The first annual Graduate Research Recognition Day will take place on Tuesday, May 18, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, in the Alex H. MacKinnon Lecture Theatre (Room 242) and Schurman Market Square in McDougall Hall. This event is being planned and presented by the Office of Graduate Studies, the Graduate Studies Advisory Committee, and the Graduate Student Association.

This showcase of graduate student research and scholarship will include oral and poster presentations from graduate students from all programs across campus. There will be a presentation on, and celebration of, graduate student scholarship and award success over the past year. Lunch and refreshments will also be served.

Everyone is invited to attend this event to learn about the range, quality, and impact of graduate student research at UPEI. For more information, contact Colleen Gallant at cgallant@upei.ca.

UPEI students have until May 17 to apply for up to twenty $5000 scholarships to attend the second annual Middle East Studies Program in Egypt from July 25 to August 19. Misr International University (MIU) is partnering with UPEI for the program, a four-week study period based in Cairo, and during which students learn about the culture and history of the region while gaining 2-3 credit-hour courses towards their UPEI degree.

Along with taking in the sights and sounds of a new culture, students attend classes at MIU to learn about the history of Egypt. According to last year's student participants, Louise Cockram and Conor Leggott, the experience included discovering favourite and exotic foods, observing social customs, and developing an understanding of an unfamiliar religion.

They said, 'One thing is for sure; it was a phenomenal experience that we'll remember for the rest of our lives.'

Sherilyn Acorn, UPEI's International Mobility Co-ordinator says, 'We are so pleased to partner again with Misr International University in offering a quality program that allows UPEI students to immerse themselves in Egyptian culture.'

Acorn, who accompanied the students during the 2009 program, adds, 'There is no better way to gain knowledge than through a combination of experiential and traditional learning opportunities.'

The available scholarships cover tuition, field trips, and transportation to and from accommodations and airports. UPEI Exchange Applications are available now at upei.ca/internationalization.

Eighteen participants from Lennox Island and Abegweit First Nations and employees of the Mi'kmaq Confederacy of PEI recently completed a 210 hour Certificate in Project Management that was delivered in Charlottetown and Summerside by the Centre for Life-Long Learning at the University of Prince Edward Island.

The content was based on the Project Management Body of Knowledge and supplemented by content on team work, writing project proposals, effective communication, presentation skills and evaluation.

'The Centre for Life-Long learning at the University of Prince Edward Island is proud to have partnered with the Mi'kmaq Confederacy of PEI in presenting this customized project management program. The uniqueness of this program is in its focus on developing skills which go beyond the usual transfer of knowledge. The participants had the opportunity to exchange with, and learn from, expert practitioners in the field and facilitators well-versed in adult education,' says Gilbert Ladéroute, Manager of Conflict Resolution Studies and Professional Development.

Chief Brian Francis of the Abegweit First Nation and Jeanette MacAulay, Director of the Centre for Life-Long Learning, presented participants with their certificates.

Contact: Gilbert Ladéroute, Manager, Conflict Resolution Studies and Professional Development, (902) 566-0707.

All members of the campus community are invited to engage with two leading edge e-learning speakers in the Alex H. MacKinnon lecture theatre in McDougall Hall on Wednesday, May 19, from 1:00 to 5:00 pm. The speakers are George Siemens and Alec Couros.

This technology learning session will help the PEI Knowledge Exchange Network (PEI KEN) to develop strategies and plans for the advancement of UPEI's e-learning capacity. A reception will follow in Schurman Market Square, McDougall Hall, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.

George Siemens is the author of Knowing Knowledge which explores the changing nature of knowledge and what it means to organizations today. He is the founder and president of Complexive Systems Inc. Siemens is currently associated with the Technology Enhanced Knowledge Research Institute (TEKRI) at Athabasca University.

Alec Couros is an assistant professor and ICT Co-ordinator in the Faculty of Education at the University of Regina where he has been responsible for technology planning, and service and professional development for more than a decade.

RSVP to Megan MacLean at megmaclean@upei.ca or 620-5105.

The Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC) at the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) confirmed its status today as a world leader in animal population health through the announcement of a new 10-million dollar research chair.
'This is an exciting day for UPEI and AVC,' said university President and Vice-Chancellor Wade MacLauchlan. 'The Canada Excellence Research Chair in Aquatic Epidemiology is the jewel in the crown of research we've developed here over the past two decades. This chair, together with its supporting team and network, responds to the expanding global demand for protein, notably for healthy fish from healthy aquatic ecosystems. This CERC will make a big difference.'
Dr. Ian A. Gardner, Canada Excellence Research Chair in Aquatic Epidemiology, will examine health interactions between farmed and wild fish populations and develop cost-effective testing strategies and surveillance programs for the prevention and control of diseases in aquatic food animals. His research will help aquaculture regulators in Canada make science-based decisions to maintain healthy food production in our marine environments, as well as provide the knowledge needed to help improve nutrition for human populations around the world.
The Canada Excellence Research Chairs program is an initiative of the Government of Canada to attract Canadian and international leaders who can positively contribute to this country's global competitiveness, future prosperity and well-being, as well as provide a deeper understanding of the human dimension of technological change.
'The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of supporting world-class research,' said the Honourable Gail Shea, Canada's Minister of Fisheries and Oceans. 'The CERC program helps to position Canada as a global centre of excellence in research and higher learning. The cutting-edge research conducted by these global leaders will spur innovation in Prince Edward Island and contribute positively to Canada's competitiveness and future prosperity.'
Dr. Gardner joins UPEI from the University of California at Davis. His published works are among the most cited in the world in his field of research. He joins AVC's Centre for Veterinary Epidemiological Research, a world renowned centre of research excellence in animal population health.
"The Atlantic Veterinary College is known around the world as a leader in veterinary epidemiology and fish health," said Dr. Gardner "I'm excited to be a part of this team. This is a new frontier of science that will make a difference in people's lives. This research deals with the health of our oceans, but is also about what goes on our plate at dinnertime."
Dr. Don Reynolds, Dean of the AVC, said the awarding of this chair speaks to the international reputation the AVC has as a leader in animal population health, with a specialty in fish health. It's that reputation that allowed UPEI and AVC to attract such a high-calibre candidate for the chair.
'Dr. Ian Gardner is among the best in the world for veterinary epidemiological research,' said Dr. Reynolds. 'Dr. Gardner will anchor our already successful and proven team here at the Atlantic Veterinary College at UPEI. With Dr. Gardner's expertise, we will define aquatic epidemiology. We will develop a new frontier of study and provide the knowledge needed to help improve nutrition for human populations around the world.'
The Honourable Allan Campbell, PEI's Minister of Innovation and Advanced Learning - a partner in UPEI's aquatic research - was also on hand for today's announcement.
"By building partnerships between government and researchers, we are building a bright future for our province. Dr. Gardner's research on Aquatic Epidemiology meets a global need for knowledge about diseases that threaten our aquatic food animals, and his discoveries will benefit fisheries at all levels and help preserve our environment. "
UPEI's Vice President of Research and Development, Dr. Katherine Schultz, said this Canada Excellence Research Chair is the pinnacle of more than 10 years of unprecedented growth in research.
'This is outstanding. Dr. Gardner becomes our fifteenth research chair,' said Dr. Schultz. 'He joins eight Canada Research Chairs, and six endowed or industry-sponsored chairs. These are the best of the best researchers in the world, and they work every day with our students. The energy these people bring to campus is immeasurable.'

May 18, 2010 (Charlottetown, P.E.I)- The Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education (CCAE) has awarded UPEI and the Atlantic Veterinary College top marks in two categories through its annual PRIX D'EXCELLENCE awards program.

UPEI won gold for Best Student Recruitment Viewbook in the highly competitive student recruitment category for its 2009-2010 edition. The award winning Viewbook is a 32 page full-colour print publication sent to prospective students outlining the advantages of pursuing a post-secondary education at UPEI. Written, designed and produced by the Department of Integrated Communications, the UPEI Viewbook took first place out of fifteen entries from universities across the country.

Glenda Clements, Director of Integrated Communications said, 'Our design team, led by Lisa Stapleton, pours their heart and soul into the production of this document which is the key lure piece used by student recruiters.' She adds, 'It's an honour for the University to be recognized amongst its peers for such an important document.'

The UPEI Viewbook had several overall strengths including 'a strong colour palette, good use of whitespace, stunning visuals with an easy to read, clean appearance, placing the prospective student ‘in' the UPEI experience.'

