UPEI's Master of Arts in Island Studies (MAIS) program invites you to attend an upcoming online information session on Tuesday, March 17, 12-12:45 pm.

The MAIS program is an interdisciplinary, policy-driven graduate program that critiques islands on their own terms. We offer both thesis and course-based streams with specializations in Island Tourism, Sustainable Island Communities, and International Relations & Island Public Policy. Graduates from this program are trained in providing leadership in addressing the complex issues facing modern governments and policy-making organizations. In order to accommodate working professionals, the program has been designed with flexible completion timelines and classes are usually in the evening.

The information session will include general information and guidance on completing your application. Attendees will be given a promo code to have their application fee waived ($50 CAD value). The deadline for applying for the September intake is August 15; and the deadline for the January intake is November 1.

For more details on the program and entry requirements, visit the MAIS information page on the UPEI website. To register for the session, please follow the link to this Google form. A link will be sent in advance of the session.

And if you have questions regarding the program or application, please contact Laurie Brinklow (brinklow@upei.ca) or call 902-894-2881. Please feel free to share this message with anyone who may be interested in joining the session. 

Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you!

Along with many other institutions in Canada, UPEI is taking part in the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) again this semester. The survey collects important information on students' participation in programs and activities, as well as their perceptions of personal growth and university support. Results from the survey will inform initiatives to improve student experience. 

Many first- and fourth-year students in Arts, Business, Nursing, Science, and Sustainable Design Engineering have been invited to fill out the survey. Students are encouraged to check their UPEI email for the invitation and to complete the survey. If you have questions about the survey, please contact Dr. Yuqin Gong, Manager of Institutional Research at the Office of VP Academic and Research, via 902-566-0361 or ygong@upei.ca.

Thank you to the students for responding to the survey and to all who helped spread the word about the survey.

The Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research (CIMVHR), a research institute at Queens University, works to improve the health and well-being of Canada’s military members, Veterans, and their families. By connecting researchers, government, and other interested partners, CIMVHR helps find solutions to the unique health challenges faced by those who serve, have served and their families. Their work supports better care, policies, and programs for nearly a million Canadians connected to military life.

Every year, CIMVHR hosts an annual conference. This year CIMVHR Forum 2026 will be held in Halifax. Prior to the conference, the group is organizing local engagement sessions to showcase local military, Veteran, public safety personnel, and family health research. The sessions will also offer an opportunity to learn more about CIMVHR, the Journal of Military Veteran and Family Health, and CIMVHR Forum 2026 (www.cimvhrforum.ca). 

Colleagues who might be interested in this population or who may study in a field relevant to the event are invited to attend. Space is limited. Attendance must be confirmed by registering using the link https://cimvhr.ca/conferences/ by March 20, 2026.

HALIFAX ENGAGEMENT SESSION
Date: Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Location: The Westin Nova Scotian, Atlantic Ballroom
Time: 9:30 am–1:30 pm. Refreshments and lunch will be provided.

CHARLOTTETOWN ENGAGEMENT SESSION
Date: Thursday, March 26, 2026
Location: Delta Hotels Prince Edward
Time: 9:30 am–1:30 pm. Refreshments and lunch will be provided.

The UPEI Department of Music is thrilled to be hosting its first Contemporary Music Festival, March 6-13, 2026. All events are open to the public and take place in Steel Recital Hall or the Performing Arts Centre Theatre.

The festival continues this week with our New Music Spotlight: Proxima Centauri, an ensemble of saxophone, piano, percussion, and electronics, presents "Mouvements," a multidimensional, immersive sonic experience not to be missed! This event takes place on Thursday, March 12th at 7:30pm in Steel Recital Hall.

Other performers/presenters this week include Indigenous cellist Cris Derksen and UPEI students in recital.

Tickets are available online or by cash at the door.

Join UPEI President Wendy Rodgers for casual "coffee chats" at Tim Horton's in the W.A. Murphy Student Centre on Wednesday, March 11 from 8:00-9:00 am.

These coffee chats offer a relaxed setting where any member of the UPEI community can drop by, grab a drink, and chat with Wendy about anything on your mind. Whether you want to share ideas, ask questions or simply say hello, these chats are a great way to connect with the president in a comfortable and informal environment.

