University of Prince Edward Island faces challenges in risky environment for Atlantic Canadian universities
The University of Prince Edward Island is the top university in the Maritime provinces in terms of overall achievement and prospects for success and sustainability, but it faces serious challenges in today’s highly competitive and risky environment for Atlantic Canadian universities, said President Wade MacLauchlan in his annual University Update on November 22.
President MacLauchan’s address was attended by university students, faculty and staff as well as members of the general public, and is available on the Internet.
UPEI is very successful, particularly in enrolment, teaching, and research and development, but demographic and economic trends, relative to Canada and the world, are not working in favour of P.E.I. or the region, he said. It will take a strong sustained effort involving talent, focus and strategic investment if UPEI is to continue to thrive in the future.
He called on the provincial and federal governments to make comprehensive investments in education and research at UPEI on a scale equivalent to the commitment to establish a single provincial university 40 years ago. He suggested that multi-year investments of $60 to $100-million per year for five years from the federal and provincial governments, targeted at advanced education, research and innovation, including private sector innovation-based initiatives, are necessary if Prince Edward Island is to have a sustainable economy and make a difference in the world.
He challenged the community in general to support UPEI by surpassing the university’s Building a Legacy campaign’s $50-million target by the end of 2008. Funds from the campaign, now over the $40-million mark, support UPEI's research and teaching programs and facilities, including the establishment of funded chairs and enhanced funding for scholarships, especially for graduate students.
President MacLauchlan also highlighted some of UPEI’s recent accomplishments and priorities for the future, including maintaining current undergraduate enrolment through 2012-13; increasing numbers of international, mature and graduate students; tripling external research funding from $13.2 million to $40 million; and recruiting and retaining leading faculty who are committed to teaching and research excellence.
To view details of the University Update, please visit upei.ca and follow the link on the UPEI home page.
