The UPEI Working Group for Online- and Technology-Supported Learning invites faculty, staff, and administrators to share their thoughts about the future of online learning at UPEI through an online consultation survey. There is a companion survey for students circulated by email to their UPEI accounts.  

By May 2026, all universities in Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick will be required to develop an institutional framework for online- and technology-supported learning that is aligned with the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission’s Guidelines for Institutional Frameworks for Online- and Technology-Supported Learning.  A working group of faculty, staff, and students at UPEI has recently started to work on the development of an institutional framework that will guide the development of high-quality, student-focused online and technology-supported learning for UPEI.

The working group appreciates and thanks colleagues and students for taking time during this busy point in the semester to provide their input into the development of this framework for online- and technology-supported learning at UPEI. The consultation survey will be open until November 22, 2023, at 12:00 midnight.      

Complete the survey today (for staff, faculty, and administrators).

The University of Prince Edward Island is reviving its popular Research on Tap series with a presentation titled “Versatile applications of AI in chemistry and education” on November 16 at 6 pm at The Fox & Crow, W.A. Murphy Student Centre at UPEI.

Dr. Jason Pearson, professor of chemistry at UPEI, will provide a look into the versatile applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in chemistry and education, based on a decade of research. Starting with a broad introduction, he will then highlight how AI can be used to model chemical reactivity and assess the potential of drug molecules, thereby speeding up the discovery process.

He will describe the findings of extensive studies involving thousands of undergraduate students across North America. These studies reveal the ability of AI to offer personalized tutoring, improve writing and critical thinking skills, correct flawed logic in real time, and quicken accurate recall, ultimately enhancing student readiness and performance.

Pearson’s talk is designed for a wide audience curious about the transformative impact of AI on academia and the world. Attendees will gain an understanding of the current state of AI, its various applications, and its potential to shape the future of the world.

All are welcome.

Come out and take care of YOU at the UPEI Self-Care Fair on Wednesday, November 22, between 10:00 am--2:00 pm in McMillan Hall, W.A. Murphy Student Centre. Visit over 20 informative and interactive booths that will focus on self-care including acupuncture, reflexology, Reiki, body composition scanning, reflexology, blood pressure/glucose testing, COVID-19 vaccine boosters, nutrition, mental health, physical activity, and more. There will be free food and prizes. We will also accept non-perishable food donations in support of the UPEI Campus Food Bank.

The inaugural Shannon K. Murray Lecture on Hope and the Academy, presented by Dr. Shannon Murray at UPEI on September 5, will be broadcast on CBC Radio’s national program Ideas on Monday, November 13, at 4:00 am and 8:00 pm. 

The CBC Ideas website describes the lecture as follows:

“For many, the world is feeling darker these days. So, a lecture on Hope might be a much-needed balm. Shannon Murray is an award-winning English professor at the University of Prince Edward Island. An annual lecture on Hope was established in her honour. For the inaugural lecture, Murray presents: Shakespeare’s Guide to Teaching, Learning and Hope. She explores what Shakespeare can offer us in terms of lessons in patience, empathy, hope, freudenfreude, and even the obsessions with metrics. And she talks about how The Bard’s words have become the narrative soundtrack of her own life.”

The UPEI Faculty of Arts established the lecture to honour the achievements of Dr. Shannon Murray, an award-winning professor in the Department of English and a 3M National Teaching Fellow. In 2022, Dr. Murray was awarded the Christopher Knapper Lifetime Achievement Award by the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. This is one of the highest honours awarded in Canada recognizing superior contributions to teaching and learning in higher education.
 

The Faculty of Science Graduate Studies Committee invites the campus community to the next presentation of the 2023--24 Environmental Sciences and Human Biology seminar series on Friday, November 10, 2023, at 12:30 p.m. in Kelley Memorial Building, Room 237. 

Patrick Slaine, PhD, Pegasus Biotech Inc., will present "Vaccinology: Designing a vaccine from start to finish."

All are welcome.