And, for the second time in three years, the Dr. Tim Ogilvie AVC Vet Camp was awarded the gold medal for Best Community Outreach Program. The camp, which is the only one of its kind in Canada, offers students, who are passionate about animals and science, the unique opportunity to enter the world of veterinary medicine for a week packed with adventure and learning.

'We are honoured to have the Dr. Tim Ogilvie AVC Vet Camp once again recognized for its excellence at a national level,' says Charlotte McCardle, director of the camp. 'We take great pride in our program and work hard to provide students with a truly hands-on and authentic veterinary-based learning experience that is unlike any other.'

Since its development in 1998, more than 1,200 junior high students from Canada, the United States and countries as far away as Australia, Saudi Arabia and Scotland have travelled to PEI to take part in the program. Due to its success, a new senior high camp will be added this summer.

The CCAE PRIX D'EXCELLENCE entries are assessed by a judging panel of post-secondary peers and external judges.

Julie Bull, a graduate of the University of Prince Edward Island, is one of this year's recipients of Canada's most prestigious scholarships for doctoral students - the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship.

Vanier scholarship winners are selected for their demonstrated leadership skills and high standard of scholarly achievement in graduate studies. The scholarship program is designed to attract and retain world-class doctoral students by offering them a significant financial award during their studies at Canadian universities. Students receive $50,000 annually for up to three years.

Julie received her Bachelor of Arts (honours) and Master of Applied Health Services Research degrees from UPEI. She is now working on her PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies at the University of New Brunswick. Her research is rooted in Aboriginal and rural health and education. She has won the Vanier award for her doctoral research on Ethics. Her study, in partnership with NunatuKavut (formerly called the Labrador Metis Nation), examines 'Grassroots voices: authenticity in relationships with academic researchers in the context of Aboriginal health research.'

'Julie Bull is a most deserving recipient of a Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship,' says Dr. Richard Kurial, Dean of Arts. 'She is living proof of the quality of our academic programs at UPEI. Excellence is contagious and her academic success has made us all so proud both of her and of our university. I have no doubt she will continue to excel in her PhD program at UNB.'

'Julie's success is not surprising given her innovative research during her honours with us; she is a fine example of what can be achieved with inspired, constant, and sustained scholarship,' says Dr. Colleen MacQuarrie, her undergraduate academic supervisor . 'She is a bright, hard working woman who knows how to achieve her dreams; a fine alumna of UPEI who will continue to shine throughout her career.'

Julie received several graduate awards while attending UPEI, including the Canadian Institutes of Health Research - Institute of Aboriginal Peoples Health Scientific Director's Award of Excellence. During the first year of her doctoral work, she received the Atlantic Aboriginal Health Research Program Doctoral Fellowship, the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation Scholarship, and the Jens Peder Hart Hansen Fellow Award.

She has recently worked in support of aboriginal students at UPEI and as the manager of the Mawiomi Aboriginal Student Centre.

Nine nurses from two PEI hospitals graduated today from the critical care and emergency nursing program at the University of Prince Edward Island. They were the second group of nurses to complete this specialized professional training at UPEI. Seven of their colleagues graduated last December.

The graduates are Trenna Adams, Colleen Murphy, Emily Walters, Kelley Doyle, and Angela Steele from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), and Ginette Gallant, Christa Bertram, Beverly Kennedy, and Lyndsey Spencer from the Prince County Hospital (PCH). All nine are employed in intensive care units or emergency departments. Their training included classroom study, lab simulation, and clinical placements.

'I have a better understanding of many disease processes, including congestive heart failure. Having this increased knowledge made me more confident in my decisions,' says Christa Bertram from the PCH. 'It was a great feeling to be able to anticipate the physician's orders and start preparing things before they were needed.'

Angela Steele from the QEH agrees: 'This was the second time that I looked after someone with a temporary pacing wire. The first time was prior to the course. I feel that this time I was much more at ease because I had the proper knowledge base and theory needed to properly care for the patient.'

The graduation marks the end of this phase of the program. It was one of ten pilot projects in a pan-Canadian initiative called Research to Action: Applied Workplace Solutions for Nurses, led by the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions and funded by Health Canada. The projects were aimed at testing retention and recruitment strategies to address the nursing shortage. Also partnering with the UPEI School of Nursing were the PEI Department of Health and the PEI Nurses Union.

