Author of City Wolves to speak at UPEI November 3
Members of the public are invited to attend a talk called "Creating City Wolves ... From Dogs" by Canadian author Dorris Heffron on Tuesday, November 3, from 12:30-1:20 p.m., in the AVC Lecture Theatre D at UPEI.
Heffron is the author of City Wolves, a novel that imagines the life of Canada's first female veterinarian, the Klondike gold rush, and the evolution of the dogs that would come to be known as Alaskan Malamutes.
A native of Noranda, Quebec, Heffron earned an Honours B.A., M.A. in Literature and Philosophy from Queen's University. While teaching in England from 1968 to 1980, she wrote three novels about teenagers that are considered pioneers in the genre of young adult fiction. The novels were translated and included in high school courses in Europe, Japan and Canada. She taught creative writing at the University of Malaysia, and wrote and taught in Holland, France and Cape Breton Island. She has served on the national council of The Writers' Union, the board of directors of PEN Canada, The Writers Trust of Canada, the Toronto Arts Council and the board of directors of the Native Men's Residence.
Heffron's talk is presented by the Chinook Project which brings essential veterinary care to isolated communities in the Canadian Arctic. The project was created by Jane Magrath, Associate Professor of English at UPEI, and Lisa Miller, Professor of Pathology and Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at AVC.
Each summer, four veterinary students in their final year of study and two AVC clinicians, along with essential equipment, go to a community in the Canadian Arctic where they give free veterinary treatment to animals, including spaying/castration, parasite control and vaccinations, and they educate the local population in animal care.
The project visited Kimmirut (Southern Baffin) in 2006 and 2008, Cambridge Bay (Western Arctic) in 2007, and Kugluktuk and Cambridge Bay (Western Arctic) in 2009. In 2010 the project will go to Northern Labrador.
A Celebration of New Literary Voices at UPEI on November 10
The Winter's Tales Author Reading Series will feature and celebrate 13 talented Island writers, most of them new voices, several of them familiar to Island audiences, at a public reading on Tuesday, November 10, at 7:30 p.m. in the Main Building Faculty Lounge at UPEI.
The writers are currently participating in a creative writing master class offered by the UPEI Department of English. They will give short readings from their work in progress. They are: Meaghan Blanchard, Lisa-Marie Brunnen, David (Lobie) Daughton, Orysia Dawydiak, Neil Fraser, Jeremy Gaudet, Laura Morrell, Amanda Morrison, Fiona Papps, Katie Rankin, Billy Rose Hannah Visser and Richard Snow.
The public is invited to hear tantalizing excerpts from fantasy and science fiction novels, one-act plays, poetry, memoirs, short fiction, novellas and novels. Admission is free. For more information, please contact the Department of English at (902) 566-0389.
Tourism Research Centre releases report on visitors to PEI
The Tourism Research Centre at UPEI is pleased to announce the release of its latest report using exit survey results collected from July 2007 to June 2008. This report groups visitors based on the activities they participated in while on PEI.
'We have divided our visitors into four groups based on what they did while on PEI,' said Dr. Sean Hennessey, Faculty Director of the TRC. 'We were able to make profiles for each group, and can look at, for example, what type of accommodation they choose, how much they spend, and how long they spend in PEI.'
Travel parties were segmented into four groups, those who came to visit friends and relatives (37 per cent of total travel parties), participated in outdoor activities (22 per cent), participated in cultural activities (20 per cent), and came for rest and relaxation (22 per cent).
Travel parties who came to visit friends and relatives had the lowest participation rates for the majority of activities included in the survey. These visitors spent the least amount of money in PEI. Although their visits were short, most were repeat visitors. Only about 22 per cent visited during the main season, July and August.
Those who visited PEI to take part in outdoor activities had the lowest average spending per-person-per-night but the second highest average spending per party per visit because they had the second longest average number of nights' stay in PEI (4.9). Most of this group were repeat visitors, second only to those who came to visit friends and relatives.
'Developing outdoor activities as tourism products would be best geared to middle-aged adults and families from our neighbouring provinces,' explained Dr. Hennessey. 'About two-thirds of travel parties participating predominantly in outdoor activities hailed from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia with an almost equal proportion being adult couples and families. Outdoor enthusiasts also displayed a greater tendency to stay in cabins, cottages, campgrounds or trailer parks.'
Despite their high participation in low-key activities such as sightseeing and driving tours, those coming for rest and relaxation should not be misconstrued as meaning this market does not spend money on tourism-related products. In fact, their per-person-per-night spending was the highest of all four clusters ($129.07). However, their stays on the Island were short (less than four nights) because they tended to make PEI a stop during a trip with multiple destinations. These travel parties tended to be comprised of two adults; almost 40 per cent were 55 years of age or more. These visitors were also more likely to stay in Charlottetown for the duration of their stay.
