The UPEI English Language Centre is looking for individuals and families who may be interested in hosting students this summer as part of the department's Customized Groups. Students from Japan attend UPEI for two to three weeks and reside with homestay families during their stay. If you are interested or would like further information, please contact homestay@upei.ca. 

Due to the workload requirements following Convocation, we are requesting that the University community not book any events that will require a setup for the Monday immediately following the last Convocation ceremony.

Thank you.

The next deadline for submitting biosafety applications including new applications, renewals, and/or amendments is Friday, April 29, 2022. These applications will be reviewed at the May 2022 meeting.

Please be sure to use the March 2022 update to the application form. Please also note that the IBC has instituted a new category of protocol amendment: Biosafety Permit Minor Amendment. This event form is included in the Researcher Portal.

Minor amendments that are strictly limited to changes in personnel and/or funding can be submitted at any time but require up to a two-week review period. They are normally reviewed by the IBC chair or designate, the BSO or designate, and one other voting member of the IBC. If the amendment is approved, then an approval notification will be sent to the PI. Submissions via this route may be sent for full committee review at the discretion of the IBC chair and the BSO.  

All research compliance applications, including biosafety application forms, must be submitted through the Researcher Portal.

Information about the Researcher Portal, including instructions for using the site, is available at https://www.upei.ca/research-services/forms. Contact researchcompliance@upei.ca if you have any questions about accessing or using the Researcher Portal.

For more information about the IBC review and approval process, please contact the Compliance Coordinator at researchcompliance@upei.ca

Ethics protocols that involve "more than minimal risk" must be reviewed by the full UPEI Research Ethics Board (REB). The next deadline for submitting these protocols is Friday, April 29, 2022.

Other ethics protocol submissions, including new applications that do not involve "more than minimal risk," renewals, and amendments may be submitted at any time. They will be sent for delegated review as soon as all necessary forms are received.

All research compliance applications, including Research Ethics Board application forms, must be submitted through the Researcher Portal. This online system is paired with electronic approvals to replace the hard-copy signatures process.

Information about the Researcher Portal, including instructions for using the site, is available at https://www.upei.ca/research-services/forms. Contact researchcompliance@upei.ca if you have any questions about accessing or using the Researcher Portal.

For more information about the REB review and approval process, please contact the Compliance Coordinator at researchcompliance@upei.ca.

The venue for the Spring Exam Chili and Dahl Event today (April 19) is the Fox and Crow Campus Pub, from 12:00 noon--1:30 pm and 5:00--6:30 pm. The same Grab and Go service will be offered, now with an option to dine in at the campus pub.

Volunteers, please check your time to be sure you are present for your shift. More volunteers are welcome.  

Spring 2022 Exam Chili and Dahl Free Food Event

Thank you!

Sister Sue

This is a handy tip you may not know about. Instead of slowly pecking at the keyboard to delete text, or holding down backspace to eliminate words or entire sentences, press Ctrl+backspace with the cursor placed after a word you want to erase a word at a time, making a tedious task much easier.

UPEI’s Faculty of Business will hold information sessions for those interested in the MBA in Global Leadership and Executive MBA programs. The events will be Wednesday, April 27, with information about the MBA in Global Leadership being shared at 12:00 pm and information on the Executive MBA being shared at 5:00 pm. Both events will be held virtually. Please register by emailing mba@upei.ca.

The MBA in Global Leadership program is a cohort-model MBA program that can be completed in 12- or 24-months. The program is designed to enhance students' skill sets and decision-making abilities needed in today’s dynamic international business environment.

UPEI's Executive MBA program offers a high-quality learning experience for working business professionals. The program is designed for those working in, or aspiring to work in, a management or leadership position. Classes are offered bi-weekly on Fridays and Saturdays with the option to complete the program in 20 months.

To learn more about these exciting opportunities, the Faculty of Business invites you to attend these upcoming information sessions. Learn more about the program and application process, have your questions answered, and meet with staff, faculty, and students. Please email mba@upei.ca to register, and you will be sent an access link prior to the event.

