategic sectors is a priority of this government. Mr. Steininger's presentation will focus on outreach programs throughout North America and how they have impacted recruitment into the bioscience sector.'

Robert Steininger has worked in research, development and manufacturing in the biopharmaceuticals industry for the past 26 years. Before entering his current role as Senior Vice President with Acceleron Pharma in 2007, Mr. Steininger held the position of VP within Millennium Pharmaceuticals and Director with the Genetics Institute (now Wyeth Pharmaceuticals).

Throughout his career, Mr. Steininger has taken an active role in promoting educational outreach programs within the bioscience sector. He is an advisory board member for the University of Massachusetts and the Reconnaissance, Intelligence, Surveillance and Target Acquisition program at Cambridge High School.

Dr. Juergen Krause, director of the CHBMR, is responsible for the organization of the event at the NRC-Institute for Nutrisciences and Health.

'The greatest challenge facing Atlantic Canadian biotechnology companies in the next three to five years is the shortage in skilled and experienced workers,' says Dr. Krause. 'It is important for Prince Edward Island to learn from the success of other programs to develop, attract and retain high quality personnel.'

The event will consist of a presentation, question period, and networking luncheon beginning at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 31 in the Regis & Joan Duffy Science Centre (NRC-INH) on the UPEI campus. There is no registration fee but anyone wishing to attend must RSVP to the Centre for Health and Biotech Management Research.

For more information or to register visit www.chbmr.ca.

The University of Prince Edward Island officially welcomed Dr. Ian Gardner, the Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Aquatic Epidemiology, today at a reception held on campus. Dr. Gardner takes up this prestigious chair, one of just 19 across the country, as a faculty member of UPEI's Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC).

An internationally renowned veterinary epidemiologist, Dr. Gardner will examine health interactions between farmed and wild fish populations and develop cost-effective testing strategies and surveillance programs for the prevention and control of diseases in aquatic food animals. His research will help aquaculture regulators in Canada to make science-based decisions to maintain healthy food production in our marine environments, as well as provide the knowledge needed to help improve nutrition for human populations around the world.

'I was attracted to the position first because I've worked with the members of AVC's Centre for Veterinary Epidemiological Research for many years, and we have a similar vision,' said Dr. Gardner. 'I am also interested in research into international food production. This is work that will have a real effect on human health and welfare.'

"The Canada Excellence Research Chair is a new measure of UPEI's success in the big leagues of competitive excellence," said President Wade MacLauchlan. 'In welcoming Dr. Ian Gardner, we recognize that we have attracted a top international figure who will work in collaboration with others to extend the contributions of AVC and UPEI and make us a global leader in aquatic epidemiology."

As well as increasing research capacity at UPEI, Dr. Gardner's chair will increase and expand graduate-student training opportunities.

'The Atlantic Veterinary College and the Centre for Veterinary Epidemiological Research are already world renowned for expertise in aquaculture-related research and population health,' said Dr. Don Reynolds, dean of the AVC. 'The arrival of Dr. Gardner expands our capacity and secures our leadership in these areas. This chair will make significant contributions to policies around healthy food production and the quality of protein available for human nutrition around the world.'

The Strategic Advisory Board for the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Aquatic Epidemiology, made up of experts from around the world, meets this week to set the research agenda for Dr. Gardner's chair.

'Dr. Gardner continues UPEI's growth in focused research excellence,' said Dr. Katherine Schultz, UPEI's vice-president of research and development. 'The University is ranked number one in the country for research income growth and intensity growth for the first decade of the 21st century. With new appointments such as these, we will continue to soar in the next decade.'

The University of Prince Edward Island, with a growing reputation for research intensity and impact, has become a member of Canada's institution devoted to recognizing excellence in learning and research.

The Royal Society of Canada is the senior national body of distinguished Canadian scholars, artists, and scientists. As Canada's national academy, the Society's role is to recognize academic excellence, to provide expert advice on matters of national interest or urgency, and to represent Canada's national culture abroad. President Wade MacLauchlan announced the University's membership May 31 at an event in the McCain Foundation Learning Commons at UPEI's Atlantic Veterinary College.

