69´«Ã½

The 69´«Ã½ continues to see a steady incline in the percentage of international students, stated a recently-released 2014 report from the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE).

CBIE, Canada's national voice for promoting Canadian international education indicated that while all regions saw growth in international students attending post-secondary education institutions between 2011 and 2013, Prince Edward Island, Manitoba, and Ontario saw the strongest growth. During that timeframe, UPEI's international student population was at 13 per cent; this year's statistics were not reflected in the 2014 report.

For the 2014-15 academic year, 16 per cent of UPEI's total population is made up of international students, which is a 17.5 per cent increase from last year. Director of International Relations Barbara Campbell said, '69´«Ã½is focusing international recruitment efforts on existing markets like Hong Kong, mainland China, and the Middle East, but we are increasing our prospecting efforts in relatively new-to-69´«Ã½locations such as India and South America, and receiving very positive feedback.' She added, 'I expect that CBIE's next report will position us even higher among the top provinces seeing strong international student growth.'

As noted by CBIE, the Government of Canada has put forward its very first international education strategy, which aims to double the number of international students choosing to study in Canada by 2022. 69´«Ã½continues to do its part as it strengthens its international student population, working towards its Strategic Plan's recruitment strategies to increase enrolment.

President and Vice-Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz said, 'One key strategy in the 69´«Ã½Strategic Plan 2013-18 is to open new pathways to increase enrolment and to increase student supports to improve retention. Our International Relations Office is working diligently to accomplish these goals and we are seeing tremendous results; for example this year, we welcomed over 700 international students from 70 countries to UPEI.'

For the second consecutive year, 69´«Ã½School of Business undergraduate students placed first in the Ethics in Action Case Competition hosted by Dalhousie University, November 14-15, 2014.

Founded in 2003, the Dalhousie Business Ethics Case Competition (DBECC) has evolved into the Ethics in Action Case Competition with a goal to equip tomorrow's business leaders with the tools necessary to make strategic business decisions, while adhering to ethical principles. Student teams are challenged with complex and realistic ethical dilemmas where they work together to analyze and then present their proposed solutions to a panel of industry experts.

UPEI's winning team consisted of fourth-year business students Trevor White, Malary Schurman, and Cait Wright, and third-year business student Erin Devine. White, Wright, and Devine are all specializing in accounting, while Schurman is specializing in entrepreneurship.

Teams from Dalhousie, Acadia, Saint Mary's, Concordia, Queen's, Elon, Guelph, and the University of Alberta all competed in the national case competition.

'Not only was it cool to compete against some of the best business schools in North America, but it was neat to see how everyone approached the exact same case,' said White. 'I couldn't be more proud of my teammates and my coach for what we accomplished this past weekend.'

UPEI's Dean of the School of Business Juergen Krause echoed his pride in the team. 'Being able to attend a high profile case competition is a privilege in itself, to win it is a great honour, but to win it in consecutive years against very strong competition is spectacular,' said Krause. 'This is a testimony of the capability of our students and the quality of our faculty and coaches.'

Mary Whitrow, UPEI's Case Competition Coach agreed with Krause. 'This competition is a prime example of the many opportunities that the case class offers,' she said. 'The team put in a tremendous amount of work, competed against some of the best schools, and came out on top. I am very proud of their accomplishment and look forward to seeing 69´«Ã½compete again in the New Year.'

69´«Ã½congratulates the case competition team and the School of Business on another great case competition result!

PEI fans of Michael Crummey, Newfoundland novelist and poet, will welcome the news that his new novel, 'Sweetland,' is a finalist for the 2014 Governor General's Award for Fiction. Crummey will read from 'Sweetland' and sign books on Thursday, November 27, at 7:30 pm in the Confederation Centre Art Gallery.

After his first two, historical novels, 'River Thieves' and 'The Wreckage,' Crummey further enhanced his reputation and popularity with the mythic, multi-generational novel 'Galore,' crafted from Newfoundland's history and folklore. In 'Sweetland,' he brings us to the present day and a small Newfoundland fishing community devastated by the ongoing cod moratorium. 'Sweetland' is the name of both a small island and the main character, Moses Sweetland, former lighthouse keeper and cod fisherman, and eighth generation descendant of an ancestor who gave the island its name. The government will relocate residents, but only if all residents agree to move. Moses refuses to leave, and will not explain why.

