In keeping with tradition, UPEI business students have seen tremendous success in competitions so far this year with a variety of accomplishments on both the individual and group levels.

Earlier this semester, UPEI's School of Business was advised that fourth-year business student Parker Baglole was the recipient of one of ten prestigious 'Canada's Outstanding CEO of the Year Futures Fund Scholarship' awards. Baglole, who was nominated by the School of Business for his excellent academic record and extra-curricular engagement and leadership, will receive a scholarship grant of $5,500. In addition, Baglole will also represent UPEI at an award gala next year. Baglole is an honours student and the President of the UPEI Business Society.

Fourth-year business student Justin Lank also received good news this semester when he was named one of three winners of the Emond Montgomery Publications' Business Ethics and CSR Case Study Competition. In addition to receiving a $1,000 prize, Lank's submission will be turned into an ebook, and will be featured on Emond Montgomery's website. Lank also attended 'The Canadian Food Industry and Corporate Responsibility: Connecting the Dots' panel discussion in Toronto where he presented his submission.

Baglole and Lank continued their winning streaks when both competed on separate UPEI teams in the Scotiabank 'Ethics in Action' case competition earlier this month at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Baglole's team placed first and included teammates Ryan Cassidy, Rebecca Cole, and Melanie McKenna; while Lank's team had a strong showing and consisted of group members Allison Baillie, Kelsey McNally, and Matt McInnis. The case competition success was a team effort, as faculty mentors Amy MacFarlane, Reuben Domike, and interim Dean Juergen Krause prepared the teams. Krause also accompanied the teams as their coach to the event in Halifax.

Congratulations to all!

UPEI Athletics and Recreation announced the UPEI Panther Athletes of the Week for the week of November 18-24. UPEI Athletics and Recreation showcases these talented athletes to recognize their hard work and dedication to their respective sports throughout the season. UPEI Athletes of the Week are also nominated to Atlantic University Sport and Canadian Interuniversity Sport for possible recognition in the region and/or country.

Who: Julie Hatcher, Women's Basketball; and Geoff Doane, Men's Basketball

What: UPEI Panther Athletes of the Week

When: Week of November 18-24

Why: Julie Hatcher, second-year science student from Riverview, New Brunswick had a strong showing during this weekend's split with the Dalhousie Tigers. The 5'7' guard scored 32 points including six three pointers while shooting 50 per cent in the two games, including 20 pts in the Panthers 78-71 win on Saturday. Hatcher also averaged five rebounds, two assists, and two steals while playing excellent defense.

Geoff Doane, a fourth-year business student from St. Margaret's Bay, Nova Scotia is playing great basketball this season as he led the Panthers to two one-point wins over Dalhousie. The 6'5' Doane was 15/27 from the floor, scoring 36 points, 10 rebounds, and a game saving blocked shot.

Hatcher and Doane will be recognized at this week's UPEI Athletes of the Week Celebration on Thursday, November 28 at 12:45 pm in the W.A. Murphy Student Centre's McMillan Hall. All are welcome.

Go Panthers Go!

Julie Hatcher, Women's Basketball

Today, UPEI President and Vice-Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz delivered University Update 2013 - a presentation to staff, faculty, and students on three key areas of focus - enrolment, resources, and priorities.

Abd-El-Aziz discussed the regional demographic challenge; UPEI enrolment; student origin; application and registration figures; retention; and recent rankings. Overall, the University's enrolment goal will be to attract and retain more students.

The President then spoke on the current resources in place noting planning goals of 2012 and 2013; the budget process; the University's operating revenues and expenditures; a tuition comparison; support and funding; and human resources.

The University Update finished with the University's priorities with a particular focus on defining what success looks like for UPEI; improving recruitment, retention, and enrolment planning; and the need to develop current strengths in experiential and active learning. The President also described the continued need to encourage all students to develop their full potential through dynamic learning opportunities in and out of the classroom. Needs to strengthen existing programs and identify niche programs were discussed alongside the delivery opportunities, including the proposed engineering degree, as well as modifications to various programs.

The UPEI Men's Hockey team is hosting its final home games before the holiday break on Friday, November 29 and Saturday, November 30. In support and celebration of the holiday season, a few events will be taking place during the games.

