The University of Prince Edward Island’s Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering (FSDE) will showcase the best in sustainable design engineering by its students at the annual Student Design Expo and Awards Ceremony on Friday, April 22, starting at 1 pm. Projects can be viewed through the afternoon with the awards ceremony and keynote speaker beginning at 3:30 pm.

Student projects will be presented in person. Each project is the result of collaboration between FSDE students and an industry or community partner. Students were tasked with designing and creating solutions to their partners’ unique challenges.  If you are unable to join us in person, there will be project videos available starting April 19 at upei.ca/designexpo2022.

In-person participants must practice physical distancing, and three-layer masks are required at all times. Any external guests will require a vax pass, and COVID screening questions will be posted at the entrance for people to read before entering the building. Please use the North Entrance of the Engineering building, facing the Bell Aliant Centre.

The keynote presentation and awards ceremony will also be available via Zoom on the Design Expo website.

Keynote Speaker: Randy Herrmann, P.Eng., FEC

Title: Traditional Indigenous Technology

Randy Herrmann, P.Eng., is the Director of the Engineering  Access Program (ENGAP) at the University of Manitoba. ENGAP is a support program designed to assist First Nation, Metis, and Inuit students seeking an engineering degree. After receiving his BSc in Geological Engineering and 10 years of working in industry, his desire to help make it easier for Indigenous students to pursue engineering led him to become Director of ENGAP in 1998. He is a Fellow of Engineers Canada, and a member of the Canadian Academy of Engineering. He is also a member of Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba and the Manitoba Metis community.

The next deadline for submitting biosafety applications including new applications, renewals, and/or amendments is Friday, April 29, 2022. These applications will be reviewed at the May 2022 meeting.

Please be sure to use the March 2022 update to the application form. Please also note that the IBC has instituted a new category of protocol amendment: Biosafety Permit Minor Amendment. This event form is included in the Researcher Portal.

Minor amendments that are strictly limited to changes in personnel and/or funding can be submitted at any time but require up to a two-week review period. They are normally reviewed by the IBC chair or designate, the BSO or designate, and one other voting member of the IBC. If the amendment is approved, then an approval notification will be sent to the PI. Submissions via this route may be sent for full committee review at the discretion of the IBC chair and the BSO.  

All research compliance applications, including biosafety application forms, must be submitted through the Researcher Portal.

Information about the Researcher Portal, including instructions for using the site, is available at https://www.upei.ca/research-services/forms. Contact researchcompliance@upei.ca if you have any questions about accessing or using the Researcher Portal.

For more information about the IBC review and approval process, please contact the Compliance Coordinator at researchcompliance@upei.ca

Ethics protocols that involve "more than minimal risk" must be reviewed by the full UPEI Research Ethics Board (REB). The next deadline for submitting these protocols is Friday, April 29, 2022.

Other ethics protocol submissions, including new applications that do not involve "more than minimal risk," renewals, and amendments may be submitted at any time. They will be sent for delegated review as soon as all necessary forms are received.

All research compliance applications, including Research Ethics Board application forms, must be submitted through the Researcher Portal. This online system is paired with electronic approvals to replace the hard-copy signatures process.

Information about the Researcher Portal, including instructions for using the site, is available at https://www.upei.ca/research-services/forms. Contact researchcompliance@upei.ca if you have any questions about accessing or using the Researcher Portal.

For more information about the REB review and approval process, please contact the Compliance Coordinator at researchcompliance@upei.ca.

Conference season is around the corner, including the UPEI Teaching Community Conference on May 3 (note the shameless plug for our own event!). Ensure that you have a stellar presentation by using the pointers in this article: Scientific Presenting: Using Evidence-Based Classroom Practices to Deliver Effective Conference Presentations.

The UPEI English Language Centre is looking for individuals and families who may be interested in hosting students this summer as part of the department's Customized Groups. Students from Japan attend UPEI for two to three weeks and reside with homestay families during their stay. If you are interested or would like further information, please contact homestay@upei.ca. 

Due to the workload requirements following Convocation, we are requesting that the University community not book any events that will require a setup for the Monday immediately following the last Convocation ceremony.

Thank you.

The next deadline for submitting biosafety applications including new applications, renewals, and/or amendments is Friday, April 29, 2022. These applications will be reviewed at the May 2022 meeting.