' 'Sweetland' is a compelling depiction of a community...coming together and coming apart simultaneously. Drawing on history, memory and dream. Crummey creates a vivid portrait...of the world around him, both human and natural. It is a love song and a paean to a life and a history, and an elegy for its disappearance,' said Robert J. Wiersema of the National Post.

Michael Crummey is one of those Atlantic Canadian writers who, like Alistair MacLeod and Donna Morrissey, inspires a warm, kindly, loving-hearted mood when he's present. His writing inspires readers and listeners to travel deeply and powerfully into the tragic, heroic, and bittersweet lives of the people of his island, of our region.

His reading is sponsored by the 69´«Ã½English Department with the generous collaboration of the Confederation Centre Art Gallery.

For information:
Dr. Richard Lemm, Department of English, UPEI
Winter's Tales Authors' Reading Series
(902) 566-0592, rlemm@upei.ca

The 69´«Ã½Panther Athletes of the Week for the week of November 17-23 are Laura Power, Women's Basketball; and Geoff Doane, Men's Basketball. 69´«Ã½Athletics and Recreation showcases these talented athletes to recognize their hard work and dedication to their respective sports. 69´«Ã½Athletes of the Week are also nominated to Atlantic University Sport and Canadian Interuniversity Sport for possible recognition in the region and/or country.

Who: Laura Power, Women's Basketball; and Geoff Doane, Men's Basketball

What: 69´«Ã½Panther Athletes of the Week

When: Week of November 17-23

Where: 69´«Ã½

Why: Power, a fourth-year science student majoring in kinesiology from St. John's, Newfoundland, had two strong performances in her final games at home as the Panthers split with the Memorial Seahawks on the weekend. During Saturday's 78-77 win, Power had 23 points with five rebounds and five assists, and scored the winning layup at the buzzer. On Sunday, during the team's 66-65 loss, Power recorded five points and five rebounds.

Doane, a fifth-year arts student from St. Margaret's Bay, Nova Scotia, is enjoying a strong season coming off the bench for the Panthers, and continued that play with two great performances over the weekend. During the Panthers 88-62 win on Saturday night, Doane put up 15 points and 14 rebounds. During Sunday's close 83-80 loss, Doane recorded 16 points with 12 rebounds, three assists, and three steals.

For information:
Ron Annear
69´«Ã½Athletics and Recreation
(902) 566-0991, annear@upei.ca

Geoff Doane, Men's Basketball

Earlier this fall, a variety of Celebration of Student Success events took place to honour 469 69´«Ã½students who have obtained a minimum average of 80 per cent over the past academic year. These students are named to the 69´«Ã½Dean's Honours List and a notation is placed on the students' transcript indicating that the student has been recognized and has earned this achievement.

On Tuesday, September 30, the faculties of Arts and Science held a celebration at the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre to celebrate its students' success. On Thursday, October 9, the School of Business honoured its students at an event held at Government House; and on Monday, October 20, the School of Nursing held its annual event to celebrate its students in McMillan Hall, W.A. Murphy Student Centre.

On behalf of the University community, we offer congratulations to our students for their past achievements and best wishes for continued success!

View the full list

Research on Tap returns for its sixth season of public discussion, debate, and ideas presented by researchers from the 69´«Ã½. Join our next conversation on Monday, December 1 at 7:00 pm at the Haviland Club in Charlottetown. Dr. Don Wagner, an associate professor at UPEI's School of Business, will lead a discussion entitled: 'Microfinance in Africa. How it works. How it doesn't.'

The 2014-15 season of Research on Tap is presented in cooperation with the Royal Society of Canada (RSC), Atlantic Chapter. The RSC is Canada's national academy and is the senior national body of distinguished scholars, artists, and scientists.

