Want to know what university is really about? UPEI is launching Experience U (XPU)-a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) for free, delivered on Facebook, and open to anyone-hopeful new students, supportive parents, high school teachers, or just interested observers who are eager to engage and connect with some of the key concepts that make the university experience unique. XPU provides a platform for students to chat with their peers and faculty members, get answers to their questions, meet great people, and make connections before classes even begin.

XPU is a free, five-week course, organized by current UPEI students and begins on Thursday, April 25. Students can enroll at any time between April 25-May 30. Topics include 'what's a student,' 'what's a syllabus,' 'what's research,' 'how do I succeed at university,' and 'what's a professor'?

'The internet gives us an amazing opportunity to work and learn together. We've been doing that with MOOCs here on campus in one form or another since the first one in 2008. This time we're hoping to get high school students involved,' said Dave Cormier, UPEI's manager of web communications and innovations who is spearheading the XPU initiative. Cormier also coined the term MOOC in 2008.

This open course provides an overview of university, offers a context for the preparations and decisions students need to make, and provides a fun and engaging way to share questions about university. Each week, the course will introduce guest lectures, videos, live Q&A sessions, and some assignments.

As course participants, students will get a window into the UPEI university experience and get a handle on some of the 'ins and outs' of succeeding at the next level. The student organizers will put together discussions based on participant questions and answers to build a survival guide for starting university.

To sign up for the course, or to simply check it out, visit XPU.ca

The University of Prince Edward Island's IT Systems and Services (ITSS) department announced this month that UPEI is now a member of the federated network access service, 'eduroam.'

eduroam, a worldwide educational and research institution initiative provides 'education roaming' or a simple way for students, faculty, and staff to get instant and secure access to the Internet while visiting other participating institutions. eduroam participants simply enter their own institution's login credentials to gain access to the eduroam service while visiting other campuses.

'We are very pleased to participate in eduroam which serves to break down barriers to wireless network access among participating institutions,' said Blair Vessey, director of UPEI's ITSS department.

eduroam is a secure, worldwide roaming access service developed for the international research and education community. The service is offered at more than 5,500 institutions in over 50 countries. At UPEI, the eduroam service is provided throughout campus where wireless access is available.

For more information on eduroam, and for a complete list of participating institutions, visit https://www.eduroam.org/index.php?p=where

The UPEI Panther Golf Classic will have a new look beginning this summer after securing Stewart McKelvey, one of Atlantic Canada's leading law firms and the largest law firm on the Island, as a presenting sponsor for the next three years.

'The UPEI Panther Golf Classic is one of the premier golf tournaments held on the Island each summer and we are very pleased that Stewart McKelvey has agreed to be the presenting sponsor for the next three years,' said UPEI Director of Athletics and Recreation Bill Schurman. 'This is a wonderful commitment to the UPEI Panthers by a valuable member of our corporate community.'

'Stewart McKelvey shares a long, rewarding relationship with UPEI,' said Spencer Campbell, Stewart McKelvey Charlottetown's managing partner. 'Many of us are UPEI alumni, have worked and taught at UPEI, and we are proud, long-standing supporters of the University. UPEI is an integral part of our community and we are excited to have an opportunity to partner in this important and unique event.'

The UPEI Panther Golf Classic presented by Stewart McKelvey takes place on Friday, July 26 at Green Gables Golf Course in Cavendish. Registration is $650 per team of four and the individual fee is $170 per person. Shotgun start at 8:15 am. The tournament is held annually on the last Friday in July, which is also the beginning of Reunion Weekend at UPEI.

For more details on the UPEI Panther Golf Classic presented by Stewart McKelvey visit, gopanthersgo.ca or call Panther Central, (902) 566-0368.

UPEI alumni who graduated in 2007 with a bachelor's degree are invited to participate in the National Baccalaureate Graduate Outcomes Survey, which is being conducted by Mosaic Research Solutions, on behalf of a consortium of over 30 Canadian universities including the University of Prince Edward Island.