The UPEI School of Nursing has surveyed its Bachelor of Nursing graduates from this year and determined that there is significant support for continuing this type of professional training in the future:

'They have expressed great interest; 84 per cent stated they would take this course, some saying they would leave the Island to get it if it is not available here,' says Judith Cotton, project manager. 'So it could well become an important retention strategy.'

UPEI is examining various ways that it might continue the program to meet the needs of PEI nurses.

'Now that the pilot project has been completed, we are looking at sustainability for the future,' says Cotton. 'We would like to once again work collaboratively with government to provide the necessary education to support excellence in nursing in Prince Edward Island.'

The Kidney Foundation of Canada today announced $350,000 in research funding to Dr. Sunny Hartwig, Assistant Professor of Biomedical Science, at the University of Prince Edward Island's Atlantic Veterinary College. Hartwig's funding includes the foundation's Krescent New Investigator Award, a competition in which she ranked first in the country.
Hartwig comes to AVC from Boston where she held a post-doctoral fellowship at Harvard Medical School. Her research speciality is the genetic development of the kidneys, with an aim to help understand why some kidneys develop normally, and some are diseased.
'I believe we will see a cure for kidney disease within our lifetime,' says Hartwig. 'And not just a tool to prevent the disease from developing before birth, but regeneration. I believe we'll find a way to help diseased kidneys repair themselves. It's an exciting time to be involved in this research.'
At an announcement today, Dr. Don Reynolds, Dean of the AVC, said the college is actively engaged in a diverse research agenda that includes human and public health, as well as animal health.
'The Atlantic Veterinary College is driven by discovery,' said Reynolds. 'Our research is far reaching in scope and impact, and includes kidney disease, heart and stroke, and neurodegenerative diseases. What we do has a real impact on people's lives.'
Mr. Leslie Hunter, President of the P.E.I. Chapter of The Kidney Foundation of Canada, presented Hartwig with her award at a ceremony today. He was joined by Mr. Tim Fox, Executive Director of the New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island Branch of the Kidney Foundation of Canada.
'I'm thrilled that we are able to provide this substantial support for the work of Dr. Sunny Hartwig,' said Fox. 'Dr. Hartwig's research is critical to reducing the burden of kidney disease, especially among children. It is this kind of research that brings hope to patients and their families for better treatment options and a better quality of life. To have such a talented researcher here in the Maritimes is very exciting for our Branch and for all of Atlantic Canada.'
Dr. Katherine Schultz, UPEI's Vice-President of Research & Development, said Hartwig's work furthers UPEI's commitment to research in human health.
'We've identified human health and development as one of our core areas of research focus,' said Schultz. 'And adding Dr. Hartwig's star to our already shining constellation of research in this area proves what we've known for years: UPEI and AVC research excellence touches not just Atlantic Canada, but reaches around the world.'
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The University of Prince Edward Island and Holland College have developed a joint Bachelor of Wildlife Conservation program that is set to begin in September.

Students who have graduated from the two-year Wildlife Conservation Technology diploma program at Holland College are now eligible to apply for entry into the new degree program at UPEI. They will be required to complete 20 courses through the department of biology in the Faculty of Science.

The Bachelor of Wildlife Conservation program combines the practical, theoretical, and analytical strengths of existing courses provided by Holland College and the University of Prince Edward Island for students interested in obtaining more rigorous training in wildlife conservation. Increased knowledge of the scientific and social issues involved in conservation management, combined with a more complete set of analytical skills, will provide graduating students with the tools necessary to address the complexity of problems in this increasingly important field.

'This new program is an excellent opportunity for our two provincial post-secondary institutions to offer a unique learning experience for students. We expect it to attract attention well beyond the shores of PEI,' says Dr. Christian Lacroix, UPEI Dean of Science.

'Agreements such as this provide Holland College students with the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of their chosen field' says Ben Hoteling, Learning Manager for the Wildlife Conservation Technology program at Holland College. 'The Bachelor of Wildlife Conservation program will enable our graduates to enter the workforce fully equipped for the challenges ahead.'

UPEI and Holland College have developed numerous educational partnerships for which both institutions are recognized nationally.

For more information about the Bachelor of Wildlife Conservation program, contact the office of the Dean of Science at UPEI at science@upei.ca or (902)566-0382. To find out more about Holland College's Wildlife Conservation program, visit www.hollandcollege.com, call 1-800-446-5265 or e-mail getready@hollandcollege.com.