For more information about UPEI's MBA programs, please visit www.upei.ca/globalmba or www.upei.ca/emba.

The UPEI English Language Centre is looking for individuals and families who may be interested in hosting students this summer as part of the department's Customized Groups. Students from Japan attend UPEI for two to three weeks and reside with homestay families during their stay. If you are interested or would like further information, please contact homestay@upei.ca. 

Happy National Medical Laboratory Week!

Health, Safety, and Environment would like to celebrate not just our medical labs but all the different labs on campus: chemistry, biology, physics, engineering, biomedical path/microbiology, health management, diagnostic services, and applied human sciences.

Do you work in one of these labs?

Submit a safety tip or a safety measure that you've implemented in your lab for a chance to win a $100 UPEI Bookstore Gift card, a $25 Tim's Gift card, or a health and safety mug! Send your submissions to hse@upei.ca by end-of-day Tuesday, April 19. The draw will take place on Wednesday, April 20.

The Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering is pleased to announce an upcoming Master of Science in Sustainable Design Engineering (MSc-SDE) thesis defence on Tuesday, April 19, at 2:00 pm. Joshua O'Neill will defend his thesis titled "Development of an Attitude Control System for CubeSat Application."

The presentation and examination will be presented via a web conference. 

Please contact Lisa Sanderson (lmsanderson@upei.ca) if you would like to receive the link to attend. 

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/acenet-introduction-to-neural-network-architecture-tickets-264356506427

Join ACENET for an introduction to Neural Network Architecture.

About this event

Prerequisite: Familiarity with feed-forward neural networks

Have you wondered how machine learning models can suddenly do so many different types of work? How is it that machines can learn things like language, vision, and translation in such a short amount of time, and what has helped drive these kinds of improvements? The obvious answers--big data and big processors--are only part of the story. To understand the full picture, we need to take a closer look at the models driving the AI revolution. This talk is aimed at people who are familiar with the basics of feed-forward neural networks, and will involve an in-depth explanation of how information is represented for machines to learn on, how machines can make sense of information, and the challenges presented.

This session will take place on Thursday, April 20, 12:00 pm--3:00 pm (Atlantic time)

You will need to have a laptop with a Mac, Linux, or Windows operating system (not a tablet, Chromebook, etc.) on which you have administrative privileges, as you will need to pre-load specific software packages. 

Participants must register using their institutional/organizational email address (not a personal email, i.e., gmail)

Instructions about how to join will be sent out one day prior to the start of the event.

Hatha Yoga and Pilates with Weights – May Program 

UPEI personal trainer Derek Smith will lead a yoga class with traditional asanas held in accurate alignment. Emphasis is placed on core strength, flexibility, and balance as well as concentration and breath control. This class is based on physical postures (asanas), deep breathing, mindfulness, and listening to the body. It is suitable for all levels. This class will take place on Mondays, 7:00--7:45 am, May 9--June 20. There will not be a class on Victoria Day, May 23.

Fitness instructor Karina Boswell will lead a class that focuses on the transitions between essential level exercises while developing endurance, flexibility, and overall strength through more repetitions. You will feel the CORE in this class!  This class will take place on Tuesdays, 12:10-12:55 pm, May 10--June 15. 

There will be a total of 12 classes (six Hatha Yoga and six Pilates with weights). 

UPEI staff and faculty fee:  $30+hst (Regular rate: $105+hst). To register, log in at recreation.upei.ca and click on Fitness Programs. Registration will open on May 1. 

UPEI is partnering with the Canada Games Host Society during the 2023 Canada Winter Games from February 18 to March 5. From scorekeepers and ushers to drivers and bloggers, it will take thousands of people working together to plan and support all the athletic and cultural events during the Games. UPEI has developed Guidelines for Volunteer Leave for the 2023 Canada Winter Games. UPEI employees who wish to volunteer are eligible to apply for up to 15 hours of paid time off to volunteer for the Games.

To learn more and apply to be a volunteer, visit the 2023 Canada Winter Games Volunteer Portal.
 