Emails were sent earlier this month to these graduates to invite them to participate. According to UPEI's institutional research officer, Dr. Yuqin Gong, she's pleased with the responses received so far but hopes that more individuals will complete the online survey before it closes on May 10.

'We want to reassure those who have received the invitation that UPEI is conducting the survey and that we appreciate those who have already completed it as it's of huge benefit to the University,' said Gong.

The survey provides information about the student's experience at UPEI, post-graduate involvement in the workforce and/or further education, as well as social and civic engagement. The information will help UPEI improve program quality, assessment, and accountability.

Responses will be held in strict confidence and will only be used in aggregated form for statistical purposes.

In appreciation for completing the questionnaire, graduates of 2007 will be automatically entered into a draw for a chance to win one of two Amazon.ca or UPEI Bookstore gift certificates valued at $250 each. This offer is exclusive to UPEI alumni only.

If 2007 graduates feel they haven't received the invitation or have questions related to UPEI's involvement in this survey and how the University intends to use the results, they can contact Dr. Yuqin Gong, institutional research officer, ygong@upei.ca or 902-566-0361.

The University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) and Holland College announced a new agreement today to work together to administer resources in the areas of research and development, and commercialization. A memorandum of understanding (MOU), signed by Dr. Audrey Penner, Holland College's Director of Applied Research, and Dr. Robert Gilmour, UPEI's Vice-President Research, outlines the terms of the agreement.

'This is an important step in the growth of research at both institutions,' said Dr. Gilmour. 'The university and college have made giant leaps in the last decade in terms of R&D and commercialization of new technology. That growth requires resources for proper management and administration. It only makes sense that we work together.'

Under the terms of the agreement, Holland College and UPEI will cooperate in partnerships with industry, research, commercialization, submission of grant proposals, intellectual property development and protection, and the sharing of facilities. The institutions also agree to work together to review grant applications, negotiate contracts, and conduct compliance reviews for animal care, biosafety, and research ethics.

'Holland College has gained a national reputation for excellence in applied research,' said Dr. Penner. 'Together, two institutions can model outstanding research collaboration that supports industry and economic growth for this province.'

Both institutions have enjoyed tremendous growth in R&D since the turn of the millennium. Holland College has accumulated research activity totaling more than $10 million since 2002, while overall research activity at the college increased 16 per cent in 2012 alone. Annual research expenditures at UPEI have grown from approximately $2 million in 2000 to nearly $16 million in 2012.

For information:

Sara Underwood
Media and Communications Officer
Holland College
(902) 566-9695
sunderwood@hollandcollege.com

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

The UPEI Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre is inviting the Island community to an open house on Saturday, May 4, 9:00 am-2:00 pm. The day will be jam-packed with something for everyone. Bring the family and see what the Sports Centre has to offer.

The event will kick off at 9:00 am with a motivational presentation entitled 'Finding your Butkus' by Emmy award-winner Bob Mueller. The presentation is Mueller's life story and has won him the 2008 Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Feature from NFL Films. Mueller's NFL and NHL art has been featured in a number of shows including the Superbowl 42 Gala and for a combined 2011 NFL Hall of Fame Art Show in Ohio with then president of NFL Films, the late Steve Sabol.

Mueller, a former national and international martial arts teacher, has developed his story and art into a presentation designed to speak to high schools and to businesses. His motivational talks focus on what it's like to take your dreams and inner passions and bring them to life. He states that through desire and personal discipline, everyone has a talent to go from 'average to awesome.'

After Mueller's presentation, UPEI Athletics and Recreation will officially unveil Panther Academy-'a high performance experience' which introduces programming and camps available for youth of all ages.

'The goal of the department is to offer high performance experiences in sport, fitness, and education,' said UPEI Director of Athletics and Recreation Bill Schurman. 'And we want to showcase and introduce the programs that deliver these experiences at our open house.'

There will be information and demonstrations from UPEI fitness instructors, camp leaders, varsity coaches, and many more. There will be half-hour fitness classes from 10:00-11:00 am, Panther Academy demos from 11:00 am-2:30 pm, and fitness classes again from 12:30-1:30 pm, as well as TRX, spin, squash, and fencing demonstrations available throughout the open house.

