Dr. Wendy Rodgers, President and Vice-Chancellor invites you to attend the 2025 President's Holiday Social for faculty and staff. 

Date: Wednesday, December 17
Time: 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm
Location: Lower Lobby and Concourse, Performing Arts Centre and Residence

Celebrate with your colleagues and enjoy complimentary appetizers and refreshments while listening to festive songs of the season.

DONATIONS TO THE UPEI CAMPUS FOOD BANK WILL BE MATCHED! You are encouraged to bring food and monetary donations for the UPEI Campus Food Bank—the Office of the President will match the value of your support up to $10,000! Tuna, black beans, pasta, pasta sauce, and $25 gift cards are popular items.

Looking forward to seeing you all at this special time of year!

As 2025 comes to a close, let’s take a moment to celebrate the people who make our workplace shine. Here’s to ending the year with gratitude and the joy that comes from seeing the good in those around us

How to submit: 

Complete this short form: https://forms.office.com/r/766cg9JsT6  
 
You’ll be asked to share: 

• Who are you recognizing? (Name and department/faculty)
• Why are you recognizing them? (Briefly describe what they did or the impact they made)
• Your name  

Please note, we now have a dedicated page for this program on the Human Resources SharePoint: Recognizing Remarkable Colleagues. 

Not a current subscriber to Campus Connector? Click here for information on how to subscribe. 

The deadline for our next issue is Tuesday, December 23, 2025. Please contact Human Resources at hrengage@upei.ca should you have any questions.  

Believe in the potential of your idea? As an aspiring entrepreneur, you might wonder if your concept holds promise in the entrepreneurial landscape. Enter Collide Validate – where you’ll gain the skills necessary to test your idea directly with your customers, shaping the destiny of your entrepreneurial vision.

This 7-week program includes:

• One pre-training session – Understand program expectations and master customer interview techniques.
• Six core sessions – Explore the nine key building blocks of the Business Model Canvas through expert-led workshops.
• 1-on-1 personalized coaching – Get tailored guidance to refine your approach.

Collide Validate helps you navigate through the nine critical building blocks of the business model canvas. With a keen emphasis on Customer Segments and Value Propositions (desirability), you will emerge equipped to discern whether to pause, pivot, or propel your venture forward, decoding if company creation stands as your next entrepreneurial evolution.

Apply by December 10!

The Robertson Library’s Open Education Resource Development Program is accepting grant applications for the creation or adaptation of open educational resources (OERs). The grant types include: 

• Open Educational Resource or Textbook Grant: up to $7000 
  • the development of a new open textbook on a topic that is currently not covered by an existing open textbook, or major adaptations of existing textbooks; 
• Open Textbook Adaptation Grant: up to $4,500 
  • the adaptation of one or more open educational resources or open textbooks to create a new version or edition of a resource (i.e. a Canadian edition of an existing open textbook); 
• Supplementary Resources Grant: up to $2,500 
  • the creation of ancillary materials for existing open textbooks, including, but not limited to test banks, slide decks, recordings, or interactive media, etc. 

All applications will be reviewed and considered, however, applications that meet either/both of the following criteria will be prioritised: 

• Applications that support first-year courses (as they reach the greatest number of students); and/or 
• Applications with evidence of consultation with the TLC and/or a Librarian.  

Applications close January 7, 2026. 

For more information, or to apply, visit https://library.upei.ca/OERProgram/grants. 

Questions about the grants, OERs, Pressbooks, or any other related topics can go to Keri McCaffrey, One Health and Scholarly Communications Librarian at knmccaffrey@upei.ca or Charlene VanLeeuwen in the Teaching and Learning Centre at cvanleeuwen@upei.ca. 

The deadline for the employee and spouse/dependent tuition waiver forms for the Winter 2026 semester is January 9, 2026. We encourage you to have your tuition waivers submitted as soon as possible to assist in timely processing. Tuition waiver forms must be submitted electronically.

The online tuition waiver fillable forms can be found on the HR Portal of the myUPEI site, under Training and Development.

Please note that the employee or spouse/dependent must be registered in the course prior to applying for the tuition waiver.