The search committee for the Dean of Sustainable Design Engineering announces upcoming presentations by each of the three finalist candidates. Since the search began in June, the committee has conducted a comprehensive search and selected the following finalists for a series of stakeholder meetings on campus. Presentations are scheduled on the following dates and times.

Dr. Ali Akgunduz is a professor and Associate Dean, Academic Programs, at Concordia University. He received a BS (1992) from Gazi University, Turkey, and an MBA (1996) and PhD (2001) in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research from the Illinois Institute of Technology.  As associate dean at Concordia since 2012, he has led the faculty's accreditation process for all nine undergraduate engineering programs and continual improvement of academic programs. From 2003 to 2008, he served as the Co-op program director. His research interests include airline operations, and decision support system design, using artificial intelligence, including 70 journal and conference papers in these fields. Dr. Akgunduz has received an IIE Excellence Award and Distinguished Professor Award from the Institute of Industrial Engineers, and an Excellence in Teaching Award from the Canadian Society of Industrial Engineers.

• Public Presentation: November 15, 2:30–3:30 pm, AVC 207N

Dr. Regina Lee is a professor of space engineering at York University. She received a BASc (1994) in Engineering Science, MASc (1995), and PhD (2000) in Space Engineering from the University of Toronto. From 2018 to 2019, she was the Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Studies. Between 2013 and 2017, she served as chair of the Department of Earth and Space Science and Engineering. Dr. Lee has co-authored over 100 journal and conference papers. Her research interests lie in nanosatellite technologies including micro-propulsion, actuators, remote sensing, and space object tracking. At York University, she has secured over $10 million in research funding, including a $4.2 million CFI project to establish York's first comprehensive microfabrication facility where she served as the founding director. Dr. Lee received the AKCSE Women in Science and Engineering Award in 2022, and the KOFST Engineer of the Year Award in 2020.

• Public Presentation: November 16, 9:00– 0:00 am, AVC 201N

Dr. Yudong (David) Yao is a professor of electrical engineering at the Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, New Jersey. At Stevens, he served as chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering from 2007 to 2018. He received a BS and MS (1985) from Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications and a PhD (1988) from Southeast University, Nanjing, all in electrical engineering. His research interests lie in machine learning, sensors and signals, telehealth, and AI medicine. Dr. Yao has (co-)secured over $10 million in research grants, and his publications have been widely cited (h-index of 51 with over 10,000 citations). Prior to Stevens, he was a senior engineer at Qualcomm in San Diego, and a technical staff member at Spar Aerospace in Montreal. Dr. Yao is a Fellow of several professional associations, including IEEE and the Canadian Academy of Engineering.

• Public Presentation: November 22, 9:00– 10:00 am,  AVC 205N

All are welcome to attend. For any who are unable to attend, the presentations will be recorded and available afterward for viewing from a secure site. Paper copies of each candidate’s CV will be available for viewing in the Office of the Vice-President, Academic and Research, Kelley 205. Following each presentation, you are invited to provide feedback on the candidate’s suitability for the role to vpar@upei.ca. All feedback will be considered by the committee in its deliberations.

Submissions and inquiries for Central Printing should now be sent to cpo@upei.ca.  The use of whenderson@upei.ca will come to an end at the end of November. You can also call Wendy at Central Printing at 902-566-0558.

WM&M (1993) Ltd. has been awarded the contract to complete renovations in the Robertson Library Pit area to develop the new SmartStart Zone for Student Entrepreneurship. The renovations will consist of the construction of offices, meeting spaces, and an open collaboration area, and upgraded lighting and ventilation. The construction is expected to begin on November 13, 2023, and be completed at the end of January 2024.

While the contractors have been instructed that the work be executed with the least possible interference or disturbance to the campus community, a certain amount of disruption is inevitable.

Facilities Management apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause.  We appreciate your patience and understanding as we proceed with this exciting project that will enhance the campus.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Jackie MacPhail at jmacphail@upei.ca or 902-566-6034. 