The largest proportion of travel parties interested predominantly in cultural activities came from Ontario (24 per cent). The remainder were fairly evenly distributed between New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec and the USA (13-15 per cent is the range for these jurisdictions). About half of all travel parties interested in cultural activities were adult couples, and about a third were families.
'Unlike the two kinds of inactive parties and those interested mainly in outdoor activities, only half of cultural enthusiasts were repeat visitors,' elaborated Dr. Hennessey. 'Since repeat visitors did not seem as interested in cultural activities, this may indicate a certain degree of saturation with existing cultural tourism products for repeat visitors. For example, while half of travel parties participating mostly in cultural activities visited within the last three years, almost 33 per cent had been to PEI five years ago or longer. This long-range trend is not apparent for the other groups to the same degree.'
This report is available at www.upei.ca/business/trc. More information about the report can be obtained from the Tourism Research Centre, School of Business, University of PEI, at (902) 566-6096 or trc@upei.ca.
Well-known scientist Dr. Joe Schwarcz to speak at UPEI November 18 and 19
Well-known scientist and public speaker Dr. Joe Schwarcz, a.k.a 'Dr. Joe,' will give a presentation called Hey! There Are Cockroaches in My Chocolate Ice Cream! at the University of Prince Edward Island on Wednesday, November 18, and again on Thursday, November 19.
The presentation on November 18 will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Steel Recital Hall, and the one on November 19 from 8:30 to 10 a.m. in the Alex H. MacKinnon Auditorium in McDougall Hall. Both presentations are open to the public.
This highly visual and entertaining presentation examines some serious as well as frivolous experiences in dealing with the public and emphasizes the importance of fostering critical thinking.
'No, there really are no cockroaches in chocolate ice cream,' says Schwarcz. 'But one of my radio listeners did jump to this conclusion after misinterpreting what had been said about a certain food colorant. Being on one end of a microphone and in front of television cameras for over 20 years has afforded some fascinating insight into the public's perception of science. It has also provided an opportunity to separate sense from nonsense in areas ranging from nutrition and medications to cosmetics and pesticides.'
Schwarcz, who received his Ph.D. from McGill University in 1973, is well known for his informative and entertaining public lectures on topics ranging from the chemistry of love to the science of aging. Using stage magic to make scientific points is one of his specialties.
He is director of McGill University's Office for Science and Society, which is dedicated to demystifying science for the public, the media and students. He also teaches a variety of courses with emphasis on health issues and on the application of chemistry to everyday life.
He has received numerous awards for teaching chemistry and for interpreting science for the public. Among these are the Royal Society of Canada's McNeil Award and the American Chemical Society's prestigious Grady-Stack Award. He is the only non-American ever to be honoured with this prize. Previous winners of the Grady-Stack have included famed science writer Isaac Asimov, New York Times columnist Walter Sullivan and Don Herbert of TV's 'Mr. Wizard' fame. His latest award is the Royal Canadian Institute's Sandford Fleming Medal. He was also awarded an honorary doctorate by Athabasca University in the spring of 2002.
'Dr. Joe' has appeared on the Canadian Discovery Channel, TV Ontario, Global Television, CBC-TV, CTV-TV and various radio stations. He writes a weekly newspaper column in the Montreal Gazette entitled 'The Right Chemistry' as well as a monthly column in Canadian Chemical News. He was the chief consultant on the Reader's Digest bestsellers, 'Foods That Harm, Foods That Heal' and 'The Healing Power of Vitamins, Minerals and Herbs,' and he contributed the chemistry chapter to the best-selling 'Mental Floss.' He has written several bestselling books that have been translated into five languages and are sold around the world. His most recent publications are "An Apple a Day" and "Brain Fuel."
TRC survey details visitors' comments about P.E.I.
The Tourism Research Centre at UPEI has released its latest report using exit survey results collected from July 2007 to June 2008.
The report provides a summary of comments from visitors to P.E.I. The comments were solicited through two open-ended questions. The first asked if the visitor experienced any problems that would impact their decision to return to P.E.I. or to recommend it to others. The second allowed the visitor to provide general comments.
The comments from both questions were categorized into ten general areas: food and beverage, service, accommodations, prices and taxes on goods and services, transportation, seasonal/daily closures, environmental concerns, parks, attractions and other comments. The negative comments in these categories focused on two themes: the expense of visiting P.E.I., and a perceived discrepancy between the cost of goods and services and the quality received in return for the cost. Specifically, visitors commented on the costs associated with bridge and ferry tolls, National Park entrance fees, taxes, gas, accommodations, meals and attractions.