Please be sure to use the March 2022 update to the application form. Please also note that the IBC has instituted a new category of protocol amendment: Biosafety Permit Minor Amendment. This event form is included in the Researcher Portal.

Minor amendments that are strictly limited to changes in personnel and/or funding can be submitted at any time but require up to a two-week review period. They are normally reviewed by the IBC chair or designate, the BSO or designate, and one other voting member of the IBC. If the amendment is approved, then an approval notification will be sent to the PI. Submissions via this route may be sent for full committee review at the discretion of the IBC chair and the BSO.  

All research compliance applications, including biosafety application forms, must be submitted through the Researcher Portal.

Information about the Researcher Portal, including instructions for using the site, is available at https://www.upei.ca/research-services/forms. Contact researchcompliance@upei.ca if you have any questions about accessing or using the Researcher Portal.

For more information about the IBC review and approval process, please contact the Compliance Coordinator at researchcompliance@upei.ca

Ethics protocols that involve "more than minimal risk" must be reviewed by the full UPEI Research Ethics Board (REB). The next deadline for submitting these protocols is Friday, April 29, 2022.

Other ethics protocol submissions, including new applications that do not involve "more than minimal risk," renewals, and amendments may be submitted at any time. They will be sent for delegated review as soon as all necessary forms are received.

All research compliance applications, including Research Ethics Board application forms, must be submitted through the Researcher Portal. This online system is paired with electronic approvals to replace the hard-copy signatures process.

Information about the Researcher Portal, including instructions for using the site, is available at https://www.upei.ca/research-services/forms. Contact researchcompliance@upei.ca if you have any questions about accessing or using the Researcher Portal.

For more information about the REB review and approval process, please contact the Compliance Coordinator at researchcompliance@upei.ca.

The venue for the Spring Exam Chili and Dahl Event today (April 19) is the Fox and Crow Campus Pub, from 12:00 noon--1:30 pm and 5:00--6:30 pm. The same Grab and Go service will be offered, now with an option to dine in at the campus pub.

Volunteers, please check your time to be sure you are present for your shift. More volunteers are welcome.  

Spring 2022 Exam Chili and Dahl Free Food Event

Thank you!

Sister Sue

This is a handy tip you may not know about. Instead of slowly pecking at the keyboard to delete text, or holding down backspace to eliminate words or entire sentences, press Ctrl+backspace with the cursor placed after a word you want to erase a word at a time, making a tedious task much easier.

UPEI’s Faculty of Business will hold information sessions for those interested in the MBA in Global Leadership and Executive MBA programs. The events will be Wednesday, April 27, with information about the MBA in Global Leadership being shared at 12:00 pm and information on the Executive MBA being shared at 5:00 pm. Both events will be held virtually. Please register by emailing mba@upei.ca.

The MBA in Global Leadership program is a cohort-model MBA program that can be completed in 12- or 24-months. The program is designed to enhance students' skill sets and decision-making abilities needed in today’s dynamic international business environment.

UPEI's Executive MBA program offers a high-quality learning experience for working business professionals. The program is designed for those working in, or aspiring to work in, a management or leadership position. Classes are offered bi-weekly on Fridays and Saturdays with the option to complete the program in 20 months.

To learn more about these exciting opportunities, the Faculty of Business invites you to attend these upcoming information sessions. Learn more about the program and application process, have your questions answered, and meet with staff, faculty, and students. Please email mba@upei.ca to register, and you will be sent an access link prior to the event.

For more information about UPEI's MBA programs, please visit www.upei.ca/globalmba or www.upei.ca/emba.

The UPEI English Language Centre is looking for individuals and families who may be interested in hosting students this summer as part of the department's Customized Groups. Students from Japan attend UPEI for two to three weeks and reside with homestay families during their stay. If you are interested or would like further information, please contact homestay@upei.ca. 

Happy National Medical Laboratory Week!

Health, Safety, and Environment would like to celebrate not just our medical labs but all the different labs on campus: chemistry, biology, physics, engineering, biomedical path/microbiology, health management, diagnostic services, and applied human sciences.

Do you work in one of these labs?

Submit a safety tip or a safety measure that you've implemented in your lab for a chance to win a $100 UPEI Bookstore Gift card, a $25 Tim's Gift card, or a health and safety mug! Send your submissions to hse@upei.ca by end-of-day Tuesday, April 19. The draw will take place on Wednesday, April 20.

The Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering is pleased to announce an upcoming Master of Science in Sustainable Design Engineering (MSc-SDE) thesis defence on Tuesday, April 19, at 2:00 pm. Joshua O'Neill will defend his thesis titled "Development of an Attitude Control System for CubeSat Application."

The presentation and examination will be presented via a web conference. 

Please contact Lisa Sanderson (lmsanderson@upei.ca) if you would like to receive the link to attend. 

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/acenet-introduction-to-neural-network-architecture-tickets-264356506427

Join ACENET for an introduction to Neural Network Architecture.

About this event

Prerequisite: Familiarity with feed-forward neural networks

Have you wondered how machine learning models can suddenly do so many different types of work? How is it that machines can learn things like language, vision, and translation in such a short amount of time, and what has helped drive these kinds of improvements? The obvious answers--big data and big processors--are only part of the story. To understand the full picture, we need to take a closer look at the models driving the AI revolution. This talk is aimed at people who are familiar with the basics of feed-forward neural networks, and will involve an in-depth explanation of how information is represented for machines to learn on, how machines can make sense of information, and the challenges presented.

This session will take place on Thursday, April 20, 12:00 pm--3:00 pm (Atlantic time)

You will need to have a laptop with a Mac, Linux, or Windows operating system (not a tablet, Chromebook, etc.) on which you have administrative privileges, as you will need to pre-load specific software packages. 

Participants must register using their institutional/organizational email address (not a personal email, i.e., gmail)

Instructions about how to join will be sent out one day prior to the start of the event.

Hatha Yoga and Pilates with Weights – May Program 

UPEI personal trainer Derek Smith will lead a yoga class with traditional asanas held in accurate alignment. Emphasis is placed on core strength, flexibility, and balance as well as concentration and breath control. This class is based on physical postures (asanas), deep breathing, mindfulness, and listening to the body. It is suitable for all levels. This class will take place on Mondays, 7:00--7:45 am, May 9--June 20. There will not be a class on Victoria Day, May 23.

Fitness instructor Karina Boswell will lead a class that focuses on the transitions between essential level exercises while developing endurance, flexibility, and overall strength through more repetitions. You will feel the CORE in this class!  This class will take place on Tuesdays, 12:10-12:55 pm, May 10--June 15. 

There will be a total of 12 classes (six Hatha Yoga and six Pilates with weights). 

UPEI staff and faculty fee:  $30+hst (Regular rate: $105+hst). To register, log in at recreation.upei.ca and click on Fitness Programs. Registration will open on May 1. 

UPEI is partnering with the Canada Games Host Society during the 2023 Canada Winter Games from February 18 to March 5. From scorekeepers and ushers to drivers and bloggers, it will take thousands of people working together to plan and support all the athletic and cultural events during the Games. UPEI has developed Guidelines for Volunteer Leave for the 2023 Canada Winter Games. UPEI employees who wish to volunteer are eligible to apply for up to 15 hours of paid time off to volunteer for the Games.

To learn more and apply to be a volunteer, visit the 2023 Canada Winter Games Volunteer Portal.
 

The UPEI English Language Centre is looking for individuals and families who may be interested in hosting students this summer as part of the department's Customized Groups. Students from Japan attend UPEI for two to three weeks and reside with homestay families during their stay. If you are interested or would like further information, please contact homestay@upei.ca. 

Happy National Medical Laboratory Week!

Health, Safety, and Environment would like to celebrate not just our medical labs but all the different labs on campus: chemistry, biology, physics, engineering, biomedical path/microbiology, health management, diagnostic services, and applied human sciences.

Do you work in one of these labs?

Submit a safety tip or a safety measure that you've implemented in your lab for a chance to win a $100 UPEI Bookstore Gift card, a $25 Tim's Gift card, or a health and safety mug! Send your submissions to hse@upei.ca by end-of-day Tuesday, April 19. The draw will take place on Wednesday, April 20.

The Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering is pleased to announce an upcoming Master of Science in Sustainable Design Engineering (MSc-SDE) thesis defence on Tuesday, April 19, at 2:00 pm. Joshua O'Neill will defend his thesis titled "Development of an Attitude Control System for CubeSat Application."

The presentation and examination will be presented via a web conference. 

Please contact Lisa Sanderson (lmsanderson@upei.ca) if you would like to receive the link to attend.