If you have any questions, please contact Human Resources at (902) 566-0514 or hrgeneral@upei.ca.

The deadline for Animal Care Protocol Submissions (new, renewal, or amendment) is Friday, January 9 for the January 2026 meeting. 

Please note that as of June 1, 2020 all animal user protocols must be submitted through UPEI Researcher Portal at https://upei.researchservicesoffice.com/Romeo.Researcher/

For new protocols select ‘applications’ and for renewal or amendment protocols select ‘events’.

To view any UPEI ACC SOPs and Codes of Practice, they can be accessed through myUPEI at https://portal.upei.ca/facultystaff/administrativeservices/AVCAnimalCare/Pages/default.aspx. 

Those protocols received after the deadline will be reviewed the following month.  The Committee requires at least one month for processing applications.

Note: All investigators are reminded that any deviations in animal use, including unexpected mortality, must be reported to the ACC and University Veterinarian Jonathan Spears at 902-620-5026.

The Office of Continuing Education and Professional Development (OCEPD) at UPEI is offering an exciting lineup of Certificates and courses to help you build skills, advance your career, and make an impact in your workplace.

UPEI Staff, Faculty, and Alumni save 15% on tuition!

Winter 2026 Offerings:

• Certificate in Project Management – Starting January 12, 2026
• Certificate in Collaborative Leadership – Starting January 14, 2026
• Certificate in Case Management – Starting January 28, 2026
• Certificate in Professional Communications – Starting February 9, 2026
• Certificate in Motivational Interviewing – Starting February 10, 2026
• The Adult Learner – Course Design and Facilitation Workshop – Starting February 24, 2026

Learn more and register: upei.ca/professional-development 

Email: pdp@upei.ca

The thesis defence for Bailey Clark, a candidate in the Master of Arts in Island Studies program, entitled “If we had not that gentleman’s authority”: Domestic politicians, foreign promoters, and the narrow-gauge railway on Prince Edward Island, 1871, has been rescheduled to December 16, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm.

The defence will be held in Memorial Hall, Room 104.

Supervisors: Dr. Josh MacFadyen and Dr. Ed MacDonald

Everyone is welcome!

Classes are over; you just have to make it through exams! The library is here to help, and not just with books and research advice. On Wednesday, December 10 from 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm join us for Library Coffee Break, co-sponsored with Dana Hospitality. Follow @RobertsonLibrary on Instagram and Facebook so you never miss a pop-up surprise. 

Please be advised that the UPEI Health and Wellness Centre will be closed on Wednesday December 10 for professional development. Regular services will resume on Thursday December 11.

If you need support during this time:

• If this is an emergency, please call 911 or go to the closest hospital emergency room.
• If you require immediate medical care, please access a walk-in clinic, or call 811 to speak with a nurse.
• Need to talk to someone right now? The Mental Health and Addictions Access Line is a free, confidential, and available 24/7. Call 1-833-553-6983.

The annual call for applications for the Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) program is open. 

Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) is a program under the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy that aims to provide flexible and holistic services to help all young Canadians develop the skills and gain paid work experience to successfully transition into the labour market.

Applicants are able to seek funding to hire youth (people aged 15-30 years) between April 20, 2026, and August 29, 2026. Work placements must be full-time (30-40 hours per week) quality jobs with a minimum duration of six weeks and a maximum of 16 weeks.

Approved employers will be eligible to receive a wage subsidy reimbursement of up to 50 per cent of the provincial or territorial minimum hourly wage of $16.50/hour.

For additional information and application information for this program, please click here.

To apply for this program, you will need to contact Human Resources:

Gabe Blunte at staffing@upei.ca or (902) 620-5431

The closing date for applications is December 10, 2025.

Believe in the potential of your idea? As an aspiring entrepreneur, you might wonder if your concept holds promise in the entrepreneurial landscape. Enter Collide Validate – where you’ll gain the skills necessary to test your idea directly with your customers, shaping the destiny of your entrepreneurial vision.