On Friday, November 29, Panther fans are encouraged to participate in National Jersey Day by wearing their favourite jerseys in support and love for sport. Fans are also asked to bring along any non-perishable food items as donations are being collected at both games in support of the UPEI Campus Food Bank.

On Saturday, November 30, the 'UPEI Student-Athlete 10 4 10 $10,000 Draw' will take place. Fans can purchase tickets at the weekend games, or from any student athlete before the games. A special Santa Claus Race will also take place between periods on Saturday night. In addition, a beer garden will open an hour before game time, and as always, fans will be treated to giveaways, promotions, and entertainment at both games.

Cheer on your UPEI Panthers as they take on the St. Francis Xavier X-Men on Friday at 7:30 pm and the Saint Mary's University Huskies on Saturday at 7:00 pm. The Panthers, currently ranked tenth in the CIS are tied for fourth in the AUS standings with the X-Men, while the SMU Huskies remain in fifth place.

Go Panthers Go!

For information:
Ron Annear
UPEI Athletics and Recreation
(902) 566-0991, annear@upei.ca

UPEI Athletics and Recreation announced the UPEI Panther Athletes of the Week for the week of November 25-December 1. UPEI Athletics and Recreation showcases these talented athletes to recognize their hard work and dedication to their respective sports throughout the season. UPEI Athletes of the Week are also nominated to Atlantic University Sport and Canadian Interuniversity Sport for possible recognition in the region and/or country.

Who: Amy Gough, Women's Basketball; and Chris Desousa, Men's Hockey

What: UPEI Panther Athletes of the Week

When: Week of November 25-December 1

Why: Amy Gough, a fourth-year nursing student from St. John's, Nfld. averaged 15 points and five rebounds per game against CBU and StFX over the weekend. She leads the Panthers in scoring, averaging 13.9 points per game, and is currently seventh overall among AUS scorers, first in free throw attempts for the AUS, and third in the CIS. She is also fifth in free throw percentage. Gough was previously selected as a UPEI and AUS Athlete of the Week during the week of November 4-10.

Chris Desousa, a third-year arts student from Mississauga, Ont. scored four goals during the Panthers crucial 5-3 win over SMU on Saturday. Desousa was a fierce competitor in the game, in particular in even strength, power play, and penalty killing. Desousa was also previously selected as a UPEI Athlete of the Week during the week of September 16-22.

Gough and Desousa will be recognized at this week's UPEI Athletes of the Week Celebration on Thursday, December 5 at 12:45 pm in the W.A. Murphy Student Centre's McMillan Hall. All are welcome.

Upcoming Panther exhibition action include:

December 19
5:30 pm (W) Basketball vs. UPEI Alumni
8:00 pm (M) Basketball vs. Holland College

December 20
12:00 pm (M) Basketball vs. Crandall University

Go Panthers Go!

Amy Gough, Athlete of the Week

Former accounting professor Ab Ferris was awarded by the Rotary Club of Charlottetown Royalty with its 2013 Mentor Award at a recent ceremony at the Charlottetown Convention Centre. Ferris is a retired professor and current president and CEO of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of PEI. He receives this prestigious award for his strong personal efforts to make a difference in the lives of future accountants. Ferris taught in UPEI's School of Business for 27 years. Read the full story from The Guardian here

UPEI sends its best wishes and congratulations to Ab!

Students, staff, and faculty are advised that the master online exam schedule has been updated with information for exams that were rescheduled from Wednesday, December 4 to Sunday, December 8 due to the storm. This information, including locations and times, will also appear in all students' individual exam schedules, accessible through Campus Login.

UPEI is normally closed on Sunday, however, with this revised schedule, the University has arranged for weekday services to be available. Buildings where exams are being written will be open as if it were a weekday.

The Wanda Wyatt Dining Hall will be opening earlier than usual to accommodate the scheduled exam times. Doors will open at 8:15 am on Saturday, December 7 and Sunday, December 8.

Samuel's Cafe, located in the Robertson Library is scheduled to open on Saturday, December 7 and Sunday, December 8 from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm. The opening time correlates with the Robertson Library's posted extended hours (http://library.upei.ca/hours).

The Atlantic Climate Adaptation Solutions Association (ACASA) has begun phase two of its Regional Adaptation Collaborative (RACII) program for Atlantic Canada through collaboration between Natural Resources Canada and the four provinces. This effort will be lead by the Climate Research Lab at the University of Prince Edward Island. Activities will target issues such as coastal erosion, coastal and inland flooding, infrastructure design, water management and community assessment.

