Are you an international student planning to begin at UPEI this fall? Join us for International Student Welcome Day! The focus of the day is on student life for international students and getting to know the campus, surrounding community and to help you prepare and transition to life in Canada. There will be many different presentations covering a wide range of subjects, and social activities to give you the opportunity to get to know your fellow students. This will include sessions on the International Buddy Program, banking, housing, the Writing Centre and more! Lunch will be provided in addition to transportation to an evening ceilidh to finish off the day. Please note that there will be a break in activities between 4:00 and 6:00 pm. Join us the following day for Welcome Day, a chance to get UPEI-ready before classes even start!

The Sir James Dunn Animal Welfare Centre's ninth annual Animal Welfare in Practice conference will take place at AVC on September 13 and 14. This year, the conference explores common behaviour issues in dogs and cats, their impact on the welfare of pets, and the importance of positive interactions in the prevention and management of behaviour problems. On Friday, September 13, at 7:00 p.m., Dr. Barbara Sherman, MS, PhD, DVM, will give a free public lecture,“Help! My dog just tore down my blinds…and other behaviour issues in dogs and cats,” in Room 242, Don and Marion McDougall Hall, UPEI (PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF VENUE). Dr. Sherman is a Clinical Professor, Veterinary Behavior, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, and a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists and the American College of Animal Welfare. The program on Saturday, September 14, will take place at the Atlantic Veterinary College, and is of interest to veterinarians, veterinary and animal science students, animal health technicians, trainers, and humane society personnel. Workshops will cover diagnosis and treatment of behaviour problems in dogs and cats, pharmacology of drugs that modify animal behaviour, an interactive session about specific behaviour problems, and a workshop in the afternoon on positive training approaches for behaviour challenges. Registration fees apply. Please see the Animal Welfare Centre's website for full programme details and registration information. The conference is co-hosted by the SJDAWC and the AVC Animal Welfare Club, with generous additional support from the Animal Welfare Foundation of Canada.

Suzanne departs from NB on Sunday, August 18 at 7:45 am and is expected to arrive in Borden at noon time. UPEI Athletics ans Recreation and the entire UPEI Community wish her "Good Luck!" as she looks to raise $10000 for the UPEI swim team. To donate, visit her Facebook page "Suzanne conquers the Strait".

Dr. Peter McCarthy will be visiting UPEI and putting on a seminar entitled: "The Microbial Population of Marine Sponges: a Biotechnological Resource" on Friday, August 23 at 10:00 am in AVC, Lecture Theatre B. Dr. McCarthy was educated in England and received his Ph.D. in Microbiology from the University of Kent at Canterbury and did a post-doctoral fellowship at Smith Kline Beckman and then joined Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution in 1985. For the last 7 years, Dr.McCarthy has worked as a research professor in the Marine Biomedical and Biotechnology Research group of Florida Atlantic University. Projects taking place in his lab include the identification of the symbiotic microbes present in deep-water marine sponges and the development of novel isolation methods to increase the numbers of microbes that can be cultured. This has resulted in the development of an extensive culture collection currently numbering over 19,000 isolates. The group works closely with the Marine Natural Products Chemistry group in the isolation and identification of chemicals produced by these unusual microbes with the goal of discovering new therapies for cancer and infectious diseases. New initiatives taking place in his lab include: the discovery of novel enzymes produced by marine microbes and their use in addressing biotechnological aspects of fuel generation and the investigation of methods to cultivate the pathogenic fungus Lacazia loboi. All are welcome to attend.

Are you nervous, anxious, or excited for O-Week? It doesn't matter! PlayFair will give you the chance to meet new classmates in a fun and easy way! Join in on the UPEI Turf at 8:00 pm to to kick-off O-Week!

Students, staff, and faculty are all invited to take part in the Shine Day Kick-off at the W.A. Murphy Student Centre from 8:00-9:00 am. Discover what Shinerama is about and what UPEI is doing to help! Immediately following, Shine Day will begin on UPEI campus and in the Charlottetown area. You will find UPEI students washing cards, shining shoes, singing songs and doing backflips all in an effort to raise money for cystic fibrosis treatment and research! Show your support this Shine Day!

Fuel up for a big day ahead! Come enjoy some pancakes, sausages, and spend time with new friends!

Meet your UPEI Student Union executive and the councillors that represent you! Join in for an old fashioned BBQ at the O-Week Headquarters (tent in between Don and Marion McDougall Hall and Duffy Sceince Centre) for a great start to the afternoon! All are welcome to attend!

It's time to celebrate and finish off O-Week 2013 with lots of food, new and old friends, as well as staff and faculty! Awards will be presented to the top team, most spirited first-year and top O-Week leader. The UPEI Shinerama 2013 fundraising total will also be announced! Please contact Candice Heigh at 902-566-0530 or admin@upeisu.ca if you're interested in purchasing a ticket.

Looking for services in Charlottetown? Come and meet dozens of local and national businesses who are here to help new students. Be sure to stop and chat with some representatives!