Join others in a prayerful moment to begin Lent 2014.

A short conference entitled “My Island, My Heart” will take place March 14, 1:00-3:00 pm, at UPEI’s Chaplaincy Centre. The conference, led by UPEI arts student Faith Robinson, focuses on three themes—island fragility, island sustainability, and island community. Special guest speakers include: Deirdre Kessler, writer and UPEI professor; Laurie Brinklow, accomplished poet and UPEI professor; and Millefiore Clarkes, filmmaker to name a few. A short docu-film Island Green, about organic farming on PEI, will also be featured as part of the conference. Today, it is more important than ever to realize the limitations and magnificence of our environment, so keenly felt by Islanders worldwide. It is crucial that we not forget the roots from which we ourselves grow, to envision a better future. For more information on the conference, contact Faith Robinson at frobinson@upei.ca. Admission is free, and snacks and beverages will be provided. All are welcome to attend.

SPEAKER: Sarah McConnachie, Pathology and Microbiology TITLE: Retention and viability of microsporidial (Loma salmonae) spores within the Blue Mussel (Mytilus edulis): use of an established experimental laboratory model probing pathogen transfer within an integrated multitrophic aquaculture setting (IMTA)

Do you need support in your qualitative research project? Looking to connect and share ideas with other researchers on campus? We can help! Young Lives Research and its UPEI Qualitative Research Lab is offering informal workshops for qualitative researchers across campus. You're invited to meet with other qualitative researchers from various departments/disciplines to share your research ideas and methods, talk about particular challenges you have faced, and help build a qualitative research community here at UPEI. The forum is open to anyone on campus, student, staff, or faculty who conducts qualitative research and wishes to share/hear about experiences of members of the qualitative research community. Informal workshops will be held on Fridays once a month from 2:00-4:00 pm. The first forum will take place on March 14 in Dalton Hall, Room 414. For more information, please email cyct@upei.ca

The following event will still take place tonight at 7:00 pm. Tickets are still available and can be picked up at the door. “PostSecret Live” is a multi-media presentation by Frank Warren, founder of PostSecret. See the postcards that were banned from the books. Hear the inspiring and funny stories behind the secrets. Share your secret at the microphone. It’s about recognizing something about yourself that you see in others. About courage. Sharing in the joys and fears of others. About finding a deeper sense of authenticity or self-discovery. Admission is free. Tickets are still available and can be picked up at the door. This event is now open to the general public. Contact Matthew Rice at vpactivities@upeisu.ca for more information.

Thomas V. Hilton will present his Master of Education Thesis Defense on Monday, March 17 at 4:00 pm in Kelley Building, room 211. Thesis Title: "Schooling and Practices of Freedom of ‘Out’ Queer Youth on Prince Edward Island."

Jeela Palluq-Cloutier will present her Master of Education Thesis Defense on Friday, March 21, at 3:30 pm in Memorial Hall, room 417. Thesis Title: "The Standardization of Inuktut in the Education System in Nunavut."

Cheer on your friends as they try to cram years of learning into three minutes! When: Tuesday, March 18, 7 pm, and Tuesday, March 25, 7 pm Where: The Wave What: The Three Minute Thesis (3MT) is a skills development activity which challenges thesis-based graduate students to explain their research project to a non-specialist audience in just three minutes. First place wins $200 and a trip to Dalhousie University to compete in the regional 3MT. Second place wins $100. Third place wins $50. Contact: Colleen Gallant, Office of Research and Graduate Studies, cgallant@upei.ca. UPEI has 17 graduate students competing this year, so we've spread the competition over two evenings: Tuesday, March 18 and Tuesday, March 25. Both events begin at 7. The winner will be announced at the end of competition on the evening of the 25th. Students: want to brush up on your presenting techniques before the competition? Dr. Karen Samis, assistant professor of Biology, will lead a crash course on Friday, March 14 at 2 pm in room 104 of the K.C. Irving Chemistry Centre.

Cheer on your friends as they try to cram years of learning into three minutes! When: Tuesday, March 18, 7 pm, and Tuesday, March 25, 7 pm Where: The Wave What: The Three Minute Thesis (3MT) is a skills development activity which challenges thesis-based graduate students to explain their research project to a non-specialist audience in just three minutes. First place wins $200 and a trip to Dalhousie University to compete in the regional 3MT. Second place wins $100. Third place wins $50. Contact: Colleen Gallant, Office of Research and Graduate Studies, cgallant@upei.ca. UPEI has 17 graduate students competing this year, so we've spread the competition over two evenings: Tuesday, March 18 and Tuesday, March 25. Both events begin at 7. The winner will be announced at the end of competition on the evening of the 25th. Students: want to brush up on your presenting techniques before the competition? Dr. Karen Samis, assistant professor of Biology, will lead a crash course on Friday, March 14 at 2 pm in room 104 of the K.C. Irving Chemistry Centre.

Join UPEI 2014 graduates as they celebrate their academic achievements at convocation. The morning convocation ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 10 at 10:00 am in the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre. Family, friends, faculty, and staff are welcome to attend. If you are a UPEI student and are unsure when you graduate, check out our "find out when you graduate" page.