The feedback provided also shows that visitors are very impressed with the natural beauty of P.E.I., the friendliness of the people, and Islanders' pride of place. In addition, some of the comments that may be perceived as negative are actually suggestions for improvement or are simple observations that may not reflect the reality of life in P.E.I. (for example, P.E.I. needs to have famous brands and products outlet stores for shoppers). Some of the comments also related to matters that are beyond the control of tourism industry operators such as road conditions, taxes, road signs and P.E.I.'s natural environment.
'The report highlights areas where many visitors feel improvements can be made that will improve P.E.I.'s tourism product, and areas where the province excels,' explained Dr. Sean Hennessey, Faculty Director of the TRC.
The report also offers a breakdown of the comments by various market segments. It shows that the largest percentage of comments came from visitors from the U.S. and international countries. Visitors from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, P.E.I.'s largest visitor market, made the fewest comments. First-time visitors were much more likely to make a comment than returning visitors. A demographic profile reveals that those most likely to make a comment were males; those who were retired, married, aged 55 and over; those with a post graduate/professional designation; and those with an annual household income above $125,000.
Overall, visitors rated P.E.I. very highly. Quality of accommodations, restaurants, transportation and customer service in general received the highest number of comments but were each rated above 4 out of 5. The price of goods and services was rated lower (3.56), but visitors agreed that they had received good value for their money (4.17 out of 5). Perhaps most importantly, visitors agreed that they would visit P.E.I. again and recommend the province to others as a travel destination.
'In general, information in the form of actual comments from consumers can be as valuable as statistical data,' said Dr. Hennessey. 'Visitors' views and opinions provide us with information that is over and above the numeric results provided elsewhere in the exit survey, and in the numerous reports released by the TRC that profile visitors and their views of PEI as a tourist destination. This is valuable information for all tourism stakeholders.'
This report is available at www.upei.ca/business/trc. More information about the report can be obtained from the Tourism Research Centre, School of Business, UPEI, at (902) 566-6096 or trc@upei.ca.
UPEI students bring a taste of Canada to students in Spain and France
Three UPEI students are bringing the English language and a taste of Canadian culture to elementary, secondary and language students in Spain and France in 2009-2010.
UPEI student Darrah Richardson of Hunter River won a highly sought after lectorship last spring from the Spanish Embassy to work in Andalucía, Spain, as a language and culture assistant. She is teaching English to students in grades 6 to 12.
Richardson, who is studying Spanish, is the first UPEI student to receive one of these lectorships. Competition is stiff, with students from across Canada and the United States competing for only 1,200 vacancies.
This position is ideal for Richardson. 'I have a passion for the Spanish language,' she says, adding that she would like to get her degree in the language. 'And I like teaching and working with people.'
While she is sharing the English language and Canadian culture with her students, she is also immersed in the culture and language of Spain.
'There is a big difference between learning Spanish in the classroom in Canada and learning it in Spain,' she said. 'In Spain you hear it (Spanish) everywhere and every day, and you have to use it. The best way to learn is to immerse yourself in the language and culture.'
UPEI graduates Caitlin Brown of Richmond and Anthony Scott of Cornwall are working as language and culture assistants in France through CIEP, a public organization based in France that focuses on education and languages. Among other things, CIEP promotes the French language abroad and the teaching of foreign languages in France.
Brown and Scott, both of whom majored in French at UPEI, are helping high school students in Orleans and Roanne respectively to learn English. While they are both fluent in French, they see their time in France as an opportunity to improve their French even more and to gain new cultural and life experiences.
Dr. Doreley Coll, chair of UPEI's Modern Languages department, is proud of the success of the university's language students in competing for international positions.
'The value of an international experience for university students cannot be overestimated. Participation in these programs gives our students an experience in learning and life that they will never forget and will share with fellow Canadian students when they come back."
For more information about these programs, please contact the UPEI Modern Languages department at (902) 566-0480.
UPEI receives accessibility award from City of Charlottetown
UPEI recently received an accessibility award from the City of Charlottetown for improvements to the campus that benefit people who have disabilities. Displaying the award are President Wade MacLauchlan; student Paul Cudmore, a member of the university's Access-Ability Committee; and Joanne McCabe, chair of the committee. UPEI is among five organizations that received accessibility awards during the City's second annual Accessibility and Inclusion Awards ceremony, recognizing community members who are making a difference in the lives of persons with disabilities.
Institute of Island Studies hosts research symposium on November 30
The public is invited to attend a research symposium about Prince Edward Island and the Chiloe Islands, off the coast of Chile, in the Main Building Faculty Lounge at UPEI on Monday, November 30, from 2-4:30 p.m.
Entitled 'We are People of the Island,' the symposium is hosted by the Institute of Island Studies at UPEI. The featured speaker is anthropologist Manuel Munoz, Williche Council of Chiefs and ARCIS-Patagonia University, Chiloe Islands, who will speak about the culture and cosmology of the Williche people.