The search committee for the Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering Associate Dean Academic invites you to the upcoming public presentation by the finalist candidate. Since the search began, the committee has conducted a comprehensive search and selected one finalist for a series of stakeholder meetings on campus.

The presentation is scheduled on Tuesday, March 10 2026, at 1:30 pm, AVC 287N.

Students are invited to the Climate Career day, Wednesday, March 11 from 10-12:30 in the Faculty Lounge, SDU Main Building (Room 201) to meet with local professionals and organizations that work with climate issues. This opportunity is intended to connect students with potential employers while also learning about different career paths. 

Guest speakers will take part in a panel discussion at 11am where they will chat about their roles, how they found their way into climate work, climate projects their organization is working on, and how to find joy in a challenging field of work. 

Free to attend.

Every day, members of our community go above and beyond in ways that make our workplace stronger, kinder, and more connected. The Recognizing Remarkable Colleagues program is one way we celebrate those moments—and we invite you to be part of it.

Have you noticed a colleague who:

• Took time to support you or your team
• Went the extra mile to make someone’s day better
• Demonstrated our shared values through their actions

We want to hear about it.

What’s new?
As part of our continued efforts to grow and improve this program, we’ve introduced a new submission form. The colleague being recognized will automatically receive an email notification letting them know they’ve been recognized —and to watch for the next issue. A big thanks to Moshiur in ITSS for helping us set up this new work flow!

For more details on the program—including links to past issues and information about the new submission form—please click here. The deadline for our next issue is Friday, March 27, 2026.

Let’s keep the gratitude and recognition going by taking a moment to celebrate the remarkable people we work with every day.

Thank you for helping to build a culture of appreciation and connection.

As part of the UPEI Department of Religious Studies’ Theology on Tap series, Dr. Doug Al-Maini, associate professor of philosophy, St. Francis Xavier University, will give a talk titled “Greek Mysticism Leading into the Christian Era” on March 12 at 7 pm. The presentation will take place at the Salvador Dali Café, The Arts Hotel, 155 Kent Street, Charlottetown. All are welcome to attend.

“Scholars have long noted and been fascinated by a tradition of mysticism within the broader history of Christianity; they have also noted how much that tradition was influenced by the Greek philosophers who preceded it,” says Al-Mani. “Indeed, Augustine famously says that ‘By the Platonic books I was admonished to return into myself . . . I entered and beheld with the eye of my soul a light unchangeable.’ There is wide agreement that Augustine is referring to the influence that reading Plotinus, among other authors, had on him, and how it helped him make sense of Christianity. But what was in those Neo-Platonic texts that was so affecting for Augustine?

“In this talk, I will attempt to give an overview of the main theses of the ‘Greek Mystics’ and the thinking that brings them to the positions they hold. Included among these ‘Mystics’ are figures such as Parmenides, Empedocles, Plato, Plotinus, and Proclus, some of whom are not usually associated with mysticism. In different ways, these philosophers argue to what they think is the limit of what can be properly expressed discursively and then show how that cannot give a full and satisfying account of Being itself and all that could be experienced; this in turn helps define the parameters of mysticism for future thinkers.”

For more information about the series, contact event coordinator Alexandra Durant at alexandrajdurant@gmail.com, or follow Theology on Tap PEI on Facebook.

You are invited to attend UPEI’s Administrative Services Showcase on Monday March 9, 12:00-2:00, McMillan Hall, W.A. Murphy Student Centre - an opportunity to connect directly with the administrative teams that support our campus community.

Information booths hosted by:

• Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Human Rights
• Human Resources
• Finance
• Communications
• IT Systems and Services
• Facilities
• Student Support Services

Each area will highlight what they do and the key processes and resources they manage - many identified through feedback shared during Dr. Jane Ngobia’s Listening Tour.

This event is designed to:

• Demonstrate how campus feedback has been heard 
• Showcase initiatives and improvements currently underway
• Clarify what colleagues can expect moving forward
• Identify items still under consideration
• Create space for renewed dialogue and campus engagement

Strengthen your understanding of administrative services, ask questions, gather resources, and be part of ongoing conversations about improving the systems that support learning and student success at UPEI. All faculty and staff are encouraged to drop in. Light snacks available

Teaching Community Conference 2026 - RSVP and Call for Proposals

The UPEI Teaching and Learning Centre is hosting its annual full-day Teaching Community Conference on Tuesday April 28, 2026.  This year’s theme will be: Connected Teaching: Connecting with Community, Self, and Place. RSVP Here.