This 7-week program includes:

• One pre-training session – Understand program expectations and master customer interview techniques.
• Six core sessions – Explore the nine key building blocks of the Business Model Canvas through expert-led workshops.
• 1-on-1 personalized coaching – Get tailored guidance to refine your approach.

Collide Validate helps you navigate through the nine critical building blocks of the business model canvas. With a keen emphasis on Customer Segments and Value Propositions (desirability), you will emerge equipped to discern whether to pause, pivot, or propel your venture forward, decoding if company creation stands as your next entrepreneurial evolution.

Apply by December 10!

The deadline for Animal Care Protocol Submissions (new, renewal, or amendment) is Friday, January 9 for the January 2026 meeting. 

Please note that as of June 1, 2020 all animal user protocols must be submitted through UPEI Researcher Portal at https://upei.researchservicesoffice.com/Romeo.Researcher/

For new protocols select ‘applications’ and for renewal or amendment protocols select ‘events’.

To view any UPEI ACC SOPs and Codes of Practice, they can be accessed through myUPEI at https://portal.upei.ca/facultystaff/administrativeservices/AVCAnimalCare/Pages/default.aspx. 

Those protocols received after the deadline will be reviewed the following month.  The Committee requires at least one month for processing applications.

Note: All investigators are reminded that any deviations in animal use, including unexpected mortality, must be reported to the ACC and University Veterinarian Jonathan Spears at 902-620-5026.

Please be advised that the UPEI Health and Wellness Centre will be closed on Wednesday December 10 for professional development. Regular services will resume on Thursday December 11.

If you need support during this time:

• If this is an emergency, please call 911 or go to the closest hospital emergency room.
• If you require immediate medical care, please access a walk-in clinic, or call 811 to speak with a nurse.
• Need to talk to someone right now? The Mental Health and Addictions Access Line is a free, confidential, and available 24/7. Call 1-833-553-6983.

The Teaching and Learning Centre is calling for proposals for Internal Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Research Grants - VALUE: up to $2,000 for a two-year term. The Internal SoTL Research Grant (ISRG) program provides funding for SoTL research at UPEI. The scholarship of teaching and learning involves the systematic study of teaching practices and learning experiences that are grounded in context and methodologically sound. SoTL research is frequently conducted in partnership with students with findings made appropriately public. This call is open to all faculty, sessionals, lab instructors, CNIs, etc. in all faculties at UPEI. Applications are due by January 16, 2026, by 4 pm. Please review the general information in the guidelines for eligibility considerations. Support in developing proposals for these grant programs is available through the UPEI Teaching and Learning Centre. 

Program guidelines and application instructions can be found on the UPEI Internal Funding webpage.

MSc in Environmental Sciences Thesis Defence by Muhammad Jahandad Khan

Title of the thesis:

“Design, Development, and Environmental Analysis of Template-Assisted Nano-Fertilizer on Potato Application”

Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) are a critical food crop globally, particularly in regions like Atlantic Canada, where they play a key role in local agriculture and the national economy. However, the intensive cultivation of potatoes raises concerns regarding soil degradation, nutrient leaching, and inefficiencies in conventional fertilization practices. Traditional fertilizers often lead to nutrient loss due to leaching, runoff, and volatilization, causing negative environmental impacts such as water contamination and greenhouse gas emissions. In response, this study investigates the use of slow-release nano fertilizers, specifically hydroxyapatite-based (HA) hybrid formulations, to enhance nutrient-use efficiency and reduce environmental impacts in potato farming. The research includes two interconnected experiments. The first experiment evaluates the leaching behavior of slow-release nano fertilizers composed of HA and nano urea (NU) in sandy loam soil. The goal is to understand how different HAP-to-NU ratios (2:1, 4:1, and 8:1) influence nutrient retention and reduce leaching, with a focus on nitrogen, phosphorus, and calcium. The results demonstrate that higher HA ratios and longer calcination times lead to reduced nutrient leaching, offering a more controlled release of nutrients and better nutrient retention in soil. The second experiment investigates the effects of these slow-release nano fertilizers on potato growth, yield, and N₂O emissions in a greenhouse setting. Five fertilizer treatments, including a control, conventional fertilizer, and three ratios of HA to NU (1:1, 1:4, 1:8), were applied to assess their impact on plant growth parameters and environmental effects. The results show significant improvements in plant height, tuber weight, and N₂O emissions, with the 1:4 ratio proving to be the most effective in promoting growth while minimizing emissions. Overall, this research suggests that HA-based slow-release nano fertilizers have the potential to enhance nutrient-use efficiency and reduce fertilizer-related environmental impacts in potato cultivation, providing a sustainable alternative to conventional fertilization methods.