The UPEI English Language Centre is looking for individuals and families who may be interested in hosting students this summer as part of the department's Customized Groups. Students from Japan attend UPEI for two to three weeks and reside with homestay families during their stay. If you are interested or would like further information, please contact homestay@upei.ca. 

Happy National Medical Laboratory Week!

Health, Safety, and Environment would like to celebrate not just our medical labs but all the different labs on campus: chemistry, biology, physics, engineering, biomedical path/microbiology, health management, diagnostic services, and applied human sciences.

Do you work in one of these labs?

Submit a safety tip or a safety measure that you've implemented in your lab for a chance to win a $100 UPEI Bookstore Gift card, a $25 Tim's Gift card, or a health and safety mug! Send your submissions to hse@upei.ca by end-of-day Tuesday, April 19. The draw will take place on Wednesday, April 20.

The Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering is pleased to announce an upcoming Master of Science in Sustainable Design Engineering (MSc-SDE) thesis defence on Tuesday, April 19, at 2:00 pm. Joshua O'Neill will defend his thesis titled "Development of an Attitude Control System for CubeSat Application."

The presentation and examination will be presented via a web conference. 

Please contact Lisa Sanderson (lmsanderson@upei.ca) if you would like to receive the link to attend. 

The Spring 2022 Exam Chili and Dahl Free Food Event at the Chaplaincy Centre will have a new look this month. Students will be invited to "Grab and Go" with their hot meal and treat bag. Volunteers are needed to package and distribute food on Tuesday, April 19.  

As in December, we will serve twice on one day, from 12:00 noon--1:30 pm and again at 5:00--6:30 pm.  The spreadsheet allows for five names per 30-minute block.

Spring 2022 Exam Chili and Dahl Free Food Event

Thank you,

Sister Sue

The Vice-President Academic and Research will make available up to two awards to support the publication of manuscripts, written or edited by UPEI faculty, by Island Studies Press (ISP). These awards are being funded by a SSHRC Institutional Grant; therefore, the subject matter of the publication must be compatible with SSHRC’s mandate.

The awards of $5,000 each will be disbursed to ISP to cover publication costs (including editing, photo and other permissions, design, printing, marketing, and other costs associated with publishing a book). Authors will be offered ISP’s standard publication contract, which ensures authorial copyright and includes a royalty structure. Authors will also see their manuscripts reviewed through a peer-review process where appropriate.

ELIGIBILITY: Manuscripts that are written and/or edited by UPEI faculty, including contract and sessional faculty, are eligible. The manuscripts may be single- or multi-authored results of academic research projects; textbooks; edited proceedings of a conference; or works of fiction, creative non-fiction, poetry, or drama that pertain to the author’s or authors’ discipline. The subject matter of the manuscript must meet SSHRC’s mandate.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: May 2, 2022

Foe more information, go to https://files.upei.ca/research/sshrc_exchange_publication_awards_terms_of_reference.pdf

Please be advised that the PEI Research Ethics Board (Health PEI) office has now moved to a new electronic submission platform for use by all researchers. 

Effective April 1, 2022, all new study submissions for review by the PEI REB (those applications involving Health PEI in any capacity) will be required to be completed in their new software system, Synto, rather than be submitted through the UPEI Researcher Portal.

Current active studies will not require changes; however, you’re encouraged to contact the office as soon as possible to request a user account for future submissions. Please contact the PEI REB Coordinator (Health PEI) if you have any questions at (902) 569-0576 or at reb@ihis.org.

The Scholarships and Awards Office has extended the deadline to apply for select Convocation awards! The new deadline is Thursday April 14, 2022. Graduating students can access the three remaining award application forms by clicking the following links:  

• Arlie Parks Scholarship - In Memory of Dr. Kenneth MacIntyre (Medicine)
• Hon. Justice Mark R. MacGuigan Memorial Scholarship (Arts/Law)
• UPEI Class of 1989 Award (Campus Community)

Be sure to submit your application(s) and any supporting documents in time for the April 14th deadline electronically to scholarships@upei.ca or in person to the Scholarships and Awards Office at 202 Dalton Hall.