This two-part session is the second of our beginner-level Humanities and Social Sciences data organization and analysis series. Many web applications, research project websites, and library and archival repositories store data in relational databases. A relational database can help you keep your data separate from your analysis, improve quality control of data entry, reduce duplication of data, and improve your ability to search across large and complex datasets. Structured Query Language, or SQL, is a powerful language used to search and manipulate relational databases. This workshop teaches participants about relational databases and SQL using SQLite. You will learn how to write queries in SQL and how to use aggregate functions to combine data. It uses examples and challenges from the Humanities, Social Sciences, and library research fields and uses librarycarpentry.org materials. There are no prerequisites.

DETAILS & REGISTER

The Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts, invites all to attend Shauna Reddin's public dissertation defence presentation of her PsyD research titled, Planting the Seeds of Evidence-Based Practice in a Child Protection Clinical Service.

Please join us virtually on Zoom on Tuesday, November 14, at 2:30 pm Atlantic; 1:30 pm Eastern at this link: https://upei-ca-healthcare.zoom.us/j/62143663852?pwd=c1FkWEpDemNIM0pjODQ1Nmw0azl5QT09

UPEI honours its rich heritage and traditions by acknowledging members of the campus community who have contributed to its mission in an exceptional way by naming them Founders. The award is presented to members of the campus community who have played a direct role in  

• supporting the vision, reputation, and continued success of the University, and/or  
• creating a new era of educational, research, and/or service excellence at the University. 

The University of Prince Edward Island is now accepting nominations for the 2023 Founders. 

If you wish to submit a nomination for this award, please complete the online form or email your submission to communications@upei.ca. Emailed nominations should include your name, daytime telephone number, and relationship to the nominee along with the name, address, telephone number, and email address of the person you wish to nominate. They are limited to 500 words in length and should address how the nominee meets the above criteria. Read the full UPEi news release

Completed nominations must be received by November 17, 2023, at 12:00 pm AT (noon). 

The inaugural Shannon K. Murray Lecture on Hope and the Academy, presented by Dr. Shannon Murray at UPEI on September 5, will be broadcast on CBC Radio’s national program Ideas on Monday, November 13, at 4:00 am and 8:00 pm. 

The CBC Ideas website describes the lecture as follows:

“For many, the world is feeling darker these days. So, a lecture on Hope might be a much-needed balm. Shannon Murray is an award-winning English professor at the University of Prince Edward Island. An annual lecture on Hope was established in her honour. For the inaugural lecture, Murray presents: Shakespeare’s Guide to Teaching, Learning and Hope. She explores what Shakespeare can offer us in terms of lessons in patience, empathy, hope, freudenfreude, and even the obsessions with metrics. And she talks about how The Bard’s words have become the narrative soundtrack of her own life.”

The UPEI Faculty of Arts established the lecture to honour the achievements of Dr. Shannon Murray, an award-winning professor in the Department of English and a 3M National Teaching Fellow. In 2022, Dr. Murray was awarded the Christopher Knapper Lifetime Achievement Award by the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. This is one of the highest honours awarded in Canada recognizing superior contributions to teaching and learning in higher education.
 

The Faculty of Science Graduate Studies Committee invites the campus community to the next presentation of the 2023--24 Environmental Sciences and Human Biology seminar series on Friday, November 10, 2023, at 12:30 p.m. in Kelley Memorial Building, Room 237. 

Patrick Slaine, PhD, Pegasus Biotech Inc., will present "Vaccinology: Designing a vaccine from start to finish."

All are welcome.

Join the UPEI Teaching and Learning Centre’s multimedia specialist and colleagues from UPEI’s teaching community on November 14 at 12:30 pm in the Teaching and Learning Centre to talk about ideas, obstacles, and success in creating multimedia for your courses. This is a space to gather and talk about what you are working on, what you have created, and what you might be thinking about making. Topics will generally be about video, podcasting, visual graphics, etc. that you are using as course resources. The drop-in is open to faculty and staff in an effort to provide support, create connections, and build community around these topics. This will be hosted monthly throughout the fall semester.

Reach out to Kristy McKinney at kmckinney@upei.ca if you have any questions.

The search committee for the Dean of Sustainable Design Engineering announces upcoming presentations by each of the three finalist candidates. Since the search began in June, the committee has conducted a comprehensive search and selected the following finalists for a series of stakeholder meetings on campus. Presentations are scheduled on the following dates and times.

