The University of Prince Edward Island would like to welcome the Island community, donors, and friends to the new Health Sciences building, for its official opening on Monday, March 26 at 10:00 am. The building is home to the School of Nursing and the Department of Applied Human Sciences (formerly the Department of Family and Nutritional Sciences). Speeches, tours, and donor recognition will take place during the official opening. Refreshments will be provided.

The University of Prince Edward Island officially marked the opening of its new Health Sciences Building today at a special event attended by donors, government partners, board of governors, students, staff, faculty, and alumni.

The 39,000-square-foot building is home to the School of Nursing and the Department of Applied Human Sciences (formerly Family and Nutritional Sciences) and features a mix of classrooms, offices, and laboratories-increasing the capacity for research.

The formal part of the celebration, emceed by Dean of Nursing Kim Critchley and Dean of Science Christian Lacroix, also featured students Trevor Cudmore (Nursing) and Sarah Nabuurs (Foods and Nutrition) who both commented on how the modern facility will help students develop into the best health and wellness professionals they can be.

Board of Governors Chair Fred Hyndman acknowledged the many alumni in the audience, remarking, 'There is a long tradition in the province for nursing and applied human sciences education. With this new facility, current and future students will carry on this tradition, and access ever-changing opportunities.'

The province of Prince Edward Island funded two-thirds of the $10.8 million project, investing a total of $7.2 million, while UPEI is raising one-third of the funds, or $3.6 million. The Honourable Allen Roach, Minister of Innovation and Advanced Learning, said, 'I want to congratulate UPEI on the opening of this new building and on the great tradition of health training at UPEI and its predecessor institutions for decades. The building we see around us will serve the university and the community for years to come by offering a high level of health-care training and research, making it easier for Islanders to pursue better career opportunities by furthering their post-secondary education.'

UPEI President and Vice-Chancellor, Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, believes that the new building will be an excellent facility for students to study, learn, and practice hands-on knowledge and thanked the government of PEI and many donors who have made it possible. 'As a result of the support from all sectors, this state-of-the-art facility will provide our students with clinical rooms and advanced equipment, and the opportunity to collaborate and conduct research with the latest health technologies. This facility not only betters the University, but will help advance the health and prosperity of our community, on the Island and beyond.'

Following the official program, students from the nursing and applied human sciences programs offered tours to guests.

About UPEI's Health Sciences Building

The fifth annual Connecting Aboriginal Cultures Workshop will celebrate the Aboriginal and Mi'kmaq culture through singing, traditional drumming and dancing, and learning will take place on Thursday, March 29, 10:00 am-4:00 pm and Thursday, April 5, 9:00 am-5:00 pm

With this week marking International Adult Learners' Week (IALW) in Canada, UPEI acknowledges its Centre for Life-Long Learning for providing mature students with flexible course schedules and support services.

Recognizing the unique needs of adult learners and their busy schedules and lifestyles, the Centre for Life-Long Learning offers an increasing number of courses after 4:00 pm, as well as online. Pat MacAulay, the Centre's director, invites mature students to UPEI. 'Over the past number of years, the University of Prince Edward Island has seen an increase in the number of adults continuing their education. The decision to return to school is not an easy one, but the Centre for Life-Long Learning is pleased to be able to help adult learners navigate their path and make that return easier.'

Rose Arsenault, a student in the final stages of the Bachelor of Integrated Studies program spent many years in non-standard work, sometimes working three jobs to cover her basic living costs when she decided to take action. 'I decided to conquer my fears and go back to school to get an education- invest in myself,' she said. 'This was the best decision of my life. My self-esteem has improved; I have gained financial independence, and now have the opportunity to advance in my career. The support I received from UPEI, my family, employer, and other adult learners was overwhelming.'

A key to UPEI's success in attracting adult learners is through the adoption of Prior Learning and Assessment Recognition (PLAR), a process that identifies and recognizes learning acquired from many sources including informal study, non-credit and workplace courses, work experience, volunteering, and hobbies. This allows adults with experiential learning to gain recognition for it, and reduce the number of credits they need to complete programs.

The Centre for Life-Long Learning has a professional support team to help its students reach their goals. Dana Murphy, a current student, truly appreciates the Centre's strong support to help her obtain her degree. 'Within the next year and a half, I hope to see myself walking across the stage accepting my degree in front of my proud family and friends. I want to demonstrate to my son that anything is possible and that you can return to school, no matter your age.'

International Adult Learners' Week celebrates adult learners across the country and the joy of learning throughout life. For more information on IALW, visit http://www.unesco.ca/en/interdisciplinary/IALW/IALWcanada.aspx

For more information or to talk to someone who can help you with your return to university, contact the UPEI Centre for Life-Long Learning at (902) 566-0336 or lifelong@upei.ca.