The Teaching Community Conference is an opportunity to breathe further life into our  strategic commitment to innovative and connected teaching, research, and scholarship by sharing our experiences, challenges, and opportunities of advancing teaching and learning at UPEI. Conference participants are invited to reflect on this theme and consider relevant questions such as:  

• What supports, skills, and critical capacities do faculty need to embrace the relational and connected nature of teaching?
• As we consider expanding the walls of our classrooms and broadening our partnerships, how do we ensure we aren’t simply supplementing traditional teaching practices but rather transforming what teaching itself means?
• How does a commitment to relational and connected teaching help build faculty capacity to recognize and respond to structural barriers students face?  

We are looking for proposals from the UPEI community that highlight current  teaching and learning initiatives, share  new ideas, and build collaborative strategies for a more inclusive accessible, and courageous university. Proposals from staff and faculty are welcome. There are four formats suggested for proposals:

• Traditional Oral Presentation: Presenters share a talk about a teaching and learning project or topic related to the theme, speaking for about 20 minutes, followed by 5-10 minutes for questions.
• Lightning Talk: "Small Shifts, Significant Gains." Presenters share a teaching strategy or practice that they’ve found effective in supporting student learning, speaking for about ten minutes, followed by a short group discussion.
• Interactive Workshop: A hands-on session that encourages active participation and collaboration among attendees. The workshop could involve group activities, discussions, practical exercises, etc.
• Indigenous Sharing Circle: A facilitated, safe space for individuals to come together to discuss topics related to the theme, share their experiences, listen to each other, build relationships, offer support, and connect with each other.
• Facilitated Round table Discussion: A structured, collaborative conversation led by a facilitator to encourage open dialogue, balanced participation, and exploration of shared issues among participants. The session is guided by clear objectives and prompts, resulting in documented insights and agreed‑upon themes or recommendations.  

The deadline is extended to Monday, March 9, 2026. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to TLC@upei.ca.  

Proposals can be submitted here.

Dale Saddleback, BEd, MEd, PhD candidate, and a candidate for the tenure-track associate professor position in the Faculty of Indigenous Knowledge, Education, Research and Applied Studies (IKERAS), will give a teaching demonstration titled "Old Ways New Beginnings: Reflecting on language and culture loss" on Monday, March 9, 2026, at 2:00 pm in Bill and Denise Andrew Hall, Room 142.

Dale Saddleback, BEd, MEd, PhD candidate, and a candidate for the tenure-track associate professor position in the Faculty of Indigenous Knowledge, Education, Research and Applied Studies (IKERAS), will give a research presentation titled "Indigenous First Nations Research Methodological Considerations" on Monday, March 9, 2026, at 11:30 am in Bill and Denise Andrew Hall, Room 142.

The deadline for Animal Care Protocol Submissions (new, renewal, or amendment) is Friday, April 3 for the April meeting. 

Please note that as of June 1, 2020 all animal user protocols must be submitted through UPEI Researcher Portal at https://upei.researchservicesoffice.com/Romeo.Researcher/

For new protocols select ‘applications’ and for renewal or amendment protocols select ‘events’.

To view any UPEI ACC SOPs and Codes of Practice, they can be accessed through myUPEI at https://portal.upei.ca/facultystaff/administrativeservices/AVCAnimalCare/Pages/default.aspx. 

Those protocols received after the deadline will be reviewed the following month. The Committee requires at least one month for processing applications.

You're invited to the Robertson Library Book Club! Throughout Winter Term 2026, we will read and discuss three books on the topic of indigeneity in the region of Turtle Island known as Canada. Book club meetings will be co-hosted by Morgan Varis, a sessional instructor from IKERAS (Faculty of Indigenous Knowledge, Education, Research, and Applied Studies). These meetings will take place on the last Monday of each month from January - March and will be held in the Robertson Library lobby at noon (12pm); light refreshments will be provided. 