Dr. Ali Akgunduz is a professor and Associate Dean, Academic Programs, at Concordia University. He received a BS (1992) from Gazi University, Turkey, and an MBA (1996) and PhD (2001) in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research from the Illinois Institute of Technology.  As associate dean at Concordia since 2012, he has led the faculty's accreditation process for all nine undergraduate engineering programs and continual improvement of academic programs. From 2003 to 2008, he served as the Co-op program director. His research interests include airline operations, and decision support system design, using artificial intelligence, including 70 journal and conference papers in these fields. Dr. Akgunduz has received an IIE Excellence Award and Distinguished Professor Award from the Institute of Industrial Engineers, and an Excellence in Teaching Award from the Canadian Society of Industrial Engineers.

• Public Presentation: November 15, 2:30–3:30 pm, AVC 207N

Dr. Regina Lee is a professor of space engineering at York University. She received a BASc (1994) in Engineering Science, MASc (1995), and PhD (2000) in Space Engineering from the University of Toronto. From 2018 to 2019, she was the Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Studies. Between 2013 and 2017, she served as chair of the Department of Earth and Space Science and Engineering. Dr. Lee has co-authored over 100 journal and conference papers. Her research interests lie in nanosatellite technologies including micro-propulsion, actuators, remote sensing, and space object tracking. At York University, she has secured over $10 million in research funding, including a $4.2 million CFI project to establish York's first comprehensive microfabrication facility where she served as the founding director. Dr. Lee received the AKCSE Women in Science and Engineering Award in 2022, and the KOFST Engineer of the Year Award in 2020.

• Public Presentation: November 16, 9:00– 0:00 am, AVC 201N

Dr. Yudong (David) Yao is a professor of electrical engineering at the Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, New Jersey. At Stevens, he served as chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering from 2007 to 2018. He received a BS and MS (1985) from Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications and a PhD (1988) from Southeast University, Nanjing, all in electrical engineering. His research interests lie in machine learning, sensors and signals, telehealth, and AI medicine. Dr. Yao has (co-)secured over $10 million in research grants, and his publications have been widely cited (h-index of 51 with over 10,000 citations). Prior to Stevens, he was a senior engineer at Qualcomm in San Diego, and a technical staff member at Spar Aerospace in Montreal. Dr. Yao is a Fellow of several professional associations, including IEEE and the Canadian Academy of Engineering.

• Public Presentation: November 22, 9:00– 10:00 am,  AVC 205N

All are welcome to attend. For any who are unable to attend, the presentations will be recorded and available afterward for viewing from a secure site. Paper copies of each candidate’s CV will be available for viewing in the Office of the Vice-President, Academic and Research, Kelley 205. Following each presentation, you are invited to provide feedback on the candidate’s suitability for the role to vpar@upei.ca. All feedback will be considered by the committee in its deliberations.

Does the thought of research ethics make you feel

1. excited 
2. overwhelmed 
3. intimidated 
4. frustrated 
5. prefer to specify: _________________ 
6. prefer not to specify 

No matter how you feel about research ethics right now, we’ve got good news for you! 

Your friendly colleagues on the UPEI Research Ethics Board have been working hard to adapt to recent TCPS 2 updates and to streamline and demystify related processes.  

If you do research with humans at UPEI, please join Research Compliance Coordinator, Dr. Stephanie Palmer, and Research Ethics Chair, Dr. Jessica Strong, to learn about recent changes to the TCPS 2 and UPEI REB process, including multi-jurisdictional applications, among others. We will also introduce some new tools you can use to streamline your application process. We look forward to seeing you on November 24 at noon at the TLC! 

Waltes Drop-In: November 8 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at the Mawi'omi Indigenous Student Centre

Experience the rich cultural heritage and spiritual wisdom of the Passamaquoddy, Penobscot, Maliseet, and Mi’kmaq communities as we invite you to dive into the traditional game of Waltes. This event offers you the chance to learn the game and uncover its teachings and significance.