Two Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) teams collected second place finishes for both the Entrepreneurship and Financial Literacy categories at the Advancing Canadian Entrepreneurship (ACE) Regional Exposition held on March 9-10 in Halifax.

ACE is a national, charitable organization dedicated to teaching and igniting young Canadians to create a brighter future for themselves and their communities. Students involved make a meaningful contribution to their communities and discover their true potential to achieve an even greater impact as an entrepreneurial leader of tomorrow. The Regional Exposition creates a 'best-practice' sharing environment, fosters innovation, encourages results, and rewards excellence in entrepreneurial and community leadership.

Alan Duncan, Dean of UPEI's School or Business explained that SIFE students have worked incredibly hard to achieve these results. 'They've re-energized the club, they've engaged with the community, and they should be considered role models to other students, as they take their academic knowledge outside of the classroom and use it to make a difference in the lives of others.'

The Entrepreneurship team showcased their achievements with the Charlottetown Food Bank to the panel, where their initiatives have purchased a new freezer. The team has plans to create a healthy- eating cookbook, which would use common food bank items as ingredients for the recipes.

The Financial Literacy team highlighted two programs that have been running for the past year. The first, in conjunction with the Charlottetown police, provides information to seniors to assist them in becoming more aware of fraud, and the steps to take to avoid becoming victims of this growing crime. The second program involved presenting to Grade 12 rural students about the realities of budgeting. Challenging the pre-conceived ideas with the reality of their own experiences, the team was able to educate the high school students on financial obligations they would soon face.

UPEI SIFE President Brady McCloskey was proud to see the UPEI teams succeed. 'Watching what a group of young people can accomplish when working together has been the greatest experience for me this year,' he said. 'Our team has made incredible improvements in 2012, and having our accomplishments recognized at a highly competitive event has been a great end to our projects. We are very proud of the work we have done in our community this year, and we will continue it in the coming months.'

More than 25 teams competed at the Atlantic competition. As runners-up in the two categories UPEI was entered in, the teams were awarded with plaques and prize money which will add significantly to their club's funds, and will be used to finance future projects.

UPEI's Hannah Bell also competed in ACE's Student Entrepreneur Program competition and was awarded one of two regional spots to compete at the 2012 ACE National Exposition on May 9 in Calgary.

UPEI's executive MBA program and the PEI Business Women's Association are partnering on an event which focuses on women in leadership roles. The event will be on Wednesday, April 4, from 5:00-7:00 pm in Schurman Market Square, Don and Marion McDougall Hall.

Karen MacDonald, a UPEI EMBA candidate and senior manager with the PEI provincial government, will share her research findings on the implications and barriers for women breaking through the glass ceiling, and reflect on why women continue to be under-represented in leadership positions in Canada. MacDonald specifically focused on a new concept relating to a phenomenon coined the 'glass cliff.' At the root of this concept is the notion that while a small number of women are now achieving more high- profile leadership positions, they are more likely than men to find themselves in positions that are risky or unstable. In this session, MacDonald will discuss the nature of precarious positions, implications for women seeking leadership positions, and whether the glass cliff actually exists.

'This session is really aimed at women that are considering, or are already in, executive level positions and some of the implications that, as women, we should consider when taking on these roles.... has the work climate really changed for women?' said MacDonald.

A key component of the UPEI executive MBA program is an independent research project known as the 'signature project.' Signature projects provide the structure for students to conduct a deep examination of a particular area, advised by a faculty member. It also provides students with the opportunity to apply the management concepts and skills they have acquired during the EMBA program. 'The topic of women in leadership roles was something that I was very drawn to when it came to choosing a topic for my signature project,' explains MacDonald.

The University of Prince Edward Island recognized three well known alumni-Lennie Gallant, Dr. Theresa Bernardo, and Dico Reijers-at the UPEI Distinguished Alumni and Inspiring Young Alumni Awards on March 28.

Host of CBC's Mainstreet, Karen Mair, delivered the citation for the first 2012 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient, Lennie Gallant. Mair made note of Lennie's supportive family, and the pride that Islanders share of Gallant's success as an accomplished Island born singer and songwriter.

'With his national and international success and longevity in creating and performing music since his graduation from UPEI, it might be easy to forget that Gallant has been able to stay in the Atlantic Region and make a living doing what he loves, and he continues to craft some of the best known and loved songs of the region,' said Mair.

Dr. Ian Dohoo, Professor of Epidemiology at the Atlantic Veterinary College, gave the second award citation for Dr. Theresa Bernardo. Dohoo made note of Bernardo becoming AVC's first graduate student back in 1986, and how she set the bar high for future students, having published three peer-reviewed papers and several international presentations from her MSc. Dohoo described Bernardo as always having been a broad thinker willing to explore new frontiers. He is pleased to have been a part of Bernardo's journey as she now continues her efforts in social media and new technologies to help solve today's health issues.