Our next meeting is Monday, March 30, 12pm-1pm, discussing The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline (fiction)

"Humanity has nearly destroyed its world through global warming, but now an even greater evil lurks. The Indigenous people of North America are being hunted and harvested for their bone marrow, which carries the key to recovering something the rest of the population has lost: the ability to dream. In this dark world, Frenchie and his companions struggle to survive as they make their way up north to the old lands. For now, survival means staying hidden - but what they don't know is that one of them holds the secret to defeating the marrow thieves." The Marrow Thieves won the Governor General's Literary Award for Young People's Literature (Text) in 2017. -Cormorant Books

Copies of all three books are available to borrow from the Robertson Library (courtesy of PEI Public Library/Service des bibliothèques publiques ÎPÉ and their book club kit program):

Birdie by Tracey Lindberg
Out of the Depths by Isabelle Knockwood
The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline

Hope to see you there!

Discover exciting summer job opportunities or kickstart your career at the 2026 Summer Job and Career Fair! Hosted by UPEI’s Experiential Education Department, this fair will bring together a diverse range of employers from various industries actively seeking to hire students and recent graduates. 

By attending, you’ll have the chance to network with employers and explore both summer job positions and full-time career opportunities. The fair will be held in person, so dress professionally and bring copies of your resume to make the most of your interactions with employers.

Key details: The fair will take place on Wednesday, March 11, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, at the W.A. Murphy Student Centre. In case of inclement weather, the storm date is March 12, same time and location.

What to expect: Attendance is FREE for students, and no registration is required. Don’t miss out on the chance to win exciting door prizes!

For any inquiries, feel free to contact Jess Cameron, Community and Industry Outreach Coordinator, at careerfair@upei.ca or 902-894-2817.

We look forward to seeing you at the fair!

The UPEI Faculty of Graduate Studies invites the UPEI community to attend the 2026 Three Minute Thesis (3MT™) Competition. 

The Three Minute Thesis challenges research graduate students to explain their research project to a non-specialist audience in just 3 minutes, using only 1 slide. This year’s competitors represent a range of disciplines, including Education, Science, Sustainable Design Engineering, and Veterinary Medicine. 

Join us to support UPEI graduate students and learn about the fascinating and impactful research taking place across campus in this fast-paced and engaging format. 
Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three competitors, and the first-place winner will go on to represent UPEI at the regional 3MT competition. 

Audience members will also have the opportunity to play fun and supportive 3MT Bingo while watching the presentations for a chance to win a prize. 

Date: Friday, March 20, 2026 
Time: 4:00–6:00 pm 
Location: Fox & Crow, W.A. Murphy Student Centre 

Light refreshments and door prize draws will be available.

UPEI students, faculty, staff, and community members are welcome to attend.

Along with many other institutions in Canada, UPEI is taking part in the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) again this semester. The survey collects important information on students' participation in programs and activities, as well as their perceptions of personal growth and university support. Results from the survey will inform initiatives to improve student experience. 

Many first- and fourth-year students in Arts, Business, Nursing, Science, and Sustainable Design Engineering have been invited to fill out the survey. Students are encouraged to check their UPEI email for the invitation and to complete the survey. If you have questions about the survey, please contact Dr. Yuqin Gong, Manager of Institutional Research at the Office of VP Academic and Research, via 902-566-0361 or ygong@upei.ca.

Thank you to the students for responding to the survey and to all who helped spread the word about the survey.

The search committee for the Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering Associate Dean Academic invites you to the upcoming public presentation by the finalist candidate. Since the search began, the committee has conducted a comprehensive search and selected one finalist for a series of stakeholder meetings on campus.

The presentation is scheduled on Tuesday, March 10 2026, at 1:30 pm, AVC 287N.

The UPEI Department of Music is thrilled to be hosting its first Contemporary Music Festival, March 6-13, 2026. All events are open to the public and take place in Steel Recital Hall or the Performing Arts Centre Theatre.

The festival kicks off with pianist Megaria Halim in Archipelagic Voices: Folk and Contemporary Music by Southeast Asian Composers on Friday, March 6 at 7:30pm and continues with UPEI Department of Music Faculty in Bleakness and Beauty, featuring the music of PEI-born composer Amy Brandon, on Saturday, March 7 at 7:30pm.

Other performers or presenters include Indigenous cellist Cris Derksen, experimental jazz trio forgalhorn, and French contemporary music ensemble Proxima Centauri.

Tickets are available online or by cash at the door.