Waltes is more than just a game; it's a sacred and spiritual practice that has been passed down through generations, offering a window into the deep traditions of Indigenous peoples in the Atlantic region. By participating, you'll gain a unique insight into the spiritual and cultural dimensions of this game, connecting with the rich history of these Indigenous communities.

Métis Heritage Week: November 13 to November 19

Celebrate the vibrant heritage, rich history, and invaluable contributions of the Métis people in Canada during Métis Week, an event that offers a profound opportunity to embrace and learn about this culturally diverse community. Join us in paying tribute to the Métis people's profound influence on Canada and in taking part in our ongoing mission to Indigenize UPEI.

Don't miss this opportunity to be part of an enriching and transformative experience. Come to our events, connect with the Métis community, and help us honour the shared histories and cultures that make Canada a truly diverse and beautiful nation.

Rock Your Mocs Week: November 13 to 17 (workshop on November 14)

Starting in 2011, Rock Your Mocs began as a way for Indigenous Peoples to learn more about moccasin teachings and provide an opportunity to wear them in solidarity with others. Moccasins carry spirit and connect us to those who have passed them down through the generations. The Mawi’omi Indigenous Student Centre will not only be encouraging all to wear their mocs but will also host a moccasin-making workshop on November 14 in Room 214, Dalton Hall (time TBD). All are welcome to sit in and learn or make a pair of mocs.

Ribbon Skirt, Shirt, and Pant Workshop: November 22 and 23 from 4:00 to 8:00 pm

This event was hosted in September during TRC week and is now being hosted again due to demand!

Every post-secondary institution in the Atlantic region (also known as the Wabanaki Confederacy) with an Indigenous centre will sew a ribbon skirt or shirt together. Participants are welcome to join in person or virtually. The program is meant to create a sense of nationhood while sharing important teachings about the ribbon skirt/shirt. Held on November 22 and 23 from 4:00 to 8:00 pm, the workshop will be hosted by the Mawi’omi Indigenous Student Centre in Room 240, Bernardine Hall. All are welcome to take part (UPEI community and greater PEI community). There will be light refreshments and an opportunity to connect with others. Two sewing machines will be available as will be some material. 

Full Moon Gathering: November 27 starting at 7:00 pm (location TBD)

Since time immemorial, Indigenous Peoples have followed the 13 Moons or moon cycles to ground themselves in their teachings and ensure balance. This is captured in their turtle's back teachings, which capture the different moon phases (13 different moons and 28 days in each moon cycle). Life on Earth is connected to and regulated by Grandmother Moon, through the tides and waters, which stabilizes our Earth's position and determines the cycle of women and the birth of new life. Grandmother Moon helps us with healing and is strongly connected to human life, especially women. Every phase of Grandmother Moon has a different focus, and this month, we focus on the strength and beauty of slowing down as Mother Earth begins her time of rest (freezing moon). All are welcome to join and share.

As part of engaging with and listening to the various audiences that make up the University community, Interim President Greg Keefe has been undertaking a series of smaller-sized, moderated sessions. The feedback received at these listening sessions will be provided to the UPEI Action Plan Advisory Group, which is developing the framework for the comprehensive action plan in response to Rubin Thomlinson’s University of Prince Edward Island Review. 

Here are some updates since the original message about the Staff Listening Sessions was issued:

• An additional session has been scheduled to accommodate any staff who are unable to attend the session for their particular staff-unit grouping. (See below for all dates and groupings)
• Supervisors who have employees attending the same session will be welcome to stay for the first half, but will then be asked to leave.
• While no online or virtual participation is offered, employees are welcome to email feedback or comments to president@upei.ca at any time.