Other presentations will include: Introduction to Island Studies in Chiloe and PEI, and Social and cultural microenterprise on Chiloe, by Dr Irene Novaczek; Traditional knowledge of seaplants for food and medicine by Williche and Mi'kmaq peoples, by Dolores LeVangie; and Attitudes of indigenous youth to marine resources, fisheries and aquaculture: Chiloe and PEI, by Abigail Vasquez. All three presenters are with the Institute of Island Studies at UPEI.
Refreshments will be served. The symposium is sponsored by the Social Economy and Sustainability Research Network, the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada, and the Faculty of Arts, UPEI.
UPEI builds on its research expertise with new Canada Research Chairs
The University of Prince Edward Island expanded its expertise in the areas of education and epidemiology with the addition of two Canada Research Chairs (CRC).
Dr. Crawford Revie, CRC in Population Health: Epi-informatics, uses tools of informatics - hardware, software, databases, and other methods of storing large and complex sets of data - to help answer questions about how diseases spread through populations. He's currently tackling a problem that affects salmon farms in Atlantic Canada: drug resistance among sea lice.
'Sea lice have a tremendous ability to adapt to the treatments salmon farmers use to control them,' explains Dr. Revie. 'By collecting data and finding new ways to sort through it, we can predict when they might develop a tolerance. We can help the aquaculture industry deal with a problem before they even know they have one.'
Dr. Kate Tilleczek, CRC in Child/Youth Cultures and Transitions, is examining the cultures and experiences of Canada's young people in comparison with children and youth around the world and at different times in history. She's now completing a major study for the Ontario Ministry of Education about why and how students may stumble as they make the transition from elementary to secondary school. She is launching a further study on youth mental health in schools.
'We've followed a group of students in as diverse locations as downtown Toronto, and from remote fly-in communities in the far north, and everything in-between,' says Dr. Tilleczek. 'For many students, high school is a chance to start fresh, but for many it's so overwhelming a change that we lose them. We're trying to find out why, and what can be done about it.'
'Two of our strongest areas in research are now stronger,' says Dr. Schultz, UPEI's Vice President of Research and Development. 'The Canada Research Chair in Population Health: Epi-informatics boosts our already globally recognized centre of veterinary epidemiology at Atlantic Veterinary College. Our chair in Child/Youth Culture and Transitions advances knowledge in key aspects of human development and health. Both chairs bring significant benefits to work with our many and diverse communicates and we are proud that these research leaders extend our existing research excellence.'
The Canada Research Chairs program is part of a national strategy to make Canada one of the world's top countries in research and development. UPEI is proud to be home to seven Canada Research Chairs.
UPEI partnerships make powerful impact at home and abroad
The University of Prince Edward Island, through its community and institutional partnerships across PEI, throughout Atlantic Canada, and around the world, is building a strong foundation for a 21st-century success story.
UPEI President Wade MacLauchlan delivered that message during his annual update, on November 26, to the campus community and members of the public. Through an illustrated presentation that featured a map of PEI and a map of the world, he highlighted the powerful impact that UPEI, with its many collaborators, makes at home and abroad through education, research, and service.
'UPEI's advantage of scale and sense of mission translate into big things for our province, our region, and our world,' said President MacLauchlan. 'If you ask experts around the world about aquatic epidemiology, they will tell you about UPEI. The Premier of Nunavut will tell you about the array of UPEI projects and partnerships in Canada's North. Our work in Asia, Africa, the Americas, and elsewhere addresses important issues of community, health, and environment, and builds on a confident sense of who we are at home.'
In addition to shining the spotlight on innovative UPEI-related initiatives across PEI and beyond, President MacLauchlan presented information about the continued growth of student enrollment and research activity that conveyed the increasingly diverse and dynamic nature of the UPEI community. Twenty per cent of first-year students now come from other Canadian provinces and 10 per cent of the total student population comes from outside Canada.
While focusing firmly on UPEI's pivotal role in the present and future prosperity of Prince Edward Island, President MacLauchlan also acknowledged the important influence of the University's historical development.
'UPEI raised its own flag this year, embracing the heritage of our founding institutions, Prince of Wales College and Saint Dunstan's University, and celebrating how we come together through learning, as symbolized by the open book. Knowing who you are, how you are differentiated, and what difference you make starts at home,' he said.
'We get up in the morning knowing the importance of what we do, and the difference that it makes to have a great university with a sense of place and mission. That happy sense of purpose and impact carries over into our work and relationships throughout Canada and around the world.'
UPEI is developing an extensive database that includes many of its projects and collaborations across PEI and around the world. To learn more about how UPEI is making an impact, providing opportunity and leadership, and generating successful outcomes, visit universityisland.ca. To view details of President MacLauchlan's University Update 2009, please click here.