Two UPEI student nurses will be on hand to check your blood pressure and provide information on the benefits of fitness in your daily routine. For the kids, information on all the great camps that UPEI has to offer will be available, and Pride will be helping with face painting and giving out tattoos. There will be door prizes and draws throughout the day.

For more information on the open house and Panther Academy, visit ar.upei.ca or call Panther Central at (902) 566-0368.

Sports Centre new operating hours: Monday-Friday, 6:00 am-9:00 pm, and Saturday- Sunday, 8:00 am-9:00 pm.

UPEI women's hockey Head Coach Bruce Donaldson is pleased to welcome Trenton, Ontario native Amy Mountenay to the Panther program for the 2013-14 season.

'Amy's leadership will be a great addition to the program,' said Donaldson. 'And while she will be joining our program as a forward, her previous experience as a defenceman provides versatility and really adds to the depth of the overall program.'

Currently attending Trenton High School, Mountenay played this past year for the Kingston Ice Wolves of Ontario's Provincial Women's Hockey League. She was the team captain and played as a defenceman earning 12 points-four goals and eight assists in league play.

'We are pleased to welcome Amy to the University of Prince Edward Island,' said UPEI Athletics and Recreation Director Bill Schurman. 'Amy is a great addition to our Panther family and we will do everything possible to ensure she enjoys her time with us and has a wonderful student-athlete experience.'

'Having the opportunity to go to school outside of Ontario and be a part of a new hockey team is truly amazing and exciting,' said Mountenay. 'Not many individuals have the opportunity to go to school and play hockey, and for that I am thankful-and lucky. I can hardly wait to go to UPEI. I know it will be a great experience for me. As a future student and athlete, I look forward to being a part of something great.'

Mountenay is enrolled in the bachelor of business administration program at UPEI.

The UPEI Panther Academy soccer program is opening its training sessions to all PEI soccer club coaches looking for additional training and coaching techniques.

'This is a great way for coaches to absorb more information to bring back to their own teams,' said Panther Academy soccer leader Lewis Page. 'Coaching is about acquiring more and more knowledge to incorporate into technical training and tactical strategies, and new ways to present concepts and deliver practices.'

Clubs coaches can observe Panther Soccer Head Coach Lewis Page and members of both the men's and women's soccer teams put the players through seven weeks of spring training. Sessions will include 1vs1 attacking and defending, passing and receiving, crossing and finishing, as well as tactical principles of play taught in small-sided games. Club coaches can attend, take notes, and ask questions.

Sessions begin May 13

UPEI's faculty of education would like to congratulate Carolyn Francis on receiving the Governor General's Caring Canadian Award. This award recognizes the contributions of volunteers from across the country. Francis, coordinator of practice teaching in the faculty of education, has been committed to connecting her province with people in developing countries.

As an educator, Francis has been closely involved in teacher development and training through the Canadian Teachers' Federation and Uganda Teachers' Union project; Teachers' Action for Girls (TAG), to enable Ugandan girls to remain in school; as well as a twinning program that links schools in Kenya with those in Prince Edward Island in conjunction with Farmers Helping Farmers. She has also served on the board of Camp Abegweit.

'It is an honour and a privilege to work and learn from Carolyn,' said Miles Turnbull, UPEI's Dean of Education. 'Observing and benefiting from her caring approach to students, her colleagues, and all of her tasks, I am not surprised that this very fine educator has been recognized with a Caring Canadian Award. Félicitations, Carolyn!'

During a ceremony at Rideau Hall on April 25, the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada presented the Governor General's Caring Canadian Award to 26 volunteers from various sectors. The ceremony highlighted National Volunteer Week which took place April 21-27.

Since National Volunteer Week in April 2012, contributions of more than 250 volunteers from across the country have been recognized with the Caring Canadian Award. Discover these recipients and some of their stories at www.gg.ca/caring.

Congratulations, Carolyn!

About the Caring Canadian Award