Bright future for UPEI in challenging times

The University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) is achieving its key targets, led by impressive gains in enrolment and research, but it cannot rest on its laurels, said President Wade MacLauchlan in his annual University Update on Thursday.

MacLauchlan spoke to university students, faculty and staff, and members of the public in the Alex H. MacKinnon Auditorium, Don and Marion McDougall Hall.

Reflecting on 2008, MacLauchlan said that UPEI recorded its largest student numbers ever this fall at a time when total enrolment at universities in the region has declined by about seven per cent since 2005. The 4,245 full- and part-time students registered at UPEI this year represent a 5.5 per cent increase over 2007-2008.

Enrolment of international students continues to increase, and 28 per cent of Island high school graduates consistently come to UPEI, he said. He anticipates that the number of Island students coming to UPEI will grow to 30 per cent or higher in the near future.

The university continues to rank as one of the top ten primarily undergraduate universities in Canada. And it recently was named the top undergraduate university in Canada for research income growth from 2002 to 2007.

UPEI is ahead of the region and the country in the 2008 National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) released earlier this fall. The survey revealed that first- and fourth-year students have a high degree of satisfaction with their experience at UPEI.

The university is a leader of development and achievement within the Island community, he said. He highlighted the rejuvenation of the campus, the importance of UPEI’s community partnerships, its involvement in the 2009 Canada Games, and the progress of its Building a Legacy fundraising campaign which will conclude in February of 2009.

He noted that it is important for the Island community to know that they can contribute to the university in many ways, whether they come to see the rejuvenated campus, contribute to the Build a Legacy campaign, support UPEI athletics teams, or participate as research and educational partners.

Looking ahead to the future, MacLauchlan said that while UPEI is doing well, there is room to improve and continue to excel, even in challenging economic times.  

“We are true to the culture of this place, which is to live within our means, to achieve the most that we can with the resources we have, and to show the university community and the people of the province that we produce a good return on investment.”

To view details of the University Update, please visit upei.ca and follow the link on the UPEI home page.