Date/Time/Location: December 9, 2025, 9:00 am via web conferencing

If you wish to attend the public presentation, please contact the Graduate Studies Coordinator at gsc@upei.ca to receive the link.

MSc in Mathematical and Computational Sciences Thesis Defence--Aadesh Nunkoo

Title of the thesis:

“Optimal Two-Phase Sampling Within Coarsened Strata: A General Framework”

Two-phase designs are cost-effective sampling strategies in epidemiological research when complete data collection is infeasible. While optimal designs are well-studied for naturally discrete phase-I data, deriving optimal phase-II sampling probabilities for strata formed by coarsening mechanisms lacks systematic treatment. This thesis develops a general framework for deriving optimal phase-II sampling probabilities within coarsened strata under inverse probability weighting, extending existing optimal design theory to accommodate any coarsening mechanism. A key result is that deterministic coarsening avoids additional modeling assumptions beyond those required in discrete settings. We implement practical two-stage adaptive schemes that estimate required components without a pilot study. Simulation studies with 6- and 12-strata designs show that the optimal and adaptive designs outperform traditional proportional and balanced sampling. These designs also possess minimax properties across IPW, CML, and CEML and remain robust under model misspecification. An application to NHANES survey data demonstrates strong efficiency gains achieved by our proposed designs. This work provides implementable, efficient strategies for two-phase studies under coarsened phase-I data.

Date/Time/Location: December 8, 1:00 pm via web conference

If you wish to attend the public presentation, please contact the Graduate Studies Coordinator at gsc@upei.ca to receive the link.

EVERYONE IS WELCOME.

The annual call for applications for the Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) program is open. 

Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) is a program under the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy that aims to provide flexible and holistic services to help all young Canadians develop the skills and gain paid work experience to successfully transition into the labour market.

Applicants are able to seek funding to hire youth (people aged 15-30 years) between April 20, 2026, and August 29, 2026. Work placements must be full-time (30-40 hours per week) quality jobs with a minimum duration of six weeks and a maximum of 16 weeks.

Approved employers will be eligible to receive a wage subsidy reimbursement of up to 50 per cent of the provincial or territorial minimum hourly wage of $16.50/hour.

For additional information and application information for this program, please click here.

To apply for this program, you will need to contact Human Resources:

Gabe Blunte at staffing@upei.ca or (902) 620-5431

The closing date for applications is December 10, 2025.

The University of Prince Edward Island takes the safety and security of its students, faculty, staff, and the entire campus community very seriously.  

The decision to "close*" UPEI due to weather is not made lightly. However, in weather situations where the potential risk to UPEI’s students and employees as well as property, is high, the University may close, meaning that classes and exams are cancelled, and services are reduced.  

To receive push notifications or texts to your device, download the UPEI SAFE app!  

Read here for more information about how we communicate about storm/weather-related closures and things you should keep in mind about parking on campus when UPEI is closed. 

Dr. Wendy Rodgers, President and Vice-Chancellor invites you to attend the 2025 President's Holiday Social for faculty and staff. 

Date: Wednesday, December 17
Time: 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm
Location: Lower Lobby and Concourse, Performing Arts Centre and Residence

Celebrate with your colleagues and enjoy complimentary appetizers and refreshments while listening to festive songs of the season.

DONATIONS TO THE UPEI CAMPUS FOOD BANK WILL BE MATCHED! You are encouraged to bring food and monetary donations for the UPEI Campus Food Bank—the Office of the President will match the value of your support up to $10,000! Tuna, black beans, pasta, pasta sauce, and $25 gift cards are popular items.

Looking forward to seeing you all at this special time of year!