'UPEI is honoured to be a member of the Royal Society of Canada,' said President MacLauchlan. 'Institutional members of the Society include the biggest names in research in the country. This recognizes the growth UPEI has worked so hard for, and further establishes us as a contributor to Canada's national academic reputation and capacity.'

Professor Roderick Macdonald, president of the Royal Society of Canada, says UPEI's membership is a reflection of the scholarly and scientific leadership UPEI displays in areas of research such as aquatic health and population health.

'This is an opportunity for us together to create the conditions in which outstanding students and scholars from Prince Edward Island will flourish and will make significant contributions to matters of public policy that have a direct impact in the lives and well-being of all Islanders,' said Professor Macdonald. 'President MacLauchlan and I are committed to building the relationship between UPEI and the Royal Society so that the University achieves increased visibility across Canada for its scholarly excellence and its role in educating the next generation of Canadian scientists, artists, and intellectuals.'

Sandra and Arthur Irving, passionate champions of both UPEI's Atlantic Veterinary College and the Royal Society of Canada, offered their congratulations.

'We are long-time supporters of the Royal Society of Canada because we uphold its Fellows as our country's best and brightest university professors, researchers and scholars. They have dedicated their lives to higher education and their efforts are significant in how strong we can be as a country,' said Sandra Irving, who is chair of the Society's President's Advisory Council. 'We are happy to celebrate UPEI's membership, and thank them for joining over 40 other university institutional members in fortifying not only the efforts of the organization, but also those of our country.'

The University of Prince Edward Island has experienced a 432 per cent increase in external research funding in the last decade, making its membership to the Royal Society of Canada, which exists to recognize academic excellence, a natural next step. For more information, visit rsc.ca.

Dean of the UPEI School of Business, Dr. Roberta MacDonald, and UPEI President Wade MacLauchlan were both made honorary members of the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce at the organization's recent Annual General Meeting and President's Luncheon.

MacDonald and MacLauchlan were recognized as outstanding leaders in the academic community who have demonstrated great vision and commitment; both are leaving their positions at UPEI as of June 30. David MacKenzie, who is leaving his post as Executive Director of the Confederation Centre of the Arts, was also presented with an honorary membership.

'Each of these individuals has made significant contributions to our Island and the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce felt it was important that they be recognized by the business community,' said Executive Director of the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce, Kathy Hambly.

The luncheon also included a keynote speech from Rob Steele, president and CEO of Newcap Radio.

The Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce serves as the 'Voice of Business' on economic issues for its 970 members, representing over 17,500 employees in small, medium and large enterprises in the capital region.

The Registrar's Office at UPEI has developed a contingency plan should there be a strike/work stoppage at Canada Post. This plan outlines how the Registrar's Office will communicate with students during the strike and prevents any disruption in the application and admission process.

Of most interest to students now is information regarding offers of admission for the September semester.

Any correspondence that the Registrar's Office would normally be placing in the mail for students will be scanned and sent as an attachment (pdf) with an email. If no email address is available, the Registrar's Office will contact students by telephone. Letters will follow in the mail once the strike is over.

If students are trying to send information to the Registrar's Office, as an interim measure, they can send emails with scanned attachments, or faxes. The hard copy, original documents should still be placed in the mail to be received by the University once the strike is over.

If students have any questions, they can contact the Registrar's Office at 566-0439 or registrar@upei.ca.

Six students to intern in Kenya this summer

University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) President Wade MacLauchlan and Jeff Wichtel, president of the PEI-based non-governmental organization, Farmers Helping Farmers (FHF), recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to formalize a long-standing, informal relationship between the two organizations that spans a decade.

The five-year agreement especially refers to initiatives related to UPEI's mission of education, research, and service in the areas of Kenya in which FHF has projects, and that will further the internationalization of UPEI programs.