Research on Tap meets the first Monday of every month from October to April. The full schedule of speakers can be found at upei.ca/research/research-on-tap

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

UPDATE: Read about the official groundbreaking ceremony

69´«Ã½held a special event today to unveil plans for its new School of Sustainable Design Engineering and Centre of Engineering Design and Industry Partnerships, the first program of its kind in Canada. The Honourable Gail Shea was in attendance (on behalf of the Honourable Rob Moore, Minister of State responsible for ACOA); the Honourable Allen Roach, Minister of Innovation and Advanced Learning (on behalf of Premier Robert Ghiz); UPEI's President and Vice-Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz; and 69´«Ã½Board of Governors Chair Tom Cullen who acted as the event emcee.

'69´«Ã½is undertaking a transformative approach to putting innovation into action,' said Abd-El-Aziz. 'We are creating a professional, engineering R&D workspace where students and faculty will work alongside industry clients to design solutions for global challenges.'

UPEI's School of Sustainable Design Engineering will focus on bioresources, mechatronics, and sustainable energy with programming designed for students who are eager to engage in hands-on learning by designing innovative, targeted solutions through a team-focused, project-based approach. Students will design sustainable processes, products, and systems that improve people's lives and better society. Students can choose from the two-year Engineering diploma or the new four-year Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Design Engineering degree program.

In addition to the School's program, a new Centre of Engineering Design and Industry Partnerships will include four focused labs-food processing, sensory and sortation, sustainable energy, and robotics-where students and faculty can work on pilot-scale, industrial R&D projects.

Minister Roach announced the provincial government's $16 million commitment to the new School of Sustainable Design Engineering, while Minister Shea announced ACOA's contribution of close to $6 million for the new Centre of Engineering Design and Industry Partnerships.

'This initiative will help strengthen our university and provide us with a well-trained and knowledgeable engineering workforce, who are ready to start their careers,' said Minister Roach. 'This is a true example of collaboration between government and our leading post secondary institutions. This initiative will attract new students, improve the competitiveness of the institution, and contribute to the sustainability of UPEI.'

'The new Centre for Engineering Design and Industry Partnerships at 69´«Ã½fits perfectly with our Government's focus on innovation, productivity and competitiveness,' said Minister Shea. 'Atlantic Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises have identified a need to have this kind of design capacity and expertise in the region, and the Centre for Engineering Design and Industry Partnerships will benefit them directly, while it strengthens our research and design capacity to build a more innovative future right here in Atlantic Canada.'

Construction begins next week for the new School of Sustainable Design Engineering and Centre for Engineering Design and Industry Partnerships. More details on the building and construction will be announced at a groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, December 4.

Ever wonder about that island 'down under,' described by writer Nicholas Shakespeare as 'the literal end of the world: if you travel any further you are on your way home again?'

Prince Edward Island has strong links with Tasmania, which hangs like a teardrop off the island continent of Australia. On Wednesday, December 3, 'Tasmania Dreaming' will feature two guests from Tasmania, poet Jane Williams and publisher Ralph Wessman, along with writers Dianne Hicks Morrow and Deirdre Kessler; and hosted by Island Studies scholar Laurie Brinklow. We'll take a journey of our two islands through poetry and photos, and talk about the attraction we have for one another: two islands that are poles apart.

Jane Williams is the award-winning author of six books of poetry, the most recent being Days Like These (Interactive Press), and has been widely published in journals and anthologies. She recently started a blog featuring her writing for children (janewilliamsforkids.wordpress.com).

Jane's partner Ralph Wessman is a writer and former publisher of Famous Reporter, a semi-annual literary magazine that published out of Hobart from 1987 to 2012. He is the publisher of Walleah Press, which produces fine books of poetry, fiction, essays, and memoir. Jane and Ralph are also the creators of Communion, an online poetry journal (walleahpress.com.au/communion.html).

Deirdre Kessler is the author of two dozen books, ranging from award-winning children's picture books and chapter books to poetry, memoir, nonfiction, and educational books. Many have been translated into other languages. Deirdre teaches creative writing, children's literature, and the course on L.M. Montgomery with UPEI's Department of English.

Poet and adult educator Dianne Hicks Morrow is the author of two volumes of poetry and a book of essays on Kindred Spirits. As the Island's fifth Poet Laureate, she writes and performs poems for stately occasions and hosts a monthly Open Mic reading series at the Haviland Club.