Five staff-only sessions are now planned as follows: 

• Academic-associated staff (For any staff member who reports directly, or whose supervisor reports to the Vice-President Academic and Research): Thursday, November 9, 2:30–4:00 pm, Duffy Science Centre Amphitheatre (DSC 135), Moderator: Charlene VanLeeuwen 
   
• Facilities Management staff: Wednesday, November 15, 12:30–2:00 pm, Performing Arts Centre (PAC 121 S), Moderator: Patti Wheatley 
   
• Any staff unable to attend other group sessions: Thursday, November 16, 8:30–10:00 am, Performing Arts Centre (PAC 121 S), Moderator: Patti Wheatley
   
• All other staff (For any staff member who reports directly, or whose supervisor reports to the Chief Information Officer; Vice-President, People and Culture; Vice-President Administration and Finance; or President): Thursday, November 16, 2:30–4:00 pm, Duffy Science Centre Amphitheatre (DSC 135), Moderator: Charlene VanLeeuwen 
   
• Atlantic Veterinary College staff: Monday, November 20, 12:00–1:30 pm, AVC 287 N and 286A N, Moderator: Patti Wheatley 

The Animal Care Committee does not meet in December. The deadline for Animal Care Protocol Submissions--new, renewal, or amendment--is Friday, January 5, 2024, for the January meeting.

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

For new protocols, select "applications," and for renewal or amendment protocols, select "events."

UPEI ACC SOPs and Codes of Practice 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.

The search committee for the Dean of Sustainable Design Engineering announces upcoming presentations by each of the three finalist candidates. Since the search began in June, the committee has conducted a comprehensive search and selected the following finalists for a series of stakeholder meetings on campus. Presentations are scheduled on the following dates and times.

Dr. Ali Akgunduz is a professor and Associate Dean, Academic Programs, at Concordia University. He received a BS (1992) from Gazi University, Turkey, and an MBA (1996) and PhD (2001) in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research from the Illinois Institute of Technology.  As associate dean at Concordia since 2012, he has led the faculty's accreditation process for all nine undergraduate engineering programs and continual improvement of academic programs. From 2003 to 2008, he served as the Co-op program director. His research interests include airline operations, and decision support system design, using artificial intelligence, including 70 journal and conference papers in these fields. Dr. Akgunduz has received an IIE Excellence Award and Distinguished Professor Award from the Institute of Industrial Engineers, and an Excellence in Teaching Award from the Canadian Society of Industrial Engineers.

• Public Presentation: November 15, 2:30–3:30 pm, AVC 207N

Dr. Regina Lee is a professor of space engineering at York University. She received a BASc (1994) in Engineering Science, MASc (1995), and PhD (2000) in Space Engineering from the University of Toronto. From 2018 to 2019, she was the Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Studies. Between 2013 and 2017, she served as chair of the Department of Earth and Space Science and Engineering. Dr. Lee has co-authored over 100 journal and conference papers. Her research interests lie in nanosatellite technologies including micro-propulsion, actuators, remote sensing, and space object tracking. At York University, she has secured over $10 million in research funding, including a $4.2 million CFI project to establish York's first comprehensive microfabrication facility where she served as the founding director. Dr. Lee received the AKCSE Women in Science and Engineering Award in 2022, and the KOFST Engineer of the Year Award in 2020.

• Public Presentation: November 16, 9:00– 0:00 am, AVC 201N

Dr. Yudong (David) Yao is a professor of electrical engineering at the Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, New Jersey. At Stevens, he served as chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering from 2007 to 2018. He received a BS and MS (1985) from Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications and a PhD (1988) from Southeast University, Nanjing, all in electrical engineering. His research interests lie in machine learning, sensors and signals, telehealth, and AI medicine. Dr. Yao has (co-)secured over $10 million in research grants, and his publications have been widely cited (h-index of 51 with over 10,000 citations). Prior to Stevens, he was a senior engineer at Qualcomm in San Diego, and a technical staff member at Spar Aerospace in Montreal. Dr. Yao is a Fellow of several professional associations, including IEEE and the Canadian Academy of Engineering.

• Public Presentation: November 22, 9:00– 10:00 am,  AVC 205N

All are welcome to attend. For any who are unable to attend, the presentations will be recorded and available afterward for viewing from a secure site. Paper copies of each candidate’s CV will be available for viewing in the Office of the Vice-President, Academic and Research, Kelley 205. Following each presentation, you are invited to provide feedback on the candidate’s suitability for the role to vpar@upei.ca. All feedback will be considered by the committee in its deliberations.