'Farmers Helping Farmers is pleased to enter into a memorandum of agreement with UPEI. Not only does it solidify our already-strong connection, but it will facilitate the development of new ways in which to collaborate and ultimately further the achievement of our goals in East Africa,' said Wichtel.

MacLauchlan said, 'UPEI is committed to enhancing our partnerships with great international development organizations, and we are especially proud to be building on long-standing ties with FHF. Having this MOU to outline and define areas of mutual interest demonstrates our commitment in a concrete way.'

One example of an existing UPEI-FHF initiative that will benefit from the MOU is the CIDA-funded international development project dubbed ‘Students for Development.' UPEI, in partnership with FHF and the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC), will send 23 student interns to Kenya over four years. This year, three nursing students, one biology student, and two family and nutritional sciences students will spend 90 days in Kenya focusing on securing the future of children and youth, increasing food security, and creating sustainable economic growth. Upon the students' return to Canada, they will engage fellow students and Island communities by sharing their Kenyan experiences through a number of activities.

'These partnerships provide a life-changing experience to the student-interns,' MacLauchlan added. 'In addition, UPEI, FHF, other partner organizations, and communities in Kenya and Prince Edward Island benefit from this collaborative experience.'

The MOU also sets out a plan to partner on the design and implementation of educational programs and research projects, including the development of formal funding proposals for them, and to share technical expertise. Other areas of mutual interest that have been identified in the document include agriculture, veterinary medicine, epidemiology, research methodology, environmental sustainability, and gender equality.

About Farmers Helping Farmers
FHF is an organization of community-minded volunteers based in Prince Edward Island. Its mission is to partner with East African farm groups to improve agricultural production as a foundation for sustainable rural development. Together with its East African partners, FHF develops practical projects with small-scale farmers, primarily women, based on direct person-to-person interaction in the rural communities. Project goals include enhanced economic and food security, education, housing and/or health and well-being of members of the partner communities, and increased awareness among Canadians of the development issues faced by East African farming families.

About the University of Prince Edward Island
UPEI, founded on the tradition of liberal education, exists to encourage and assist people to acquire the skills, knowledge, and understanding necessary for critical and creative thinking, and prepare them to contribute to their own betterment and that of society through the development of their full potential. To accomplish these ends, the University is a community of scholars whose primary tasks are to teach and to learn, to engage in scholarship and research, and to offer service for the benefit of Prince Edward Island and beyond.

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UPEI graduate and Governor General's Award Winner for Children's Literature, Rachna Gilmore, will read from her new book, That Boy Red, on Saturday, June 18, 2:00 p.m. at Confederation Centre Public Library.

The poignant episodic novel is sure to remind readers of another red-haired Island youngster, Anne Shirley, though That Boy Red is set during the Depression. Celebrating and showcasing the strength and spirit of Canadian families living through this era, the novel, like Anne of Green Gables, features a bevy of memorable characters, in particular, eleven year old Red MacRae, a resourceful, stubborn, even pig-headed lad, and his large and lively family.

Gilmore says she was inspired to write this book by her father-in-law's anecdotes about growing up as a young boy in PEI. 'It feels in a strange and satisfying way like coming full circle,' she says. Her favourite books when she was growing up in India and England were L.M. Montgomery's Anne books. In part, she says, it was her love of those books that influenced her to move to PEI where she married an Islander and lived for fourteen years. She also studied at the University of Prince Edward Island, where she obtained a second degree, a BEd.

'Writing this book involved considerable research to accurately capture the flavour and details of that time,' says Gilmore. 'But the most exciting part of my research was going up in a biplane, much like the one on the cover of this book!'

The event is co-sponsored by the UPEI Department of English.

Rachna Gilmore is the author of many children's books, including the Governor General's Award-winning A Screaming Kind of Day and The Sower of Tales, which won the IODE Violet Downey Book Award. Her most recent novel for younger readers, The Trouble with Dilly, was a Resource Links Best of 2009 book, as well as a Girl Guides of Canada Book Club Pick. Visit Rachna Gilmore online at www.rachnagilmore.ca.