In Elissa Blacquiere's absence, Student Union President Rob Livingstone read the citation for the Inspiring Young Alumnus award recipient and successful entrepreneur, Dico Reijers. Livingstone described Reijers' first business venture with his brother when he was 10 years old-he would pay his brother to fish golf balls out of a nearby water trap, and then would sell them on the side of the road. Reijers has come a long way, as he now owns and operates three businesses, InternetWorks Ltd., Apartments PEI, and the Dutch East Trading Company.

The Distinguished Alumni Awards are the highest honour presented by the Alumni Association and are presented annually to graduates who have made an outstanding contribution to knowledge, the arts, the community, to the University, or have made a special contribution to an area of service to humanity. The Inspiring Young Alumni Award is presented annually to a deserving graduate, under the age of 40, who has shown outstanding determination in achieving success at an early age.

After serving the University of Prince Edward Island in several volunteer leadership capacities, Fred Hyndman will retire as Chair of the Board of Governors on May 31, 2012. He will be replaced, effective June 1, 2012, by Tom Cullen, currently Vice-Chair of the Board. The Board unanimously endorsed Cullen's nomination at a meeting held March 29, 2012.

Fred Hyndman, managing director and CEO of Hyndman and Company Ltd., has made a significant contribution to the growth and success of the University over the past ten years, most recently guiding the University through the presidential transition as UPEI President and Vice-Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz assumed leadership of the University on July 1, 2011, replacing former president Wade MacLauchlan. Hyndman first served as Chair of the highly successful Building a Legacy Campaign for three years, and since 2006 as the Chair of the Board of Governors.

'I have enjoyed my association with the University,' said Hyndman. 'The past ten years have been a time of dynamic change and opportunity and I have been pleased to be part of it. It has been a privilege working with others to improve the effectiveness of the University, which I believe is a vital cornerstone of our Island's future progress and prosperity. I've timed my retirement to allow my participation in the Convocation of the UPEI Class of 2012. Convocation is always one of the best days of the year.'

Board Chair elect, local businessman, and UPEI alumnus Tom Cullen has been a valued member of the UPEI Board of Governors for four years and has served as Vice-Chair of the Board and Executive Committee, Chair of the Board Appeals Committee, and as a Member of both the Finance and Audit, and the Property and Asset Committees.

'It will be an honour to serve the University as Chair of the Board,' said Cullen. 'It is both an important and a daunting role. It is critical that the University continues to offer excellent educational experiences to our students, while contributing to the success of our community and province.'

President Abd-El-Aziz, expressed thanks to Hyndman for his fine work on behalf of the University, and for his support during the President's introduction to the Island. 'Fred Hyndman is a selfless person who has taught me a great deal about the University, the community and the province, and I am so grateful for his support during the first year of my presidency,' said Abd-El-Aziz. 'And, I look forward to working with Tom, whose commitment to the value of education, and dedication to our University is evident.'

This year's Atlantic Inorganic Discussion Weekend (AIDW) took place in Charlottetown on March 23-25.

Research Professor and Associate Professor of Chemistry Dr. Michael Shaver and one of this year's organizers said, "The weekend has a longstanding tradition as a centerpiece in bringing together inorganic chemists from across Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and PEI and promotes excellence, collaboration, and collegiality."

Over 50 delegates took part in the conference, in which 37 undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral researchers gave stimulating presentations on their latest research. Professor Bobby Ellis of Acadia University and Professor Vy Dong of the University of Toronto gave plenary lectures.

Prizes were awarded for the best graduate and undergraduate student talks and student posters. UPEI's Edward Cross was awarded the best graduate student talk prize, while UPEI's Mitch Perry took home the prize for best graduate student poster.

The 2011-2012 UPEI Recital Series will end on a high note on Tuesday, April 3rd when the UPEI Jazz Ensemble is joined by vocalists, jazz violin and the UPEI Percussion Ensemble. Under the direction of well-known percussionist and instructor Dave Shephard, vocalists Brittany Banks, Hannah Rollwage and Noah MacDougall will join the band to present jazz standards ('Satin Doll' and 'A Foggy Day in London Town') and contempory songs ('Don't Know Why' by Nora Jones). Olivia Barnes, violin, will perform 'I Can't Get Started' with the ensemble.

Dave will be sharing the conducting duties with students from his Jazz Techniques class and the Percussion Ensemble will join the band on 'St. Thomas' and 'Big Yello Mambo.' A highlight of the evening will be the debut performance of 'Waltzing,' a jazz waltz chart composed and arranged by guitarist Nik Dragatakis.

The concert is at 7:30pm in the Dr. Steel Recital Hall, UPEI, and admission is free.