Both Deirdre and Dianne participated in the PEI-Tasmania Writers' Exchange, whereby three Tasmanian writers and three PEI writers swapped islands once a year from 2006 to 2012. Deirdre was the first PEI writer to spend a month in the Writers' Cottage in Hobart in 2007; she returned to Tasmania in 2010 as writer-in-residence in Launceston. Dianne was the last, in 2012. Other participants included PEI's Richard Lemm, along with Tasmania's Danielle Wood, Tim Thorne, and Louise Oxley.

Laurie Brinklow is an editor and former book publisher, and Interim Co-ordinator of the Master of Arts in Island Studies Program at UPEI. As host of the evening, she will draw upon her ten months spent in Tasmania as part of her PhD research comparing island identity in Newfoundland, Tasmania, PEI, and British Columbia's Gulf Islands. She looks forward to engaging the guests in conversation about our islands, and to asking them to share some of their poetry and other writings.

'Tasmania Dreaming' will be held at the Haviland Club, December 3, 7:00-9:00 pm. Admission is by donation. Everyone is welcome to attend.

For more information, please contact Laurie Brinklow at brinklow@upei.ca, or 902-894-2881.

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

69´«Ã½Women's Hockey Head Coach Bruce Donaldson is pleased to announce two Ontario Provincial Women's Hockey League (PWHL) players have committed to 69´«Ã½for the 2015 season. Stoney Creek Sabres forward Jessica Brown and Etobicoke Junior Dolphins forward Rachel Colle are the team's newest roster additions.

Brown, originally of Johannesburg, South Africa, currently attends Tapply Binet College in Ancaster, Ontario. Her family immigrated to Canada when Brown was six years old. She began playing hockey at eight years old, and shortly thereafter fell in love with the game.

'Jessica will add strength, size, and experience to our lineup,' said Donaldson. 'Coming out of a program like Stoney Creek, which emphasizes strong team play, makes Jessica a great fit for our program.'

'I am honoured to become a Panther and look forward to making 69´«Ã½my second home,' stated Brown.

Colle, an honours student with the Richview Collegiate Institute in Etobicoke, Ontario, started with the Dolphins hockey organization when she was five years old. She is currently enjoying a strong season garnering nine points, and scoring key goals for a strong program. In 2013-14, Colle played with the Dolphins Midget AA team recording 24 goals and 11 assists for a total of 35 points.

'Rachel brings speed, size, and a ‘team-first' attitude to our Panther program,' said Donaldson. 'The signing of Brown and Colle is the start of our goal to become a more offensive, bigger-in-size team, with complementary skill levels.'

'I'm very excited and proud to have the opportunity to become a 69´«Ã½Panther next season,' added Colle.

Brown is enrolled in the arts program, while Colle will study business administration.

Go Panthers Go!

For information:
Ron Annear, 69´«Ã½Athletics and Recreation
(902) 566-0991, annear@upei.ca

Jessica Brown

The 69´«Ã½Panther Athletes of the Week for the week of November 24-30 are Samantha Sweet, Women's Hockey; and Mavric Parks, Men's Hockey. 69´«Ã½Athletics and Recreation showcases these talented athletes to recognize their hard work and dedication to their respective sports. 69´«Ã½Athletes of the Week are also nominated to Atlantic University Sport and Canadian Interuniversity Sport for possible recognition in the region and/or country.

Who: Samantha Sweet, Women's Hockey; and Mavric Parks, Men's Hockey

What: 69´«Ã½Panther Athletes of the Week

When: Week of November 24-30

Where: 69´«Ã½

Why: Sweet, a fourth-year science student from O'Leary, PEI, scored the Women's Hockey team's first hat trick in four years. The scoring feat occurred during the team's 4-2 win over SMU on Saturday afternoon. Sweet also had a strong performance during the Panthers' 1-0 overtime loss to StFX on Friday evening. Sweet was also selected as the AUS Female Athlete of the Week for the week ending November 30.

Parks, a fourth-year arts student from Eganville, Ontario, enjoyed a strong return in nets from the injured list. Parks started in both Men's Hockey games last week, defeating UdeM 3-2, and STU 5-1, while only surrendering three goals.

For information:
Ron Annear
69´«Ã½Athletics and Recreation
(902) 566-0991, annear@upei.ca

Samantha Sweet, Women's Hockey