'These initiatives of Natural Resources Canada help us in Atlantic Canada to prepare effectively for climate change and its impacts,' said Dr. Adam Fenech, Director of UPEI's Climate Research Lab. 'The decision makers in our region need relevant tools, knowledge, networks, and policies when it comes to climate change adaptation.'

The work of phase two of the Atlantic Regional Adaptation Collaborative is a project totaling over $691,500 for four tasks:

To establish and support an expert panel on adaptation in Atlantic Canada

• To enhance the capacity of adaptation practitioners in Atlantic Canada

• To provide policy analysis and integration

• To provide coordination, integration, and financial management for the project

'UPEI is extremely proud to host ACASA, and to take on the leadership of the Atlantic RAC,' said Dr. Robert Gilmour, Vice-President Research and Graduate Studies at UPEI. 'This partnership has enabled the provinces to build capacity for climate change adaptation through training sessions and conferences on adaptation and climate modeling. This is another exciting step toward ensuring we're prepared in Atlantic Canada for the changes ahead.'

ACASA is operated with federal support through Natural Resources Canada's Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Program. A changing climate presents both risks and opportunities for Canada's regions and resource sectors, and collaboration across multi-jurisdictional areas is important. To promote such collaboration, Natural Resources Canada is reinvesting in the Regional Adaptation Collaborative program to increase adaptation awareness and capacity at the regional level. The ACASA will be a focal point for adaptation knowledge, information, resources and expertise in Atlantic Canada.

For Information:

Dave Atkinson, Research Communications, UPEI
(902) 620-5117, datkinson@upei.ca

The UPEI and Holland College men's basketball teams have partnered to co-host the inaugural Maritime Challenge High School Boys Basketball Classic on December 20-21. The event will begin at the Holland College Centre for Community Engagement on Friday, December 20, followed by games at UPEI's Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre on Saturday, December 21.

The six-team tournament features Island teams Colonel Gray, Charlottetown Rural, and off-island teams Fredericton, Citadel, Leo Hayes, and Dartmouth high schools.

'We are excited to host some of the best high school basketball teams in the region at this first annual tournament, with our partner, Holland College,' said UPEI Men's Basketball Head Coach Tim Kendrick. Holland College's Head Coach Josh Whitty echoed Kendrick's comment.

'We have six of the top high school basketball programs in the Maritimes competing in this event, and I am very excited to see these games,' said Whitty. 'We look forward to bringing the Classic to Charlottetown, and making it an annual must-see event. It's a great time of year to get families out to watch excellent high school basketball and potentially see future Hurricane and Panther student-athletes.'

Classic Schedule:

HC Centre for Community Engagement
Friday, December 20

2:00 pm Gray vs. Dartmouth
4:00 pm Rural vs. Citadel
6:00 pm Fredericton vs. Gray
8:00 pm Leo Hayes vs. Rural

UPEI Chi-Wan Young Sports CentreSaturday, December 21

9:00 am Citadel vs. Leo Hayes (@ HC)
9:00 am Dartmouth vs. Fredericton
12:00 pm #3 vs. #3
2:00 pm #2 vs. #2
4:00 pm #1 vs. #1

Tournament admission is $5/day for adults and non-UPEI or Holland College students; under-12 free.

Preceding the Classic, on Thursday, December 19, an exhibition basketball game will be held between the UPEI Panthers and the Holland College Hurricanes at 8:00 pm at the UPEI Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre.

Go Panthers Go! Go Canes Go!

For information:

Ron Annear
UPEI Athletics and Recreation
(902) 566-0991, annear@upei.ca

Daniel Cudmore
Holland College Athletics and Recreation
(902) 894-6870, dccudmore@hollandcollege.com

UPEI Panther Matt Maione was selected as assistant captain of Canada's Men's Hockey Team for the World University Games taking place in Trentino, Italy. Today's CIS announcement dubbed the fourth-year arts student of Unionville, Ontario as an assistant captain to UNB's Chris Culligan who will lead the pack as team captain. The 26th Universiade begins today with Team Canada playing an exhibition game against Japan at 8:00 pm local time (9:00 pm AST). Read the full CIS release here

Way to go, Matt!